Am I right to pump the brakes?

[Cloudspine]

Ok, so I've been playing with another two guitarists for a few months, an original project. We have about 3 solid songs at this point that I feel are surprisingly decent, plus three interesting covers, plus about three songs in various stages of development.

They are in their mid 20's, I'm almost ten years older than them. One of them has done a few open mics solo, the other has no experience playing in front of people. I have played in front of people before, but not since high school, and only at house parties and underground stuff really. I do not consider myself experienced nor do I know a lot about live sound management. I'm the most well equipped member of the band - I have a nice GK MB210ii Combo that is quite flexible, the guitarists both have smaller combos and we currently have a drum machine plugged into a small combo as well (partially artistic, partially because drummers are hard to find). It's all loud enough to play let's say a small cafe, but even a bar setting and things start to fall apart on their end, I think.

The two guitarists are both anxious to play out, and have, through connections, arranged opportunities to play within about a month's time (they aren't totally crazy, the types of things they are setting up are multi-band shows, so the set would be shorter). This is at real local venues, and regardless of how many people show up, its still a professional setting and very much a scheduled event.

My impression is we need more practice, and though we still have time between now and then, we should hold off scheduling things until we are ready, period. And at that point we should dip our toes into the water more slowly, maybe playing someone's house or an open mic to do a few 'dry runs'.

I don't want to be a buzzkill, but I also don't have delusions of grandeur and as the oldest member I feel like I have some kind of responsibility to prevent us skewering ourselves, especially in a small scene. Am I wrong to pump the brakes and tell them we need more time to flesh out material, improve gear, get the performances tighter, and maybe even wade more slowly into live performances? Looking for help from the many people here with more experience than me.

 

[2thAche]

As someone who has just started back to gigging after many years out of action, I wouldn't play to people you don't know until you're polished and your gear is at least acceptable sound wise. We started with private gigs (people who knew us) and low expectations. Didn't play a bar until our gear was sorted and we felt confident with not screwing up.

 

[ArtechnikA]

if you wait until you are 'ready, period' you will never play out...
BTDT

 

[QweziRider]

My impression is we need more practice, and though we still have time between now and then...

My take is that if you think you have time, then do it. Nothing like having to commit to a date to get you ready. Otherwise, like @ArtechnikA said...

 

[LBS-bass]

if you wait until you are 'ready, period' you will never play out...
BTDT

What he said. Most of us need a goal in order to actually "get ready," otherwise we waste a lot of time.

You've got six songs ready in several months? I could do that in a week. A reasonable schedule for less experienced players will fall somewhere in the middle. Get your butts in gear and get it done.

 

[IanStephenson]

Until you're out playing gigs you're not a band - you're just a bunch of guys who own guitars.

You mention playing in high school and that's one of the great things about being younger - there are places for you to be bad at stuff! It is harder as an adult to get out and play as a new band who are just figuring it out.

You're right to be a little cautious, but you need to find something that pushes you. If there are a bunch of bands on that night then they'll put you on first, and the expectations are pretty low. You'll learn a LOT very quickly.

 

[mrcbass]

I agree with all statements above saying that the best motivator is a scheduled gig. But if you're really not ready it can be a big mistake. You don't have to be perfect - few in the audience know the difference between passable and great. Just able to get through songs with no major meltdowns.

For stage experience, I'd probably try to find an open mic situation where you can go up as a team and play a few songs. This will wet the toes without any great expectations or reputation exposure. If there are any huge issues, you know the team is not ready and hopefully everyone sees that. Having a rough open mic gig is a blow off; messing up a paying gig can kill your reputation - "Not hiring those clowns again!"

As far as proper gear, that's a bit harder to fix. That takes money. I know when I was in my 20s and even 30s, gear acquisition was slow - saving up for a pedal could take a couple of months let alone real gig gear. (This is probably the only good thing about being older!) If the gear is questionable, it's probably best to not do gigs. If you can't provide the proper presentation, you can't do anything about it at the moment. Do the open mic scene for a while to get some stage confidence. When the confidence and gear is up to the task, then try to get into the paid realm. Or maybe rent proper amps for a gig or two?

 

[FraliuBass]

Will there be any singing or are you just doing instrumental. If you'll be singing make sure your vocals are tight especially if you're doing harmonies. Most people in the audience will notice bad singing before bad instrument playing.

 

[Cloudspine]

Yes, there is one singer. Another big thing is the drum machine - we aren't committed to not having a drummer or anything, and the drum machine is very unforgiving in a live environment.

 

[hrodbert696]

The first time I played in public it was an open mic, had no experience, and I don't think any other musicians showed up for it. The four of us just played when we wanted (new, non-established venue). We were terrible. There's a youtube video, it's bad.

I still think it was a good idea to play it. It gave us something to work for and was the first step for me to begin learning what to look for in a band and how to make it work.

Ten years later, I got involved with some guys during Covid to do their originals, and we did one of those online fundraiser performance things. It was MUCH better of a performance, though only a few dozen people actually tuned in. The guitarist was crushed. He had this inflated notion that we were going to storm the world and it was REALLY REALLY important to have a website all ready and a name picked and all that so we could take the world by storm.

Point being; 99% of the time, the first gig is honestly no big deal and doesn't mean much as far as any negative consequences for the band if you screw it up. Prep as well as you can, but give yourselves permission to suck. When you do, learn from it and begin building into the band you want to be. But long journeys and a single step and all that. Just start moving.

