Am I viewing this wrong?

drpepper · #1 01-25-2010, 02:20 PM

Sorry for the long intro, but I think my background story is necessary for perspective. That story is that I've picked back up with playing after putting it down about 20 or so years ago. I played in some cover bands through my early twenties. Nothing very serious or with regular or frequent gigging.

I had initially wanted to just have a once a week outlet, playing in my business' warehouse. But I was frustrated in my efforts to get a whole group together by posting on craigslist (astounding lack of follow-through by most people).

So, I changed my goals and 6 weeks ago, I auditioned with an established band that understood my background (i.e. that I would need time to get up to speed). At the outset, I understood that they wanted to get back to gigging 2-3 times per month a soon as practical/feasible.

Our first bar gig was scheduled for this Saturday. It felt a bit soon for me, but this is what I signed up for. I have 45 songs crammed in my head and I know I'm going to blow some changes, but it's time to go.

Then things changed, we found out that two people at the bar had been working on the bookings and they had mistakenly double booked for the night. The other band was on the "official" schedule, so they re-booked us for February 20. I thought cool, a few more weeks to practice.

But then a wrinkle got thrown in - the bar sometimes has two bands play, one on the "stage" and one in the bar area. The offer was that we could play in the bar area during the other band's breaks. My band is trying to work out financial arrangements, I don't want to do it. I really, really, really don't want to be a stick in the mud, whine, or complain, but we are a mostly classic rock cover band of 40 year old weekend warriors, the other band is a group of 20-somethings, all-originals, with CD's, music videos and a little bit of indy radio play. They undoubtedly have some amount of a college-age following.

Am I looking at this wrong that I want my first time playing out in all this time not to be in the shadow of what will most certainly be a tight, polished group with a practiced stage show...not opening for them, but playing in their breaks, to people who will be, for the most part, there to see the other band?

I'm just mostly view the negatives. I can't get comfortable with the idea. I would not be able to take be heckled for being old.

The group is saying "nobody cares;" "everybody will be drinking and having a good time;" "nobody's going to compare us to them;" "we'll get a break having to play fewer songs our first time out;" etc.

How would you view this?

Yerf Dog · #2 01-25-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

The group is saying "nobody cares;" "everybody will be drinking and having a good time;" "nobody's going to compare us to them;" "we'll get a break having to play fewer songs our first time out;" etc.

How would you view this?

What the group said. Go for it!

John Wentzien · #3 01-25-2010, 02:25 PM

You might be surprised at how well the classic stuff goes over compared to the other band.

Fetusyolk · #4 01-25-2010, 02:28 PM

why not do it?

Mo'Phat · #5 01-25-2010, 02:31 PM

It's a paid rehearsal at a club with little-to-no pressure to carry the evening.

You should ask yourself why you don't want to do it.

How long are the breaks that you'll be playing? The club will probably say 15 minute breaks, but 'band time' could mean up to 30 minute sets.

I say go for it. You don't have anything to lose, and sometimes paying dues can pay dividends in the future. Call it off because you don't want to do it means you might not get the chance to play the big stage at all.

BananaKing · #6 01-25-2010, 02:35 PM

A gig is a gig is a gig.

I love to play so much that I'm willing to play for free sometimes in order just to get out there and play.

What is the worst that could happen here? A few people who you'll likely never see again watch a mediocre set that happens to be your first with this band. It can only go uphill from there. Also, If the vocalist or someone mentions that you're all playing the first gig of this new lineup and that you've all been playing together for a very short while, then it really gives you an excuse. If you play a bad show, people will understand. If you play a really good show, people will be impressed.

Either way, have fun! It's all music!

GianGian · #7 01-25-2010, 02:35 PM

I don't think you are in a position to be that selective. If the "bar area" is decent and you are getting paid, then go for it. It is always a good thing when you play with a band that has some following, like this one, even if it is small. It will expose your band to an audience that probably wouldn't go if the night was yours, and you will be building a network, getting to know other musicians, etc. No problem to play in their breaks. Just be sure that the bar area is a decent place to play, has room for everybody in the band, good sound and all that.

chokeslam512 · #8 01-25-2010, 02:37 PM

In my experience as a former 20 something playing all originals, a lot of their crowd is there strictly because they are friends with the band. The party girls who want nothing more than to hear songs that they actually know, this is the crowd that you are going to get. Do it man, I am sure that you will get a good, if not better response than the other band.

John Wentzien · #9 01-25-2010, 02:40 PM

If its short sets...just play the "greatest -Hits" that your band does!

