Pre Gig Band Rituals?

grooveguru · #1 05-22-2008, 08:04 PM

Anyone have band rituals before they take the stage?

My current band Flight 19 (www.flight19music.com shameless plug) gets a round of shots which must be handed out by the singer then several off color toasts are made then all glass have to be handed back to him. Once we're on stage and ready to go everyone (6 of us) bumps fists and then we flip off our soundman so he kills the background music.

Childish - Yes

Enjoy it - Thoughly

Dave R · #2 05-22-2008, 09:35 PM

Our pre-gig ritual:

1. set up the gear.
2. sound check.
3. play the set list.

Hey, we're a bunch of old guys who don't drink or swear (much.)

Errr, sometimes we have to combine 2 and 3. I don't much like that way of doing things.

Blown Cone · #3 05-22-2008, 11:19 PM

We all have a tea, usually spearmint or rooibos.

Mutant Corn · #4 05-22-2008, 11:24 PM

We're usually running around like headless chickens trying to find the throne, or something along those lines.

GreggBummer · #5 05-22-2008, 11:30 PM

Although I am not much of a drinker, we all usually have a beer together. I have been known to throw down a shot of something on occasion.

My own personal ritual- I usually kick off my shoes. I don't practice at home with 'em on so I don't perform with them either. Unless the bar floor is nasty. Then forget it.

SuperSnake2012 · #6 05-22-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

Our pre-gig ritual:

1. set up the gear.
2. sound check.
3. play the set list.

Hey, we're a bunch of old guys who don't drink or swear (much.)

Errr, sometimes we have to combine 2 and 3. I don't much like that way of doing things.

My band does the same, but we're all 18.

TheGrizz · #7 05-22-2008, 11:41 PM

After we're onstage we huddle around the drum set, put our hands in. Then someone yells "Chauncey on 3!". After which everyone one says "1! 2! 3! Chauncey!" We then play our intro.

Also, from the moment we hit the stage until after our first song we don't say our band name. No matter what. After the set we all have a smoke and evaluate our performance while the next band is setting up.

gb2 · #8 05-23-2008, 03:02 AM

we hug before going on stage.

(two days ago I saw a band putting off their shirts and creaming themselves with some sort of baby oil before going on stage. that was weird.)

dj150888 · #9 05-23-2008, 07:05 AM

Pre gig ritual - 1 jagerbomb per band member, last one to finish it has to load out heaviest piece of gear!

**Jerose** · #10 05-23-2008, 07:52 AM

Heh, as gross as it sounds...

The Pre-show Crap. My goodness... it feels great to get up stage with empty bowels and all relaxed.

Alright, end grossness.

Also, I go OCD on my rig at a really low volume before a show. I will click on/off every pedal, check every cord and jack, make sure both basses are in tune and basically make sure everything is working.

scottmabe · #11 05-23-2008, 11:41 AM

No real "band" rituals, just a few personal ones.

I wash my hands with soap and hot water if they have any..
Have a coffee and a coke to drink during..sometimes a Redbull..
( I like the speed rush )
and then there is what I like to call the 3rd set stretch...a visit to the truck ...

Nikoubis · #12 05-23-2008, 12:57 PM

Argue loudly about last-minute changes to the setlist. EVERY fraggin' time.

extro · #13 05-23-2008, 01:05 PM

Skateboard hard, get sweaty, try and find a throne for the drummer and then play hard

Fufumonakyla · #14 05-23-2008, 01:09 PM

We set up, (of course) and being the good Christina boys that we are, and yes i do mean boys(15, 16, 17, and well......25 in paul's case) We circle up, heads in and arms on the other's shoulders, Paul will give us a prayer and we rock into our oppening song.

oh yeah...the 25 isn't awkward at all....he is the borther of the 15 and 17 year old members.......so its OK!

Dave Muscato · #15 05-23-2008, 01:10 PM

Good thread.

My last band "circled up." Not exactly prayer, more just time to focus and wish each other a good show.

My current band doesn't really have a ritual. I agree with the headless chicken thing - too much to do!

Personally, if there's time, I go into the bathroom/green room/dressing room whatever and just wash my hands in warm water, consciously breathe a little, and take a moment to relax - calm before the storm type of thing. It works well for me. I don't like it when I don't have time to do that, but sometimes that's the way it goes. "C'est la vie," say the old folks; it goes to show you never can tell...

LumpyGravy · #16 05-23-2008, 01:11 PM

After sound check, we usually regroup with a drink, get a gander at the place and relax.

After gigs we hug and wish each other a good night.

CapnSev · #17 05-23-2008, 01:19 PM

Pre-gig ritual 90% of the time:

I go poop.

anonymous1225111 · #18 05-23-2008, 01:28 PM

The other guys usually have a couple of drinks...

I down a redbull or 2...

Eat some greasy junk food...

Load up our gear on the stage...

Sound check...

Play our set...

And thats about it.

Every show is different, Thus we do something different everytime, But it's usually along the lines of that.

Dbassboarder · #19 05-23-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extro

Skateboard hard, get sweaty, try and find a throne for the drummer and then play hard

How can you do that? For some reason when I skate then try to play my fingers lock up (sort of an auto reaction, I fall on my hands a lot). Also are there such things as portable thrones? That would be dandy.

a.green.martian · #20 05-23-2008, 03:09 PM

Usually goes like this:
-Load my stuff in, introduce myself to the staff
-Help rhythm guitar player & drummer load in
-Call singer and lead guitar to find out why they're 30 min late
-Search for missing piece of drum gear (cowbell, hi-hat clutch, etc)
-Ask other bands if we can borrow missing piece of drum gear
-LG shows up, sit at bar and watch him load in
-Singer shows up when everyone else is loaded in and set up
-Sound check
-Show