Band Diva

SBassman · #1 07-23-2011, 01:45 PM

Our lady singer:

- Arrives 2 minutes before to 10 minutes late for every gig

- Does not help set up

- Does not test her own mic

- Leaves right after gig, often without saying anything. While we tear down and pack all the equipment, including a hefty PA and lights.

Do you have someone in the band not doing their share?

Mushroo · #2 07-23-2011, 01:52 PM

Call me sexist, but I am OK with "the guys" (bass, guitar, drums) setting up and tearing down the heavy gear.

However there is no excuse for your singer to show up late and/or leave immediately after the set. She should be working the crowd, making connections, selling merch, etc. in my opinion. That is the singer/frontman/frontwoman's job. She doesn't have to do the heavy lifting, but she needs to help promote the band!

Dekker · #3 07-23-2011, 02:06 PM

First step is rather simple:

Have a polite, non-confrontational talk at the next band meeting. Bring up the subject that it would be good to have the singer work the crowd during load-in and load-out. Bring up the merch angle.

But be careful to not attack her, or she'll get defensive. Present it as a suggestion to take advantage of her time while the gig is on!

Dekker

Rockmusician · #4 07-23-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Call me sexist, but I am OK with "the guys" (bass, guitar, drums) setting up and tearing down the heavy gear.

However there is no excuse for your singer to show up late and/or leave immediately after the set. She should be working the crowd, making connections, selling merch, etc. in my opinion. That is the singer/frontman/frontwoman's job. She doesn't have to do the heavy lifting, but she needs to help promote the band!

There is no reason why a woman can't help break down the gear. If she cannot lift anything heavy, she can take down mics and stands, wrap cables, etc.

Mushroo · #5 07-23-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

There is no reason why a woman can't help break down the gear. If she cannot lift anything heavy, she can take down mics and stands, wrap cables, etc.

I agree and in fact I will retract my earlier statement based on gender.

I believe the band's singer/leader doesn't need to help with load in/out, if the band is OK with that. I've been in bands with both male and female singers where the leader works the crowd, deals with club management, chats with the other bands, makes sure we get paid, etc. instead of moving heavy gear. I am 100% okay with this as I'm a little shy.

I do not expect the singer to help me move my bass rig, REGARDLESS OF GENDER.

Exploiter8 · #6 07-23-2011, 02:17 PM

You stated, "My band leader is too nice. If it was my band, she'd be gone."

Is the band leader doing what might be considered "her share" of setup/tear down and lifting/loading? If so, maybe he knows of some issues she's having and he's just trying to help her through them. Either way, it should be addressed as a group, not behind her back. If she's that good, maybe it's worth putting up with if there's light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck.

X8

azureblue · #7 07-23-2011, 02:18 PM

(and it works for horn players, too):

1- do not pay out until all gear is loaded up.

2- pay a little extra for those who move and set up / tear down. Like paying roadies...

3- set a load in time for the gigs and for sound check, and dock those who show up past that time.

4- Do not adjust her mic without her there. In fact, don't even plug it in. If she shows up right before the set, then she gets to sit out the set (and not get paid for it), and set up her mic herself, on the next break.

5- Don't take up her slack. at all.

6- Or else assign her schmooze work before and after the gig - merch, getting the money, talking to the club or anyone about bookings, etc.

::::BASSIST:::: · #8 07-23-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

(and it works for horn players, too):

1- do not pay out until all gear is loaded up.

2- pay a little extra for those who move and set up / tear down. Like paying roadies...

3- set a load in time for the gigs and for sound check, and dock those who show up past that time.

4- Do not adjust her mic without her there. In fact, don't even plug it in. If she shows up right before the set, then she gets to sit out the set (and not get paid for it), and set up her mic herself, on the next break.

5- Don't take up her slack. at all.

6- Or else assign her schmooze work before and after the gig - merch, getting the money, talking to the club or anyone about bookings, etc.

While that's all fine and dandy, if you actually treated your bandmates that way, they would not stick around. As a bandleader I know things can be tricky sometimes.

fingerbun · #9 07-23-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

While that's all fine and dandy, if you actually treated your bandmates that way, they would not stick around. As a bandleader I know things can be tricky sometimes.

Two way street. Doing nothing upsets those who feel they carry an unfair share of things.

Unless she is just so damn good, or is the main drawcard or the person with all the contacts, I would replace her.

And I certainly don't buy any gender based crap. Women can lug.

bassplayer8953 · #10 07-23-2011, 03:49 PM

I'd be on the lookout for another vocalist; I have no use for stars-in-their-own-mind.

