• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

fights at gigs

Accassionally we get fights break out in the crowd in the middle of sets while we are playing, not because of the music but pissed clenchers venting their insecurities. What do you guys do if this senario occurrs at your gigs? if it happens anywhere near the stage, we usually stop playing STRAIGHT away, bag the s... outta them, tell them to p... off out of the venue. how do you deal with it?
 
Stop playing, make sure bouncer knows where the fight is, protect the gear.

Last summer, it was so packed the bouncer couldn't see what was going on or get there quickly. I went to tell him where to go, and my guitarist saved the left pa speaker from falling over when they smashed into the stand. Another time, my guitarist tried to help a guy who was getting beat up outside after the gig. Bad idea. He's not very big and doesn't know how to fight so he got slammed into a wall.

I'd estimate there is a fight about every 5th gig I play.
 
jondog said:
Stop playing, make sure bouncer knows where the fight is, protect the gear.

I went to tell him where to go, and my guitarist saved the left pa speaker from falling over when they smashed into the stand.
.

Good point, If that p.a. stack falls on a punter and puts them in a wheelchair for life, guess who's gonna get sued? the venue? if the band hired the p.a. then its up to the band to have public liability. cause the venue will try and wash their hands of it, if its not their p.a.. If it is the venues p.a. well they are legally responsible for the p.a. if it falls due to them not bracing it properly.
 
Never been in that situation...probably because so few people went to see my last band that they could spread out and feel like they were alone : (

I'd probably stop playing until security took care of it. I doubt that I'd insult the crowd then run off leaving my gear on stage...ask Gunns and Roses what can happen when you do that...

If it got really out of hand, I suppose that the first drunk to charge onto the stage would get a P Bass in the face.

Never will forget watching a Stones concert video one time where a fan stormed on stage toward Keith only to have to duck a Tele swung baseball (or cricket) bat at his head, full force...
 
When I was 16, I played with a bunch of older guys in a classic rock cover band that catered exclusively to bikers. I used to literally do my homework in bars that has meth labs in them and fights would break out on a regular basis. We used to do stuff like Steppenwolf, Hendrix, the james gang, etc. , but my big responsibility as the bassist was to start playing "My Girl" whenever a fight broke it. It seemed to always calm things down for some reason. I guess you really have to be a rotten bastard to fight during a Smokey Robinson song.
 
I was playing last night with my soul band. The room was cramed and two gorls started going at it in the middle (in the non porno sence). They ended up knocking everyone infront of them 'domino' style, making about 10 people fall onto the stage. I wasn't worried though, I was safely at the back protecting my instrument. There are benefits of not being a frontman of a band!!
 
BillyB_from_LZ said:
Ummmm....My Girl is a Temptions song, not Smokey Robinson (and the opening lick is on a guitar)... but I see your point.

The Temptations had the hit, but Smokey wrote the song. Also, the opening lick is a bass part that leads to the guitar lick you're thinking about. (You obviously don't own Standing in the shadows of Motown. Get the book, it's worth it.)

Never had a fight break out. probably never will. One big advantage of having a female lead singer is it attracts a larger female audience and cuts down on the "locker room" environment that's more likely to bring about fights.

Also, we play pretty nice venues, so chances of a fight breaking out are minimal. Still, it's good to have a plan if the worst did happen.
 
I used to jump in and help break it up, but now I just sit back and take it all in. If someone swings at me, any of my guys, or someone I know, I will get into it. I think I may be the only guy in the band that can fight. It's not that I go looking for trouble, I just don't have much tolerance for B.S.