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Permalink Reply by Sheri cadmus on August 3, 2012 at 11:59am

OMG!!! Do you have ANY idea what it's must be like to give 200% to a crowd of people, do all you can to make them happy, greet them backstage, do the BEST YOU CAN in the time given, and then have to read THIS CRAP??? If you want to complain, start a BITCHING PAGE on Facebook and let in only HATERS! Us TRUE fans who support Train in WHATEVER they do, don't want to hear this BS! Good Lord! :P

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Permalink Reply by Kimmy24 on August 3, 2012 at 12:47pm

Sheri

We are not blaming Train.  If you actually read the posts, most of them state it is their MANAGEMENT team, tour manager and Artist Arena who caused this mess.  I even said in my post how Pat looked sad that everyone was being rushed through as I know from previous experiences the band is very gracious towards their fans. I don't see one post indicating they didn't give their all during the show and even the brief encounters during the Meet and Greets.  New England Guy says it best when he noted that perhaps they should do as in the past and not sell so many M&G packages which limits the band's time with fans. Then it wouldn't be so much stress on the band.   

 

I was very happy to see the guys again.  However the way the fans were treated by their MANAGER was not cool.  It's not bitching - it's simply the facts. If you weren't there, then you have no idea what it was like. Also, there were not these kinds of comments for the last two years during their tour as stuff like that just didn't happen during Meet and Greets.  It's just something this year with a new management company and the selling of too many packages. 

 

If you don't like the comments, don't read them.  It's that simple. 

Sheri cadmus said:

OMG!!! Do you have ANY idea what it's must be like to give 200% to a crowd of people, do all you can to make them happy, greet them backstage, do the BEST YOU CAN in the time given, and then have to read THIS CRAP??? If you want to complain, start a BITCHING PAGE on Facebook and let in only HATERS! Us TRUE fans who support Train in WHATEVER they do, don't want to hear this BS! Good Lord! :P

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Permalink Reply by Sophia Z on August 3, 2012 at 3:42pm

I've been following this thread for a week now and it feels like it's time to add my two cents now..

I guess you can call me a relatively new Train fan - at least, fan enough to make a page on this Trainline website. I have loved Train since they released Drops of Jupiter, but I really realized them with the release of SMSF. I have been to two Train concerts, the recent concert in Raleigh last week being my second concert and my first Meet and Greet.

I have to say that I am completely and utterly grateful for the 30 seconds spent saying 'Hi and Thank You' to the guys. Although by some of our standards it wasn't a 'perfect' experience, for me it was pretty damn close. I drove 12 hours across the border from Canada  to Raleigh to have the M&G and see the concert. I will driving 6 hours again in a week when I go to see them in Cleveland. The experience I had in Raleigh was more than worth the long drive.

Four years ago another band (about the same popularity as Train) who I follow closely went on tour and sold similar M&G packages. The difference? Their M&Gs cost well over $1000. I couldn't afford such a price, but from what I heard and saw on the forums, the experience was much worse than the ones we are hearing with Train. No items were to be signed and there were no pre-signed items given away; you got at most 20 seconds to say hi to the band; and you could not take your own picture - they had their own photographer. There was only ONE picture taken per M&G and you could not get an individual shot. Everyone who purchased the M&G had to be in the same photo with the band. I don't know about you, but I got a lot more than that for $800 cheaper with Train.

I think we have to remember how lucky we are for the guys in Train. From my experience, they are such loving, sweet, grateful people, and I'm sure many others who had M&G experience in the past years can agree. There are so many other bands out there that don't give a crap about their fans. Although they are not perfect, I think we can all agree that Train is different. Again, the boys were willing to sign 3 extra items for me even though it was clearly stated that this could not happen. They gave us time and showed us their love and gratefulness, although it was short. The small conversation we had for 30 seconds was more than enough for me and I would be willing to go and meet them again.

Sure, on this tour Train may have crappy management, and perhaps they are selling too many M&Gs. They may be different today than they were back in 2004. But I think we as fans owe it to Train to understand that they are becoming increasingly popular and picking up more new fans. Fans that, like us, love the band and their music. Fans and popularity that they deserve. I agree with Jimmy's tweet that they must acknowledge the new fans as well as the old. Didn't Pat say he wanted to personally thank as many fans as he could this tour? He definitely showed me his gratitude at the meet and greet. I feel blessed to be one of hundreds of thousands of fans around the world to have that time with the boys. And they did thank me at the end of our conversation for coming.

