| Safety Meeting |
The sharing of marijuana among crew and or band members. “Safety meeting on the bus in 15 minutes!” >> submitted by Neil S See also Production Meeting |
| scaff |
Slang: Short for scaffolding, which sucks, no matter how far you have to move it. >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| scrim |
Thin fabric backdrop, used in conjunction with front or backlighting effects. Could be white or black depending on effect |
| set |
Part of a show. If there is an intermission (rare) there is a first set and a second set. More common in “bar bands” |
| Sharpie |
Brand Name: permanent marking pen (writes great on gaffer’s tape) Roadie’s choice…don’t leave home without it >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| shed |
an outdoor amphitheater where the stage and part of the audience is covered by a roof. Usually features some grass seating…(e.g. Pineknob, Wolftrap) |
| shop |
Workshop back at the company headquarters |
| show |
The actual performance as in the show must go on |
| shower slides |
Special shoes for in those strange venue showers with the sketchy looking shower floors >> submitted by Taz |
| Shrave |
Small cases and loose items used to fill the pack in a truck. Usually put in the dog house. >> submitted by Chris Clarke |
| Shure |
Brand Name: microphone, commonly used for vocals. >> submitted by Russ Jones |
| side blows |
Another term for cross stage stack or fills >> submitted by Robot Tekk |
| side fills |
Small PA stack set up off stage left and off stage right to supplement the stage monitors. Used with very loud bands to help raise monitor levels on stage (aka fills, cross stage) >> submitted by Craig |
| Silver Eagle |
Brand Name: a deluxe tour bus, and all that implies. |
| skin (1) |
Slang: refers to the think vinyl that covers a stage’s roof (aka “condom”) >> submitted by RezPhreak |
| skin (2) |
Slang: Small rectangular pieces of paper used to hand-roll the tobacco often smoked during “production meetings” >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| Slacker |
One who works as little as possible, more than a poser, yes less than an actual stagehand/roadie. >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| SM-57 |
Shure vocal mic, sometimes used for drums. |
| SM-58 |
Shure vocal mic. >> submitted by Russ Jones |
| snake |
Thick cable with hundreds of wires used to connect the sound and light boards to the equipment on stage |
| snake case |
Large box that takes the stage inputs and sends out three snakes: FOH, Monitors, and Recording >> submitted by Eric May |
| snare |
Snare drum |
| Soca |
Brand Name: multipin connector, however commonly referred to as multi cable, also known as Socapex >> submitted by Eric Weston |
| sound check |
Time allocated to “fine tune” the sound for the specific venue. May or may not involve actual musicians |
| Sound Nazi |
you run into this poor soul when doing a gig at a venue with a decibel level he tells you that you can’t go higher than a certain DB or the band will get fined (aka sound police) >> submitted by James “J-Roc” Rocline |
| Spaff |
General stuff like basic disco lighting ,e.g “Disco Spaff” or other small bits of Kak could also mean the sticky residue from beer or old tape e.g there’s spaff all over this cable. >> submitted by Ben W |
| “Spark Fairy” |
Slang: Lighting roadie >> submitted by Tim |
| Sparky (1) |
An electrician >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| Sparky (2) |
One whom has had a misfortunate incident with mother electricity >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| speakon |
Speaker cable with lockable connectors used for secure speaker/monitor chaining |
| special (1) |
anything that doesn’t “go” (is broken), but is left in to make the set up/stage/whatever look complete. usually speakers or lights >> submitted by Craig |
| special (2) |
Noun: A spot on stage that must have a light focused on it, usually a conventional fixture, (moving fixtures, unfortunately, don’t require enough effort to please most promoters) that has the sole purpose of making the promoter happy. (ex. Bill, focus that special downstage center, so everybody can see this jerk.) To really annoy promoters, place a yellow, or hot pink gel in said fixture >> submitted by StageTech |
| Special Guest |
Alternate name for the opening act(s) |
| special guest |
Slang: Something left on stage in full view of the punters e.g. jacket on drum riser, someone¥s towel hung out to dry on keyboard stand etc >> submitted by John Norris |
| speed wrench |
