Let me be picky over symantics. Anyone can do amplification -- that just means "louder." Sound *reinforcement* is more of a art (well, maybe a craft.)

Proper and well-done reinforcement can add depth and focus to almost any kind of venue barring the smallest homes and rooms where it gets in the way. Nobody wants an amp around a campfire, but even in a small pub the correct application of reinforcement can create a pleasing environment for everyone, audience and performers. The first probelm seems to be that most venues don't make the modest investment in an experienced engineer to design a system, the less modest investment to purchase and install it, and finally they fail to recognize that just because someone's cousin is an awesome electric guitar doesn't mean they know squat about reinforcement. Over here, the going rate seems to be $50 a night to mix in a pub/nightclub. Which is darn pathetic pay, and that's the quality of engineer they get.

Even and excellent engineer with a lousy system can only do so much. Add a novice dog with only one trick on top and you have the unpleasant environment that most live music nights turn into.

I think every band should find a fan with a good ear and train them to work for free instead of relying on the house guy. The house guy is generally, more or less, an idiot. And I've BEEN the house guy! The greenest guy the band brought in often did a better job because he/she knew what the band *should* sound like and had a goal to shoot for. I just sat back and provided tech support -- if they could tell me what they wanted, I could help them get it.