He's in shape, practices jujitsu four to five times per week, knows how to break a limb and while laughing, he acknowledges the regulars with a slight head nod and says he really likes the gig.
Protein shakes, afternoon workouts and skull cracking abilities aside, he's a father of three who lives on a farm an hour away from the Yucca Tap Room. If he didn't like the people so much, he says he'd be gone. But working the night shift gives him time to spend at home during the day and practice with his punk rock band, The Industry. Plus, he admits, it's not bad getting paid to stay in shape.
Leach joins us today for a look behind the Tempe bar/music venue/popular drunken-hippie stomping ground.
What people have wrong about bouncers:
That we're all asshole meat heads who likes to beat people up. Honestly, I like to get home without stitches.
Best part about your job:
People who acknowledge that I'm doing my job -- that I'm here to keep people safe and make sure everyone has a good time. I don't hear it all that often, but the few moments when people have said something definitely make me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile.
Worst part about your job:
The mental stress. There are crazy people everywhere and we don't have metal detectors at the door. I have to be so careful and so aware of what's going on because I don't know what people are carrying, or if some guy is going to get pissed I threw him out of the bar last week and come back with his buddies the next week to beat the shit out of me.
Last Yucca Crazy:
Just last week, two big ass dudes were treating a girl inappropriately and making her uncomfortable, I had to say something. Just when I thought it was getting better, they were over by the pool table and one reached into his pocket and tried to stab the other in the neck with a pen. Like I said -- crazy fucking people are everywhere.
Weapon of choice:
We could carry tasers or batons, but we don't. All the security guys I work with here are trained with their hands. We all know how to pin someone to the ground and make them so uncomfortable that they want to leave. And then we let the cops take care of them.
Challenge you didn't expect to face as a doorman:
It's not like the street. I have to handle myself so much differently than I would outside. I have to avoid conflict and avoid getting physical. If I were treated like that on the streets, I wouldn't hesitate in breaking someone's fucking arm.
Difference between Tempe/Scottsdale/Phoenix bouncer scene:
Really, all due respect to the other bouncers and doormen out there -- Phoenix and Scottsdale. Even if Scottsdale has a reputation of being "softer," the shit can always hit the fan and no one in this job knows if they're going to make it home.
