Before the gig...

[kesslari]

I have a gig tonight. No work today (Saturday) and no pressing home chores.

What do you guys do before a gig?

Me - I've been out shooting archery and doing Tameshegiri (cutting practice). Both focus the mind/body, but more than that, both are fun.
Gonna take the dogs to the park to run around crazily.
Maybe take a nap, maybe not.

[Deacon_Blues]

The perfect way to spend the time before a gig is to have a sauna, go swimming in a nearby sea/lake/river or whatever, and afterwards have some nice food (not too much), a couple of beers (not too much of that either) and an hour of BS talk with your bandmates. That will make you feel fresh and relaxed for the gig.

[JehuJava]

Eat something disgusting for my body.
Have a few beers.
Warm up my hands.

[John Wentzien]

Shot of JAG and then run with the dogs.....then a nap!

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Shot of JAG and then run with the dogs.....then a nap!

Nap....bah ha ha ha ha ha


No doubt!

[logicman69]

I'm usually working at the store till a couple hours before the gig, so I don't get much time to do anything. If there is a "rare" oppertunity I'll usually head into town a couple hours early (we usually play in Newport, RI in the summer... so there is plenty to do) and go have a couple beers and a good dinner (The Smokehouse on Thames St. is HIGHLY recomended). I'll chat up some bartenders and let them know I'm playing in the area, this way when someone asked the bartender "What's going on in town tonight?" (a question they get asked frequently) they can hopefully plug the band. "You know I just heard that Missing Element is playing tonight @ ______. You should check them out."

It helps if you tip REALLY well (and you just might get some free drinks out of it as well)

[Uncle Ernie]

Originally Posted by logicman69

I'm usually working at the store till a couple hours before the gig, so I don't get much time to do anything. If there is a "rare" oppertunity I'll usually head into town a couple hours early (we usually play in Newport, RI in the summer... so there is plenty to do) and go have a couple beers and a good dinner (The Smokehouse on Thames St. is HIGHLY recomended). I'll chat up some bartenders and let them know I'm playing in the area, this way when someone asked the bartender "What's going on in town tonight?" (a question they get asked frequently) they can hopefully plug the band. "You know I just heard that Missing Element is playing tonight @ ______. You should check them out."

It helps if you tip REALLY well (and you just might get some free drinks out of it as well)

Smoothness will take you places!

[kesslari]

Uncle Ernie, given your user name I'm not sure I want to know what you do before gigs...

[BassieMike]

I load up the PA, drive it to the spot and hope my bandmates show up in time so I don't have to load in and set up the PA by myself. Oh yeah, that's one of the reasons I quit playing with those guys....

[logicman69]

Originally Posted by Uncle Ernie

Smoothness will take you places!

Definatly. It's a rule in our band to tip the bartenders extremly well. If you want to play that bar again leave the bartenders a good tip ($60-$80 for a $80-$100 tab). You will get a gig there again, and probibly free drinks next time too. There are a couple bars in Newpoert where I have yet to pay for a drink in the last 4 years, even when I'm not playing.

[capnsandwich]

Before a gig, I like to eat something roughly 2-3 hours before so I'm not bloated on stage but not hungry either. Then I'll head to the nearest Starbucks or other coffee shop and get the most potent, heavily caffeinated thing they have and chug that an hour before the gig. Then I'll jam on the Tascam Bass Trainer until it's time to go on.

[StyleOverShow]

I don't do the coffee thing, but otherwise the Capn's got it down with a warm up practice with earphones.

[BassMonstrum]

I wish I could afford these luxuries, but a typical gig-day consists of getting up early and load the gear into the van, then loading it up onstage with the following soundcheck. If we're playing locally and have time to spare I usually go home and eat dinner and try to relax as much as possible before heading to the venue an hour and a half before going onstage and have a beer.

It's basically the same when we're playing somewhere else, though we relax at the hotel, have a band-dinner with a beer then head to the venue an hour and a half before going onstage.

I spend that hour and a half backstage, sitting in the corner listening to my iPod, almost meditating.

[ksandvik]

I've been fortunate that I live in the middle of Silicon Valley and the gigs are around me, so depending on the situation I just stay home and drive to the gig so I'm there 30 minutes before hitting the stage. Means I would watch TV, read emails, even do music in the studio. Anyway, it's a special case.

[sedan_dad]

Nothing special here . Just take a shower before I go and eat light.

[Elrend]

I do like this: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ *bring* OH SHI- IM LATE!

[Uncle Ernie]

Originally Posted by kesslari

Uncle Ernie, given your user name I'm not sure I want to know what you do before gigs...

Man, it's been so long since I had a gig that I don't think I remember...

[hey]

I get myself pumped with PIRATE METAL!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xBp8PAqKxP4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qdfqe9f1Ikg

[gotmule?]

I usually just chill and listen to some music. Then I usually go to wherever I'm playing and since our band always gets there too early, we chill and talk w/ the people at the party.

[chrisp2g]

just hang out with the guys, eat, relax write the set list and thats pretty much it. at the show get to know the bands if we have not played with them before and such.

chris