Slang: Ratchet Box Wrench 3/4 X 7/8 |
| spin the bottle |
Adjusting the bulb in a PAR can >> submitted by John Norris |
| Spooge |
Any semi-viscous substance that manages to get into an area it shouldn’t. (I’ve got tape spooge all over my NL4.) >> submitted by Steve Farmer |
| spot op |
Person who operates the follow spot >> submitted by Dave B |
| spots |
Narrow beam light, could be operated by a stage hand (Trouper) or be a stage light (par lamp) |
| squint |
slang: Lighting Director >> submitted by Rich Campbell |
| stacks |
Wall of speakers at either side of the stage (modern stage shows suspend the sound systems high in the air |
| “stacks & racks” |
A sound rental that includes everything except the mics and sound console. Common in bar or small theatre tours. >> submitted by Gary |
| stage box |
A junction box, typically allowing 6-12 microphones to be connected via one cable >> submitted by Rod Anderson |
| stage crew |
Local labor hired to help with load in and load out, and in some cities (union) actually perform some roadie duties like mixing sound or operating spotlights. |
| stage juice |
Liquid on the stage after the gig from beer and water and other Liquids! e.g “You can coil that cable it is covered in stage juice” >> submitted by Ben W |
| stage left |
Side of the stage to your left if you are standing on the stage looking out to the audience |
| stage right |
Side of the stage to your right if you are standing on the stage looking out to the audience |
| starmaker |
any reverb or delay effect used on lead vocal. Usage: “That guy definitely needs more ‘starmaker’ on his mic.” >> submitted by Russ Buchanan |
| steel toes |
Safety boots with metal reinforced toes, worn by some roadies to prevent injury. (e.g. Road cases are heavy and tend to crush things when they fall) |
| stick |
tripod stand to hold a small P.A. speaker >> submitted by Bink Knowles |
| straight truck |
Truck with 2 axles, 6 wheels, and generally an 18 to 28 feet long box >> submitted by Dave B |
| strike |
To take down or disassemble (e.g. we started to strike the stage) >> submitted by RezPhreak |
| strobe |
Rapid flashing light, popular in the disco era |
| struck |
To have taken down or disassembled (e.g. we struck the stage) |
| sub (1) |
Shortened form of “subwoofer”, a loudspeaker designed to reproduce very low frequencies, enhancing the”bottom end” of the PA sound >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| sub (2) |
A bus or something to group a series of inputs on a mixing console >> submitted by Ottoman |
| suck |
The opening bands occupation..”they suck” >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| Suck button (1) |
Slang: Any button or knob on a mixer that will make a band sound bad >> submitted by Kenny Walden |
| Suck Button (2) |
A switch, knob, fader, etc. on the mixing console that does absolutely nothing, but is used to threaten the band. (i.e. I’ll push the suck button on your channel.) For a better effect, it should be labeled with a label maker |
| Super Trouper |
Xenon arc spot light (incredibly bright), also a song by ABBA about their spotlights >> submitted by Darrell Brock |
| supplemental sound |
Extra Sound equipment brought in especially for large shows to provide enough power to cover the venue |
| “swag” (1) |
A term that comes from the olden days in Australia… A salesman would walk for miles to sell his goods to the aboriginal people and those in distant towns.. he would carry his goods in a bag over his shoulder and by the time he got to town, he would have a definite “Swagger” to his step from carrying the weight all day.. Hence “Swag” means commercial goods, trinkets, souvenirs,clothing..etceteras…. >> submitted by Dave B |
| S.W.A.G. (2) |
“Swag” also stands for “Stolen While At Gig” Can include collectibles, T-shirts, tools, underwear, etc… >> submitted by ingramwn@ponyexpress.net |
| S.W.A.G. (3) |
“Swag” also stands for “Sh*t We A’int Getting” >> submitted by Taz |
| S.W.A.G. (4) |
Also known as a term used by the local hands as the local crew shirt: given out to the hands by the tour (if the tour co. is not to CHEAP!) >> submitted by Keith |
| “swag” (5) |
Term used in referring to slack in sound or lighting cable >> submitted by Keith |
| S.W.A.G. (6) |
“Swag” also stands for “Something We All Get” >> submitted by Roger |
| S.W.A.G. (7) |
“Swag” also stands for “Sex With A Groupie” >> submitted by Roger |
| S.W.A.G. (8) |
“Swag” also stands for “Scientific Wild Ass Guess!” >> submitted by Butch |
| S.W.A.G. (9) |
