We sucked last night

Busker · #1 07-21-2007, 10:05 AM

Our first show since I joined the band on bass. I wouldn't be surprised if that bar never asks this band back, whoever may be in the lineup (it won't be me on bass, I'm sure of that). The drummer, guitarist and myself - we all made little mistakes here and there, but played on through them, so that wasn't a disaster. Most people probably never knew when we made a mistake.

The main problem was the singer. He probably had a good start on being blasted when the show started, and continued to get blasted. He flubbed a lot of the lyrics & timing, couldn't hit the notes at times, you name it. More than once he totally forgot the lyrics and just kind of mumbled at low volume. He also did a good part of the show with his back to the audience. We had a heckler who yelled "you suck!" once or twice, and the singer suggested he go down the street to another bar if he didn't like it.

It's a shame, because I'm sure he can do better than that. It was like he didn't care a bit about the show. If I already hadn't made plans to leave this band this would have been enough to decide to. We have one more show tonight at another venue, and thank God it's only a 2 hour show, early evening. I'm dreading it. No more gigs scheduled after this, mercifully. After tonight I have to break the news that I'm gone.

ArmyPunkGuy · #2 07-21-2007, 10:15 AM

dude can the singer....nuff said

Busker · #3 07-21-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyPunkGuy

dude can the singer....nuff said

It's his band!

Kenny Allyn · #4 07-21-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

It's his band!

Sooo ... he has NO band if you all stay together re-name and put out an ad for a new front person.

Kinda depends how strong you guys are as the musicians in the band, your resolve ect:

... Sucks ... but happens all the time, hell I did it to the singer/bandleader once.

Munjibunga · #5 07-21-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

Our first show since I joined the band on bass. I wouldn't be surprised if that bar never asks this band back, whoever may be in the lineup (it won't be me on bass, I'm sure of that). The drummer, guitarist and myself - we all made little mistakes here and there, but played on through them, so that wasn't a disaster. Most people probably never knew when we made a mistake.

The main problem was the singer. He probably had a good start on being blasted when the show started, and continued to get blasted. He flubbed a lot of the lyrics & timing, couldn't hit the notes at times, you name it. More than once he totally forgot the lyrics and just kind of mumbled at low volume. He also did a good part of the show with his back to the audience. We had a heckler who yelled "you suck!" once or twice, and the singer suggested he go down the street to another bar if he didn't like it.

It's a shame, because I'm sure he can do better than that. It was like he didn't care a bit about the show. If I already hadn't made plans to leave this band this would have been enough to decide to. We have one more show tonight at another venue, and thank God it's only a 2 hour show, early evening. I'm dreading it. No more gigs scheduled after this, mercifully. After tonight I have to break the news that I'm gone.

I was in a band that had a similar problem with the singer ... and she was the boss. After on particularly bad night just like the one you described, I quit. My brother quit the next day, and the band broke up a week later. It was a real shame because the band was very good otherwise. That's why I tell all new members of my current band, "Your first drunk gig will be your last gig with this band." I've already fired one singer over this (that was real pleasant).

Busker · #6 07-21-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Sooo ... he has NO band if you all stay together re-name and put out an ad for a new front person.

Kinda depends how strong you guys are as the musicians in the band, your resolve ect:

... Sucks ... but happens all the time, hell I did it to the singer/bandleader once.

No can do, Kenny. I've already accepted a position elsewhere. I just had these two shows to do with these guys, I was obligated to do that, then I had to quit anyway. I don't want to band-hop necessarily, it's a lot of work learning new songs every time. But I couldn't refuse this new job.

I guess I was just embarrassed about last night and wanted to vent.

Lorenzini · #7 07-21-2007, 11:49 AM

If I were you, I would find another singer and then boot the current one.

Foamy · #8 07-21-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I was in a band that had a similar problem with the singer ... and she was the boss. After on particularly bad night just like the one you described, I quit. My brother quit the next day, and the band broke up a week later. It was a real shame because the band was very good otherwise. That's why I tell all new members of my current band, "Your first drunk gig will be your last gig with this band." I've already fired one singer over this (that was real pleasant).

There's a Munjibrutha???

roger winkler · #9 07-21-2007, 10:01 PM

Been there, done that, and got the t-shirt to boot. Our band's first rule is no drinking on the job. You can get as blind knee-walking drunk as you want...after the show. The drunks we had to deal with were drummers and guitar players not singers. It doesn't matter what their role in the band is, cause if their drunk, it's gonna screw up the rest of the band's performance. We don't have that problem any more.

Barfly · #10 07-21-2007, 10:11 PM

Same here. We used to get pie-eyed at gigs but no more. A couple of pints? Sure, go for it. But nothing stupid, and no weed, etc.

If we are on a road trip, we may indulge more but generally, we always have to drive home afterwards anyway.

Busker · #11 07-21-2007, 10:18 PM

I did the 2 hour show with them tonight and then called it quits. We were a little better tonight. I'm still glad it's over.

On a side note, the drummer for the headliner band sat in with us for two songs. Wow, was he ever good! That was fun.

Munjibunga · #12 07-22-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchanter_Tim

There's a Munjibrutha???

Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. He's a heathen, too.

steve66 · #13 07-22-2007, 12:35 AM

I would get rid of the singer, or, get him some help. The rule has always been to get plastered after the gig. Obviously your singer cant follow the rules which tells me his problem with alcohol is serious.

invader3k · #14 07-22-2007, 07:41 AM

I've seen a lot of wasted talent because of people drinking at gigs. We had one drummer who was amazing...technically good, and could learn just about everything on the fly. Too bad he liked to drink and smoke weed so much. We had one show with him where he was just out of it, couldn't communicate, and his tempo was way off on everything. It was like being in a car with a drunk driver, really. He was gone from the band soon after that.

Busker · #15 07-22-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

I've seen a lot of wasted talent because of people drinking at gigs. We had one drummer who was amazing...technically good, and could learn just about everything on the fly. Too bad he liked to drink and smoke weed so much. We had one show with him where he was just out of it, couldn't communicate, and his tempo was way off on everything. It was like being in a car with a drunk driver, really. He was gone from the band soon after that.

And rehearsals too. They'd smoke and drink at every rehearsal. To the point where not enough learning & practicing was going on, not enough information being retained. Heck, friends of the band would drop by at rehearsal time just to get the party rolling, if you know what I mean. And the last week or so it seemed to increase, even as we were trying to get prepared for the above gigs. Stupid.

I'm too old for that %$*. Hey, 20 years ago, I'm right there with them, doing whatever. But at some point, you have to outgrow that and get down to business.

Baird6869 · #16 07-23-2007, 03:22 PM

I have 1 or 2 when I get to a gig, 1 between sets and maybe a bunch after the show.

Being drunk or really stoned while playing in the 2 bands I play in is not tolerated. We have enough to worry about (set up, tear down, actually playing, dealing with bar management, driving home, etc) without having to babysit a drunk.

I like to drink as much as the next guy, but not excessively during a gig.