Unless she's Taylor Swift...with pockets to fund everybody doing all her work...she should be carrying her part of the load...and that load as determined by the rest of the band...not her.

You're either a part of the group (along with the responsibilites) or you're not. Good female vocalists are a dime a dozen. Sounds to me like she doesn't want to be there. At least that's the way she acts...

fingerbun · #11 07-23-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

(and it works for horn players, too):

1- do not pay out until all gear is loaded up.

2- pay a little extra for those who move and set up / tear down. Like paying roadies...

3- set a load in time for the gigs and for sound check, and dock those who show up past that time.

4- Do not adjust her mic without her there. In fact, don't even plug it in. If she shows up right before the set, then she gets to sit out the set (and not get paid for it), and set up her mic herself, on the next break.

5- Don't take up her slack. at all.

6- Or else assign her schmooze work before and after the gig - merch, getting the money, talking to the club or anyone about bookings, etc.

Number 4 is risky. You are messing with your onstage vibe. May create a whole new set of problems.

PastorofMuppets · #12 07-23-2011, 04:03 PM

+1 on not paying until the load out is almost done.
Sometimes my band pays out while there are still a few things to load in the trailer and if a member asks to bail early its generally allowed providing at the next gig that person makes up for it. Its a very effective system.

SBassman · #13 07-23-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

+1 on not paying until the load out is almost done.
Sometimes my band pays out while there are still a few things to load in the trailer and if a member asks to bail early its generally allowed providing at the next gig that person makes up for it. Its a very effective system.

Every band should be flexible like that. It should be relaxed like that. But that works when everyone on the team is - Most of the Time - giving their 100%.

Rockmusician · #14 07-23-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroo

I agree and in fact I will retract my earlier statement based on gender.

I believe the band's singer/leader doesn't need to help with load in/out, if the band is OK with that. I've been in bands with both male and female singers where the leader works the crowd, deals with club management, chats with the other bands, makes sure we get paid, etc. instead of moving heavy gear. I am 100% okay with this as I'm a little shy.

I do not expect the singer to help me move my bass rig, REGARDLESS OF GENDER.

I will respectfully disagree with the last part of your post. In every band that I have been in, everybody helped each other with load in, set up, break down and load out.

SBassman · #15 07-23-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

I will respectfully disagree with the last part of your post. In every band that I have been in, everybody helped each other with load in, set up, break down and load out.

I agree. When I'm done with My stuff, the job isn't done until I help everyone with Their stuff. Or Our stuff.

It's called being a team player. And - a good person.

Mushroo · #16 07-23-2011, 04:33 PM

Meh. If the singer is chatting with an audience member (and in my experience, someone always approaches a handsome/pretty singer after a set) I'm not going to interrupt and say "excuse me, stop chatting and help me move my rig right NOW." Word of mouth brings people to the next show and sometimes networking brings new gig opportunities.

Me & the drummer & the guitarist have the load-out down to a science, sometimes too many people trying to help and it's "where did we put that mic cable?" next time around.

sb69coupe · #17 07-23-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

There is no reason why a woman can't help break down the gear. If she cannot lift anything heavy, she can take down mics and stands, wrap cables, etc.

+1. Our singer has always set up the mics, stands, cables, and lights. She also helps tear down. Now that she's playing keys, she hauls a big 65 pound korg keyboard rig, along with her monitor and other gear. There's no reason for a band member to ditch out on the load in and tear down.

BassMonstrum · #18 07-23-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerbun

Two way street. Doing nothing upsets those who feel they carry an unfair share of things.

+ 1

You may actually lose other bandmembers because nothing was done to make things different.

Mushroo · #19 07-23-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Most of us know the value of that and would never interrupt it. In my situation - it ain't happenin.

Maybe your singer is not aware of the value in helping the band in this way... is there another band member who is good at it and can take her under their wing?

fingerbun · #20 07-23-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

+1

I do believe this is part of the situation. Which is why I'm whining out loud here.

Re: other comments - no, she is not a big draw. We're an older bunch - 40's / 50's. We're not a young babe / stud band, so, none of us in the band are Draws. What draws is the overall output of the band in creating some pretty decent dance music.

We're also very laid back in inviting the crowd to join us - i.e. people coming up to sing, play, etc. I have been in bands where others were anal and didn't want anyone near the stage.
"My show. My toys."

We draw the crowd in any way, and it sometimes works well.

"Working band seeks singer who enjoys relating to audiences and being part of the band". The ad almost writes itself.

I would give some thought to HOW I confront it....need to be ethical, need to not have her leave the band in a hole, etc.

But if the others feel as you do I would confront it.