my last cover band had a guitar player that demanded a p*ss break in the middle of a set. the singer and I quit pretty soon afterwards, and we made sure to tell him what a pro he was on the way out. just one of about a zillion issues we had with him, though.
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Ever have to use the restroom during a gig?
- Thread starter VitalSigns
- Start date
Fortunately, I haven't had this problem yet.
I Do occasionally get a messed up stomach, so the possibility exists.
My biggest problem is normally having to empty the fluid tank very often. I go to the bathroom at work several times a day to do that.
But, the urge actually doesn't kick in during gigs. I can go most of the night without feeling the urge to empty the tank.
I Do occasionally get a messed up stomach, so the possibility exists.
My biggest problem is normally having to empty the fluid tank very often. I go to the bathroom at work several times a day to do that.
But, the urge actually doesn't kick in during gigs. I can go most of the night without feeling the urge to empty the tank.
The other week my band was playing a gig. I had broken my "alcohol seal" so to speak. So in a slow song that the guitarist doesnt play in (no solos,or lead work) so he played when i ran to the toilet. I was back onstage halfway through the song, went behind him and played octaves on the bass too. It went well.
I have done this at rehearsals but never at a gig. The delay gets complicated to deal with (for me).
Saw a lead/vocal do it at a gig once. His mates thought he was being just a little bit too flashy, so they locked a security gate between the toilet and the dance floor and made him play and sing three or four numbers from the toilet. It was very funny at the time, being accompanied by the predictable " he has to sing from the bog cause he's so full of **** " type comments.
I had my large intestine removed in 1994 due to ulcerative colitis. Obviously, that can make gigs interesting. I rate how good a gig is by the quality of the bathroom. Short hills Hilton in NJ sets the gold standard... however, I don't recall having to leave during a set. Any break though you usually know where to find me. Over the last few years I have learned to eat better for my condition, lots of fiber, and it has helped a lot. Still, I don't always do so and I realize how dumb I was later.
There are places I just wont play anymore though.
Sorry, not a funny answer but you did ask!
There are places I just wont play anymore though.
Sorry, not a funny answer but you did ask!
WAY too much information. LOL not too bad for who? you or the others?, Spose it beats "sounding" like ****
gnjpowell
Inactive
- Nov 12, 2010
- 562
- 2
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- Bass & guitar tech, FOH sound, backline rentals
Embarrassingly enough I do have a touch of the IBS. I get nervous, anxious and over think it! I don't eat anything heavy before a gig. But the problem is I play 3-4 times a week in a popular wedding band. Sometimes during a set I'll feel panicked but it eventually goes away when I calm down and start having fun, and doing weddings, I usually get a lot of breaks. There are those few times where I play 2.5 hours straight though. I used to bring Immodium just in case! But now I'm on vitamins and supplements that are fixing my problem.
Never thought I'd talk about this (my WORST fear when doing a gig) here or anywhere. But it was quite freeing. Got it out of my head! Haha. Now I feel better!
Never thought I'd talk about this (my WORST fear when doing a gig) here or anywhere. But it was quite freeing. Got it out of my head! Haha. Now I feel better!
I'm diabetic. Type II, so what that mostly means is if I am very hungry, I AM VERY MOTHER****ING HUNGRY AND MUST EAT RIGHT NOW!!!!! GRRRR!!!
So I have learned to eat a light meal pre-show, try to keep the beers to 1 or 2, and of course yes I pee right before I go on. Any diabetic will tell you this -- pee early and pee often.
Other than that the only time I've actually thought my condition would impair a show was one VERY COLD day I went out the night before drinking, ran 2 miles that day to try to flush the excessive Guiness from my system, and then took one of those 5-hour power drinks. I am not sure if it was the stimulants, the hangover, the incredible difference in temperature between the front door and under the stage lights, or a combination of all of thse, but I went on and started to sing my first loud note, and my head felt like it was exploding. I made it through the first song, considered very briefly telling the guys I just could not continue, and then decided I was going on regardless. Sang the whole set with my head feeling like it was being crushed in a vise every single time I stopped singing a note.
