Unlike most teenage concert-goers, senior Tom Camden is not just a face in the crowd. In fact, he usually isn’t in the crowd at all. Instead, Tom spends his time at the merchandise table where he sells t-shirts and EPs for an up and coming progressive metal band called The Engineered. While they are not widely known in the St. Louis area, they are signed to a small label in Canada.
“One of the reasons I am prepared to do it is because of my brother,” Tom said. “He works in the concert world, so I had experience dealing with merchandise.”
Tom has been friends with the band members since before the band was formed. The other band members promised him that if they were ever given the opportunity to go on tour they would bring him along as their “merch guy.” When they landed a spot on a small tour from Dec. 28-Jan. 2, they stayed true to their word.
“It started as just me and him,” Tom’s 24-year-old brother, Matt Camden said. “I sell merchandise for a living. I taught him how to set up displays and make spreadsheets.”
Before each show starts, Tom is responsible for setting up all the merchandise in an appealing way. He uses rope lights and spotlights to brighten the table. Then he acts as a salesman: chatting up fans, making sales and keeping track of money.
“He has gone from interested and enthusiastic, to having knowledge and working experience in almost every part of the industry,” Matt said. “It makes me proud to see him succeeding in the same industry as me and sometimes even doing better than me.”
Tom also uses a Square credit card reader, which allows him to swipe credit cards on his smartphone for fans without cash handy. Tom keeps accurate records of inventory, the total dollar amount sold each night and the number of items sold each night.
“There is more responsibility than just selling shirts,” Tom said. “It’s kind of like being a babysitter too.”
In addition to maintaining merchandise sales, Tom also helps the band carry and set up their equipment. He often finds himself keeping track of his band members’ personal belongings. According to the band, the thing they love most about Tom is not his ability to sell t-shirts or carry equipment, it’s the never-ending support he shows for the band.
“Tom is good to have on the road and at shows because he’s really supportive,” Vocalist Travis Dodds said. “Tom is one of my best friends, a genuine guy who will help out with anything.”
