• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Boring Guitarist

#25
TNCreature said:
Give him a nickname like "The Larch" .
Click to expand...

Yeah...there is a wise old saying from Sales & Marketing 101.

"If you cant' fix it, then feature it".

We had a very talented guitar player that would have the same all night long Zero expression on his face while performing. We gave him the nick name of " Polker Face"
It went over pretty well with the audience.
 
#32
No, never thought about talking to band mates about their appearance or stage antics. I don't pay very much attention to them (visually). I have a habit of playing with my eyes closed much of the time. Sure, I'll check out the drummer if the beat seems in question. I'll look to the lead guitarist when song changes/ends are coming. But they can sit on their assets and wear diapers for all I care; as long as music is tight, tight, tight!

However, people have told me that my guitarist really puts on a good show. I should check him out one of these gigs.
 
#33
This has been an interesting thread. I didn't think I would hit so many nerves with the question. As an original act, we only play 45 minutes. People in the audience probably have not heard the songs before, or if they have, maybe once or twice.

In my mind, energy is contagious. If the band has energy, the audience tends to sit a little more on the edge of their seat. They participate more. If the audience never smiles or never makes eye contact (that's right it's fake because the lights don't let you actually see them, but they don't know that) they feel like a spectator and not part of the show.

Watch The Voice on NBC. Not one of those singers after the blinds, just stands there. They all move across the stage, they all interact with the audience, they never just sit there. You can watch any live DVD (or actual show) of any famous band, and the show is hugely important. It's not just the music. Anyone old enough to remember The Cars and how they basically just stood there and played the album note-for-note. They were considered a horrible live act. The music as perfect, but no one felt engaged.
 
#35
Well SaucyJack, it looks like you are pretty convinced in your opinion. Here's mine.

I love music and I love bands who bring the music. The Cars were never a terrible live act and neither is the London Philharmonic Orchestra. If your musical mentor is The Voice or American Idol or whatever, then plan on conforming to the same burnt out recipe that every one else uses. All those shows do, is take original acts and try to make them all the same based on marketing formulas which are based on the general american ADD spoonfed public who don't even realise that every different hit song they love is just the same 3 or 4 chord recycled pop music with different words.

If that is what you want your band to be, then go ahead. You certainly don't want the advice of the musicians who love originality who lurk around on TB to dissuade you.
 
#37
Personally, when I see bands with members jumping around like crickets, my first impression is they are overcompensating for a lack of musicianship. After all, if what they were playing was hard, how could they bounce around like that?

Whenever I see someone shoegazing and standing like a rock and doing their job, they usually grab my attention. I start watching their fingers.

Of course, neither of these stereotypical views is necessarily true. Rush comes to mind.... But for your average band it tends to be more true than false most of the time.
 
#38
This is a pretty subjective thing; most people act the way they do on stage because it works for them, not everybody else. I play guitar too, and concentrating on my playing, I tend to stay put and not clown around much.

If your bandmate is willing, It'll probably take him some time to learn moves. Maybe it would help if you're patient with him. Unless, of course, you're asking him to jump around like Freddie and the Dreamers, in which case he might be justified in telling you to sod off.

I saw Hendrix in concert the night after he'd been busted for drug possession while crossing the Canadian border. He played a subdued show, and played well, without all his usual theatrics. I'd seen him one other time, and really enjoyed the music minus the bumps & grinds. I guess it's in the eye/ear of the beholder.

Tom
 
#39
Better off asking a close acquaintance or friend that owns or manages a club, is a booking agent for bands or possible writes for a local entertainment journal to make a constructive suggestion. That way there won't be an uncomfortable relationship going forward between yourself and this guy and the opinions expressed by the 3rd party might be more highly valued.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back