How to not sound like a douche on mic?

EamusCatuli · #1 06-29-2011, 10:23 AM

Between songs my lead singer/rhthym guitarist usually chats up the audience, but if he switches from accoustic to electric there's often a substantial gap in the action. Instead of blank faces looking at the band and crickets chirping, I'll usually chime in with a plug for the band's site or FB page or something. But damn it all if I don't sound like an a-hole! I have a lower voice and I'm told that I'm reminiscent of an NPR host when I speak to the crowd, and if I try to rev the audience I feel about the size of a Lego man on stage.

Any suggestions?

joshwilkesbooth · #2 06-29-2011, 10:28 AM

Don't overthink it.

Spoiler Below. Highlight to read.

in before "too late"

You could also come up with a little 30 second bass and drum lead in to the song where dude needs to switch guitars.

EamusCatuli · #3 06-29-2011, 10:30 AM

Yeah, we'll do a little blues jam here and there to fill the gaps. Good point though on overthinking it. I just feel like I'm saying the same thing each time. I should tell off-color jokes instead.

Smokin' Toaster · #4 06-29-2011, 11:07 AM

You could always say "I'd like to introduce the band now... and proceed to introduce band members to each other. Stupid, but good for a laugh. Talk about a drink special or encourage the patrons to tip the waitstaff, that's always good. Don't talk about gigs at other venues, the only venue that exists is the one that you are in at the moment.

Or play it up..."I've been told I sound like a douche when I speak over the mic, so for all you vaginas out there, I'm here for you!"

dbhokie · #5 06-29-2011, 11:13 AM

I always take those times to encourage people to tip and drink, as Smokin' said, and usually crack a couple jokes.

BigOldHarry · #6 06-29-2011, 11:14 AM

it helps if you are used to public speaking. If you REALLY have trouble with this but have no choice, suck it up and attend some ToastMasters meetings. I'm serious - this will help you with public speaking, and it's free.

jaywa · #7 06-29-2011, 11:19 AM

Plug your Website and/or merch (if you have any with you). Prop the waitstaff and encourage tipping.

Jokes usually aren't a good idea. Off-color jokes even less of a good idea in today's PC obsessed world where you never know who you might offend.

Best solution is to eliminate the need for filler altogether by minimizing the downtime during the guitar switch. Seriously, it shouldn't take your guitarist more than about 20 seconds. In my band both my lead guitarist and I change guitars numerous times during the show and we never have that much downtime.

Jazzdogg · #8 06-29-2011, 11:26 AM

You already know which songs require a guitar switch, so extend the intro by 30-seconds in a way that doesn't require guitar.

And whatever you do, stop gargling with vinegar!

jaywa · #9 06-29-2011, 11:34 AM

Another option would be to switch your guitarist over to a headset mic so that he can keep the banter going with the audience while he's doing the guitar switch.

That way you never have to get on mic at all.

EamusCatuli · #10 06-29-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

Or play it up..."I've been told I sound like a douche when I speak over the mic, so for all you vaginas out there, I'm here for you!"

That is just awesome. An absolute keeper. Your other advice was great too but this had me laughing in my office.

southgabass · #11 06-29-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EamusCatuli

Yeah, we'll do a little blues jam here and there to fill the gaps. Good point though on overthinking it. I just feel like I'm saying the same thing each time. I should tell off-color jokes instead.

I tell On and Off color jokes in our breaks... one of our last shows someone asked if we were a comedy band cause of them... and I told em maybe... but I'm the only one who isn't funny.... plugging your FB and things isnt bad... jams are fun too, the only issue is we end up actually messing around with a song people want to hear and I have to "fake" it or as in one case blow their minds (we ended up playing "Watermelon Crawl" out of nowhere and I sang it, our singer said "did that really just happen" we're a rock band and I just ended up singing the whole thing... crowd ate it up lol) tell them about the next time you'll be at THAT club/bar/venue (a lot of them aren't too keen on plugs for other venues)...