The boys in Train, like us, are human beings. They are not and cannot be perfect, but I can see that compared to others, they do try to be. Remember that they have only been on the US tour for a week and a half. As was stated before in this thread, Train is adjusting to this new popularity and spotlight, just like we as fans are. As long as we are around supporting them, they have all the time in the world to realize what their faults may be and perhaps change. Of course we should tell them how we feel about this new adjustment, but I think our love for them as Train fans includes understanding, gratitude, and space to let Train test these new waters and try out new things. Unfortunately I wasn't around before to experience Train's M&Gs in the past, but I am so lucky and happy that I had the means and opportunity to meet the band and see them live during this tour. So many fans - new and old alike - are dying to have the same opportunity that I did.

Just like Train is 'replacing Greed with Gratitude', I think we need to replace our criticisms with love, understanding, and gratefulness. Remember how lucky we are to have a band that produces great music and love and gratitude for their fans, especially in this day and age. Train, like you and me, is not perfect, but I am happy to see the positives in everything they are doing. All we can do as fans is tag along for the ride and see where it takes us. We all have a choice - to be grateful for this band and love them for who they are, who they have been, and where they are going; or to criticize the actions they take today that we are not used to hoping they will change back into what they were. Ultimately it is Train's choice which direction they take, no matter the consequences or gains. Although they may not be today who they used to be yesterday, they are still giving us as fans a lot more than others in the music scene today.

Sophia

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Pollock on August 3, 2012 at 3:59pm

Sophia,

I love Train's music. I have bought every album. I spread the word about them. I spent a lot of money to see and meet them. That is how I show my appreciation.  It's not too much to not be treated like an Ahole. All these people can't be wrong about how they felt. Look at the comments about last years M&Gs , all great reviews. Look at the comments about this years, tons of complaints! What has changed? Not the band but the Managment. If we do not voice our complaints the band will never know. Now if the band chooses not to listen they can easily be the next Axle Rose. If they do listen and fix the problem , we will love them even more.  Your appreciate your comment but it's kind of silly. We should not accept a bad situation, we and they should try to fix it. Especially with money as tight as it is these days.

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Permalink Reply by Sophia Z on August 3, 2012 at 4:16pm

I am not saying anyone is wrong in their decision, and I did not say that anyone should stop voicing their opinions or complaints. I am all for telling the band what went wrong and how we felt about our experiences, especially when it concerns their management. All I really want to stress is that the band will make mistakes along the way, and they will do things that won't please everyone; but they still are doing a lot for us. Aside from this M&G/management mishap, they have been (in my opinion) great to their fans. It may be a bad situation, but it sure isn't the worst that could happen and I think a little bit of understanding is needed to realize that there will be some faults on this tour, and in the future. Faults that can be overcome while still realizing the band is full of love and gratitude. Be set and strong in your judgement and opinions, but remember the grey area instead of just black vs. white. That's all.

Jeff Pollock said:

Sophia,

I love Train's music. I have bought every album. I spread the word about them. I spent a lot of money to see and meet them. That is how I show my appreciation.  It's not too much to not be treated like an Ahole. All these people can't be wrong about how they felt. Look at the comments about last years M&Gs , all great reviews. Look at the comments about this years, tons of complaints! What has changed? Not the band but the Managment. If we do not voice our complaints the band will never know. Now if the band chooses not to listen they can easily be the next Axle Rose. If they do listen and fix the problem , we will love them even more.  Your appreciate your comment but it's kind of silly. We should not accept a bad situation, we and they should try to fix it. Especially with money as tight as it is these days.

