invisable and unnoticed

biff brown · #1 08-24-2007, 07:47 PM

whats up guys. I thought it was my imagination that I was just depressed or something, but I keep reading more and more on this site about it. It really frustrates me and I (we) should find a way to fight it. I'm talking about not being noticed on stage. When I play a gig I'm not just a musician, I'm an entertainer. I jump around, get on chairs, tables, railings you name it. I have a wireless so I'll get off hte stage and run a round the crowd while playind and not miss a note. I do as much crazy stuff as possible. And people still dont know I'm there. I even have a mowahk and I'm in an alternative country band. After the show I'll be lucky if I geat a dude to walk up to me and tell me I did a god job. I'm thinking " grow some boobs then tell me that". After a show out of town once I went into one of the other hotel rooms that was the designated party room. the rest of the band was in there along with a bunch of chicks that were at that days show. I say whats up. they ask who are you. what the hell. or may I ask why. What can we do as bass players to stick out and be remembered at least 5 minutes after the show. help

Poop-Loops · #2 08-24-2007, 07:52 PM

Your problem might be that you're off stage so much that people don't even know you're in the band.

Jim Powers · #3 08-24-2007, 08:16 PM

There are a lot of possibilities. Maybe you're so active they feel you're showing them up; or they don't feel connected to you. Maybe you're such an individualist with your mohawk they feel you're a valuable stage presence but not so valuable meeting with the chicks (do they feel like the chicks would go for this); if there isn't a lot of mohawk type styles in the circle then people may not "notice" you because you are an outlier style-wise; too wild for them to be comfortable to engage with. There are innumerable possibilities, not being there to observe. But, you should feel comfortable with your group and perhaps this isn't the right group of people; particularly if they don't overtly strive to make you comfortable as part of their team. I always feel noticed on the stage and with my group but I do recognize that as the bass I perform a foundational role that doesn't often get the glamor, but anchors the band. But, I wouldn't expect to have them ask "who am I" in your situation but rather to promote me for my qualities. In any event, something needs adjustment, otherwise nothing will change. Hope this is of some help.

biff brown · #4 08-24-2007, 08:28 PM

sometimes I wear a cap, I only get into the crowd maybe once a show. our management loves it though when I get wild. But after reading the mean bass player jokes thread and seeing somes truths, maybe thats just the way it is and I should feel lucky I can say I'm in a band and I get paid at the end of the show. But we should still fight to be noticed by at least one hot chick after a show

invader3k · #5 08-25-2007, 06:46 AM

Honestly can't say I've ever had a problem with people not knowing I'm in the band, after a show of all things. Weird.

Anscari · #6 08-25-2007, 06:51 AM

When playing in a band, your main concern should be the band, not you.

If you want to be noticed, then sing or play lead guitar. Your task is to provide a steady groove and harmony for the band, not to be the buffoon.

ALiP BoB · #7 08-25-2007, 06:52 AM

Sing backup.

lowkat · #8 08-25-2007, 07:12 AM

You reeeeaaaallllyyy need to ask yourself why you're doing this. If all you want is recognition and have some "hot chick" talk to you, then it might not be about the music or the performance. It's also a given that bassists are a lonely and under-appreciated lot. But just think about what it would sound like without us. A bunch of whinning singers, skreeching guitars and banging drums with nothing to pull it all together.

Dan Molina · #9 08-25-2007, 07:15 AM

Act like Michael Anthony on stage. Everyone will notice you.

txbasschik · #10 08-25-2007, 11:09 AM

I run into the same problem. For a woman my age, I'm reasonably attractive. I don't jump around a lot, but I do move and dance and interact with the other band members and the audience. I sing, backups mostly, but I do sing. My bass is a bright banana yellow...I think the crew of the space station may be able to see it, its so bright. I'm loud...I always have someone check me to make sure I'm not drowning the music out.

However, the instant I walk off the stage, only the bassists in the crowd can remember who I am and what I do. When my band introduces me to friends of theirs who show up, they say, "We'd like you to meet Cherie, our bassist!" What do I get from these people? "Oh...you're in the band? What do you do?" OMG, THEY JUST TOLD YOU WHAT I DO!!!

Our promoter can't even remember who I am. She's been told a jillion times what my name is, but what does she call me? "Steve's wife...you know, that bada$$ drummer in 8Ball Down." I don't even have a name. I'm just the wife if a really good drummer.

I think she does that on purpose, though. She's a bi&c#.

At any rate, I think its the curse of being the bass player. Or it could just be that, because our singer is curvy and stacked and tall and blonde, they don't remember the brunette with the little tiddies. I can look great, but put me next to our singer, and I disappear, obscured by her brighter, more-noticeable looks.

