Roadskills: 20 Questions with F Lea Be

In your opinion, what’s the best show you’ve worked on and why?

Wow that’s a tough question.

After some careful thought there are two that come to mind. The first would be touring with Mother Goose back when I started out. The reason is that the band and crew were like a big family unit. We toured a lot back then and were living in each others space so much. But we all seemed to get on with each other even in tough situations. The other is Icehouse. The show is as good now as it was back then. The attention to detail in all aspects of the show is important as well as the way we all interact with each other. There is respect for everyone involved from loaders to the management and that’s hard to find these days.

Who do you admire in the industry and why?

I have admiration for quite a few people in the industry, too many to name and too many not to name. I guess if pushed for an answer I would have to say Alan (Midnight) Eno. Midnight took me out on my first national tour of Australia and taught me the ropes. I learned a great deal from him as far as lighting goes. Colour choice was a big thing back then as we didn’t have the luxury of moving lights with the ability of changing the colours during the show so it was very important to get it right as well as getting the focus perfect. He taught me that you are only limited by your imagination (and budget). There is always some thing you can do with a lighting rig if you think about what you’re trying to achieve.

Which venue is your favourite and why?

I guess I love the Espy in Melb. I have done shows there my whole career. It has always been a great venue to work in, from the staff to the crowds, it has always been an amazing gig for me personally.

Which recent piece of production gear do you view as a game-changer?

There has been so many pieces of gear come out over the years since I first started doing this and each one has changed the way we do things for the better. From DMX, moving lights and LED’s. But I do still love the look and feel of the Par can and ray light, there is just something about the old toys that the new light can’t match.

What is the most outrageous thing you have ever done on tour?

Hahaha …. well !! In the mid 90’s I did a few tours with The Drifters around Australia and on one particular tour in country Victoria I decided to have a little fun so I went down to the local op shop and bought an old 60’s type PINK dress. So we went and set the gig up, got it all ready to go, did the support and ventured back stage in the break. We were in the band room having a chat and a beer, and Billy Washington (the singer) said OK we need to get ready for the show (their costumes) and I said ‘oh yeah, me too’ and they all looked at me puzzled. So off I went to the bathroom to put on the dress and returned to the band room where everyone just broke into laughter that I am sure you could hear in the auditorium! Billy said there is no way that you will do the show in that!!! To that I said ‘have a great show’ and walked out to the lighting desk in the middle of the room in my pink dress, GI Joe boots and shaved head to do the show. While walking to FOH the crowd (the grey haired set) was in shock to say the least …

What was the worst weather event you’ve encountered at an outdoors gig?

Probably the worst was at Denni Ute Muster a few years back. We were up there with Icehouse and Suzi Quatro and it poured rain the whole weekend (except when Icehouse went on stage). A few years later, we were there doing the gig and after setting up and staying back all night to focus in the dark, I went and crashed out. Unfortunately there were 100km winds that went through later that night. The front truss on the main stage was moving about a meter in the wind and the side fills blew over. My rig had a lot of pars in it but I only lost two gels.