getting the stink eye

Chili Bo Billy · #1 04-06-2008, 04:24 PM

In one band I played in, the leader of the band would give us the stink eye if he didn't like what you were playing. The guys were all seasoned musicians,which resulted in bad vibes on stage,thus affecting our performance.needless to say I left the group.
Has anyone else been in this situation?

Fnord Explorer · #2 04-06-2008, 05:09 PM

Maybe I'm out of the loop, but what is the "stink eye"?

Parabolic Box · #3 04-06-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fnord Explorer

Maybe I'm out of the loop, but what is the "stink eye"?

The self-absorbed look you give someone when you think they stink.

Chili Bo Billy · #4 04-06-2008, 05:18 PM

exactly!

lpdeluxe · #5 04-06-2008, 05:26 PM

In my last band we had "the big eye" which was the look you gave the drummer/guitar player/bassist/whatever when they screwed up.

It wasn't a big deal, though, because everyone had multiple turns as the recipient.

capnsandwich · #6 04-06-2008, 05:27 PM

I've been known to give that "look" at church practice. I try not to make people feel uncomfortable but if something sounds bad it's a natural instinct of mine to cringe and make a stupid face. I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to practice too and my church has a lot of under-developed musicians on the team too. It's a hard task to deal with but I've gotten much better, and so have some of the musicians.

Fnord Explorer · #7 04-06-2008, 05:31 PM

I haven't gotten that look, I suppose (or at least, never noticed it). I usually kind of just chuckle if someone screws up (including myself). It's entertainment not a heart transplant.

Chili Bo Billy · #8 04-06-2008, 05:35 PM

It certainly wasn't a case of bad playing,it was more Ego than anything else. It was his show,no upstaging allowed. We wanted to add to the musical experience,not showboat our abilities.

Chili Bo Billy · #9 04-06-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

In my last band we had "the big eye" which was the look you gave the drummer/guitar player/bassist/whatever when they screwed up.

It wasn't a big deal, though, because everyone had multiple turns as the recipient.

I agree, we all had our turns messin' up. yeah, we'd get the stink if there was a bum note. No Biggie

lbanks · #10 04-06-2008, 05:46 PM

Stink Eye is a good band name.

Fnord Explorer · #11 04-06-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbanks

Stink Eye is a good band name.

Stink Fist is even better (so long as you don't sound like Tool).

funkydanbass · #12 04-06-2008, 06:09 PM

I think that the stink eye in rehersal can be a good laugh but the stink eye on stage does nothing but draw the crowds attention a mistake they otherwise wouldn't have noticed. And as you say, it doesn't make you feel good to be on the receiving end of it!
I would have left too, that kind of bad vibe is not necessary and a fair representation of the leaders character...

Chili Bo Billy · #13 04-06-2008, 06:44 PM

The stink eye was always on stage,the keyboardist would start hammering the keys hard in frustration whenever the "look" was directed at him. I shrugged my shoulders when I got the look,I couldn't bother making a scene on stage.

Entre Nous 2007 · #14 04-06-2008, 06:58 PM

what look do you give the venerable band "leader" who's "old school" and insists on tuning up at room volume? better yet, short of me putting a grocery bag over my head, how do i disassociate myself?

i've literally handed the guy a stage tuner when he starts doing this and he shakes it off... now i've resorted to sneaking in ahead of time after soundcheck and tuning up his guitar myself because i am embarrassed for myself at audience member's dour facial expressions.

JansenW · #15 04-06-2008, 07:09 PM

Murphy's "stink-eye" law: Those that deserve the stink-eye never look back to see it.

It's at least true with "bad musicians" and "bad drivers."

anderbass · #16 04-06-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fnord Explorer

what is the "stink eye"?

It's kinda like this...

**barebones** · #17 04-06-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabolic Box

The self-absorbed look you give someone when you think they stink.

How can you possibly give someone a look that simultaneously conveys the message that he or she stinks and that you are completely absorbed with yourself? It all sounds so complicated....

Matt

need4mospd · #18 04-07-2008, 08:25 AM

You wouldn't catch me playing with someone that unprofessional. At least, you wouldn't catch me playing with them more than once...

Minor mistakes add to the live element of music. We laugh it off to show the audience we're human too. If I was watching a show and I saw a band member give another that look, I'd probably be out of there after the first set.

Inflin · #19 04-07-2008, 09:01 AM

Most of my bands videos will always include the drummer skipping a beat or something, and me and the frontman both simultatiously turning round and giving the "what the hell dude?!" look at him.

All in good humour though, if it was done as a judgemental or "I'm better than you" gesture I'd not be happy.

Spinal Tapper · #20 04-07-2008, 12:19 PM

I had a frontman that would give me and the drummer the stink-eye. It went from rehearsal and overflowed to onstage shows. Especially stinky cause we were in a jam band, so he had plenty of chances to "stink eye" us during a jam/improv.

Eventually lead to the demise of our band...people don't change.