Whether its because I'm not good-looking enough, or because I'm the bassist...I don't get noticed or remembered by many. I've learned to live with it. My reward is people dancing. They might not realize it, but that bass line is the thing that dragged their booties out on the dance floor. I'm the most pleased with the floor is full of dancers, and then my "cloak of invisibility" doesn't matter as much.

Cherie

WayneS · #11 08-25-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anscari

When playing in a band, your main concern should be the band, not you.

If you want to be noticed, then sing or play lead guitar. Your task is to provide a steady groove and harmony for the band, not to be the buffoon.

So you, as a bass player, hide behind the guitar and vocals? What a stupid comment! What seperates the A's from the B's is the ability to use the bass to enhance the music, to add another dimension to the sound. Not just to carry the rhythm. Judging from your post, you must be part of the A's.

I dont mean to offend you. I just take umbrage to your post. You telling me that I shouldnt worry about being noticed. I know you didnt say it to me directly, it was a blanket statement that covered all bass players.

Poop-Loops · #12 08-25-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

For a woman my age, I'm reasonably attractive. I don't jump around a lot,

See, that could be your problem. Jump around a lot more, and don't wear a bra.

Past-Time · #13 08-25-2007, 12:51 PM

what you need is a gimmick.

something outrageous, sexy, and slightly insane...

or you can concentrate on sitting back and holding the bottom end :P

HollowBassman · #14 08-25-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

See, that could be your problem. Jump around a lot more, and don't wear a bra.

+1 and post the video here!

darkfinger · #15 08-25-2007, 01:16 PM

[quote= But we should still fight to be noticed by at least one hot chick after a show[/QUOTE]

Sure the guitards and singers get more immediate notice and response from people...it`s `cause they`re out front acting like idiots...it`s like those really obnoxious kids that scream `look at me, look at me, Hey watch me` over and over again when they`re about to do something exceptionally lame like cannonball off the side of a pool. It`s hard to ignore!

Hahahaha, just joking, yeah if getting a chick is your main concern, then maybe your priorities are a little off.
Besides, Getting a chick at a gig is still like trying to pick one up at the bar, except even if they didn`t notice you on stage, you still have the in of: `hey did you like MY band?`
or you could just lead one over to yer amp, flip it speaker side up, go full voume and tell `em to have a seat...

eep, I think that last statement may have just earned me a reprimand....

Steve · #16 08-25-2007, 01:53 PM

Sorry, it's the nature of the beast and the cross we all bear. The only time a bass player gets noticed is if they stop playing. Gotta deal with it.

It get's to me when I have to keep telling the bartender I'm in the band.

plugger · #17 08-25-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biff brown

I'm talking about not being noticed on stage. When I play a gig I'm not just a musician, I'm an entertainer. I jump around, get on chairs, tables, railings you name it. I have a wireless so I'll get off hte stage and run a round the crowd while playind and not miss a note. I do as much crazy stuff as possible. And people still dont know I'm there. I even have a mowahk and I'm in an alternative country band. After the show I'll be lucky if I geat a dude to walk up to me and tell me I did a god job.

It's a genetic malady common to bass players known as "charisma bypass syndrome".

As already stated, the only known cure is to learn to play a guitar with six strings, or even better, sing.

If it makes you feel any better, a bass player is a musician's musician. Other muso's will appreciate a good bass player (at least I do -- sorry, no boobs); unfortunately, the great unwashed masses (aka more politely as "the untrained ear") will not even realise what it is that gets their collective foot tapping and booty shakin'. Groove is truly king in pop music, but you really have to try to create pop music to appreciate how it all fits together.

-Mark

Mofo-Kang · #18 08-25-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Past-Time

what you need is a gimmick.

something outrageous, sexy, and slightly insane...

or you can concentrate on sitting back and holding the bottom end :P

I recommend the ass-less chaps. Then you can do both.

TheBassBetween · #19 08-25-2007, 08:10 PM

Just cause you're the bass player, doesn't mean you shouldn't have a solo spot. Ask your band for a solo spot--whether during a song or completely solo. That's really what people remember. That's not to say you should solo all the time, but there should be a time and place for a bass solo. There should be a time for the bassist to come out of the shadows and show off a bit.

plugger · #20 08-25-2007, 09:27 PM

Reminds me of the joke about the missionaries in Africa.

They'd been in a village during the annual festivities. The jungle drums had been beating incessantly for three days. After 72 hours of no sleep, one of the missionaries cries out in despair "The drums! The drums! I can't take it anymore!"

To which one of their hosts replies impassively " "No. Drums good. When drums stop, bad"

"Why? What happens when the drums stop?"

"Bass solo"

-Mark