Band Member Intros - Yes or No?

[40Hz]

i don't understand(?) --- why does doing originals have anything to do with member intros?

Thank you! I was about to ask the same question.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

And I don't like it when I am introduced and I typically cringe a little when i hear them. Don't know why.

+1

Those people in the audience are all potential stalkers... use a stage name, wear a disguise.

 

[thanos k]

why do we play in a band stand that is raised from ground level??? we do that to gain the attention of the audience.. for the same reason we dress up accordingly, stand on stage properly, perform with confidence etc...

it's a psycology thing... no matter if the band is doing originals or covers must look like it's something special for the audience ... something entertaining, something worth looking at and paying for!!! otherwise why did they bother to attend the show anyway???

what do you think they would like more to watch??? a band of nameless members??? a bunch of "unknown, regular guys and girls" or a band (big or small, accomplished or not it doesn't matter) that it's proud of it's members ??? i think it's a small detail that when combined with a lot of other stuff make you look more professional

ofcourse the band leader and the rest of the band must not overdo, behave properly, be kind, and keep a balance between "pride" and humility

 

[QORC]

our singer does it on our last song. Seems appropriate. at least she keeps them short and sweet, and during a song, not during a break. I hate when bands stop for long, long, LONG introductions in between songs. It not only kills momentum, but can come across as arrogant and pretentious. Let's face it - famous bands don't do it all. And if you're just a local band, nobody but your family, spouse and close friends care what your names are

 

[basscapes]

You should have put it to a vote- I would have gone for carrots...

Seriously though, while I'm indifferent to member intros, it sounds like you might raise it as a non-volatile issue at the next rehearsal. if the BL pushes against it, it's done.

 

[zjanderson]

our singer does it on our last song. Seems appropriate. at least she keeps them short and sweet, and during a song, not during a break. I hate when bands stop for long, long, LONG introductions in between songs. It not only kills momentum, but can come across as arrogant and pretentious. Let's face it - famous bands don't do it all. And if you're just a local band, nobody but your family, spouse and close friends care what your names are

My singer does the same, during the bridge of the last song. Keeps it short and sweet and there's no showboating.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

We do the same thing at the end of every gig: We play Ike & Tina's version of "Proud Mary" (slow, then fast). If there's still a lot of dance floor action, our BL will organize a Dance Like Tina thing. Then we bring it down to just drums and bass, and she introduces us, by name and where we're from. Sometimes I'm introduced as being from Alaska, because I live furthest north. Dopey stuff like that. Thanks the bartenders/waitstaff. Then we bring it up again, crash bang boom, "Thank you all!" etc. and we're outta there. Corny? You bet! Works? Well, yeah. Nobody's tired of it yet, anyway.

 

[Robscott]

I’m in a party rock cover band where nobody introduces the band members - not at the end of a set, not in the middle of a tune, not at all.

Other than this, the frontman is very good communicating with the audience. He repeats the band name, slides in a funny anecdote before a song here and there, all the normal stuff. But he doesn’t intro the musicians, ever.

On the one hand, I get it. It’s a cover band. Who cares what the drummer’s name is. On the other hand, it feels a little to me like a violation of tradition and makes me a little sad. It’s the only band (of dozens) I’ve played in where it’s this way.

Thoughts? How do you guys do it in your bands?

Our BL is 66, he can't remember our names

 

[beaglesandbass]

Usually we have a little jam bit at the end of the last song then and singer introduces everyone then

 

[QORC]

in a previous, fairly well known band, my douchebag of a BL/singer used to introduce us all, and for me, he always had some smart-ass quip - a thinly-veiled put-down. it was his typical passive-aggressive ways in action. So I was the one who introduced him, and I started doing the same sort of thinly-veiled put-downs. He stopped shortly thereafter. Hehe

 

[EastCoastThump]

Better if it's a shout out for players in the flow (sax player kills on a spotlight break, BL gives him a quickish shout-out after the solo: "the inimitable Charles Owens on sax!—half man, half amazing!"). Just my preference, but intros foster more of a sense that the crowd's sharing something special if they don't seem scripted, stacked on top of one another, and everybody gets one while showing off on cue rather than doing something more musical.

Okay w/ stacked & scripted band intros for cover bands at bar and club gigs, as long as they don't bring everything to a stop. Prefer not to have 'em at weddings or other guest-of-honor events.

 

[lfmn16]

I don't do it. Nobody cares. We aren't nearly as special and interesting as we think we are.

When I go to see a band, I want to hear the music, not listen to the front man drone on. A few quick comments here and there is usually more than enough. I front a Rockabilly Trio and I introduce songs, make a few brief jokes, and try to remember to say the bands name a few times a set. Other than that, I keep things moving. The audience is there to hear the music.

 

[mellowinman]

I have to say that in a world where things matter, this not so much.

 

[SunnBass]

Band member intros?


Now that's corny.
Is this the Blues Brothers?

 

[Ronnie681]

It easy and professional to introduce the band unless you are doing a scripted show where its not in the dialogue to introduce.

 

[Spidey2112]

I think it should be done, but not at the end of the show...

... people can't find their cars at that time of night, let alone remember the musicians names...

 

[ZAR14]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with introducing the Band members

 

[10cc]

No

 

[40Hz]

I’ve heard it done both ways.

My feeling is if it’s a:

• private party or function - DON’T
• typical bar gig - just briefly say the band’s name after the second song, and one more time right before the second to last number.
• show - don’t bother with the band’s name. If it’s a show, they paid to get in and already know who you are. Band member intros during a show? It all depends. If you’ve really (as in really) connected with the audience - MAYBE. But err on the side of caution.

One thing that I always find gauche is whenever someone in a band tells the audience to applaud. That whole: “Give it up for ________,” routine has gotten old and needs to die. If you feel you have to say something after someone in your band delivered a particularly exceptional solo (or whatever) and the crowd is already roaring, a simple: “Jack Smith on guitar folks!” may be appropriate, and is definitely more than sufficient. But keep it short and basic. And skip the in jokes and nicknames. Just pointing and saying “Jack Smith.” would be even better.

Or so I think anyway. YMMV

 

[BassBrass]

Biggest difference here is cover bands vs originals. I've been to hundreds of originals performances and I would estimate 5% do band intros. It's irrelevant, usually the band members are known already and as the poster said above it's corny...Rock bands are trying to create an effect and band intros might not serve that goal. An exception might be playing a more relaxed style or acoustic music Down South where people are friendly & polite almost all of the time, and it's just Nice. Some places Out West are similar. In Portland (Or) everybody is your personal friend.

For some reason coverbands seem to have intros. I don't know why. To me, it means I'm seeing a function band and people feel like they need to be personally praised. On the other hand, at a wedding might just be the right thing to do. Lotta talking at weddings.