Band being ridiculous or is it me

[ericw]

5 piece cover band playing classic rock and some country in the corner of a small bar. Our female singer kept insisting that we acquire some lights. She found some to borrow so, whatever, it doesn't cost me anything. This has now progressed into the guy loaning us the lights also providing a fog machine and the juice to go in it....

Lights? A fog machine?! For an average cover band playing in the corner of a small bar with no stage? Isn't this going to make us look like pretentious amatuers or am I out of touch? The thing is everyone else is excited about it... especially the fog machine

[Bass Junkie]

Lights are a good thing if done tastefully, but I'm with you on the fog machine. That's a little much.

[bigfatbass]

Lights = yes

Fog = no

[scott123]

Agreed, lights yes fog no.

[lbanks]

Yes on the lights, a good investment
Fog,no. Big pain in butt.

[dukaruk]

There is fog at one venue we play. It always smells terrible and makes it hard to breathe. Might be a nice touch to smoke on the water.

[snyderz]

Try it once. If your crowd doubles, and everyone gets up and dances, and ooh and aahs at the fog, you're onto something. If it just gives everyone a headache, you're not.

[Thombas]

Band being ridiculous - and you won't be the only one in the bar thinking so, if you don't put your foot down on that smoke machine ;-)
GO for the lights though!

[Floridabwoy]

I love the smoke machine! Reminds me of my ol clubbing days.

[fleabee]

Lights-win
Fog-fail
{on a side note be happy she has a good attitude to try to improve the gigs}

[Phalex]

I have to dissent on the fog. If there are lasers or other similar lights the fog lets you get the full effect of them.

Pretentious? Probably.

[sevenyearsdown]

I'm of the belief that if you aren't playing places big enough that they have thier own lighting on stage, then it's probably a bit pretentious.

There are a ton of cover bands in my neck of the woods that would disagree with me. However, they also use words like "pro" to describe thier weekend warrior venture into the world of Bon Jovi covers.

[bigsack]

lights - win
fog - lung cancer

[ledyard]

For cover or origional bands that have an actual stage show that warrants it then fine. Otherwise lose the fog. Set the lights to a nice scene and leave them there too. Dont get carried away with the flashing lights.

[ericw]

Originally Posted by ledyard

Dont get carried away with the flashing lights.

Eesh. I haven't seen them yet but apparently they are the type that react to the vibrations of the music.

They are only using 1 of the 2 stands due to space constraints so maybe it won't be so bad.

Hopefully I can talk them out of FogFest 2k10

[jive1]

The fog smells. If you're in close quarters in a small club, then no. Especially if you don't know how to use it. It's the makings for a gig nightmare. If you're on a large stage with some distance from the audience, then maybe.

Fog is good for accentuating moving lights like scanners and lasers, but most of the time it's overkill. Unless it's a Halloween show, say no to fog.

[Ubersheist]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I have to dissent on the fog. If there are lasers or other similar lights the fog lets you get the full effect of them.

Pretentious? Probably.

Lights = yes
Fog = yes - like the poster said above, it'll make the lights pop out and be way, way more dramatic.

Pretentious? Who cares? You're a rock n roll band! Act like a rock star! You get a pass, and people will love it.

ANYTHING to up your stage show is good. Don't overdo the fog, and make people cough, but it's way simpler then the stinkin' lights, and it'll make the lights look great.

Really.... HAVE SOME AMBITION! Sure, it's only a small dive bar, but keep your stage show like you play at small dive bars and that's where it'll remain... at a small dive bar.

[vlado]

Fog is bad, it looks ridiculous in a small bar + it stinks + the cables get wet and gluey.
Lights are OK, as long as the place is big enough for you to place all your instruments and rig and play comfortably, but if it's too small for you to stand there and play without having to watch over one another not to get hit in the head by a guitar, the light should be the first to remove.

[WayneS]

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

Lights = yes
Fog = yes - like the poster said above, it'll make the lights pop out and be way, way more dramatic.

Pretentious? Who cares? You're a rock n roll band! Act like a rock star! You get a pass, and people will love it.

ANYTHING to up your stage show is good. Don't overdo the fog, and make people cough, but it's way simpler then the stinkin' lights, and it'll make the lights look great.

Really.... HAVE SOME AMBITION! Sure, it's only a small dive bar, but keep your stage show like you play at small dive bars and that's where it'll remain... at a small dive bar.

+1000

[Stumbo]

What chemical is being used to make the "fog"? Probably not a very breathable one. I'd vote no on the fog just for that reason. Same reason smoking was banned in public places. It's probably not good for you now or into the future.