Band wants to pop my gig cherry Saturday

NickInMesa · #1 12-29-2009, 10:56 PM

Yes, I am the 40 year-old gig virgin.

I swear. I only played in basements, garages, bedrooms, some backyard parties or a couple high school things, but never been on stage. I also quit playing for a long time.

A cocktal of midlife crisis and stubbornnes made me restart the 4-string with the firm intention to go gig and finish what I had started.

Saturday we're opening a local metal night with 7 local bands, and it's only going to be 4 songs because I only practiced 5 times with these guys and I basically replaced their bassist who bailed on them.

We had a practice at the very bar we are supposed to play, which is pretty cool actually.

Now the other band members have decided to pull tricks on me as it is my first real gig.

So... what do you think I can expect?

And do you have similar stories?

canshaker · #2 12-29-2009, 11:02 PM

K.I.S.S.
(Keep It Simple, Stupid)
LOL. Sorry. Not to imply you are stupid. HAHA. It's just an expression.
Just get up, and play the songs. Expect EVERYTHING, and hope for nothing when it comes to distractions.
Have a great show, and above all else, ENJOY it!

Myth_103 · #3 12-29-2009, 11:06 PM

K.I.S.S.? Office reference? haha.

And just have a good time! Sure you'll be a little nervous, but after the first song or so, it'll be great!

oi_pride · #4 12-29-2009, 11:11 PM

i have pics from my first show. even though i was nervous as hell i was smiling like a goon.
i find the best way to have a good show is not worry too much about what i'm playing and just have fun. if i focus on what i'm playing too much i tend to mess up a little or miss the beat.

also my band played a headlining gig and there where two girls all over each other right in front of me laying on the monitor. now that was distracting.

something that might help you with distractions is play the songs while watching tv or something. if you can play and not be too distracted you should be just fine.

Kristopher · #5 12-29-2009, 11:12 PM

Ack, I've always hated that phrase. Seems quite vile.

My first gig - my band with my high school friends got to play this battle of the bands thing. For some reason one of the songs we played was this bass/drums instrumental. Wouldn't you know it, I stepped on my cable and it came out of my bass, not once, not twice, but THREE times. Afterwards the drummer's dad said that he felt sorry for me - not because of the cable thing, but because he said all he heard was noise the whole time I was playing. I guess my distortion pedal was turned up too high or something.

I say that if you're gig turns out better than that, you've got it good.

oi_pride · #6 12-29-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristopher

Ack, I've always hated that phrase. Seems quite vile.

My first gig - my band with my high school friends got to play this battle of the bands thing. For some reason one of the songs we played was this bass/drums instrumental. Wouldn't you know it, I stepped on my cable and it came out of my bass, not once, not twice, but THREE times. Afterwards the drummer's dad said that he felt sorry for me - not because of the cable thing, but because he said all he heard was noise the whole time I was playing. I guess my distortion pedal was turned up too high or something.

man that's rough. the first show i played we played five songs and i only knew three of them and the verse of one and didn't even have a clue about the other. my guitar player told me the notes right before we hit the stage. some how i pulled it off.

Bubba Ghanoosh · #7 12-29-2009, 11:28 PM

Where and what time?
I'll try to check it out Saturday.

NickInMesa · #8 12-29-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Ghanoosh

Where and what time?
I'll try to check it out Saturday.

7:30 at UB's in Mesa. It's a symphonic metal cover, we're just starting with some easy Nightwish covers (yes, our singer has the pipe for that).

Really good key guy, really good guitarist, both with extensive gig experience, but the drummer and I are on the same boat. Stopped playing, midlife, yaddi yadda.

Ah it should be fun.

kesslari · #9 12-30-2009, 12:00 AM

Wait a minute - you do enough interviews that you're tired of the "who are your influences?" question, but you've never done a gig?
Man, you must have the world's best PR guy

Seriously, have a great time - tear it up.