Steve · #10 01-25-2010, 02:46 PM

First,

I wouldn't be booking into a two stage club unless they where separate and simultaneous stages.

Second,
That group of tight well rehearsed original players with a local following?.....
I'll bet you lunch they turn out to be a bunch of disorganized, self indulgent, can't play in tune, too effing loud Bozo's with little or no following and the one's they do have will desert them as soon as they hear music they recognize and already like.
So, there's that.

IMHO

drpepper · #11 01-25-2010, 02:51 PM

Okay, it looks like it's me being a big wus.

I never said I wasn't going to do it, I just said I feel uncomfortable with the change-up and I guess I'm being paranoid about the reception.

Thanks all.

Good point, John, about the "greatest hits" aspect. One of my bandmates was also pointing out that the bar band standards go over with surprisingly varied audiences.

John Wentzien · #12 01-25-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

Okay, it looks like it's me being a big wus.

I never said I wasn't going to do it, I just said I feel uncomfortable with the change-up and I guess I'm being paranoid about the reception.

Thanks all.

Good point, John, about the "greatest hits" aspect. One of my bandmates was also pointing out that the bar band standards go over with surprisingly varied audiences.

I think you might be very surprised!
Good luck..No worries!

DudeistMonk · #13 01-25-2010, 02:54 PM

You are thinking like a musician...

When in the cover band racket you've gotta think like a woman who wants to get 'crunk' and do shots out of another woman's cleavage while listening to Buck Cherry....or a man who wants to see a woman get 'crunk' and do shots out of another woman's cleavage while listening to Buck Cherry.

It'll be fine man, most people will be happy to hear some radio tunes, cover bands are all about crowd pleasing...if you play it, they will dance...If it sounds even half decent they will probably be more into it than the well polished originals. Also I'm 20 something and I love classic rock...the non dance crowd should have at least some appreciation, just stick to the most danceable, best known stuff.

Also 10 bucks says the originals band is gonna be much crappier than you are expecting...Sloppy pop punk or bad emo rock...ya know the type. Anyone can make a CD, doesn't mean it's any good....unless of course you've heard them, then I'll deffer to your judgment.

drpepper · #14 01-25-2010, 03:02 PM

I do need to try to change my outlook. This thread is helping.

I have always been a nervous type; extremely uncomfortable with public speaking and things like that. If you're not like that, it's difficult to really appreciate it.

ahbassman · #15 01-25-2010, 03:06 PM

Experience is what this comes down to, and playing a gig under-prepared is one that you will eventually face.

Go for it. If you mess up, keep going. You'll make yourself better for it.

John Wentzien · #16 01-25-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

I do need to try to change my outlook. This thread is helping.

I have always been a nervous type; extremely uncomfortable with public speaking and things like that. If you're not like that, it's difficult to really appreciate it.

Join the legions of most "artistic" type people!

DeluxeRed · #17 01-25-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

Okay, it looks like it's me being a big wus.
...

Durn, beat me to it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

...in the shadow of what will most certainly be a tight, polished group with a practiced stage show...

Odd are, they aren't.

Go: have a good time, blow the crowd away, and show the kidz how it's done! If nothing else, you have much better music on your side!

rosanne · #18 01-25-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

I have always been a nervous type; extremely uncomfortable with public speaking and things like that. If you're not like that, it's difficult to really appreciate it.

Seems like your hesitancy to do the gig is all about your nerves. You are the bassist so you won't be the focus of attention. It's often hard to be in front of the public even when you've been doing it for a long time. Have a beer before you go on. Or bring some chamomile tea with you to help relax. Then just go for it.

tycobb73 · #19 01-25-2010, 03:18 PM

the only risk is you guys not knowing your stuff and sounding terrible. Then the bar owner won't book you in Feb. But you have to know what 10-15 songs. You should have that down by now.

drpepper · #20 01-25-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

the only risk is you guys not knowing your stuff and sounding terrible. Then the bar owner won't book you in Feb. But you have to know what 10-15 songs. You should have that down by now.

That is oddly comforting to say that we may end up sounding terrible.

Worst case, I really just can't imagine blowing it so bad as to sound "terrible." Maybe my pessimism isn't total and complete.

With the audition being one week and then the holidays, I guess we've rehearsed 4 times. I've been working to learn their entire set list as fast as possible. So there hasn't been much repetition yet. While I can't say I really "knew" any songs. I played a few way back when, so I had to re-learn them, and there were only a few that I had almost no familiarity from a listening aspect.

So I've been learning broad instead of focused. Repetition will only be able to come with more time.