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Permalink Reply by Aimee Villeneuve on August 3, 2012 at 4:24pm

I went to my first train concert and meet and greet in Montreal July 10/12.  This was my first meet and greet ever, so I can't compare it to any other one, but Pat, Jimmy and Scott were polite for the minute or so I was talking with them before our picture was taken by my camera.  We were handed a pre-signed poster that all the band members signed.  Pat was the only member signing at the meet and greet, and he signed only one item for one person of the people ahead of me.  I wanted to buy merchandise prior to the show ,but it appeared to me that there was nothing being sold there. The poster they give you at the meet and greet doesn't even have a picture of the  band members.  I was a little disappointed with that, but I loved the concert.  They produce good music, and I have all  their albums. I agree with the other people regarding the meet and greet email as It stated that one item you bring will be signed by the band .  That is not happen, it was really rushed, but there were 20 people to see the band after the show.  The time was short

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Permalink Reply by New England Guy on August 3, 2012 at 4:45pm

A lot of well thought out points everyone.  Having been to several meet and greets in the past years and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF THEM, it was just painful to read about what is taking place.  I love Pat, Jimmy and Scott and have had many laughs with them and hope to again.  I hope Pat's "knee jerk reaction" to not do anymore Meet & Greets will pass and calmer heads will prevail in the long run and that the M & G will continue next year.  Having said that, I hope the boys will do something about how management is treating the "paying customers".  To pay good money and then be "threatened" by Tom about having your photo deleted if you step out of line, is well....out of line.  He should be replaced with someone with a bit more class and understanding. None of the comments being made on this thread are being directed at the boys themselves, they are wonderful caring people who we have all grown to know and love over the years.  Although it makes you wonder who has the final say on the M & G's. Did management come to them and say,"boys, you can make a ton more money by loading up the meet and greets and just cutting the time spent with the fans ".  Did Pat, Jimmy and Scott sit back and say, "Great idea Mr. Manager, let's do it" I would love to hear the Train camp say " Sorry folks, we over estimated the response to the M & G this year.  We've learned from this and will revert back to our old format from years past ".   That would certainly invoke a positive vibe and all would be forgiven.  While it's too late to do anything about this for this tour, the building blocks to correct this are already in place. 

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Permalink Reply by Hannah King on August 3, 2012 at 4:45pm

I told them about their management... it seems like he responded to that... but idk.

TELL THEM that you don't want to stop the M&Gs! Let them know that you want the M&Gs to continue. E-mail them, Tweet them, DM them, do SOMETHING! Instead of sitting here telling US, tell THEM!!!

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Permalink Reply by New England Guy on August 3, 2012 at 4:51pm

You heard the lady, let's do it.  !!!

Hannah King said:

I told them about their management... it seems like he responded to that... but idk.

TELL THEM that you don't want to stop the M&Gs! Let them know that you want the M&Gs to continue. E-mail them, Tweet them, DM them, do SOMETHING! Instead of sitting here telling US, tell THEM!!!

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Permalink Reply by Christa McColskey on August 3, 2012 at 9:52pm

I attended the meet and greet in Charlotte.  I was shocked by the way we were treated.  I have been to a couple of meet and greet sessions before (not Train), but none that compare to this one.  After much confusion on the location of the meet and greet, we formed a line and were handed pre-autographed posters.  We were threatened not to ask for anything else to be signed or the photo that the facilitator took would be deleted (we were not allowed to use personal cameras).  As my friend and I arrived at the front of the line to have our picture taken, the facilitator told me to "get in the back of the line".  I did not understand what I had done and questioned him as to why.  I had a poster in my hand that I had spent 2 days making to hold up during the concert.  I suppose he thought I wanted them to sign the poster.  I had not asked for autographs nor did I have a pen in my hand! I had no where else to put the poster while I went through the meet and greet line.  When he saw what my poster said, he told me "oh okay, go ahead".  He never apologized for HIS mistake and for being so rude.  I could not believe I had paid the amount of money I did to meet these people and then to be talked to like a kindergarten child!! Now when I hear Train's music on my radio, I think about the negative experience at the concert and how it could have been so much more pleasant.  I have liked Train's music for many years and would loved to have had a wonderful experience to come home and tell all my friends about.  I truly hope others have a better experience, with the meet and greet sessions, than we did.   

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Girard on August 3, 2012 at 10:25pm

I hope that the band can understand that the criticism is not directed towards them but towards whoever promoted the meet and greet.  Fans are not upset with them or complaining that they are not giving enough - I think it's wonderful that they do the meet and greet, however, I do think that people are justified in being upset that what they were told in the email is not true.  It also appears that whoever is running these meet and greet opportunities could use a bit of sensitivity training.  There is no reason for them (the management) to treat fans poorly.  

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Permalink Reply by Hannah King on August 4, 2012 at 3:29am

Once again... Don't tell US, tell THEM!!!

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