“Swag” also stands for “Sh*t Whiners Ain’t Gettin” >> submitted by Richard Luckett |
| S.W.A.G. (10) |
“Swag” also stands for “Stolen Without A Gun”Ö.>> submitted by Tom Pascarella |
| S.W.A.G. (11) |
“Swag” also stands for “Stuff ..Weasels.Always.Get” >> submitted by Trent Baldwin |
| Swag Fag |
See Cotton Tech >> submitted by Shawn Insall |
| “Tale of Two Vermin” |
Roadie Story written by Toby Fleming in 1986 while on tour. Every show day Toby would type out a new episode featuring the misguided adventures of Buzz and Darla, two teenage vermin who come to the “Big Rock Show” and get way more than they bargained for. Several copies of the original story survived the decades and it is being shared (one episode a week) on Roadie.net as of 4/1/07. |
| Talent |
A one-word oxymoron >> submitted by Gary |
| Tech |
Slang: Technician |
| tech rider |
A wish list (actually the contractual minimum specifications for the show that are rarely carried out) >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| Technical Hell |
It’s when everything that could go wrong, can – and does… but ONLY with the technical things. Technical Hell is NOT fun >> submitted by RezPhreak |
| Texas Gravy |
Slang: The white froth that builds up in your drawers on a humid day after an extra generous application of Gold Bond >> submitted by Tom Harvey |
| Tin-Ear |
Slang: A sound roadie (usually a FNG) that mixes the sound with too much mid-range |
| tip (1) |
To unload “ie. to tip a trailer” >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| tip (2) |
A cash bonus paid from a performer to an engineer and/or lighting tech. Almost unheard of >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| Tirfor |
Lever operated wire cable type hoist, notorious for jamming and the cause of a great deal of strong language among roadies >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| T.L.T.L |
Too Little Too Late >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| toast |
Slang: Equipment that no longer works. “Leave that amp in the truck, it’s “toast.” >> submitted by Steve “pUNK” Cunningham |
| toast rack |
Slang: Guitar stand that holds 4 guitars |
| tom |
Slang: Tom Tom drums |
| Tour Manager |
The tour manager is usually the real boss and he co-ordinates all the road managers as well as the details and logistics of the tour itself. (see also Road Manager) |
| trainwreck |
Slang: When the band drops the ball, the phrase “Trainwrecks are music too” keeps you sane >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| tri-amp |
Use of three amplifiers to reproduce bass, mid range and treble separately after electronically splitting the highs and mids from the lows by use of a crossover |
| Trouper |
A xenon spot light (the old ones used two carbon rods that would arc across a gap and create light, the current ones use a xenon arc) |
| TRS |
Abbreviation of “tip – ring – sleeve”. A jack connector typically used for balanced lines and console insert points >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| truss |
Span of light but strong material (usually aluminum) that supports dozens of stage lighting instruments. (See Genie lifter and grid) |
| Truss Monkey |
Slang: Those high flyers of the chain bucket brigade..setting focus and changing globes in the air for those Par64 >> submitted by Trent Baldwin |
| truss skirt |
1′ to 4′ high piece of drape to hide the bright look of silver truss >> submitted by Eric Weston |
| truss teaser |
See truss skirt >> submitted by Eric Weston |
| trussing |
Same as truss, The gridwork of horizontal towers from which the Lighting and P.A hang. |
| tweak |
To adjust, fiddle with, or fine tune equipment |
| Tweak (2) |
Slang: Sound Guy >> submitted by TOMMY |
| tweaking |
When a roadie has to much party favor the night before a gig >> submitted by TOMMY |
| under the stage |
Good place to stash anything useless >> submitted by Tarrant Falcke |
| Underworld |
Space under the stage where amps, racks, video, dimmers and other techs are located >> submitted by Martin Crul |
| union |
Organized labor at certain venues, usually IATSE. (International Association of Theater and Stage Employees) |
| up-rigger |
The guy 60 ft. up in a 100 degree heat screaming at his ground guy, probably thinking he should have worn a harness today >> submitted by Stacey “LilBit” Holmes |
| up stage |
Portion of the stage farthest from the audience. Comes from old stages that were “raked” or inclined, and were actually lower at the audience edge |
| Van Hool |
The Rolls Royce of tour busses >> submitted by Tony D |
| “Vej” |
