Thomas Harvill

Posted by on March 6th 2016

Thomas Harvill ATS Springfield IL

Thomas Harvill ATS Springfield ILHow did you get started?

my dad Lester Harvill has been mixing for 40 years. I grew up around it and decided to give it a try 17 years ago. Bud tent, running monitors, total trial by fire.

What’s your favorite show you’ve run sound for?

Korn at the full throttle saloon in Sturgis. I mixed the openers. So cool.

What piece of advice would you give to a new band to make the night go easier?

just don’t be a dick. Listen to the sound guy and get the soundcheck done. We’re all there to put on a good show. Don’t make it harder than it has to be.

What is your essential piece of gear?

just my ears. It sucks when your sick and can’t hear right. I try not to rely on tech. Maybe my ipad or ipod though.

What’s your biggest challenge at every gig?

deaf musicians playing too loud. Or singers that scream then whisper.

What’s the biggest unexpected catastrophe you have successfully overcome during an event?

there is a new one every night. Seriously.

What song are you sick to death of hearing?

probably love shack or Jessie’s girl. Oh dam just thought about it and #7 fight for your right to party!!! Everyone fucks it up and it sounds like shit and everyone on stage screams. And usually ask people from the crowd to come on stage to sing. That’s bad too. Can blow monitors and they spill shit. Never ask drunk people to come on stage. Shit gets broke. The stage is for the band and tech crew. Just 1 of my monitors cost $1,000. If it gets damaged that’s 4 gigs to pay for it after gas. Not including help, insurance , and the gear payment..

What is your go-to song to crank for testing a system?

Dave Matthews band. Never Steely Dan. Every Sound guy uses fucking steely Dan. I don’t like his music and just can’t do it. Lol