Harrah's Total Rock, Total Rewards 2010 Rock Band Competition

[funkbunny77]

Because the performance included both members of an already registered band and a different member, this would qualify as a second registration by a Competitor and would probably be thrown out. However, it seems that the venue didn't dispute it at the time, so I have no idea how that might play in.

I have no bias in this clarification either - but that's my interpretation as well. Our band didn't even compete for the first two weeks because one of our registered band members was out of town.

New band member? We checked the rules and they seemed vague. The new guy never played on any other band. In fact the first time all 4 of us played together was on that stage. Either way? It goes back to the other 1.9 and is still higher than 1.7

I disagree - the rules seem pretty clear that you get only one entry per night with one band, as registered.

I won't belabor this point - just wanted clarification on the rules.

The real issue that I have seen expressed is the utter lack of knowledge by venue staff of the competition rules and the game. Clearly, many venues don't even have the full songlist, have faulty equipment, or no knowledge of how to enforce the rules (modifying calibration, volume, etc).

However, while it may not have been expressed in the rules, there is precedent that the venues can change *at least* the scoring system used.

This can probably be used to justify the lack of song selection at certain venues, non-standard equipment, and other variations from the official rules. However, its hard to see how gross negligence on the part of some venue organizers can be deemed the "venue's official rules".

Luckily, I haven't had to deal with these problems personally - nyc seems to run very smoothly simply because we have high caliber players, an organizer with very little knowledge of the game and a willingness to ask for assistance in things like calibration, and almost all of us have read the rules repeatedly and have been policing ourselves.

I do feel sorry for bands that have been "screwed" by poor organization on the part of the venues - I just don't think there is much that can be done about it short of asking the venues that have had issues to add additional nights and making sure they specify *exactly* how the "venue's official rules" differ from the "official rules"

We haven't had these issues either. Denver is run by an amazing guy who always has the best equipment, all the DLC, and is knowledgable of the game. Last week we had issues for the first half of the night because he couldn't access XBL (where the rights are housed) but dispatched a couple roadies and we had access to the full catalog of DLC within an hour or so.

As anyone who's played RB at a bar knows, it's WAY different vocally and calibration-wise - so you have to get used to it. KTO generally puts up monster scores at home ... not so easily in a bar environment.

[kitlerc]

So it turns out that the last qualifier in DC was canceled. So out of four qualifier dates, they only had one actual event. In that one event, two bands showed up. I was in the one that lost. So congrats to the other band! I wonder if anyone from that band actually sees this...

[funkbunny77]

So it turns out that the last qualifier in DC was canceled. So out of four qualifier dates, they only had one actual event.

Wow - that sucks. Sounds like there are wonky issues everywhere in this competition.

Last week's Denver qualifier was canceled (literally) at the last minute but managed to get it rescheduled it for this week.

[kitlerc]

Wow - that sucks. Sounds like there are wonky issues everywhere in this competition.

Last week's Denver qualifier was canceled (literally) at the last minute but managed to get it rescheduled it for this week.

I wonder what is going on with all of these events?

Fortunate for me that the only week the DC qualifier happened was the week my group was free to go, so at least there's that.

[funkbunny77]

I wonder what is going on with all of these events?

I suspect a reliance on local venues to handle the local logistics has lent itself to many of these issues. Centralized oversight (or at least someone providing clear expectations and direction to the hosting venues) could have resolved a lot of these issues.

We are very fortunate to have the best bar night set-up company - Death of the Arcade. I seriously can't speak highly enough of Gabe and his band of roadies. Always a good time. If you're ever in Denver, you should totally check it out.

[HauntingYourKids]

Now let me get this straight, Treefitty plays a song, scores 1,730,000. Their claim is microphone level cause a much less than expected score. TreeFitty allows, in good sportsmanship, for the microphone to be adjusted. Four Shades of Power plays, scores 1,972,083. Disappointed TreeFitty plays again with the same microphone level that FSoP used and validates there claim with 2,165,382 points (the highest score earned at that venue). TreeFitty is confused why a band has substituted a player, FSoP states "rules are vague in that area"(maybe...... but...) TreeFitty wonders if "rules are vague" in the case where one band has a technical advantage -( I don't think so.....) *****TreeFitty wins this arguement****

Okay, here's how it actually is:

Tahoe didn't have all the selectable songs until the very last week of the competition. Tree Fitty finally selects their song and score ~1,730,000. Their claim is the sound level from the speaker caused a much less than expected score, as it washed out what the singer was singing. The instruments played just fine. After others come up and play freely, all the people on vocals agree with this and the volume is lowered. Tree Fitty tries another run of the same song, just to prove that they can beat the high score. They score 2,165,382, but since they already played, their score doesn't count. FSoP come up and played their song, the volume still lowered, and score 1,988,243. Since they didn't play with their original registered line-up, it's debatable as to whether their score should count, but their run of 1,972,083 from a few weeks earlier still held up.

