The Bandapocalypse :(

BassPenguin22 · #1 12-02-2010, 03:45 AM

Recently was offered a gig, a fairly massive gig, the only problem is that my band is in no state to play such a gig.

The gig is a dream (for us anyway), 40 minute set, $200 each and infront of like 2000 people.

The band, well, we know 5 songs (Brain stew, Smells like and 7 nation army + two "unamed original compositions")

And just to add insult to injury its in two months and we have n where to practice untill scholl starts again a week or so later...

i guess there was no real point in posting this other than to let out abit of dissapointment but w/e

BP

sonic assassin · #2 12-02-2010, 03:56 AM

sometimes you miss great gigs. i was booked to play some cool bar in columbus (a place id never been and we'd certainly never played), but my drummer bailed the day of the gig. we werent going to pretend to play without him, so we canceled.

i about kicked him in the face.

but thats how life goes. there will be other gigs.

hrodbert696 · #3 12-02-2010, 04:28 AM

To be fair, I don't know all the details of your situation.

But, if it were me, and I was given two months to get 40 minutes' worth of material together when I've already got 15 or 20, and double your average bar-gig rate offered for it, I would MAKE IT HAPPEN.

No rehearsal space? So what? Get a church basement, or the local elks' club, or the public library, or rent a storage unit, or whatever. Pick some easy-as-hell songs by Weezer or Billy Idol or something to fill the remaining 20 minutes so the band can learn it fast on their own and throw it together in just an hour.

Sure, maybe sometimes it really can't happen. But this looks to me like an easy one to get going if you put your mind to it and the band gets on board to work at it.

Downunderwonder · #4 12-02-2010, 04:36 AM

An empty school is a pretty good place to practice. In my day as a senior student we would have got the key to the old gym on trust. Is there no custodian around that could let you in and have a responsible adult supervise?

Geddyfleaharris · #5 12-02-2010, 09:22 AM

Really? You can't get 40 minutes of music together in 2 months?

NOAH_FX · #6 12-02-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

Recently was offered a gig, a fairly massive gig, the only problem is that my band is in no state to play such a gig.

The gig is a dream (for us anyway), 40 minute set, $200 each and infront of like 2000 people.

The band, well, we know 5 songs (Brain stew, Smells like and 7 nation army + two "unamed original compositions")

And just to add insult to injury its in two months and we have n where to practice untill scholl starts again a week or so later...

i guess there was no real point in posting this other than to let out abit of dissapointment but w/e

BP

You need 20 Minutes, pick some easy songs that are all in the same tuning tell the guys to nail them down themselves, and find a way to get a couple practices in.. If you all work seperatly you can do this.

Marko5657 · #7 12-02-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOAH_FX

You need 20 Minutes, pick some easy songs that are all in the same tuning tell the guys to nail them down themselves, and find a way to get a couple practices in.. If you all work seperatly you can do this.

+1

Crazyeelboy · #8 12-02-2010, 12:00 PM

Basspenguin22 - unless there is a lot more to the story, you have plenty of time to put this gig together. If you want this gig, then just get the band in gear and do it.

lousybassplayer · #9 12-02-2010, 12:26 PM

Dude, for 200 bucks I'd whip out my squier acoustic and do some Jewel tunes myself.

kesslari · #10 12-02-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

To be fair, I don't know all the details of your situation.

But, if it were me, and I was given two months to get 40 minutes' worth of material together when I've already got 15 or 20, and double your average bar-gig rate offered for it, I would MAKE IT HAPPEN.

No rehearsal space? So what? Get a church basement, or the local elks' club, or the public library, or rent a storage unit, or whatever. Pick some easy-as-hell songs by Weezer or Billy Idol or something to fill the remaining 20 minutes so the band can learn it fast on their own and throw it together in just an hour.

Sure, maybe sometimes it really can't happen. But this looks to me like an easy one to get going if you put your mind to it and the band gets on board to work at it.

This. Or get together via chat to whine about how unfair life is.

lousybassplayer · #11 12-02-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

This. Or get together via chat to whine about how unfair life is.

Why bother? The Band Management forum seems to exist for this purpose already.

HeadyVan Halen · #12 12-02-2010, 12:38 PM

Write another song about how you have no place to practice.
Write another song about how it sucks being a teenager.

