Yes to everything...... this was after I told the guy in front of me "just no"...I usually lean on my combo but it ended up next to the keys off the stage.
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Fighting For Space At Gigs
- Thread starter Spectre1966
- Start date
I've had this problem. I have been solving it for many years now by setting up my gear and then swinging my headstock around in the area where I'd like to play. I tell the other players I need that much room or they risk getting smacked in the face by my headstock. They move.
BassCliff said:
ToneMonkey said:
I was kind of half-joking/half-serious. I always arrive early, not necessarily to 'claim my space' but to scope out the logistics. I'm always willing to leave wiggle room in order to give everyone the space they need inside the space available. I've been on really tight stages with six members. One example:
(At the above gig we all thanked Mario for sharing his drum riser with us.)
We bring SMALL gear in order to fit in small spaces. No one insists on bringing stacks of amps or dozens of drums or mountains of keyboards. That's kind of silly for a small venue with a small stage. I have no need to overcompensate for anything. I just try to play good music at a volume that can be enjoyed.
To the OP, Mr. @Spectre1966, talk to your bandmates and let them know you'd like to see everyone share the stage, use the space available, and make sure everyone fits as comfortably as possible. It's really not that hard. If they insist that "I need this much space because blah, blah, blah..." then I would question their ability to comprehend reality and be put off by their ego. This could lead to declining future gigs with that particular person or ensemble. Even a side man is part of the show and deserves adequate space to perform his tasks, even if it's behind the front person(s). I don't mind being in the back. But I like a little room to get a few feet away from my amp so I can hear it, if possible.
Should this discussion be in Band Management? Or maybe I should just make a joke about inverse proportionality of the size of the pedal board to the size of a certain part of the anatomy?
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
My five piece band easily manage to fit ourselves and all our gear atop the bar's pool table. Granted, it is a regulation-sized table....
Pick out the space you want and hose it down with joke "Canned Fart". Guaranteed to move them out of the way.
That boat party gig had a small space in the corner for us. I had to share my singing space with a square column! Has this ever happened to David Lee Roth?! I tend to Jump around a lot so i got out past the crazy column. The bass player had lots o space over in his corner 
I have this problem at the practice space, but not at actual gigs. Dialing in an appropriate sound level at practice is also impossible... but I always know I will be clearly heard in the mix live and that I will have most of stage left to myself.
Simple solution - more beans in the pre-show diet. They'll be giving you all the space you need and then some.
Basically I get to stand at whatever space remains on whatever corner off the stage I'm shoved into. Many times I've had to mention to the guitarists to get their head stocks out of my grille.
This is what often happens to bass players I'm afraid.
This is what often happens to bass players I'm afraid.
It happens. You get there first and set up when the drummer sets up. High hat side, and you'll find the other accoutrements right by the amp. No problem.
I definitely feel this to....but time have changed and for me it used to be the reverse. "Back in the day" the guitar would have a few pedals and something like a small Mesa, Marshal or Fender combo and that was it.....while I had x2 410's and a rack(the 80's/90's rig)
Its that second guitarist that's the issue. Just cut his break lines one day, problem solved.
Can't remember the last band I played with that had dual guitars. Maybe 1 in my 15 years playing.
Can't remember the last band I played with that had dual guitars. Maybe 1 in my 15 years playing.
I can't help but thinking this fart thing is actually a good one. Way back, anecdotal evidence was that there were this insane guy (for real) at the Hultsfred Rock Festival in Sweden. He wanted to have ample dancing space IN THE AUDIENCE. This is gross but true. He went into one of these portable dumps (mobi-loo?) and jumped in and covered himself ... yes, you read it right. And then he went up and out into the slam dancing audience. No staff or police could/would touch him while he danced around and had NO audience people within at least 10 yards or so. Totally whacko for real. He was on top of that on something. No one told him to move his crap. After several hours some came in with special suits and grabbed him, and he sat in jail for 3 months, next year, rinse and repeat. "Bajsmannen" was he called. No joke, no urban legend. I don't recommend doing this on stage as the audience will disappear too. BUT! As the legend continued, there were a lot more attributed to him, than originally. He did this just once or twice, because people knew his face, and knew what was about to come, so he was banned from festivals. He wanted, as german calls it, LEBENSRAUM. But alas no stage in the world have lebensraum anyway...
We are all pretty respectful of everyone else's space. I think getting there way early is best -- although I have had some bossy members of one band (which I quite) tell ME to move my stuff so I wasn't in their way. I quit that band as I don't tolerate certain kinds of behavior in bands anymore.
A couple times, I stood off the stage on the floor. If the stage isn't very high off the group you can do that off to the side and it works.
A couple times, I stood off the stage on the floor. If the stage isn't very high off the group you can do that off to the side and it works.
Nope. I do the bulk of the singing. Take the middle. If you don't do a lot of singing, just setup and move forward; stand in front more. Go forward man, go forward. Better yet, find better band mates. I recently played in 3 bands at the same time, dumped one because of various things. Life's too short. Don't be that dick but don't put up with that dick.
Cheers, Paul
Fender/GK/Bergantino
