I have an awful gig tomorrow!

Stinsok · #1 12-02-2010, 04:37 PM

Drumming for a guy that can't sing or play guitar and a girl that can't sing well either. The bassist is a rockstar but couldn't learn 30 of the most played songs of all time with 6 weeks to do it. The only saving grace is the lead guitarist is a buddy of mine (he's good.)

The gig is going to be in an empty concrete/tile floor/lots of windows facility. I told him, "I'll just bring my electric kit--it'll be as quiet (or as loud) as it needs to be." He says "oh man, them things cause too many sound problems!" Really? I send you one mono signal and that's a problem?

The "leader" seems to think a band is going to come out of this. It's just a slow moving train wreck.

s_mcsleazy · #2 12-02-2010, 04:42 PM

cos your going to be drumming not meny will notice you

but just incase i sugest wearing a mask like the drummer from lightning bolt

Stinsok · #3 12-02-2010, 04:44 PM

Maybe "not being noticed" would be a blessing! I will be as professional as possible though!

s_mcsleazy · #4 12-02-2010, 04:45 PM

ok but the mask idea is there as a back up plan

audiomitch · #5 12-02-2010, 05:00 PM

Btdt. Those can be painful, your friend owes you one.

The hardest part is after the gig when they're all fired up. You have to just grin and bear it.

s_mcsleazy · #6 12-02-2010, 05:04 PM

could always do what the drummer in my friends band did

he didnt want to play the gig so he said he had swineflue

Stinsok · #7 12-02-2010, 05:06 PM

I will feel much better when that cash hits my palm!

Justin Tuskey · #8 12-02-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

could always do what the drummer in my friends band did

he didnt want to play the gig so he said he had swineflue

funny. except I really had swineflu and it was terrible. I actually have my name plaqued up on the wall at Savannah's Memorial hospital. I am graced with the pleasure of being the first to bring swineflu into Georgia, from South Carolina. I pride myself in that, but it really sucked.

back on topic, man I hate to say it but thats almost like every gig I have with my current band. I just smile and stay professional, and let them do all the "up talking" afterwards. we are getting better, though. good luck.

ksandvik · #9 12-02-2010, 05:07 PM

Be glad you have a gig.

walterw · #10 12-02-2010, 07:17 PM

bring a real kit with lots of extra toms and cymbals and play it loud as f**k! then afterwords, you can enthusiastically talk up the gig while they smile wanly.

iiipopes · #11 12-02-2010, 07:25 PM

Are you getting paid? I know, I've had some bad gigs also. But even the worst gig can have something to learn from, even if it's a how "not to" do something. But so long as you're getting paid enough to ease into a libation of choice afterwards, it's all good.

RustyAxe · #12 12-02-2010, 07:55 PM

Like my wife says when I find myself in these situations ... "there are no victims here, only volunteers". No one will die, and the sun will rise the next day.

stoneboy26 · #13 12-02-2010, 10:09 PM

Be grateful that you are getting asked to play and getting paid. Learn from the mistakes that you see these guys doing so that you won't make them yourself.

There are a lot of guys out there that would love to be playing a gig, let alone getting paid for it as well.

And who knows where playing with your buddy might end up if he is good.

I always love playing with mates no matter how good, or bad, the band is.

James Judson · #14 12-02-2010, 10:30 PM

I always ask myself "what can I do to make up for _______(insert name)'s lack of musicianship". Step up to the plate.

SpecialBlender · #15 12-02-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoneboy26

Be grateful that you are getting asked to play and getting paid. Learn from the mistakes that you see these guys doing so that you won't make them yourself.

There are a lot of guys out there that would love to be playing a gig, let alone getting paid for it as well.

And who knows where playing with your buddy might end up if he is good.

I always love playing with mates no matter how good, or bad, the band is.

I totally agree with this. You never know where your next referral is going to come from. Could be someone there notices your professionalism, by playing whatever music it is your playing honestly and to the best of your ability.

deepBassie · #16 12-03-2010, 12:18 PM

Yep, just get out there and kick ass as mightily as possible. Lock in with your lead guitarist and try to mitigate the beat with the other knuckleheads. Sometimes being a bass player is all about finding a happy medium amoungst a sea of crapulence.

Stinsok · #17 12-04-2010, 07:05 AM

I HAD to lock in with the guitar, as the guy holding the bass was sooooo concerned with looking cool he didn't have time to play it. There were a couple of good things about the gig- it was held in a Mopar museum and they had killer BBQ. It turns out the electric drumkit was the right choice for this place. It was like a gym!

**nutdog** · #18 12-04-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I HAD to lock in with the guitar, as the guy holding the bass was sooooo concerned with looking cool he didn't have time to play it. There were a couple of good things about the gig- it was held in a Mopar museum and they had killer BBQ. It turns out the electric drumkit was the right choice for this place. It was like a gym!

It is better look good than to play good!

V drums, BBQ and Chevrolet...could be the next GM commercial.

Stinsok · #19 12-04-2010, 08:21 AM

If all of talkbass had been there, it might have turned ugly. The pitchforks and torches would have appeared! He did not represent us well at all! This guy was part of a national act during the '80's and 90's. My friend and I were exchanging "whiskey tango foxtrot" glances all night.

Nickthebass · #20 12-04-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

My friend and I were exchanging "whiskey tango foxtrot" glances all night.

I almost sprayed tea on the computer at this!!!

Glad to hear you got through it and no-one died.