Done.

Spinal Tapper · #13 12-02-2010, 12:49 PM

You could just write some crappy originals just to fill time...

But if you've decided not to do it, respectfully decline to the promoter, and keep a relationship. They might get you another offer, or reach out to them sometime in the future when you feel you're ready.

Jason P Bass · #14 12-02-2010, 02:19 PM

I have to disagree with most people replying here. It sounds like you have a goal ("playing this show") and it is going to be hard ("a challenge"). Therefore, just give up now. Save yourself the trouble.

Whenever you have a problem, just solve it like Kip Dynamite - "Well, that's the problem right now. At the moment, nothing comes to mind."

Dr. Love · #15 12-02-2010, 03:07 PM

Unless your instruments are locked up in that school that won't be open until after the gig, there is no reason why this isn't possible.

It really is this simple:
1. Pick tunes and decide on the key and arrangement (same feel/tempo as the recording but down a 1/2 step and repeat last chorus an extra time. etc...).
2. Practice them individually and learn the parts.
3. Rehearse as a band when you can and put the parts together.
4. Gig.

I just played a 90 min show last week with a band that was put together just two weeks before and only had about 4 hours total rehearsal time. The first time the entire band was in the same room at the same time was the show. It worked, not because we are some sort of super-musicians, but because we did the work. If I couldn't practice with a bass in hand, the recordings were playing on my ipod (in the car, on lunch at work, while doing laundry...) Those songs are burned in my brain because I heard/played them so many times in those two weeks.

Everyone has to put in the effort and practice their part so valuable band rehearsal time is not wasted, but it's possible.

BassPenguin22 · #16 12-03-2010, 03:43 AM

Just a few updates:

1. the gig is being offered to us by a close friends father, so theres a pretty good chance we'll get a similar gig next year.

2. I realise its probably possible to get a few songs down, and we might be able to shorten our set but our guitarist is scared of playing this many people and i dont have a bass amp that can even handle rehearsal

Right now im negotiating with a friend to let us use his garage and the people who got us this gig to let us play something a bit more achievable, like a 20 min setlist.

Stumbo · #17 12-03-2010, 07:28 PM

Use someone's bedroom to practice. Small amps, low volume...enough not to need a p.a. system. Drummer can get a pad or something to bang on.

steveksux · #18 12-03-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason P Bass

I have to disagree with most people replying here. It sounds like you have a goal ("playing this show") and it is going to be hard ("a challenge"). Therefore, just give up now. Save yourself the trouble.

+1000

Remember, nothing worth having is worth working for...

Randy

Sundogue · #19 12-03-2010, 07:56 PM

I really do not understand the problem AT ALL.

Isn't this the very thing young bands live for?

C'mon man, if this doesn't kick some life into your sorry excuse for a band what the hell is going to?

Did you all just learn to play your instruments last week?

Sorry if I sound harsh, but seriously if this doesn't give you a reason for you all to play your asses off, why are you even in a band?

Stumbo · #20 12-03-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

Just a few updates:

1. the gig is being offered to us by a close friends father, so theres a pretty good chance we'll get a similar gig next year.

So what's going to change between now and then? A "good chance" means nothing. He's offering a gig now. If you turn it down it will NOT increase your chances of getting the same gig next year.

Quote:

2. I realise its probably possible to get a few songs down, and we might be able to shorten our set....

40 minutes, at about 5 min per song = 7 songs (with time between songs). So you have to learn 2 songs.

Quote:

but our guitarist is scared of playing this many people

so how is he going to get experience?...
Also, before the gig, have a couple of dress rehearsals. As if you are doing the gig. No stopping. See how it goes and by the 2nd dress rehearsal, all should be well. You'll have more confidence. Just do the gig like a 3rd dress rehearsal. You'll be fine.

Quote:

and i dont have a bass amp that can even handle rehearsal

Maybe you can rent or borrow one for the set?

Quote:

Right now im negotiating with a friend to let us use his garage

See previous post.

Quote:

....and the people who got us this gig to let us play something a bit more achievable, like a 20 min setlist.

7 songs @ 3 minutes each...more or less.

If you do the gig, be sure to takes pictures or some video and a recording. You'll be happy you did in a few years.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.