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Dropped from Y-Rock 2005
- Thread starter Nickthebassist
- Start date
If you think being dropped from that music fest is bad, read this guy's thread!
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180050
But yea, that does suck Nick, but there will be plenty more gigs and plenty more music fests down the road.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180050
But yea, that does suck Nick, but there will be plenty more gigs and plenty more music fests down the road.
I know when I'm feeling bad I can always read one of Nickthebassist's threads and feel better. Thanks Nick.
Eric Moesle said:
Not to go off topic, but I am very curious as to what places are "the top venues in Ohio".
Originals? Covers?
Nick, aren't you guys a cover band? I know a lot of crappy original bands go the pay to play route, but NEVER cover bands......much less free. You have to REALLY suck to play cover gigs for free, I can't imagine the amount of suckdom it would take to have to pay. Moral of the story is, you're getting boned and seem to be happy with that.
Don't take this the wrong way Nick, but you've REALLY got to learn to be humble, and not so arrogant. It will get you a lot further with everyone, and allow yourself a lot of room to accept the fact you can and need to improve.
Not only that nick, but a band is only as good as it's weakest member. One bad musician can make any band sound like ass.
Don't take this the wrong way Nick, but you've REALLY got to learn to be humble, and not so arrogant. It will get you a lot further with everyone, and allow yourself a lot of room to accept the fact you can and need to improve.
Not only that nick, but a band is only as good as it's weakest member. One bad musician can make any band sound like ass.
Heh heh heh. The thing is, most venues have a 2.4 KW HK Audio system that comprises 4 1x15 inch bass bins, and what looks like a 1x12 or 2x10 on the top. That's the reason for all the speakers, we need to be able to match that kinda PA(admittedly our's is only half the power but it should be ok).southpaw1 said:Nick, I am a little suprised that you are needing 6 x 15/12's.
How large are the venues you intend to play?? That frontline seems a lot for a band playing clubs or smallish venues
Why on earth would you want to "match" the most common "house" PAs in York?? In any event, how is having enough cabs to choke a horse going to achieve this??
You continue to be an enigma wrapped in a conundrum Nick.
(In a good way, obviously. 
)
In any event, how is having enough cabs to choke a horse going to achieve this?? You continue to be an enigma wrapped in a conundrum Nick.
(In a good way, obviously. )
Ok. I see where your coming from.
I reckon you shouldn't worry too much about your sound system just yet. If you guys have all got amps and the drummer is loud, you can probably get away with a smaller system.
Most of the really good bands I have seen aren't relying on being loud, but being good.
I reckon you shouldn't worry too much about your sound system just yet. If you guys have all got amps and the drummer is loud, you can probably get away with a smaller system.
Most of the really good bands I have seen aren't relying on being loud, but being good.
OMG this is so simple...
NO band is tight after 2 gigs. Live experience is just not the garage.
Festivals? They are hyped, confused, an organizational nightmare, and SO much goes askew that only the experienced bands, WHO HAVE SEEN IT ALL, should be on the bill. Not a place for band who has potential, and talent, but little live experience (because remember...you are not MUSICIANS first you are ENTERTAINERS...and entertaining requires poise and confidence that normally only experience can bring).
The drummer? Raise your hand if you have EVER been in a band where a drummer didn't have timing issues in their first 10 gigs? Anybody? Its natural. Here's a newsflash...you, and your guitarists, probably have timing issues as well (normal until you get your stage legs)...its just that the drummer's deceleration and acceleration problems are more noticeable.
Arrogance, a tendency towards violence, and a world-owes-me something attitude is the more likely cause of your disappointments. Fix those, and the rest of your challenges will start to work themselves out.
NO band is tight after 2 gigs. Live experience is just not the garage.
Festivals? They are hyped, confused, an organizational nightmare, and SO much goes askew that only the experienced bands, WHO HAVE SEEN IT ALL, should be on the bill. Not a place for band who has potential, and talent, but little live experience (because remember...you are not MUSICIANS first you are ENTERTAINERS...and entertaining requires poise and confidence that normally only experience can bring).
The drummer? Raise your hand if you have EVER been in a band where a drummer didn't have timing issues in their first 10 gigs? Anybody? Its natural. Here's a newsflash...you, and your guitarists, probably have timing issues as well (normal until you get your stage legs)...its just that the drummer's deceleration and acceleration problems are more noticeable.
Arrogance, a tendency towards violence, and a world-owes-me something attitude is the more likely cause of your disappointments. Fix those, and the rest of your challenges will start to work themselves out.
Okay, I got sucked into the entire thread like the rest of you. At least I can admit it...
Now then,
There have been tons, and I mean TONS of bands that have gone on to do great things with nothing but their instruments and crappy amps. No stadium PA, no great instruments or sound, just a desire to be a great band and entertain people with their music and stage show. Some have even done it with only one of those
Drop the pursuit of "cool stuff" and all that other crap that doesn't have to do with being a band that loves to play music in front of an audience.
So what are you left with? You find any venue, event, place, or excuse to have your band play. How about going to the local University or school and asking if you can play at the coffee-house or during lunch hour? Ask ANY and EVERY little dive, bar, coffe-house, hole in the wall place where even 5 people are at at any one point in time and ask if you can play a quick little set for their patrons. I doubt ALL of them would say no if you asked nice enough. They are a business. They like to ATTRACT business. Your music may do that. Just tailor your band to the "venue" and you are halfway there.