So I have learned to eat a light meal pre-show, try to keep the beers to 1 or 2, and of course yes I pee right before I go on. Any diabetic will tell you this -- pee early and pee often.
Other than that the only time I've actually thought my condition would impair a show was one VERY COLD day I went out the night before drinking, ran 2 miles that day to try to flush the excessive Guiness from my system, and then took one of those 5-hour power drinks. I am not sure if it was the stimulants, the hangover, the incredible difference in temperature between the front door and under the stage lights, or a combination of all of thse, but I went on and started to sing my first loud note, and my head felt like it was exploding. I made it through the first song, considered very briefly telling the guys I just could not continue, and then decided I was going on regardless. Sang the whole set with my head feeling like it was being crushed in a vise every single time I stopped singing a note.
Oh my god...
POOP THREAD!
Poop, sharts, and the brown note. Obviously I've just reverted back to being 8 years old again. I can't help but laugh!!
That being said, I have left the stage for "quick breaks" a couple of times during sets. I've been lucky enough to have excellent and hilarious frontmen that can keep the crowd entertained while I'm away. Yes, they do have my permission to make fun of me for being in the restroom. A quick round of applause when I get back to the stage, take a bow, then get back to business. It's nearly impossible to embarrass me. And let's be honest... We've all worried at one point or another if we were going to make it to the facility fast enough. Might as well have a quick laugh about it! Granted, these were bar gigs - not weddings or anything fancy.
I've also been sick and had a bucket nearby in the event a stomach revolt. Never had to use it before, though. Whew!
I definitely agree with advice already given. No funny foods the day before or day of the gig. Go to the bathroom right before taking the stage every time. Also, drinking water during the show helps keep my insides calm during while on stage.
POOP THREAD!
Poop, sharts, and the brown note. Obviously I've just reverted back to being 8 years old again. I can't help but laugh!!
That being said, I have left the stage for "quick breaks" a couple of times during sets. I've been lucky enough to have excellent and hilarious frontmen that can keep the crowd entertained while I'm away. Yes, they do have my permission to make fun of me for being in the restroom. A quick round of applause when I get back to the stage, take a bow, then get back to business. It's nearly impossible to embarrass me. And let's be honest... We've all worried at one point or another if we were going to make it to the facility fast enough. Might as well have a quick laugh about it! Granted, these were bar gigs - not weddings or anything fancy.
I've also been sick and had a bucket nearby in the event a stomach revolt. Never had to use it before, though. Whew!
I definitely agree with advice already given. No funny foods the day before or day of the gig. Go to the bathroom right before taking the stage every time. Also, drinking water during the show helps keep my insides calm during while on stage.
I have had this happen to me a few times in the last 41-1/2 years and had to cut a set short to just make it in time. Not fun. One time, I had white pants on and was glad I just made it but the restroom, which was a very long walk through the entire hall from the stage. Another time, I turned to the guitarist during a song and said, "stop right after this song" and it got so bad a few seconds afterward that I turned to him and yelled, "stop right NOW!" Of course, not only did everybody in the place, which was packed, know where I went, the guitar player had to make a comment when I returned. That sure was bette than the alternative happening.
Wow. Right in the middle of this thread I had to run downstairs to make a doo-doo.
Yup, first time at this little hole in the wall bar. We're about to go on, my innards start rumbling, and I head to the head. I'm sitting there, sweating bullets, when I hear my name being chanted over the p.a. Of course, everyone is looking at me when I come out.
Yup, first time at this little hole in the wall bar. We're about to go on, my innards start rumbling, and I head to the head. I'm sitting there, sweating bullets, when I hear my name being chanted over the p.a. Of course, everyone is looking at me when I come out.
