Cocky "musicians" in the Audience.

[KillerNeuron]

Saturday night we played a really great show at a bar, and as we were setting up, one of our guitarists sat down to restring his guitar. Some idiot came up and started harassing him about changing his strings and how its a terrible idea before a show... then he asks, "so does your bass player play a 4 string or is he a real man and plays a 5?" I just stood there, staring at him (lace covered tits and all) and simply said "4 string." He looked at me like I was scum and said "oh, don't worry, one day you can be a real bassist, like me." I almost hit him. What a douche. Since when did number of strings equal skill?

He sat at his table sulking for the rest of the night while I tore it up (obviously he realized that this little 4 string girl can get around a fretboard), and all his friends were cheering for the "hot bass girl" while he just sat there looking like a little bitch. It made me feel so good. I don't understand why some people try to intimidate others with fictional crap, acting like some music god. I would never approach a band and try to establish my prowess when I am but an audience member.

Anyone else ran into little dweebs like that? What do you do?

[TylerSteiz]

I just ignore it because the only reason they act like they are gods gift to music is because they are insecure about their playing. I'm sure he feels like an idiot now after seeing you guys play too.

[phatbass]

Well, you've got a gig and he's sitting in the audience wishing he had a gig so who's the "real" Bassist...

[Ubersheist]

Replace the word "cocky" with "insecure." That's been my experience. Alot of those insecure people are often very technically great players, but haven't ever figured out how to actually make music that connects with people. As such, they get that chip on their shoulder, and get "cocky." Sucks to be them.

BTW, I am not a cocky player. I know that I suck!

[bassmonkeee]

Originally Posted by phatbass

Well, you've got a gig and he's sitting in the audience wishing he had a gig so who's the "real" Bassist...

No kidding, I think my response would have been, "Well, maybe one day you'll be the real bassist actually playing the gig and not the one listening from the audience."

[powmetalbassist]

There are 1 Million of these wannabe's for every good musician. He's a nobody, and always will be.

[KillerNeuron]

I think he was mostly upset because were were getting all the boob action on the stage, haha! (Biker bars are epic for women taking their shirts off, for the record!)

[Papa Dangerous]

When I run into snotty up tight people, I tend to burst into "extra personality" mode. I instantly become more funny, I am more charismatic, and I sometimes get lucky and just end up doing a little better then I normally do. It does not always happen, sometimes its just a certain thing that switches on and I am able to run with it.

Throughout college, I did a lot of work with the university's orchestra and band, as well as many other ensembles. Sometimes I would be running around the back of the stage, sometimes I was in the audience taking notes on the performance (damn concert performance analysis things), and many more times I was in the audience, on the stage and the back. With this, I must of attended at least 15-20 performances each semester for about 4 years. In this time I noticed how to spot the super snotty, know it all audience member. In orchestra performances, it is very common for the orchestra to play, take a brief moment in between movements, and the continue on with the piece. It is common knowledge amongst symphony followers that you do not applaud in between movements, the piece is not complete yet. However, you do not always find this in a college setting when many people go to see their friend or have a concert report to write. These people would then clap in between the movements, and damn.... If looks could kill... those students would have been off'd by those snobby butts of music critics.

[bassteban]

Don't let it get to you. Remember the *I can make you mad before you make me mad* game we all played w/our sib's?
Bottom line: Who had a gig, and who was talking s**t?

[Stick_Player]

You are gigging, he's not.

[KillerNeuron]

Originally Posted by Papa Dangerous

When I run into snotty up tight people, I tend to burst into "extra personality" mode. I instantly become more funny, I am more charismatic, and I sometimes get lucky and just end up doing a little better then I normally do. It does not always happen, sometimes its just a certain thing that switches on and I am able to run with it.

Throughout college, I did a lot of work with the university's orchestra and band, as well as many other ensembles. Sometimes I would be running around the back of the stage, sometimes I was in the audience taking notes on the performance (damn concert performance analysis things), and many more times I was in the audience, on the stage and the back. With this, I must of attended at least 15-20 performances each semester for about 4 years. In this time I noticed how to spot the super snotty, know it all audience member. In orchestra performances, it is very common for the orchestra to play, take a brief moment in between movements, and the continue on with the piece. It is common knowledge amongst symphony followers that you do not applaud in between movements, the piece is not complete yet. However, you do not always find this in a college setting when many people go to see their friend or have a concert report to write. These people would then clap in between the movements, and damn.... If looks could kill... those students would have been off'd by those snobby butts of music critics.

+1 I remember these exact same experiences in music school!

The extra personality thing makes alot of sense too.

[pacojas]

when i play a gig,..

i IGNORE EVERYONE outside of my band until after the show.

(focus on job-1)

[KillerNeuron]

On a lighter note, We are measuring our success by the fact that one of our singers (the male) got molested by another live music venues bar owner, who proceeded to try to do sexual favors for him (talk about booking score!). We were encouraging him to oblige, and even though he didn't, we still got 4 more gigs booked! Win! Major win for a noob band like us too!

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

Replace the word "cocky" with "insecure." That's been my experience. Alot of those insecure people are often very technically great players, but haven't ever figured out how to actually make music that connects with people. As such, they get that chip on their shoulder, and get "cocky." Sucks to be them.

This is sooooo true. But what I've found, though, is a lot of these types actually don't know the foundations of music, so they're driving off into territory they've no business being in and sounding like crap.

You did the right thing by simply keeping your cool and playing well, always the best revenge

[onosson]

I once had a guy come up and ask me why I *only* played a 4 string! I didn't feel any need to continue the conversation. Bottom line: I had a gig, he didn't.

[xed]

You could always go with the old standby of "Jaco didn't need 5 strings" and tag on a "... plus I've got lace covered tits." as a nice finisher.

[No Malarky]

Those who can - do! Those who can't, sometimes get frustrated.
Maybe this guy likes you and is too shy to talk to pretty girls in rock bands and this is all the mis-guided courage he could muster.
Next time, perhaps just ask him for his autograph, since he is awesome and all.

[thomasthecat]

Good for you!! Thats awesome . I really hate cockiness. Also I play a 6 and a 4 string bass and I will always say that people that rock out a 4 string are better/more acomplished musicians then myself. The 6 is more comfy in my hands and thats my personal preference, and people that dont realize that are tools

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by TylerSteiz

I just ignore it because the only reason they act like they are gods gift to music is because they are insecure about their playing. I'm sure he feels like an idiot now after seeing you guys play too.

Heh heh!! You obviously embarrassed the "shine" off his dumb 'line'... That was the best revenge you could have gotten anyhow. You most definitely "handled business" in the most effective manner possible. I bet he did sulk...

[KillerNeuron]

Originally Posted by xed

You could always go with the old standby of "Jaco didn't need 5 strings" and tag on a "... plus I've got lace covered tits." as a nice finisher.

You sir, have all the right answers.