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Band Member Intros - Yes or No?

#141
RichSnyder said:
I agree with JimmyM - do it, do it quick. Unless you're the Foo Fighters that ended up taking 30-40 minutes to do everyone's introduction, but it was awesome!
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Good that you brought up the Foo Fighters, Rich...when doing intros for band members, just bear in mind that the odds of them standing and cheering when your name is called are much lower than when Dave Grohl is calling out your name. So the more you can avoid that painfully sad moment when nothing happens and move your intros along quickly, the less demoralized you will be as you exit :D
 
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#142
Altitude said:
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?
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Who cares?
 
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#144
Altitude said:
142 people in this thread do, and counting.
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Some bands dispense with intros too, and that works very well for them. It's not as common now as it was in the late 70's and 80's, but I've been to shows where the band didn't say a word except "Thank you, good night" at the end. But doing intros doesn't have to be cheesy...just rattle them off quick like, "Willie Fistergash on guitar, Douchey McJackass on bass, Hugh Jardon on drums, and I'm Percival Sweetwater the III and we're The Dangerous Bronies...thank you!"
 
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#146
Altitude said:
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?
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It depends on the venue, at concerts, absolutely. Clubs where you are just background filler, no.
 
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#147
Never thought about it one way or the other.
Some bands routinely do introductions and others don't.
No one I've worked with has ever complained about not getting recognition for playing covers all night.
Current band I'm with does the intros to each band member during a long 2 chord outro.
I've gone on to live another day if she forgets to do it on a given night.
 
#148
Altitude said:
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?
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My thoughts are, if you're not a big name band, or coming up strong, it just kills set time. Headliners, almost definately should introduce the band. Thats who they came to see. Warm ups...play good, entertain, get down quick. Cover bands playing a few hours slots at bar or clubs or whatever, can at different points through the night. That's my thoughts.
 
#149
TrevorR said:
No they won't. All the audience of a function/party band (really) care about are that the danceable hits keep on coming and that you play a few of their favourites. They really have no interest that it's Nigel on lead guitar, Derek on bass and Mick on drums. If they're drunk enough and your front person is good enough they might do a drunken comedy cheer when each name is called but that's it.
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My observations and experiences are way different from yours.

As I mentioned, we generally don't do intros at private events, but in 40+ years playing public venues I have never met the kind of disinterest or cynicism you describe. If anything, it's pretty much the opposite, genuine enthusiasm.

Most audiences can care about both the product AND simultaneously give a nice attaboy to the musicians bringing them a good time. We have a lot of repeat fans, friends, and family in the audience, and I know for a fact the appreciation is sincere and the musicians on the stage get a good feeling from being quickly introduced.

YMMV
 
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#150
It's not a bad idea- usually it's the only time that the bassist gets any notice.

If you have a stage persona it's even better. I am trying to come out as Bootybringer (congas). If there is anything that I look forward to it will be the day I get introduced.
 
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#157
I've played in originals and cover bands, and playing live, the worst part for me was band member introductions...hated it...especially when the band leader wanted you to play some silly little noodling after your name was spoken...ugh, so ridiculous...sure, introduce the band, just please don't introduce me, it always felt awkward and weird for me...honestly, if I unpacked, set up, played the gig and tore down, and no one knew who the heck I was, i'm good with that
 
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#159
guy n. cognito said:
No band intros. Comes off as arrogant and self-entitled.
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I half agree with this. I've gotten this negative impression before when a band did that. And sometimes it was appropriate and fun. It didn't matter if it were originals or covers, seemed to do with the energy between the band and the crowd. I've never done it (...or had it done for me I should say). Assuming we're not talking about large concert shows, would everyone agree this is always bad? Because if it were stupid for me to do it I wouldn't realize it. So I need outside input!
 

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