Chef FourString · #12 06-29-2011, 11:50 AM

Children's jokes work pretty good on drunks.

Marginal Tom · #13 06-29-2011, 11:51 AM

I don't see why venue A would have a problem with plugging a show at venue B. If I were the bar owner, I'd assume you'd also plugs your gigs at my place when you played at venue B.

masterFlash · #14 06-29-2011, 11:51 AM

Audience interaction is best when its personalized.
If you tell the crowd to buy a drink, personalize it with names of waitstaff. IE.. "If yall are thirsty from dancing, Stacy over there recommends the frozen margaritas. She's been drinking them all night."

Or tell the crowd why this is your favorite bar to play.

Or prep them on the next set of songs you're going to do.

Write down some of your ideas and practice them in front of the mirror. Then in front of your other band mates. I'm sure they will be more critical than any crowd. And just like chord changes, audience interaction is something you have to practice.

southgabass · #15 06-29-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marginal Tom

I don't see why venue A would have a problem with plugging a show at venue B. If I were the bar owner, I'd assume you'd also plugs your gigs at my place when you played at venue B.

In a perfect world yes... but in their eyes they see you trying to take the crowd to another place instead of theirs... maybe they have a kick a$$ band scheduled that night and 1/2 or so of the people currently there wont be there to hear them but be listening to your band at Venue B.... but its more of "DONT TAKE MONEY OUTTA MY TILL"... some places are open to it... some places will shoot you in the face for thinking bout saying something

and yes childrens jokes are great for drunks.... and drunk children lol....

southgabass · #16 06-29-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterFlash

Audience interaction is best when its personalized.
If you tell the crowd to buy a drink, personalize it with names of waitstaff. IE.. "If yall are thirsty from dancing, Stacy over there recommends the frozen margaritas. She's been drinking them all night."

Or tell the crowd why this is your favorite bar to play.

Or prep them on the next set of songs you're going to do.

Write down some of your ideas and practice them in front of the mirror. Then in front of your other band mates. I'm sure they will be more critical than any crowd. And just like chord changes, audience interaction is something you have to practice.

+1.... the staff at places love it when you do things like this... especially "and everyone don't forget your lovely bartenders (insert names) the've been working hard to keep you lubricated, so tip em... and while your at it your band also takes donations for the Tittie fund (thats what we've dubbed ours....)".... owners love it cause it gets people back to the bar spending $$ the staff love it cause they are getting tips... and when that combines the staff pushes for the owners/bookers to rebook....

Practicing is good... but IMHO being able to wing it gives it a better feel than having it robotically programmed... get the basics down and then tweak it live =D

JSK5String · #17 06-29-2011, 12:11 PM

Get the names of the bartender(s) and wait staff and write them down. Then instead of your generic "Make sure to tip your bartenders and waittresses" crap, you can personalize it by saying their names. They'll appreciate that you took the time to get to know them. The owner/manager will appreciate it when you can say "And make sure to tell their boss ____________ that ___________ did a great job for you tonight. He's the guy in the ugly blue shirt with the cheesy porn stash, you can't miss him." They all love it when you take the dead air time to talk up their service, and have a little fun doing it.

lbanks · #18 06-29-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EamusCatuli

Any suggestions?

Nope, none at all. I, also, suffer from the 'Voice Of Doom'. I seen patrons look up in fear when I speak on the mic, so I don't do it.

southgabass · #19 06-29-2011, 12:18 PM

"voice of doom" nice.... and yeah generic "tip blah blah blah" aren't good but its a starting point to get you comfortable doing it, until you can get in the routine of something better.....

Jazzdogg · #20 06-29-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbanks

Nope, none at all. I, also, suffer from the 'Voice Of Doom'. I seen patrons look up in fear when I speak on the mic, so I don't do it.

I'm not sure what a 'Voice Of Doom' sounds like. But, if you can convincingly say, "Luke, I am your father," or "Sho you right," or "You'll never find..." in a deep, resonant voice, work it like a rented mule; those kinds of voices can have a remarkable effect on the panties of women in the audience!