Professionalism vs Cool Revenge?

[jazzyvee]

I'm one of the comperes at a large music & arts festival this weekend so will be working one or more stages introducing bands and that kind of stuff.
 
Now on one stage I will be introducing a band whom I worked with in the past and left after a few months due to extreme differences of musical opinion, and personality clashes between me and the band leader. ( this was the first time i've ever left a band for this reason)
 
However I had the integrity to complete my gig commitment to the band and didn't leave them in the lurch before informing them after the last gig that I was leaving and expressed clearly my reasons for doing this and where the problem in the band lay.  
 
The fact remains that over a year has passed and after numerous calls emails etc monies owed have still not been paid.  
 
Now should I resist using this opportunity to serve a cold revenge with some tactical sarcasm and subtle cutting remarks about them in my introduction of the band to the audience this weekend? ..... :-)
 
The temptation is hard to resist......
 
Jazzyvee

[adriaan]

I'd arrange for someone else to do the honours for that particular band. It certainly wouldn't help getting your money if you go out and embarass them in public.

[sonicus]

Jazzyvee,
                  All in all , in the measurement of your personal expectation in the experience of interaction with entertainment  business politics  it appears that you have high standards  and , as do I as well my friend. I have found that in such circumstances that if I do not up hold the standards high  across the board that I will fail and defeat my own standards ; and therefore I have learned that I will choose to take the High Road. In other words I will chose to show grace and respect with out any disparaging inclination in verbal expression  in any way or form .
 If you remain to be a saint then you set an example for your adversary to make good on their own ill deeds.

[serialnumber12]

while introducing them use the moment to remind them they still owe you moneys from back when???...but with a twist of humor/seriousness to your tone......and be sure to pull the fukker aside who owes you......... but do it with class or it's his Ass!

[hydrargyrum]

At this point, actually receiving your money seems unlikely.  If it isn't a huge sum, I would endeavor to shame him thoroughly, and call it even.  I tend to be a bit vindictive though, and I have a hard time with letting a thief profit from their ill deeds.

[jazzyvee]

Sonicus In reality i'm in tune with your sentiments and I would not lower my standards in any way at all. High Standards and Professionalism are important to me.  
 
I was very tongue in cheek with my posting.
 
That said I have a very sarcastic sense of humour and sometimes find an opportunity to exercise it very hard to resist. Sometimes it's so subtle that the victim does not even notice. :-)
 
I think the fact that I will be there will certainly give her a surprise. But I will give the band the same respect that I do the other musicians on the day.  
 
I actually spoke with the drummer today and he, like myself and the original guitarist has also left the band due to the same reasons. 3 out of 4 musicians can't be wrong.
 
Thanks for your words  
 
Jazzyvee

[toma_hawk01]

Get paid first, then perform.
 
Trust nobody... That's the rules of business.
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

[lbpesq]

Jazzyvee:
 
I'm with Sonicus/Wolf on this one.  There is little to be gained from dissing her onstage.  But it sure feels great to think about it!  Sometimes when I'm really pissed at someone, I'll write a scathing letter, read it back to myself a couple of times, smile, and then throw it away, unsent.
 
Of course, as an attorney, one reaction I have is sue the bastard, especially if you have the equivalent of small claims court where you can easily sue for a limited amount, (in California it's up to $7500), without getting any lawyers involved.  If you do, you could even introduce the band and then just quietly hand her the court Complaint and Summons as you walk off stage.  Wouldn't that be fun!
 
Bill, tgo

[jazzyvee]

hahaha Bill, I like that one. That would be so cool and funny to do as a light hearted joke.
 
However, I'd probably get into a lot of trouble here for counterfeiting a British legal document.
:-)

[terryc]

jazzyvee...oh it brings back so many memories having situations like that for me.
One band told me they didn't need me anymore because there old bass player wanted back in(apparently he was under suspicion from his wife, she knew he was playing around), I always say to a new band, if I leave I will give you a month's notice which is enough time for them to work someone in, anyway they dumped me at short notice - day before gig, anyway I get a call about two months later asking me to play as their bass player is ill..so I said yes. Well come the night of the gig I am in the pub having a few beers and my mobile phone goes off 'where are you'..'In the pub' is my reply and switched it off.  
Okay maybe I should have been less revengeful but they were a bunch of clique dickheads and the only reason I was with them for 6 months was that it filled my wallet...wrong reason I guess

[pace]

Just a suggestion Jazzy:
 

 
You are going to be working with the FOH and monitor guys all day, right?!?

[bigredbass]

I can have a nasty temper and an inspired sense of revenge, no doubt emanating from my lurking Sicilian/Texan DNA.  As I dodder off into middle age, though, I've come to learn to keep all that in check at every opportunity:  Almost always when I let it off the leash, I'm invariably sorry to some extent later.
 
After carrying grudges over the years, I've learned that to carry one gave the Jacka**-In-Question a degree of power over me:  I'd fume and ruminate about them instead of going on with my life and keeping my eye on the ball.
 
I've taken a liking to you JV over the web in your posts.  So IF I were going to offer advice, I'd tell you to consider it a learning experience, and go on with your life.  I wouldn't give the person the satisfaction of knowing it was still bothering you.  He/she is certainly making a career of this sort of thing and the scales will surely balance out one day.
Plus you'll know a little better what to watch for going in to a new situation next time.
 
 . . . . though I must admit the wrong side of me certainly considers FOH pranks (delivered anonymously) a viable alternative to the selflessness suggested previously . . . .
 
J o e y

[edwin]

I'm with Joey. Every time I've given in to those temptations, I've regretted it. I say be there, do your job and take the higher ground. It sucks to lose money, but it's just money and your honor and reputation are worth far more than that. From everything I know about you here, though, I can't imagine you getting all snarky on stage, so I'm guessing this is really a non-issue.

[JuancarlinBass]

What Edwin said, period. It's just not worth.

[richbass939]

Jazzyvee,
 
Many great comments here.  Being a class act (as you always have here on the club) has its own rewards.  
 
Chances are that many people have also been screwed around by her.  They probably know about your story as these things tend to get around. These people may hear about your class act introduction of her band.  In their minds, that would certainly be a mark in your favor.
 
There is one high road way to get a jab in at her.  Go ahead and do the introduction.  If you see her beforehand, don't acknowledge her presence.  In the back of her mind, she may be worried about what kind of remarks you will make.  Making her sweat would be its own reward.
 
Hope you have a fun time at the gig.
 
Rich