Dave Meniketti, the guitarist and vocalist for iconic Bay Area rockers Y&T, says he is completely opposed to fans paying for meet-and-greets, explaining that “we should be paying [them].”
During an appearance on the latest episode of the “White Line Fever” podcast, Meniketti said he would never entertain a practice that has become an increasingly significant part of the touring economy.
“Some bands will charge for meet-and-greets or they’ll charge for some special types of meet-and-greets,” Meniketti said (hear audio below). “I don’t like to do that. I think that’s gouging the fans. I think that’s a little too much of trying to get every last dollar out of everybody, dollaring people to death. I don’t like that whatsoever. To me, your fanbase is golden. They’re the people that are keeping us going. They’re the people that love the music.”
He continued: “Why do we want to charge them to meet us? That, to me, seems like the most bizarre thing you can do and too opportunist. That’s not my thing. They pay for a ticket. Come see us live, that’s what’s going to keep us alive. Buy a t-shirt, something like that. But don’t pay to see me. My God. I should be paying you guys. I’m happy to shake a hand, take a picture or listen to a story or something like that. In fact, more than happy. It makes us all feel good. It makes us feel connected to our fans.”
Y&T, rounded out by guitarist John Nymann, drummer Mike Vanderhule and bassist Brad Lang, is currently putting the finishing touches on an as-yet-untitled documentary biopic.
Y&T’s live album, “Live At The Mystic”, was released in November 2012 via Frontiers Records.
The band’s first studio album in 13 years, “Facemelter”, came out in Europe on May 21, 2010 via Frontiers.
Source: Blabbermouth