UncleFluffy · #10 12-30-2009, 12:06 AM

Smile, bang the root note, have fun. Keep it to no more than one beer an hour until the set's over.

Good luck and enjoy yourself.

NickInMesa · #11 12-30-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

Wait a minute - you do enough interviews that you're tired of the "who are your influences?" question, but you've never done a gig?
Man, you must have the world's best PR guy

Seriously, have a great time - tear it up.

Well, in the last year I auditioned for a few bands, that is true. Had about 12 phone interviews, tried 5 bands, decided to do music with only 2.

And about 10 out of 12 times I had the "what is your influence question" and I wanted to say something like "it depends on when I'm driving".

Yes, I hate this question. I have NO influence in particular and I think it's a stupid question.

steveksux · #12 12-30-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canshaker

K.I.S.S.
(Keep It Simple, Stupid)

Good point, that needed clarification.

If on the other hand, if the guys try to tell you they need to kiss you on the lips to commemorate your first gig....

RUN FORREST!!! RUUUUUNNN!!!!

Seriously, good luck. Expect anything... really no limits depending on how twisted those guys sense of humor is...

Randy

NickInMesa · #13 12-30-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Good point, that needed clarification.

If on the other hand, if the guys try to tell you they need to kiss you on the lips to commemorate your first gig....

RUN FORREST!!! RUUUUUNNN!!!!

Seriously, good luck. Expect anything... really no limits depending on how twisted those guys sense of humor is...

Randy

I expect them to stop playing all at once. Maybe I should bring that fuzz pedal and kick it in if they do it, then pop the riff from Billy Jean.

electracoyote · #14 12-30-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

We had a practice at the very bar we are supposed to play, which is pretty cool actually.

Now the other band members have decided to pull tricks on me as it is my first real gig.

So... what do you think I can expect?

And do you have similar stories?

Congrats Nick, and it's about time. You've been on here talking about doing this for awhile too.

That you got to rehearse the stage is cool, very helpful. You should feel a little more comfortable in a familiar setting.

As for tricks, I hope they do whatever they have planned before or after the set, not during. If during, I hope they do it between songs. Trying to mess with you mid-song could be taken as a little distracting and less-than-professional.

Whatever it is, remember: It's because they love and appreciate you.

Good luck, have fun!

steveksux · #15 12-30-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I expect them to stop playing all at once. Maybe I should bring that fuzz pedal and kick it in if they do it, then pop the riff from Billy Jean.

Awesome, turn it right back on them...

Randy

NickInMesa · #16 12-30-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

Awesome, turn it right back on them...

Randy

Nah it's not going to happen. I just want to have fun.

FWIW I have always been extremely shy and I go around it by being extraverted and doing stuff on a dare.

canshaker · #17 12-30-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myth_103

K.I.S.S.? Office reference? haha.

Did they use that in The Office? Interesting. I actually heard it for the first time in an acting class about 12 years ago, and that teacher works with a LOT of other pros. I wonder if any of the writers may have taken her class, as well.

The Davil · #18 12-30-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

7:30 at UB's in Mesa. It's a symphonic metal cover, we're just starting with some easy Nightwish covers (yes, our singer has the pipe for that).

Really good key guy, really good guitarist, both with extensive gig experience, but the drummer and I are on the same boat. Stopped playing, midlife, yaddi yadda.

Ah it should be fun.

Cool! I'll see what I can do about showing up, too.

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. Except for the 'playing in a band' thing...

Have fun...

Kristopher · #19 12-30-2009, 11:34 PM

Wow, all sorts of Phoenicians here. Maybe we can have a TB GTG at NickInMesa's gig.

TortillaChip520 · #20 12-31-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I expect them to stop playing all at once. Maybe I should bring that fuzz pedal and kick it in if they do it, then pop the riff from Billy Jean.

haha I play in a hardcore band, and when I do my soundcheck i play the "Play That Funky Music, White Boy" riff.

We're based out of mesa too, I'll have to come check you guys out!