Note: Bouncers can ruin your night before it has even started and steal the thunder of a great night. FACT.

Hello,

My name is Sean Adams, you may remember me as the guy who founded Drowned in Sound and released Jeniferever's album. You may have been aware that they played the Underworld in Camden tonight. It was very good thank you.

However, you may also have been there a few moments after the show finished and you may also have been grabbed by the bouncers, despite the fact you were just finishing a conversation.

You may also have been perplexed as to why, despite the fact 4 polite tiny swedish people with passes were saying "he's with us, he's our label, we're just saying goodbye, it'll just be a minute". You may also have heard me saying "just one minute please", that's all. However you will also have seen the bouncer grab me (and subsequently several others) by the arm three times and push me toward the door.

Why was this? Was it because the venue was massively over curfew? No. It was only 10:30 and the curfew was 11pm. Was it because I was the last person there that they were waiting to leave? No. There were still at least 20 people trying to buy merch which helps fund the bands tour. Was it because I was drunk, rude and obnoixious? No. I was sober (who can afford drinks in there anyways?), as polite as ever and simply asked for 1 minute. Bare in mind this was 5 minutes after the headline act had left the stage and followed a mere 20 second "drink up and get out" warning that you have to leave the venue.

This would be fine if it was an isolated incident but it's at least the third time in a month I've had needless shit from bouncers and I'm hardly some rude cunge. I really don't understand the levels of agro from bouncers we're meant to accept and just let wash over us. In any other circumstance grabbing someone by the arm, shouting, not listening to anything that is being said and pushing them toward the door would not be tolerated. In some circumstances this would vaguely be threatening behaviour, especially as the guy said "would you like me to use more force?"

There is no-one to complain to about bouncers. Or is there? They have no central 'body' but you would have thought the owners of venues would care if the people who pay £10 a ticket and premium drinks prices (£3.20 for a jd+coke?) who pay these peoples wages may wish to simply finish a conversation and a few moments after being asked. Is that too much to ask? HOW DO WE SPEAK UP AND SAY WE WON'T TOLERATE THIS SHIT FROM BOUNCERS ON OUR NIGHTS OUT?

Has anyone else had similiar experiences? what can we do to stop these people adding such a horrible atmosphere to gigs?

love and hate,
sean