Yeah, I've been there. The prima donnas hog the tiny stage. I could get offended and feel like a second-class tool, but I actually prefer not being bumped or elbowed or otherwise distracted while I'm in the zone trying to make things groove. And the audience might be paying more attention to the guy who is oddly off stage, asking themselves, "Why is he there? Are the hams on stage so self-absorbed that they won't make room for that excellent bass player?" Anyway, I'm getting paid for playing bass, so it doesn't really matter to me where I stand.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Fighting For Space At Gigs
- Thread starter Spectre1966
- Start date
Rock Bottom... You know you never treat me goo- oo - ood... You never treat me like ya should!
Going by your avatar... you understand.
Sounds like the last group I worked with......... "a yeah, well were the show, you just stand over there and be good mmm kaaay". Could never hear the keyboard guy on the other end of the stage, he may as well not even been there, nothing but blasting guitar and drums, finally said to myself, this is less fun than its worth.
I was in a 6 piece ska band with 3 horns, guitar, bass, drums. Our stages were always crowded, so I usually had to snuggle up with the drummer and/or the guitarist. At one particular bar gig in Talkeetna, there was no stage. The stage and the dance floor were all one. It was the only place in town, and we were the only thing happening that night, so the place was absolutely PACKED full of people, at least half of whom seemed to be smoking, including several who were (unintentionally) blowing it right in my face. My eyes, nose, throat and lungs were killing me. So at one point, right before the tunes on which I sang lead, I had to get some fresh air. Thanks to the miracle of wireless, I went outside in the middle of a song and stayed outside breathing the nice crisp fresh air for 3 tunes. I could still hear the drummer perfectly, so I had no problem following along. But I couldn't hear myself at all. The band told me afterward that shortly after I got outside, I went horribly out of tune. Apparently the sudden temperature change from 72F to minus 24F caused the wood to contract pretty quickly. Some smokers who had stepped out for their cigs were having a ball watching me play and dance around to try and keep warm. It sure was nice having all the room in the world (literally!) But three songs at -24F was about all my poor fingers could handle, and I had to go back to the overcrowded "stage" for the rest of the night. That was a show I will never forget!
What the hell is this with all the carpets?
People actually bring carpets with them to play on? Gross. Can't stand carpeted stages, they're always nasty.
Catapult's keyboard player always goes on the opposite side from me. Not because of any personal issue, but we long ago decided it sounded best with bass and one guitar on one side, and keyboard and the other guitar (although sometimes the keyboard player plays third guitar) on the other side, with vocalist in the middle.
In Dustern, the keyboardist is in the middle because she's also the vocalist.
On those three, generally you should be at least getting two out of any group you're gigging with. If you're getting all three, it's a great group to be in. If you're only getting one, consider leaving. And if none, then definitely leave.Forgive me if my opinion is inappropriate for this, but I have encountered this many times and I wanted to throw my hat in the ring... So to speak...
I've occasionally had to deal with this phenomenon. I used to get annoyed with it because I regarded anyone doing that kind of stuff as being self centered or downright selfish. I was told once "all musicians are selfish... But, some are more selfish than others." If I'm in a "Band," where all members are supposed to be equal ("under god indivisible and space for all." Hmm... Or something like that.
1. You're learning something.
2. You're getting paid.
3. You're enjoying it...
If the gig doesn't fit those criteria, then either don't do it, or price yourself out of it. That way, if they still ask you to do it
you've paid your rent, made your car payment, paid for hair implants, can afford that new dress, skirt or parachute pants...
IMO... Ya gots ta enjoy your music. If someone creates a bad feeling, you may be in danger of associating your music with bad vibes. It happened to me, and it took three years of not playing or listening to music to get it back. So now when I see craziness, my Bull poop detector kicks in and I know to avoid that scenario in the future...
That's just what I think anyway... Take it with a pinch of parsley.
Cheers,
D.
Ugh, that inefficient stage setup makes me cringe.
One thing that's happened as a result of being in Catapult the Dead, with our large number of people and tons of gear, is that I've found myself hypercritical of stage/rehearsal room space use. I tend to shake my head whenever cabs/amps aren't pushed all the way to the back.
A sidenote... one thing about having a pedalboard is that while it takes up real estate on stage, it also serves as a border marker when staking space out.
Nah, couldn't have been Aristotle, because he usually ended up being wrong, and that's absolutely right.
Agree - call it out. It happens every now and then. Nothing intentionally (at least not in my band). I just make sure I'm in time and I'm around when we start putting the carpet for the drum kit down.. If it's not in the right spot, I'll just discuss it and make sure we all end up with our fair share of (limited) real estate.
Regards
Mark
Yeah. In my band we've had to deal with space issues so much that we've gotten pretty good at it, I'd say. When playing a venue that we haven't been to before, we usually plan out where everything's going to go before we start putting stuff on stage. In familiar venues, we have "usual" setups.
I'm squeezed most of the time but I embrace it (cue video of Yoda...). I play lots of venues with very small "stage" spaces and got used to it decades ago.
Different for me because I rarely get to play out anymore so I'm just happy to be there at all. In some cases I've even shared my space with the band playing after us. The evening goes better and is a lot more fun when there isn't negativity right from the get go.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
We have 2 guitarists, so I'm sharing a side regardless. Certain stages are really tight especially since I also have Moog Taurus pedals that take up a bit of floor space for sure. One of our guitarists switched to a Kemper modeling amp, which means both his rig and his pedal board got quite a bit smaller. I try to stay on his side unless the stage is big.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
That guitarist next to you has tons of room for you imo, just taking up lots of space.
Man do I feel your pain! Or I did -- that was 3 bands ago. The keyboardist had an 8' x 10' rug to claim his space, and the guitarist had a 5' x 7' rug plus a 4' long pedalboard. I was lucky to unroll my 2' x 4' rug next to the drums! Glad I don't do that any more.
I agree. The bassist always has little room. Over the years I've had my run in with other band members. ( Listen up, guitarists ) One guitar-player had a giant pedal board. music stand. two amps. And the the nerve to ask where to put
his guitar rack for his three spare guitars. I moved drums to clear room for myself. ( Like many others I'm sure ) Micro amps have helped. ( The days of an SVT onstage are over for me now ) Goof band communication helps.
his guitar rack for his three spare guitars. I moved drums to clear room for myself. ( Like many others I'm sure ) Micro amps have helped. ( The days of an SVT onstage are over for me now ) Goof band communication helps.
For singing musicians, I like the pedalboards that have a mount for a microphone stand.
Three spare guitars? Why? I've brought one spare to a gig at times, but what the hell?
One of my old bands had 100+ strings (as in 6 per guitar, etc) on stage. I felt strangely compelled to count 'em. Everyone had multiple guitars, even the damned drummer. I took a P-bass and something as backup. To be fair, we had some elaborate arrangements that required special instrumentation at times, but geez!!
P.S.
There is a reason I love playing in Trio's.
There is a reason I love playing in Trio's.
