Two hour load-out? Thinking of quitting.

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 12-19-2008, 10:01 AM

Last summer I joined a classic rock cover band ( typical 4 piece two guitar drums and me) and we did our first gig a couple weeks ago.

The band leader is a bit of a perfectionist. We played a medium sized banquet hall and he brought everything but the kitchen sink.

Double lights on both sides of the stage, 4 monitors, as well as two 100LB main woofers etc etc... he had 4 suitcases just to carry all the cords required. It filled his van to the roof with gear. Not including drums. It took us close to two hours to packup completely.

Then there is the macho, bull-in-a-china-shop drummer.

The drummer kept starting new songs while I wasnt ready. Hadn't even looked to see what song was next. After about 4 times, I just said screw it and came in late... when I was good & godamn ready. Then he took a 55 second drum solo at the end of a song that was not agreed to or expected. Most songs he he took a 5 second drum roll / solo when the rest of the band had already finished the song. To be honest, the guy is a bit of a jerk.

Anyways, I can 'deal' with the drummer, but the setup/ loadout of this band is just nuts. In comparison, my three piece roots rock band, Dick Cash, requires a max of 30 minutes. If I have to spend three hours a night just setting up and tearing down every gig I'll be very tempted to quit. Its just too much work.

Thing is I've invested hours upon hours learning the 45 song long setlist and am hestitant to just dump it all due to the length of the setup/tear down. I asked the leader if this is the standard time it takes and he said yes, other than the lights which usually are not used.

For about $100 a gig, I just don't know if the whole ordeal is worth it to me.

Thoughts?

ForSix · #2 12-19-2008, 10:05 AM

Two hours to tear down is excessive.

How long did it take to set up?

PoundinThunder · #3 12-19-2008, 10:05 AM

tell them what you just told us. it shouldnt take that long IMO

4bpauly · #4 12-19-2008, 10:07 AM

cover band + light show = cheese

leave the lights at home, and if he doesn't smarten up... leave the drummer there too.

sevenyearsdown · #5 12-19-2008, 10:12 AM

We have bands like that in my neck of the woods as well. I think either you dig that part of it, or you don't...and if you don't, then bail.

There's nothing like a classic rock cover band trying to turn the local pub into an arena show!

krustwell · #6 12-19-2008, 10:13 AM

for real, that's way too much work. plus, it sounds like they're stressing you out on stage. i would have a heart to heart. good luck.

emilio g · #7 12-19-2008, 10:23 AM

I was working as a sound tech for a band like that. They do lots of high dollar wedding gigs and their selling point is they make the party into a rock concert. Big light show, huge sound system, 3-5 man crew to set up.

So you figure in a situation like that, everyone is paid really well so a 2 hour load in/load out is a little easier to deal with? Nope.

As the system got bigger, so did everyone's tempers. I stopped working for them because the stress was not worth the money anymore...and I was making more than $100 a gig.

But that's me. Generally I'm more concerned about playing my instrument and making music. Some people are more into "the show". I would consider what you value and make a decision based on that.

stflbn · #8 12-19-2008, 10:32 AM

Well, honestly... a cover band should keep songs moving back to back to back at least 3-4 at a time then a break and drink/chitchat session. Sounds like the drummers doing that part right as far as I'm concerned. Everyone should be prepared for it. Nothing irk's me more than a cover band that stops after each song for 20 seconds or more to chitchat, talk about next song, wank around, tune, etc... have a setlist ready and flowing together and keep it moving.

The other parts sound excessive.

.

badstonebass · #9 12-19-2008, 10:32 AM

We have a big set up but it is all part of the fun. There are plenty of guys outside the band laughing at our old style equipment but NONE of them sound as good as we do.

Tear down is QUICK though as we pretty much have it down pat.

VroomVroom · #10 12-19-2008, 10:32 AM

I'm having trouble reconciling "the band leader is a bit of a perfectionist" with a drummer that is such an idiot. If the gig itself isn't enjoyable, the load-in/out time would be a killer. To me, this guy seems a bit out of touch and I'd cut my losses and move on, but ultimately the decision is yours. Like Emilio said above, what's important to you? If you factor everything in and still gain from the experience, good for you...

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 12-19-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I'm having trouble reconciling "the band leader is a bit of a perfectionist" with a drummer that is such an idiot. If the gig itself isn't enjoyable, the load-in/out time would be a killer. To me, this guy seems a bit out of touch and I'd cut my losses and move on, but ultimately the decision is yours. Like Emilio said above, what's important to you? If you factor everything in and still gain from the experience, good for you...

They've been friends for 15 years. I'm not going to start whining about the drummer to the leader as that will get me no where fast. What I plan to do is after/during his 5 second drum outros I'll do the same with bass and his last hit will be my last note. If that doesnt go over well (which I expect) I'll say "yeah we should tighten up our endings. Brad (drummer's name) are you up to that?"

My main thing I guess, is that I've invested alot of time into this band and think maybe I'm just being a bit hasty to quit just because of the loading times.

Gubna · #12 12-19-2008, 10:43 AM

have someone else do the lights, or forget them. nice effect but not necessary.

set up and tear down shouldn't take more than 30 minutes TOPS!

::::BASSIST:::: · #13 12-19-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Well, honestly... a cover band should keep songs moving back to back to back at least 3-4 at a time then a break and drink/chitchat session. Sounds like the drummers doing that part right as far as I'm concerned. Everyone should be prepared for it. Nothing irk's me more than a cover band that stops after each song for 20 seconds or more to chitchat, talk about next song, wank around, tune, etc... have a setlist ready and flowing together and keep it moving.

The other parts sound excessive.

.

You make a good point. Just was totally unprepared for it.

I just dont like the fact that everybody has to cow-tow to the drummer. We all have to be ready when he is. Just seems kinda pushy.

kesslari · #14 12-19-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

What I plan to do is after/during his 5 second drum outros I'll do the same with bass and his last hit will be my last note.

Do you guys rehearse at the corner of Passive and Aggressive streets?

Seriously, I think that is unlikely to work in the situation you describe, and honestly, if it takes that kind of shenanigans, you're probably better off cutting your losses...

::::BASSIST:::: · #15 12-19-2008, 11:14 AM

It was tongue in cheek, bro.

Point is if everybody in the band added 5 seconds to the end of the song, it would sound like poop.

K2000 · #16 12-19-2008, 11:15 AM

If you're not getting paid enough to have a light show (meaning the band can pay someone to help roadie) then don't supply a light show.

IMO.

Mike Shevlin · #17 12-19-2008, 11:16 AM

If the drummer pulled that unscheduled solo crap in Vegas, security would escort him out of the building & use his head to open the door.

BahamaBass · #18 12-19-2008, 11:19 AM

yeah waste of time and time is money. got to get setup and sound check down to 30mins. doesn't make any sense having a long setup break down time.

CapnSev · #19 12-19-2008, 11:20 AM

Do another gig, if the same thing happens again, be done with it.

VroomVroom · #20 12-19-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Point is if everybody in the band added 5 seconds to the end of the song, it would sound like poop.

True, but someone in the band already is making that addition - which must sound like poop - and it only seems to matter to the bassist.

Not trying to pee in wheaties here - maybe a discussion with the band leader is worthwhile? FWIW I play in a couple of large bands where the gigs involve long tear-down and load-out times. I generally try to pitch in a bit, but it's not a requirement or obligation. Maybe you could just manage your own gear for load-in/load-out?