Justin Scheidling takes us inside a day in the life of a touring tech, supporting the bands of Stephen Kramer Glickman and Katelyn Tarver on the Big Time Rush tour, from load-in to bus call. From labeling every cable and packing “JustInCase” bags to handling the curveballs of show days, you get the raw look at how a pro keeps the gig rolling. You’ll hear how gear obsession became the gateway to teching, what it’s like to set up drums straight off the truck, and why even a $3,000 gig has the same headaches as a $300 one. And yes, rain still finds its way to the PA. Through it all, Justin proves that the secret to surviving the road is simple: Always Be Performing.
But this isn’t just about tech work! It’s about career lessons you can steal borrow for your own gigs. You’ll learn why making yourself known by being helpful pays off, how meeting everyone opens doors, and how DJ percussion gigs and Blue Man Group tricks turned into a show-stopping side hustle. From backstage at Meadowbrook’s rock-star pool party to 3am bus calls, Justin makes it clear that every step of the grind adds to the craft. No matter the role—tech, player, or bandleader—you’re building skills that take you further on stage and off.
00:00:00 Gig Gab 502 - Monday, October 6th, 2025
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October 6th: National Mad Hatter Day
Guest co-hosts: Justin Scheidling
00:02:50 First time nationwide drum tech!
Gear Acquisition Syndrome is real… and it helps set you up to become a drum tech!
Buddy Gibbons says.. “So… I need a tech!”
The job expands: Can you also work on guitars…and pianos?
00:05:40 Remembering the view of an outsider
Player first…but I run my own bands
00:07:53 What’s in your “JustInCase”
Labeling is important!
MakeItStay Bag
MakeItMove Bag
00:11:21 I want everyone on this tour to know who I am.
Do that by being helpful
00:13:00 Are my toolboxes going to make it on the plane?
00:14:33 Gig Anxiety
Fueled by experiences
Don’t plug the PA in with the refrigerator
A little bit extra…with Justin!
00:18:38 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means "Always Be Booking", too. Head to https://GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
(and check out Gig Gab 482 with Mark Steiner from May, 2025, too!)
00:20:00 Show day as a drum tech
Walk the stage
Drums are still in “the attic”
The day could go one of two ways:
If room at the venue, we could set up the drums behind the stage and roll them out (and back)
Otherwise we’d have to build on stage
“We wanna help break down!”
00:27:50 “No matter what your gig is, every gig has bullshit.” — Syndee Winters
A $300 gig has its level of BS
A $3000 gig has its level of BS
The multi-million-dollar production of Hamilton ALSO has it’s multi-million dollar production of Bullshit.
A new Gig Gab adage: When there’s rain…the water always hits the PA.
Beware water and power…they don’t mix!
00:33:52 No matter what the gig is, learn everything you can learn
What can I apply to my show at home?
How can I further my career?
What redundancies can I learn to apply to my gigs?
00:34:44 Advice to Justin from Trevor Lawrence, Jr., Drummer with Herbie Hancock
“Talk to everyone!”
“Find your favorite musicians and talk to them.”
Justin immediately reached out to: Kenny Aronoff & Buddy Giggons
00:41:57 You never know who you’re gonna meet
And make sure you meet everyone.
00:43:03 Back to the day of touring…
Soundcheck happens and it’s tweaking and troubleshooting time
Then mealbreak
00:48:13 Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH, the Ultimate Venue
Gilford is the backstage party that people think it is.
Couches and TVs, heated pool, open bar, and video monitors to watch
Pedal bikes and merch!
“I would vacation there every day if I could!”
Recover kits with Advil and Liquid IV
LAUNDRY!
RJ & Bridget Harding really have created a wonderful thing
00:51:29 Ten minutes to showtime
Last-minute checks
00:54:32 Teardown
This needs to happen fast
“If I think I have some time, it’s never gonna make it.”
Changing drumheads post-show
00:57:50 Then bus call… at 3am
On the road by 4am
Bunks on the bus
00:59:59 Downtime is Unpredictable Deadtime
01:01:59 Justin’s Gigging Schedule
Go Rogue is Justin’s new band
The Current is Justin’s backing band that he created to backup other
Justin does DJ Percussion (formerly “Party Percussion”)
DJs are also musician
“Herbie Hancock invented hip hop with scratching” — Justin Scheidling
01:06:23 Learning to be a Party/DJ Percussionist
Adapted Blue Man Group stuff, stick twirls, standing drums, percussion…all making the show!
01:08:53 It’s always a show!
Every little thing comes from a lesson learned!
I have the best job ever!
01:11:30 Gig Gab 502 Outtro
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