Backing/click track cover band support group needed

[Marley's Ghost]

I should preface this by stating that I love my band and my bandmates. We get along great and have so much fun playing out. We are a trio that covers a huge swath of material, and our fans love us. But there's that awkward 10-45 seconds between songs when the next track is being queued up. The dancers look at us quizzically. Same song = same arrangement every time. The occasional technical difficulty. Forget medleys or mashups. Yes, the struggle is real.

 

[filmtex]

Maybe it's just me, but, what exactly is the purpose of your post? Is there a question there? Or perhaps you're taking a stance about something? Maybe even asking for advice. Sorry, but I just don't get it.

 

[hondo4life]

You could hand out carrots between songs to keep the people busy and distracted.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

This is the bass/band humor forum, no? So some snarky responses or good natured grousing could work.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Maybe it's just me, but, what exactly is the purpose of your post? Is there a question there? Or perhaps you're taking a stance about something? Maybe even asking for advice. Sorry, but I just don't get it.

Hopefully it's just you.

 

[filmtex]

Phwew. Glad it's just me.

 

[Nashrakh]

I don't really get it either... Why the dead air in the first place? I thought bands with backing tracks assemble some sort of "playlist" to prevent that.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

We get requests so rarely play a contiguous set per the list.

 

[6Bass101]

We get requests so rarely play a contiguous set per the list.

Well I guess that's a fair trade off. The "price" for requests is the occasional awkward silence. As a fan or audience member, I'd be cool with that.

 

[Nashrakh]

We get requests so rarely play a contiguous set per the list.

Okay, I understand then. But maybe that's the problem - or it does pose a dilemma at least.

Come up with some kind of filler music is what I would try. Something you can play while the frontman (or whoever is responsible) gets the tracks ready.

 

[Oddly]

Your awkward 10-45 seconds sounds a lot like the one I've read about here involving guitarists tuning.
My solution to that involved shooting the guilty party but perhaps that's a bit extreme?
Maybe you could incorporate a game of bingo into your show, having one of you call out numbers while someone else gets the next tune queued up?
Or have the person who's requesting the next tune come up on stage and explain their choice?

 

[fishstix]

The band I subbed with this weekend used backing tracks that ran from an app on an iPad. I can't say that I noticed a lag between songs and they did medleys/mashups. They did have fillers planned out on the set list as well though: planned dialogue, prize giveaways, solo spotlights for various members, etc. However, whatever app they were using was pretty slick at cuing up songs and was run by the drummer/band leader. He was the only one with the click track in the monitor mix and as far as I could tell any perceived extra time was a four count at most for him to hear the click and off we went but most often the transitions were filled as mentioned earlier.

 

[Pirate Captain]

fire the backing track

 

[Duanestuermer]

There should always be a sliding protocol for requests. Depending on the number os musicians, lets say for argument, its 5 for this protocal
If the requester adds $10 or less with the request- maybe next set, maybe the last set
$10-$20 maybe in a few songs if the song fits in.
Between $50- $100- it'll be the next song.
$100 and up, you stop the current song dead in its tracks and kick into the request.
If its a Kiss song, minimum $500.
If its the guy with nights band check, it's next.

 

[comatosedragon]

Could someone give me an example of a band with a 'backing track'?

I'm not being snarky or sarcastic, I am really curious.
In my mind's eye, I'm seeing Milli Vanilli .......

 

[makaspar]

Could someone give me an example of a band with a 'backing track'?

I'm not being snarky or sarcastic, I am really curious.
In my mind's eye, I'm seeing Milli Vanilli .......

It usually more of just extra keyboards and some background vocals. Maybe a rhythm guitar or something if you are a 1 guitar band. At least in my band's case.

Solution - get a better backing track program, stick with the set list, and kill the requests unless you can get quicker at loading the track.

 

[comatosedragon]

It usually more of just extra keyboards and some background vocals. Maybe a rhythm guitar or something if you are a 1 guitar band.

So I guess this makes you better musicians, since your timing has to perfect to avoid a train-wreck .... interesting ......

 

[Renaissance]

Record your backing tracks in 3 or 4 song segments. This takes away some of the down time and still allows you the ability to reasonably take request.

On a side note since you're noticing the dancers looking at you quizzically, congrats on the eye contact (as per another thread)!

 

[gln1955]

45 seconds is just unacceptable especially for a dance band. If you need backing tracks for every song, maybe what you really need is another band member or two.

 

[makaspar]

So I guess this makes you better musicians, since your timing has to perfect to avoid a train-wreck .... interesting ......

There's a click in one channel, music in the other, and we use in-ears to stay with the click. We just have to know our parts really well.

Regarding train-wrecks - our drummer is good enough to turn off the track when that happens, and then we can finish the song. Can't say it happens too much.