It's all about customer service.

[Stinsok]

We gigged last night, in a new place for us. Even before I arrived to set up the manager called me and was going over loudness issues with bands in this place. Last week, they had a band pack up because they couldn't/wouldn't play at an appropriate volume.

The room IS awful. It's L shaped, tile floors, one glass wall, with a 30 foot ceiling. There is no stage area-only a small space directly on the floor. When I arrived the manager asked me about how long our sound check would be, etc. She wasn't being pushy or demanding, but I could tell she was very concerned. The ajoining restaraunt had a couple of high profile parties and she just wanted things to go well (and so did I.)

I told her:

A. We will fit in that space, no problem

B. I'm going to use powered speakers on poles so that nobody will have a sub in their face.

C. As far as sound check- I'm going to use an iPod to make sure everything is working and then maybe one song close to start time. We only mic'd vocals, acoustic guitar, and a little bit of kick drum. The band already "held prayer" concerning volume and everyone cooperated.

We left ego's at home, did what she asked, had a great gig (even though it wasn't musically satisfying,) and got rebooked.

[Oren Hudson]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

The band already "held prayer" concerning volume and everyone cooperated.

We left ego's at home, did what she asked, had a great gig (even though it wasn't musically satisfying,) and got rebooked.

Keys to success my friend. The sooner everyone understands, the better. Congrats.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by Oren Hudson

Keys to success my friend. The sooner everyone understands, the better. Congrats.

Absolutely.

One place we do I could satisfy with a home stereo, but pays well. We also always go full PA with everything in it, but that’s actually a good thing ‘cause the soundguy out front can maintain the appropriate volume, and all we have to do it keep the stage volume down.

First gig there we accommodated them, and have been playing there regularly since.

[jdlwareagle]

You , sir , are a professional musician and evidently have surrounded yourself with the same .

[WayneS]

Rebooked to a gig that is not musically satisfying... sounds boring.

[jordie65]

Originally Posted by WayneS

Rebooked to a gig that is not musically satisfying... sounds boring.

sounds like a steady income to me!

[Stinsok]

Originally Posted by jordie65

sounds like a steady income to me!

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

[selowitch]

Well done. Management is the customer and pleasing them is key.

[steveksux]

Well done, lots of other bands will fail miserably there, more gigs for you.

Randy

[pedroims]

Originally Posted by WayneS

Rebooked to a gig that is not musically satisfying... sounds boring.

I was waiting for something like this

to the OP kudos for have a pro acttitude and put the customer first.

[WayneS]

Originally Posted by pedroims

I was waiting for something like this

to the OP kudos for have a pro acttitude and put the customer first.

I didnt mean anything bad about it... it just sounds boring to me. Steady income or not. I'm glad you didnt have to wait long.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

We gigged last night, in a new place for us. Even before I arrived to set up the manager called me and was going over loudness issues with bands in this place. Last week, they had a band pack up because they couldn't/wouldn't play at an appropriate volume.

The room IS awful. It's L shaped, tile floors, one glass wall, with a 30 foot ceiling. There is no stage area-only a small space directly on the floor. When I arrived the manager asked me about how long our sound check would be, etc. She wasn't being pushy or demanding, but I could tell she was very concerned. The ajoining restaraunt had a couple of high profile parties and she just wanted things to go well (and so did I.)

I told her:

A. We will fit in that space, no problem

B. I'm going to use powered speakers on poles so that nobody will have a sub in their face.

C. As far as sound check- I'm going to use an iPod to make sure everything is working and then maybe one song close to start time. We only mic'd vocals, acoustic guitar, and a little bit of kick drum. The band already "held prayer" concerning volume and everyone cooperated.

We left ego's at home, did what she asked, had a great gig (even though it wasn't musically satisfying,) and got rebooked.

Job well done!
Any player even thinking of being in a working band needs to learn this.

[PJSShearer]

I was booked in a Restaurant Gig with a pick-up band - Guitar, Bass, Keys and a Drummer. At the audition/sound check the drummer didn't stop bitching as to how quietly he was going to be required to play for the "dinner music" part of the evening. Needless to say we started on the following Monday with a different drummer....

[basswave]

Nice post...
You know what going down then...Smart.

[zenrad]

I think what we need is more bands who don't give a crap about what they sound like or if they feel no joy while they play. This music thing is just a business, it's all about the money and the people who play with spirit and conviction are simply unprofessional and should step aside to let the real pros do their thing.

[fleabee]

well done

[Justin Tuskey]

Originally Posted by zenrad

I think what we need is more bands who don't give a crap about what they sound like or if they feel no joy while they play. This music thing is just a business, it's all about the money and the people who play with spirit and conviction are simply unprofessional and should step aside to let the real pros do their thing.

Semi agree, BUT don't mingle feeling/spirit/conviction with loudness/"being asked to turn down to fit a gig" etc. you CAN be professional ie. turning down for a gig when asked to AND still play with feeling. I think too many ego's get in the way when asked to turn down. Ive played gigs where I literally couldnt hear anything I played. at first I was miffed because whats the point in me being there if I cant be heard and "do my thang". very quickly I gave up my argument and just played (hoping I was on the right notes of course ) and at the end of the night I had money, and people were happy. THAT is professionalism

Get over it and learn to rock out (if thats how you play) at a lower volume. if you are getting paid to play, you must succumb to the woes of the venue. If you have an office job and your boss asks you to quiet down in your cubicle, I sure hope you arent going to blow that off as "but I can't work with feeling/spirit/conviction".

my 2 cents

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by zenrad

I think what we need is more bands who don't give a crap about what they sound like or if they feel no joy while they play. This music thing is just a business, it's all about the money and the people who play with spirit and conviction are simply unprofessional and should step aside to let the real pros do their thing.

Thats the problem already and the reason bands don't get paid well. If you have to rely on volume in order to play well then you should find another hobby. It takes skill to play softly with dynamics.

[zenrad]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Thats the problem already and the reason bands don't get paid well. If you have to rely on volume in order to play well then you should find another hobby. It takes skill to play softly with dynamics.

I used to carry an amp and speakers to my gigs but I just play my bass unplugged because I'm so skilled. Our drummer doesn't even bring a kit, he just pats his legs - he's that professional. Sometimes the hand slapping sound is too loud though, so we'll play without a drummer.

Bands like the Who or any of the countless others who would play at volume are clearly unskilled hacks. It's always more convincing to play "Give Me Shelter" at a whisper volume, audiences truly love that and walk away respecting the band at the end of the night.

[Will Kelly]

The Who would get fired from the gig at a venue this small unless they turned down. Simple, eh? Perhaps they might play some jazz?