Surprising your bandmates

pklima · #1 04-15-2010, 12:42 PM

Just a story of how I surprised one of my bandmates today and really brightened her day.

My bands include an acoustic cover band. A few weeks ago one of the singers wrote a minor-key ballad, we played it once in rehearsal, and then we didn't see each other for a few weeks because of Easter and stuff. In the meantime, I recorded that song without telling her. After rehearsal today, I mentioned that I had a song for her to record vocals on for one of my other projects, that it should be easy 'cause I think she already knows the words, and hit the play button. It didn't take her long to realize what it was, even though the style was very different and the tempo faster. I have never seen her so happy, and she nailed the vocals on the first take, too.

Share your stories of surprise... I'm sure we've got a few good'uns.

MatticusMania · #2 04-15-2010, 01:54 PM

I once showed up to practice and was surprised to see I was the last one there. And they had beer!

somedumbguy · #3 04-15-2010, 01:57 PM

An email went around to start learning a few songs with piano intensive parts, and I decided to learn them anyways (I play piano too).

Well when our piano player couldn't make it, I just jumped right up and started playing. They had no idea I could even play, it was quite a surprise.

Turns out Don't Stop Believing is a pretty good crowd pleaser.

Phalex · #4 04-15-2010, 01:58 PM

Someone E-mailed naked pictures of our lead singer to the drummer once. (Note to self: if the drummer holds out his cell phone and says "Hey! Check this out." don't do it.)

MatticusMania · #5 04-15-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Someone E-mailed naked pictures of our lead singer to the drummer once. (Note to self: if the drummer holds out his cell phone and says "Hey! Check this out." don't do it.)

Now, if only your singer were a good looking gal....

Phalex · #6 04-15-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Now, if only your singer were a good looking gal....

You know..... He does alright with the ladies, but the reason wasn't obvious if you know what I mean......

MooseLumps · #7 04-15-2010, 02:14 PM

Showed up for an audition with a handlebar mustache and a P/J
Showed up for the First practice with an ATK and clean shaven
Showed up for the Second practice with a G&l with a stubble beard (Cultivated, clean on the neck)
Showed up for the Third practice with a Goatee and an Alvarez
Showed up for the Fourth practice with an SX and sideburns
Showed up for the Fifth practice with the G&L and a six-pack of Bud. (Sideburns still)

jive1 · #8 04-15-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

Showed up for an audition with a handlebar mustache and a P/J
Showed up for the First practice with an ATK and clean shaven
Showed up for the Second practice with a G&l with a stubble beard (Cultivated, clean on the neck)
Showed up for the Third practice with a Goatee and an Alvarez
Showed up for the Fourth practice with an SX and sideburns
Showed up for the Fifth practice with the G&L and a six-pack of Bud. (Sideburns still)

As an Asian guy, I couldn't pull that off unless I had a month between rehearsals.

cambell360 · #9 04-16-2010, 09:41 AM

my surprises are good. My band practices at music rehersal studios, they have 3 studios and a few other rooms and coridoors etc. and after i have drank like 3 monster energy drinks in a row that i buy from their store, i begin hiding round corners and shouting their names as they enter...

guitarist: "'Ere right, has anyone seen cambell? his bass amps sti-"
Me: "SPENCE!!!!!!"
guitarist: *poos pants* "OMG"

hahaha

the worst one was where the lead guitarist was lugging his heavy mesa boogie dual rectifier head and dropped it on his foor haha

its hillarious seeing their shocked facial expressions (:

MooseLumps · #10 04-16-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

As an Asian guy, I couldn't pull that off unless I had a month between rehearsals.

Can't afford a bunch of basses?
I'm confused...

oh, is that you don't like beer?

dalconthenovice · #11 04-16-2010, 02:28 PM

i surprised my bandmates by being the shyest and quietest in the band, but when a hippie band that was opening for us had an entire sheet of acid, i ate 10 hits of acid without hesitasion, both scaring and shocking my bandmates to death

steveksux · #12 04-16-2010, 06:34 PM

Nothing screams "SURPRISE!" like assless chaps...

Randy

krash2kill · #13 04-16-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalconthenovice

i ate 10 hits of acid without hesitasion

Did you play the gig successfully as well?

EDIT: because that would surprise me, bandmate or not.

dalconthenovice · #14 04-17-2010, 02:54 AM

luckily enough the stuff didn't start hittin in till like 10 minutes till our set was over and even then it was very mild... three hours later though i thought i was a fish

mikeshane · #15 04-17-2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalconthenovice

luckily enough the stuff didn't start hittin in till like 10 minutes till our set was over and even then it was very mild... three hours later though i thought i was a fish

you have got capacities MAN

tom once dead · #16 04-17-2010, 03:30 AM

Ive been suprised by band mates, the whole band at different times.
Everytime it was when they cut their hair; I'd turn up to practice and think who the hell is that. Then it turns out the drummer cut his dreads off, or the one of the guitards cut their long hair off.

dalconthenovice · #17 04-17-2010, 11:03 AM

lol i wouldn't say capacities lol, i just was a travelin' deadhead type nomad trainhoppin kid for a few years

The_Low_Dude · #18 04-18-2010, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

if the drummer holds out his cell phone and says "Hey! Check this out." don't do it.

Or anyone else in the band, for that matter. Our guitarplayer pulled that of once and showed a video of himself nailing some chick...

Also, our drummer has a vid where a cameraman on a pornshoot accidentally gets a load in his face, instead of the chick.

EdHunter · #19 04-18-2010, 05:36 AM

My guitarist had written a very complex and tough accompaniment to his solo for me. He then proceeded to go on a five or six minute explanation about why he should play this 'line, and not me (mainly that it was so hard). Anyway, I played it end to end, without practising it at all, and recorded the section in one take. I started getting a little more playing freedom after that.

Sbociol · #20 04-18-2010, 07:04 AM

Both the guitarists in my band (instrumental ambient/post rock) have huge pedalboards à-là-Pink Floyd,so in the middle of a song they went down on their knees and started fiddling on some knobs on their pedals...next thing they know I was down on my knees too pretending to struggle with some imaginary pedal...they looked me in disbelief then started laughing out loud.