First of all Bermuda you killed me when I read your post. That was freaking funny!! I just busted out laughing. Good way to start the day. As for the riser I had no input at all, its just the way it is. When i walked into the gig for the first time was just looked up and said "ok". Let me give you the inside scoop on the whole deal. There is a lesson to be learned in here somewhere.
Ok, yes I have an in ear mix up there and its a good one or I would be screwed for sure. There are blind spots up there too and on my gig its a must to see Esteban, I have to see him during the show for cues and he does what he wants when he wants. The toms have clear heads on them so you can look through the drums so its not that bad at all. Not to mention the thing has plexi glass all the way around it, except on the back of course but there are safety ropes so I don't fall off. lol
We headline there on Thursday nights, Friday nights and select Saturdays so obviously we are not the only band playing that room. Another drummer does a show called Nunsense during the day and he has had the gig for over a year or so. Switching drum sets was not even an option. I had to use his drums and he was kind enough to be cool about it. So I had to adapt to the gig and not be a jerk about stuff. Just do the math, his first rack is a 12" my first rack is usually an 8" or a 10". But I will say the kit is pretty easy to play and its sounds fine. I added a few things like some cowbells, cymbals, small percussion toys and a roc & soc throne. I made myself as comfortable as possible. So I just adapted to the situation to make life easier for everyone. If I demanded my own kit and acted like a jerk the crew would hate me and It would have not been cool trust me. Its easier to go into a new gig and make life easier for everyone. As far as my guru snare drum making the trip to be honest I doubt it. We start playing at 8:30. Another act finishes at 7:30. I have 15 minutes until the doors open at 8 to get it together. I play the drums exactly as the other drummer so I don't move his stuff all around. I just add my stuff that I mentioned and its show time.
Other than that I actually really like it up there. I have my own little world and no one can rest their drinks on my riser. LOL I hate that. So like I said I have a good in ear mix up there so its cool. To be honest the hardest part about the gig for me is going up and down that dam ladder.