When support acts... don't!

[BritPicker]

I've been preparing for a gig at a venue in my town for some weeks now.

I've had to get a line-up of bands together (3, including mine), promote the gig, design and print posters, liaise with the venue, and obviously do rehearsals etc etc.

The bands are communicating via MySpace.

The first band, who I shall call "Rant" sends this message:
just wondering what ideas you all had concerning gear sharing for saturday

To which the second band "Tank Battle", replies:
I dont think we can bring anything,
so if we can use a guitar amp, bass amp and kit
that would be wicked

So what do you think? I'm quite concerned about Tank Battle's attitude, and it seems that if they'd not been asked the question they would have just turned up on Saturday with no gear and expected to just borrow.

[Atticus]

That's... pretty bad.

I don't mind sharing my amp with somebody who doesn't mess with the settings, as long as they ask before hand. I also might allow somebody with an equipment malfunction to borrow something. Showing up with the expectation of borrowing gear, though, is a no-go. I think of it like this: would you show up to a regular bar gig expecting the venue to provide your equipment? Of course not. Why should you expect anything to change just because other bands are playing?

Is it too late to kick them off the bill? Otherwise, try to push them to bring their own stuff. They might have gear ready to go and just be too lazy to want to bother with transport and set-up.

[thatonedude02]

Simple solution: inform all bands that they need to bring own gear.

I helped to put on a battle of the bands and we provided lights and PA only, all of the bands brought their own gear and everything went great.

This avoids any problems with people breaking other people's stuff, collecting deposits, worrying about making people actually pay for broken gear, etc... Also, it means that if one band has gear that fails, the other bands don't get shut down because of it.

[JoeDissolvo]

unless it was brought up when you booked the show, then you should just tell them that they need to bring their own gear, and if they dont have substantial equipment to play the show, they dont need to play.

Thats really unprofessional to throw that out there.

[FunkMetalBass]

******ing *******

People never cease to astound me. If you don't have equipment, how can you even be a band? How do you practice? How do you play?

[megadan]

On the flip side, I think we've all been in a situation where we needed to use someone elses gear - the drummers truck broke down, the guitarist blew a speaker. As a player of frequent multi-band sets, it's a huge pain to have 4 drum kits and 4 bass amps taking up half the room where the crowd should be. We generally work out with the other bands who will bring the kit, who will bring the bass amp, etc.

That being said, expecting to use ALL of another bands gear is kinda lame. Still if they are a decent band you should work it out. They still ought to bring at least a guitar amp or something.

[metallicafan18]

if they can't bring their own stuff, get another band.

[deadworld101]

Nobody will love your gear like you do.

[lowregister]

I would agree. Don't let them use it. Yes, equipment breaks down at the last minute and we should be willing to lend a hand but I think I've read too many horror stories of strangers disrespecting other's equipment.

[KJPbop]

I would tell them you would be happy to accommodate their request; there will be 20% deducted from their payment for gear rental/ inconvenience to the organizer of the event. Removing them from the gig with promo already out makes you look questionable; however, if they remove themselves..................... Professionalism is the most important thing you could possibly bring to the gig in the music business!! I wouldn't show up to sub with another orchestra and not bring my upright bass along or expect them to provide an instrument for me to do what I was hired to do! Good luck, KJPbop

[BritPicker]

Yeah, well they have not replied to my email yet (it's been 2 days now).

Maybe they are just talking to the other band, I don't know. In any case it's pretty slack not to even reply.

That's a good idea with regard to a cut in what I pay them.

Thanks for your feedback on this, it gives me confidence to know I'm not being a complete arse when I deal with them.

I shall be polite but firm!

[walterw]

well, there is something to be said for sharing backline at multi-band shows; you can get the openers the hell off the stage a good bit faster, leaving more time for the main act.

that said, it should of course be majorly advanced and coordinated, say with the opener(s) using shared guitar and bass cabinets, and drummers sharing the kick and toms of the one kit.

i mix lots of shows like this, where the openers will use their own guitars, amp heads and pedals, with the drummers using their own snare, cymbals and kick pedal (you know, the breakable stuff).

[MrTAteMyBalls]

yeah, my main question is how are they a band if they don't have any gear? what do they use for rehearsal?

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by MrTAteMyBalls

yeah, my main question is how are they a band if they don't have any gear? what do they use for rehearsal?

Oh, Im sure they probably have their own gear for rehearsal, but its probably subpar and not big/loud enough to even consider playing a show with.

[TripperE]

Well, of course it's kinda sucks when they're not up front about it, and doesn't contact you in the first place about the problem.. And just to expect others to bring their gear and share it, is naive..

But if they ask nicely, and are willing to do their part, I don't see the problem..

I would also think of it as time saving, as Walterw said..
Useally, when I play smaller gigs with other bands, we decide on who to bring the basics (Useally the headling band), and then the rest of the people just bring their amp tops, snares+more, instruments, etc.

As I do love to play on my own gear, I don't mind to share with others - Of course I love it more, when they can bring their own tops and just use my cab..

And, maybe they do have good gear to play on, but havn't got the possibility to transport it all.. If it's not a big paying job, you also want to keep the expenses down..

A soloution could also be to pay the band, who shares their gear, more than the other bands..

[tom once dead]

When I'm in these situations I always tell whoever asked the question to get the bassist to contact me personally (not just through someone else). If they are polite I normally let them use my rig. I don't let them if they just rock up to the gig and expect to use my gear.

[Fliptrique]

We always discuss this stuff way before the gig. If a band is out of town and seems to be reasonable, we often offer some of our equipment (bass cab, basic drum stuff like kick drum, stands etc.).

It`s just way more convinient for us to put two heads on a bass cab and just switch cables than to move everything around.

If we play out of town we usually bring everything with us - but if we`re offered to use some equpment, we sometimes do it.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by BritPicker

I've been preparing for a gig at a venue in my town for some weeks now.

I've had to get a line-up of bands together (3, including mine), promote the gig, design and print posters, liaise with the venue, and obviously do rehearsals etc etc.

The bands are communicating via MySpace.

The first band, who I shall call "Rant" sends this message:
just wondering what ideas you all had concerning gear sharing for saturday

To which the second band "Tank Battle", replies:
I dont think we can bring anything,
so if we can use a guitar amp, bass amp and kit
that would be wicked

So what do you think? I'm quite concerned about Tank Battle's attitude, and it seems that if they'd not been asked the question they would have just turned up on Saturday with no gear and expected to just borrow.

I think it is up to the one that organizes the gig to make clear from the outset what is expected from each band in terms of gear etc.
I can't see anything wrong with Tank Battle's attitude.
Maybe they really are in no position to bring gear.

[synaesthesia]

offer them two options:

1. Charge them their gig fee for using your equipment
2. Tell them that XYZ or ABC band are ready to replace them without hassle

[Beginner Bass]

Holy lack of professionalism, Batman!