 

[FraliuBass]

Yes, there is one singer. Another big thing is the drum machine - we aren't committed to not having a drummer or anything, and the drum machine is very unforgiving in a live environment.

I played for a couple of years with just a guitar player and myself playing bass with an Alesis drum machine that I we programmed to back the songs we were playing which were mainly 60s 70s classic rock style songs. I would have much rather had a large drummer of course and I can play drums myself but the drum machine if played through the PA properly can get you by for sure until you find your thunder. Consider getting together with your bandmates possibly pitching in for a good PA system and make sure your vocalist can engage with the audience.

 

[FraliuBass]

I played for a couple of years with just a guitar player and myself playing bass with an Alesis drum machine that I we programmed to back the songs we were playing which were mainly 60s 70s classic rock style songs. I would have much rather had a large drummer of course and I can play drums myself but the drum machine if played through the PA properly can get you by for sure until you find your thunder. Consider getting together with your bandmates possibly pitching in for a good PA system and make sure your vocalist can engage with the audience.

 

[stubborne]

Yes, there is one singer. Another big thing is the drum machine - we aren't committed to not having a drummer or anything, and the drum machine is very unforgiving in a live environment.

Well real drummers are unforgivable so.... similar?

 

[FraliuBass]

I played for a couple of years with just a guitar player and myself playing bass with an Alesis drum machine that I we programmed to back the songs we were playing which were mainly 60s 70s classic rock style songs. I would have much rather had a large drummer of course and I can play drums myself but the drum machine if played through the PA properly can get you by for sure until you find your thunder. Consider getting together with your bandmates possibly pitching in for a good PA system and make sure your vocalist can engage with the audience.

Another bonus about playing with a drum machine is that it will help in keeping good time. Something I find that not all but some musicians that I play have problems with keeping time.

 

[Wooly John]

- you can always rent gear - and start playing out as soon as you can to gain invaluable experience and find out how your material works with an audience

 

[MIMike]

You mentioned a possible “multi-band” event at a particular venue. Do you know any people in the other bands that might play this gig? What about borrowing amps from one of the other bands performing (arranged ahead of time, of course)? Heck, get to know that bands drummer and see if they will sit in with you after a rehearsal or two.
I say network within your local band/gig scene and see if you can form relationships with other individuals. You might even find someone established, with gigs at other places that you could “open” for to get some experience and exposure.

 

[micguy]

The best way to show people that they need more practice time is...to kinda suck in front of an audience - that kind of experience is (to the folks that persist) a great motivator. Of course, it's tough, but if you can arrange for it to be in front of an audience where it doesn't matter that much, it can be OK. I've played about a thousand gigs - not all of them were stellar, but I did learn from those that weren't. You will never be completely ready - some battle scars are inevitable.

Rougher gigs also give you good stories, which is a big part of what you'll have left from all of this many years from now.

 

[Ric5]

start going to open jams to get in front of people

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

Ok, so I've been playing with another two guitarists for a few months, an original project. We have about 3 solid songs at this point that I feel are surprisingly decent, plus three interesting covers, plus about three songs in various stages of development.

They are in their mid 20's, I'm almost ten years older than them. One of them has done a few open mics solo, the other has no experience playing in front of people. I have played in front of people before, but not since high school, and only at house parties and underground stuff really. I do not consider myself experienced nor do I know a lot about live sound management. I'm the most well equipped member of the band - I have a nice GK MB210ii Combo that is quite flexible, the guitarists both have smaller combos and we currently have a drum machine plugged into a small combo as well (partially artistic, partially because drummers are hard to find). It's all loud enough to play let's say a small cafe, but even a bar setting and things start to fall apart on their end, I think.

The two guitarists are both anxious to play out, and have, through connections, arranged opportunities to play within about a month's time (they aren't totally crazy, the types of things they are setting up are multi-band shows, so the set would be shorter). This is at real local venues, and regardless of how many people show up, its still a professional setting and very much a scheduled event.

My impression is we need more practice, and though we still have time between now and then, we should hold off scheduling things until we are ready, period. And at that point we should dip our toes into the water more slowly, maybe playing someone's house or an open mic to do a few 'dry runs'.

I don't want to be a buzzkill, but I also don't have delusions of grandeur and as the oldest member I feel like I have some kind of responsibility to prevent us skewering ourselves, especially in a small scene. Am I wrong to pump the brakes and tell them we need more time to flesh out material, improve gear, get the performances tighter, and maybe even wade more slowly into live performances? Looking for help from the many people here with more experience than me.

I agree with others that waiting until you're "perfect" can be a recipe for never playing out. Or a recipe for de-motivating the band. On the other hand, you can't take back a bad first impression if you play at a real club and trainwreck. So personally I'd go the middle route:

I'd try to convince the band to play some open mics as a group first, so you can test yourselves in a friendly, low-profile on-stage situation. Capture these performances on video/audio every time. Evaluate those recordings as a band. You may find that after one jam, you're better than you thought, and ready to play out. Or you'll find that there are some issues you want to work on before getting out there for real. Either outcome is ok.

 

[Knavery]

It's like having a baby. Most people feel they're not ready, but when it happens, most do just fine and think it's the best thing that's happened to them.