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Gigs: Do's and Don'ts

#61
At load in/out the guy carrying gear has right of way, but don't expect the punters to know this.

"Help" carrying gear at load out is often more of a hindrance, more so if you schlep your gear in separate vehicles. We had a guy and his 2 sons insist they would carry our gear out for us. It was snowing and they soon had a pile of randomly ordered snow covered gear in the dimly lit car park that had to be sorted and moved to the correct cars then loaded in the correct order. It took twice as long and the gear got damp.
 
#62
If you are going to have a fight on stage, make sure it is epic and entertains the audience. If the BL gets into a fight with an ex, and it threatens to demolish the entire bar, load out quickly. These are all hypothetical, of course. Another one is to make sure you can figure out what the lead singer is doing when the song goes off the rails, down a hill, through the woods, and then to grandmother's house by way of the big, bad wolf. Also hypothetical. Nope, never happened...
 
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#66
The mentions of tipping bartenders and wait staff are spot on! As a former bartender, these folk work on tips, as the hourly is usually below minimum. When they take time out to serve you they are not serving others that are tipping. TIPS = To Insure Prompt Service, and believe me, they know who is tipping!
 
#67
I was in a band that's local here since 97. All original with a big following and I swear this was some of the regular routine things.

Show up late and start late
Sometimes take an hour and a half break and party in the green room or out the backdoor with half the crowd
Sometimes take no breaks and play from 10:45-2:30
Guitarist would summon waitresses from the stage via microphone
Guitarist would get pissed at one of the staff usually a bouncer and demand the owner to send him or her home
Bring in our own cooler of beer
Smoke weed where ever in the bar
Threaten fans and owners
Bring full stacks and double fridges (Actually had two roadies)
Make the bar turn the tv's off
Get 20% of bar sales, make the owner show us the zip tape at the end of the night
Get all of the door
Never put up posters
Horrible promotions
Send sound guys home
Bitch about paying bar tabs

We'd play all over locally and quite a bit regionally and that was standard operational procedure. Plus we'd continue to get booked at these places. The bars would be packed with crazy ass fans that would fight and and do a bunch of other weird poopie too. Most of the time is was a trio but sometimes our keyboard dude would show up anyways we'd get at least 1200-1400 a show. It was nuts! It's still happening today too.

I'm not saying this is proper but that's how it was and it leaves me think that the bar must of been killing it in alcohol sales to put up with our poopie.
 
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#68
On load in, and especially on load out, someone needs to keep an eye on the gear at both ends, or you need to lock the vehicle every trip and still have an eye on the inside stuff. Takes practically no time at all to swoop in, grab some stuff, and swoop out - or helpfully carry it out to the parking lot and into your car and leave quickly.
 
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#70
Hmmm...

In regards to equipment:

Have a spare bass, preferably passive in the car. Less chance of the batteries being an issue if you rarely play it.
Spare bass head
Spare Batteries if you play actives.
Spare strings if the playing requires it.

Do's:
Be awesome
Be the star of the show without anyone noticing
Get involved, don't just stand there
Tell the groupies you are the bands QC, so you need to test every product before the band does

Don't:

Don't lose your spot checking out someone's missus
Don't get lost on the mix, you're a good player, show them!
Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Don't let the guitarist organise the setlists, copies of cds, organising himself. You have 2 less strings than him (generally), use your time wisely
 
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#71
Another thing going into the bar, if you happen to talk to the bar manager, or owner, find out what is on special, vs. what is top shelf, and PUSH the top shelf. Hard. If you push product and are a good time, you will get invited back.
 
#73
Do not argue with or throw shade on the venue's personnel or management. Be friendly with them.

Do make sure that the terms of performance are crystal clear, and, if you can, written down and signed (contract). And have a copy of it with you at the gig...

Do not let the venue treat the band like a bunch of peons. Respect yourself and conduct yourself in a professional manner.

Learn how to, as a unit, deal with drunk patrons. And that includes drunks who want to sing, and woo birds who are hell bent on getting on stage and flashing.
 
#75
if you are at a place where you are playing multiple sets a night, check with the venue manager to see how long those sets should be.

always bring an extension cord and a power strip.

get some of the custom molded earplugs for yourself. They last several years and will save your hearing.

don't hit on the waitstaff until AFTER you get paid for the night.
 

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