Other ideas: Friend's birthday parties, little local park festivals, for school/university organization's fashion or talent shows, small charity events...get my drift? These places are dying for ANY acts or bands to play for them! They might even pay! But if not, that's okay, you'll have an audience! That's more than what any amount of money can buy. Try giving tickets away to a horrible bands concert. See what I mean? Once you get them, Audience = potential fans = future repeat audience members = following = ticket to getting asked to larger crowd/venues/events
3 bars or venues in the entire city is NOT where its at. That's for suckers. Its about playing anywhere and everywhere you get a chance to. Ask any band that is doing anything meaningful and they will say something like, "Man, we've played shows before where we were just playing to the bartender and the owner who was ready to kick us out". This is what being a working band is all about. This is NOT a failure. This is growing up. Just like all young people do, just like all young bands do. But not without any experience you can get your hands on.
Final words: There are gigs out there. Some bands just choose to limit themselves due to "pride" or the lack of creativity or effort to get these "hidden" gigs. Yes, its work. But that's what this whole "band" thing is about. Yeah, anyone can pay to play at some place. What good is that even if you COULD? With no following nor fans, you'll be doing the same you could be doing at some little coffee-shop, minus all that money you spent to play at a "cool" place. Get out there and find those gigs that NEED YOU.
You can't climb to the top without taking that first step.
-T
Now then,
There have been tons, and I mean TONS of bands that have gone on to do great things with nothing but their instruments and crappy amps. No stadium PA, no great instruments or sound, just a desire to be a great band and entertain people with their music and stage show. Some have even done it with only one of those
Drop the pursuit of "cool stuff" and all that other crap that doesn't have to do with being a band that loves to play music in front of an audience.
So what are you left with? You find any venue, event, place, or excuse to have your band play. How about going to the local University or school and asking if you can play at the coffee-house or during lunch hour? Ask ANY and EVERY little dive, bar, coffe-house, hole in the wall place where even 5 people are at at any one point in time and ask if you can play a quick little set for their patrons. I doubt ALL of them would say no if you asked nice enough. They are a business. They like to ATTRACT business. Your music may do that. Just tailor your band to the "venue" and you are halfway there.
Other ideas: Friend's birthday parties, little local park festivals, for school/university organization's fashion or talent shows, small charity events...get my drift? These places are dying for ANY acts or bands to play for them! They might even pay! But if not, that's okay, you'll have an audience! That's more than what any amount of money can buy. Try giving tickets away to a horrible bands concert. See what I mean? Once you get them, Audience = potential fans = future repeat audience members = following = ticket to getting asked to larger crowd/venues/events
3 bars or venues in the entire city is NOT where its at. That's for suckers. Its about playing anywhere and everywhere you get a chance to. Ask any band that is doing anything meaningful and they will say something like, "Man, we've played shows before where we were just playing to the bartender and the owner who was ready to kick us out". This is what being a working band is all about. This is NOT a failure. This is growing up. Just like all young people do, just like all young bands do. But not without any experience you can get your hands on.
Final words: There are gigs out there. Some bands just choose to limit themselves due to "pride" or the lack of creativity or effort to get these "hidden" gigs. Yes, its work. But that's what this whole "band" thing is about. Yeah, anyone can pay to play at some place. What good is that even if you COULD? With no following nor fans, you'll be doing the same you could be doing at some little coffee-shop, minus all that money you spent to play at a "cool" place. Get out there and find those gigs that NEED YOU.
You can't climb to the top without taking that first step.
-T
"Man, we've played shows before where we were just playing to the bartender and the owner who was ready to kick us out".
Man, been there, done THAT. It was still pretty cool. The bartender invited us back for drinks and to play again.
Man, been there, done THAT. It was still pretty cool. The bartender invited us back for drinks and to play again.
Well I jus stumbled on this... I'll throw in my two cents.
Man you whine too much, just get it over it... crap happens, its part of the business.
Also I echo what everyone else has said, your not gonna be tight after 2 gigs.... especially not with a crappy drummer (that you, yourself has said). You can be the tightest group, and sound awesome in practices, but gigs are a completely different story. Many different things factor into gigs, nerves, crappy sound, any other number of things. You said your singer has problems singing in tune when he can't hear himself? If so your setting yourself up for problems, becuase theres going to be many of gigs where nobody can hear themselves. Again crap happens.
Get used to the band not telling you stuff, your the bassist, again crap happens.
We also wish it was a perfect world.... but it isnt. You can be the best band in the world, and have a gig where your all sick with the flu and playing crappy... but that just happens to be the gig where there's a big promoter in the audience that could make or break your carreer. You never know, and there's nothing you can do about it. Except just do your deal, and not worry about outside factors.
Man you whine too much, just get it over it... crap happens, its part of the business.
Also I echo what everyone else has said, your not gonna be tight after 2 gigs.... especially not with a crappy drummer (that you, yourself has said). You can be the tightest group, and sound awesome in practices, but gigs are a completely different story. Many different things factor into gigs, nerves, crappy sound, any other number of things. You said your singer has problems singing in tune when he can't hear himself? If so your setting yourself up for problems, becuase theres going to be many of gigs where nobody can hear themselves. Again crap happens.
Get used to the band not telling you stuff, your the bassist, again crap happens.
We also wish it was a perfect world.... but it isnt. You can be the best band in the world, and have a gig where your all sick with the flu and playing crappy... but that just happens to be the gig where there's a big promoter in the audience that could make or break your carreer. You never know, and there's nothing you can do about it. Except just do your deal, and not worry about outside factors.
