Pre-show rituals

[Muaguana]

Does anyone have little "rituals" they do before a gig? Something unique to get their energy going and mind focused on performing at their peak?

For me, after I do my hand stretches and exercises, I usually down a can of Monster while listening to Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power all the way through, even though neither of my bands play metal. It's such a balls-to-the-wall album that it seems to infuse me with a visceral energy that translates to a very emphatic performance. Or, to put it another way: it has me screaming "**** YEAH!" in my head all night

[behndy]

i make sure i get waffles the day of a show.

.......... waffles.

[stuhammfan]

When i was gigging, i used to "pump up" with weights and do push ups before a show. I also bodybuild, so it was a natural thing to do. Vain, i'll admit, but nothing like getting the blood pumping before a gig, the endorphins released just take you to a zone. And putting on my favorite music and getting into the "zone" mentally. I got that from years ago reading an interview with Neil Peart that stated he used to do push-ups before Rush shows.

[WhoSeyes]

Originally Posted by stuhammfan

When i was gigging, i used to "pump up" with weights and do push ups before a show. I also bodybuild, so it was a natural thing to do. Vain, i'll admit, but nothing like getting the blood pumping before a gig, the endorphins released just take you to a zone. And putting on my favorite music and getting into the "zone" mentally. I got that from years ago reading an interview with Neil Peart that stated he used to do push-ups before Rush shows.

I like the idea. Consider it stolen

[One Bad Monkey]

The usual one we do is just bump fists. A keyboardist and I bump fists, make a cupping shape (with same fist) and then pitch it over our shoulders.

Or, we'll put our hands in a circle, and say "We're gonna rape, kill, pillage and burn! We're gonna rape, kill, pillage and burn! Eat babies!"

This all happens in a theatre too.

[NateS]

Originally Posted by One Bad Monkey

Or, we'll put our hands in a circle, and say "We're gonna rape, kill, pillage and burn! We're gonna rape, kill, pillage and burn! Eat babies!"

consider it stolen

we've always just stood around, listened to the other bands, never really do anything specifically...

[nsmar4211]

Pre gig ritual:
Pack up equipement
Drive to gig
Setup PA and bass stuff and lights
Tune bass and hope someone asks if I need a water (no time to get my own).
Play gig.

No time for anything else

[Rip Topaz]

We pray.

[gumbynotpokey]

Go over the music in my head, if needed. Final tuning up. Stand around with the band talking about anything BUT the music...the further from music the topic -- the better, pray and get on the platform.

[Elrend]

Have a smoke

Play some oompah

have another smoke

[bassybeenz]

for us its usually load the pickup with all our stuff, drink an energy drink of some kind on the way talking about the sketchiness of the gig. arrive, as we unload at the bar or whatever,listen to the few patrons who criticize us right away based on our age and the amount of equipment we bring(young band, like to play loud), (these are the same people we usually see dancing and having a good time once we start playing).set up- along with reg amp pa whatever, i tape some picks to the mic stand, check all connections on my pedal board, wrap the amp cable around the handle/hang our banner (were always the only band with one)/sound check, then we just sit around and chill for a bit (don't have nervous problems anymore thank god, first few gigs were tough) then i usually start my warm up about 15min to 30min before we play, just scales and random whatever, i find that chromatics help to get ready if you alternate and move in zig zags and string skip. then we walk up awkwardly as usual, and start playing.

[kaputsport]

I normally sound check, and then hit the bar...

Jager bomb shot, shot of jager and then a beer... The rest of the night is good...

[cioppo]

We make a circle and we scream "merda!", the italian meaning of sh*t

[SMILEYSIXX]

Listen to some music to pump me up.

Heretic anthem- Slipknot
Burn in hell- Dimmu borgir
Face to face- Sevendust
Indestructable- Disturbed
We got a bleeder- Goblin cock

Stuff like that... then I play through Smells Like Teen Spirit... and occasionally meditate... weird combination, I know.

Just thought I'd throw it out there, I heard that Dio's pre show ritual was drink a beer and smoke half a joint... who says warm ups are necessary?

[XigXag]

OMG, by speaking of them you've negated their power!
All your bass are belong to me now.

[EdHunter]

Have a can of something amber, cheap and gassy
Crack fingers
Say "righto" and "ok, let's do this" a lot
Go for it

[alembicguy]

I usually try to squeak out a pre-show poo and the rest seems to fall in place.

[behndy]

ahhhhh... before show BM'in is AWESOME.

get truly funky before you bring the funk.

thank you for making this a better show little toilet.

[Govier966]

when my band plays shows on cold rainy nights we often run around outside, another thing we do is eat burritos!

[Chris Sheaffer]

Trim my fingernails and shave my head.