It is an attempt from German roadies to pronounce “Wedge”. A “Vej” is either a “Wedge” formed loudspeaker cabinet placed on the floor with the loudspeaker facing up at an angle, or it¥s something which you can eat in catering if you don¥t eat meat. >> submitted by Pete |
| vendors |
People selling ancillary products (T-shirts, programs, food, drink). Could be with the band or local |
| venue |
Place the show takes place. (e.g.Theatre, gym, outdoor stage, Quonset hut) |
| “Verm” |
Slang: short for Vermin >> first coined by Toby Fleming circa 1984 (See “Tale of Two Vermin”) |
| “Vermin” |
Slang: The members of the audience. Other similar terms include Verm (short for Vermin), Punters, Cattle, Civilians, MABS, Ramp Rats, Posers, and Ligers >> first coined by Toby Fleming circa 1986 (See “Tale of Two Vermin”) |
| “vice grips” |
The old style clearcom headsets that were so tight on your head, it felt like you were in a vice >> submitted by Eric Weston |
| Videit |
(Pronounced Vid-ee-it): Anyone involved with live video production.; combination of video and idiot >> submitted by Neil Bergman |
| Videoalley |
Space in underworld where videotechs are located with equipment >> submitted by Martin Crul |
| VIP Mexican Road Case |
Cardboard box cabinet is shipped in with holes cut out for handle access, same as regular Mexican Road Case, but lined with styrofoam >> submitted by James Dunne |
| VLB |
Applies to trelcos, other 3-way splitters / adapters – Very Lucky Bastard (one male, three females!) See also LB – British origin >> submitted by Fraser ‘Frank’ Munro |
| V.O.G. |
V.O.G. = Voice Of GOD, That voice that comes out from nowhere to introduce a band to the stage. Usually the front of house engineer is the one responsible…. >> submitted by Brad Finn |
| VOM (1) |
Abbreviation: Volt Ohm Meter: used to identify and fix electrical problems |
| “Vom” (2) |
Short for Vomitory – A large arched entrance to the stadium pitch or arena floor. Used for loading in (i.e. “Bring it in the stage left vom.”) >> submitted by Mark East |
| VOX |
Slang: Vocals >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| VU meter |
The level meter on a mixing board, old ones used needles that bounced with the music, newer ones are rows of colored LEDs. >> submitted by Russ Jones |
| Walter |
A job that one person could perform correctly in five minutes, but five people are assigned to do it so it takes an hour to perform (usually incorrectly) because of the committee it creates >> submitted by Thane |
| “wankers in the wings” |
Slang: Roadies (Thats us!) >> submitted by John Norris |
| WB |
“With benefits”, usually sexual, ie. “I got a laminate with benefits” >> submitted by Andrew Murdock |
| wedge |
A stage monitor so named for its wedge-like shape, pointing the speakers up at the performer from the stage floor. |
| west coast |
Coiling cable right into the box with out tying it up. “Just west coast it into the black Cadillac” >> submitted by Eric Weston |
| west coast over-under” |
The preferred method of returning video cables not on reels to a transportable condition >> submitted by Taco RFL |
| “Whats That?” |
Sign of a true monitor engineer.. deaf as my grandma >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| white gloves |
Slang: A roadie that doesn’t seem to get dirty, or doesn’t seem to really do any work. (i.e. “He’s strictly ‘White Gloves”) >> submitted by Gary |
| “The Wife” |
Label for any case that carries soft goods, scrims, curtains, or other RAGS >> submitted by Mike O’Connell RFL |
| “Woodnymph”- |
Slang: set carpenter >> submitted by Tim |
| …World |
Guitar World, Monitor World, etc. Anything World means an area. “That kaka lives over there in Monitor World” >> submitted by RezPhreak |
| XLR |
Microphone connector (also called cannon connector, 300 ohm balanced, 3 conductor) |
| Yellow Jackets |
Plastic cable protectors that fit together with divided sections for cables / cords and hinged tops. They are mostly yellow and black. The heavy duty Yellow Jackets can withstand the weight of forklifts, busses etc. >> submitted by Carey Jones |
| Zero Halliburton briefcase |
Brand name briefcase of choice for Road Managers |
| zero out |
“Zero out” (verb) or “zeroed out” (past tense): Removing the masking tape that labels the channel-to-instrument designation at the bottom of the sound board table. “…It’s one of my little pet peeves when we get to the next club and the last sound guy didn’t “zero out” the sound board!” >> submitted by George Bond |
| zero wrap |
Same as West Coast Over-under >> PQPine |
