Well, it isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last, but we've just been screwed by a venue.

It happens occasionally, and it's part and parcel of the industry I choose to work in - that doesn't make it any easier to deal with when it happens. This wasn't the most awesome gig or anything, but we always tried to have fun when we played there. Despite the awful heat that would hit us when the sun streamed through the windows, I think we managed to project that fun into the crowd most afternoons.

Late last year we were getting bounced from night to night and had one or two gigs pulled on us at the last minute. We finally managed to land a weekly gig, but we had to work hard to keep the gig, because Shaun was holidaying in the USA for 7 weeks. To appease the venue's desire to keep a three-piece act we had a revolving-lineup of changing bassists/keyboardists until we were able to secure a regular fill-in member. Thankfully, said fill-in was a fabulous musician and slotted right in.

Once Shaun returned to Oz, we took up where left off and were pleased to be told last Wednesday that our residency there would extend through March.

However, we got word Monday morning that someone recently employed by the venue wanted to change the entertainment in favour of "something rootsy". I don't how much rootsier you can get than a small drum kit, an acoustic-styled bass and an acoustic guitar, but there you go. After being messed around by them last year, this latest stunt has left us less than impressed. We know that we never keep a gig forever, but there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. If they pulled the plug on us with enough notice, we could have organise a new gig. As it is, the likelihood of replacing that spot during March is quite low, which will affect our income for the month.

One person's decision has impacted the livelihood of at least five or six people...and that just sucks. We won't return to the venue ever again.