before gig rituals

[Baryonyx]

I drink a Red Bull or whatever "energy" drink I can get my hands on, make sure my bass is in tune, warm my hands up and then go for it!

[fr0me0]

we usually chill in the hall for a min and give each other alittle pep talk.

[bopfrog]

fried chicken is definitely the deal before a gig. i once had a wonder bread and peanut butter sandwich before a funk show and well, i'll just say it Wasn't the pFhunk that i played that night.

unfortunately since moving to germany there isn't a KFC or Popeyes anywhere near here.

i guess i don't really get nervous so i spend the time before the gig having a beer and soothing the nerves of my bandmates.

[dougjwray]

I arrive on time and then wait and wait for everyone else to show up.

[Ludwig's Left]

Hour before starting, I do a few exercises (scales/modes up n down the neck) then I do a few exercises (stretch all over, couple of chin-ups, 5 minute run)!

Then chill out, ideally leave the venue for fresh air or hang out backstage (if there is one!).
Also have to prize the drummer away from his girlfriend!
Anyone else have that trouble?

[genghisshawn]

Crap
Wash hands
Stretch
Drink lots of water
Punch our drummer in the taint
Yell at our guitar player for something he did weeks ago
Threaten to fire the lead singer.

[Curry46]

However, during most the gig I'm always concerned my fly is down.

I guess that's why Flea did woodstock naked

I really haven't gigged much. But my pre-gig was riding with our vocalist to the music store 45 minutes before the gig to swap out a broken instrument cable while worrying that his car was going to die because of lack of gas, show up, set up, wonder what the hell the sound guy was doing, wonder what the hell the guys running it were doing, get confused, and then play, then wonder what the hell this girl was doing when she jumped up onto the stage while we were playing 'Let it Be.'

That almost led to a hooker-killing moment.

[patrickj]

No real ritual, I just get into my zen place before the gig. During, I chug Vault Zero like nobodys bidniz.

[superbassman2000]

my pre-gig ritual has usually consisted of me wondering where the rest of the band is

[JcHc]

a cigarette. one or two...thats all plain and simple

[Ale]

I drink 5 cups of coffe . then i eat som fried chicken so my fingers gets juice , and the playing will go so much smoother

[Delberthot]

1) about 3 hours before I'm due to leave for a gig I veg in front of the computer surfing various bass forums.
2) 1 hour to go I load the car, iron my clothes for the evening while watching a music DVD (currently RHCP's "Off the Map")
3) 20 minutes to go, make myself a banana smoothie
4)drive to the gig
5)set up all my stuff and then some of the PA, check my gear is all working ok
6) sit down until 5 minutes to go (if I didn't sit, I'd end up pacing up and down the corridor outside)
7) have a wee, wash my hands and get some water or coke
8) tune up and away I go

I make a point of never eating chicken before or during a gig as it is murder to get off your fingers quickly.

[Alec W. Conway]

Finger stretchings, wrist stretchings, and I try to spot a cute chick front row

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by genghisshawn

...
Punch our drummer in the taint
...

I read this and couldn't stop laughing. I have no idea why.

[TreeChild]

green tea and meditation.

[txbasschik]

I eat very lightly, saving heavy food for after the show. I stretch very well. Then I go visit the bathroom, wash up, and warm up with some blues scales or pentatonics, or a progression from a song we're working on, that isn't in the set yet.

I always try and nap the afternoon before a show, too, so I can go until 3 a.m.

Driving to the show, I listen to music that gets me charged up. Some hard rock, punk, some Trower, some Sabbath, and...yes...bagpipes. Nothing gets my blood up like bagpipes. I love them.

Cherie

[Gegatso]

Lots of carbs and protein about 4 hours before
Tons of water through the day
15 min of full body stretching
20-30 minutes of warming up (scales, r. hand stuff)
Final tuning
Use the restroom and wash hands