New Years Eve 2004 with The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits is an eclectic band that hails from Philadelphia with an express goal to create the “craziest music of all time.” Their highly danceable style has been dubbed "Trance Fusion" and has also been described as a mixture of rock, techno, jazz, soul, blues, and classical.

The band played a sold out gig at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on New Year’s Eve, the last show of a five-night northeast run. Lighting Designer and Lighting Director for the band, who also handles Intelligent Board Op duties, is Johnny Goode of JRG Designs of Austin, Texas.

Johnny used a MAC rig for the five night run with Manic Productions of Philadelphia providing 10 MAC 2000 Profiles, 6 MAC 250 Krypton, 4 MAC 250 Entour, 8 MAC 300, 4 MAC 600, 8 Atomic 3000 Strobes, and a pair of Martin Magnum Hazers.

On the upstage truss Johnny has six MAC 2000 Profiles and four MAC 250 Kryptons underhung symmetrically on T-bar's at various lengths. The four Atomic strobes are hung straight out off a top downstage rail. On the upstage floor are four MAC 250 Entours and four MAC 2000 Profiles standing symmetrically at various heights. A pair of MAC 250 Kryptons is located at a height of four feet.

On a moving midstage X-shaped truss filled with spandex are eight MAC 300 and four MAC 600 washlights, two 300s and one 600 underhung symmetrically on each leg of the X. A downstage truss had no movers.

“The 2K's and 250's were used for backlight (solid and graphic), movement effects, beam effects and projection effects,” commented Johnny. “The Atomic 3K's were used for general strobe effects and blinders. The 600's and 300's were used in some movements, but primarily were used for projection on the spandex scrim.

“I have been a 2K fan from day one so of course I was pleased by them. Also the 3K has been on my gear lists for about two years and they didn't let me down. But this was only my second time using 250 Kryptons and first with the Entour. I was impressed by the punch that they had alongside the 2k's. They played well off of the 2K's.”

Lighting control was from a PC-based LightJockey running with a Martin Fingers at FOH with another LightJockey running the dimmers. “I really found the integration of Capture into LightJockey very useful,” he said. “I use Capture for all my designing and plotting. So the ability to start programming right out design is a true time saver.”

Personnel:
Lighting Designer: Johnny Goode - JRG Designs (Austin)
Lighting Programmer: Johnny Goode - JRG Designs
Lighting Director: Johnny Goode - JRG Designs
Intelligent Operator: Johnny Goode - JRG Designs
Conventional Operations: Justin Carey - JRG Designs
Crew Chief, Motor Op: Jason Ertwine- Manic Productions
Moving Truss Operator: Jason - Manic Production
Stage Manager: Cris "Chief" Weltmer - TDB Touring Inc.
Touring Asst. Stage Manager: Craig Kwaleski - TDB Touring Inc.
Touring Production Manager: Jon Lesser - TDB Touring Inc.