Basically, we had the competition won, but tripped at the finish line. And because I don't think anyone is bringing it up, I'll again point out that it was our drummer that asked for the volume to be cranked up to begin with.

[aramos86]

Okay, here's how it actually is:

Tahoe didn't have all the selectable songs until the very last week of the competition. Tree Fitty finally selects their song and score ~1,730,000. Their claim is the sound level from the speaker caused a much less than expected score, as it washed out what the singer was singing. The instruments played just fine. After others come up and play freely, all the people on vocals agree with this and the volume is lowered. Tree Fitty tries another run of the same song, just to prove that they can beat the high score. They score 2,165,382, but since they already played, their score doesn't count. FSoP come up and played their song, the volume still lowered, and score 1,988,243. Since they didn't play with their original registered line-up, it's debatable as to whether their score should count, but their run of 1,972,083 from a few weeks earlier still held up.

Basically, we had the competition won, but tripped at the finish line. And because I don't think anyone is bringing it up, I'll again point out that it was our drummer that asked for the volume to be cranked up to begin with.

Sorry I thought I had stated that. I know I had mentioned it in the letter that I had Aaron send to MTV along with the post on my facebook wall. I thought I had posted it elsewhere.

[HauntingYourKids]

Again, I would like to commend TreeFitty on their outstanding display of sportsmanship, especially in pointing out, "hey, it was are drummer who asked for more sound"

Wow, for a second, I thought someone was gonna accuse me of pointing fingers. Also...

FreeTittie should have been offered, as a fairness guesture, an offer to nullify there first run.

*snicker*

Look, everyone, I'm sorry I brought this up. I just want to leave this thing behind me now.

[kitlerc]

I suspect a reliance on local venues to handle the local logistics has lent itself to many of these issues. Centralized oversight (or at least someone providing clear expectations and direction to the hosting venues) could have resolved a lot of these issues.

We are very fortunate to have the best bar night set-up company - Death of the Arcade. I seriously can't speak highly enough of Gabe and his band of roadies. Always a good time. If you're ever in Denver, you should totally check it out.

I bet it's very easy to top the local RB bar nights here. Though I heard about one company that's popped up, since they're closer, I'll try them first before heading to Colorado.

But the Best Rock Band set up ever was the Pepsi/Rock Band booth at E3 last year. I guess they had every song ever, the Ion drum set, and the P-Bass. And when I say every song ever, I mean it. They must have been using a HMX dev kit, cause it had Enter Sandman in there. in RB2.

[xshrpshtr]

So you won't let it go...ok.

You must assume I am an idiot and can't spot the lamest trolling trick in the book? "veggie" 4 post...all today. Same weak garbage you pulled on facebook. Commenting on each others' posts as though you don't know each other. It is ridiculous and weak. Grow up.

"great sportsmanship" Now that is rich. You threw your drummer under the bus in your first post. Not a single "we", nice. No mention of you guys trying to steal me away from FSOP? Why no mention of this?

FSOP had NOTHING to do with anything that happened. Period. We have allowed any starts, stops, restarts, sound level changes...etc. you guys wanted? We even gave you guys your choice of going first or last. Interesting you failed to mention these facts?

You guys CHOSE to do a song not in the system till the last night. It was a bad tactic. I'm guessing it is because you couldn't beat us on the same song? 1.7 on CB as I remember?

You guys CHOSE to stop your run and have the sound level changed(we allowed without any problem) You guys CHOSE to have your mic over closer to the speaker.

Here's a FACT not mentioned...YOU GUYS had the sound level changed up. and YOU GUYS had the sound level brought back down before our run. FACT.

Once again FSOP had NOTHING to do with your choices. The venue had NOTHING to do with your choices. This isn't Canadian kids' soccer where they don't keep score past 5 goals. This is grown up land where we don't troll and have conversations with ourselves.

I am appalled at this being done out in public. This is pathetic and unprofessional. It reflects badly on all involved. As I texted you. I asked this not be done in public for the sake of the game and friendship. This entire episode could have been handled behind the scenes and with sportsmanship in public. I shook your hands and congratulated you guys the(one) night you won. Your actions on here have been a truly pathetic display of dirty diapers. I also suspect most of the trolling has been done by one specific person who is not even in the band but can't get over it. Grow up. Having conversations with yourself online is not healthy. It also happens to be pathetic and weak.

I am responding on my own and do not speak on behalf of FSOP.

I apologize to any and all who have been offended by this tripe. I regret this whole episode.