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How would you handle this???

nicoli said:
Our singer did this to us once, same situation where he played guitar too. We told him to show up and we'd play the whole set instrumentally if he still couldn't bring himself to sing by the time we got on... he ended up giving probably his best vocal performance to that date.

IMO, unless you're on tour and blowing out the vocal chords for a day or two afterwards means cancelling a few gigs, play through the pain.


yeah, it's amazing what a little peer pressure can accomplish to motivate someone, eh? Give 'em an out and they'll take it.

DD

(hey nicoli! how's it goin'?)
 
I agree the show must go on. I never had to cancel a show even when I had to put a trash can just off stage to puke in because of a virus :eek: I have played with stitches in my left index finger, a broken bone in my left hand, had to sit down while playing because of my back..... the list goes on. I even left the hospital 3 hours after my son was born to get to a gig. I have long since been divorced from that one :D
The point is the show must go on even if you have to half ass it.
 
While I would definitely agree that there are a great number of situations in which the necessary course is to persevere, even if it means not being able to turn in a performance of which you'll be able to say anything more positive then 'I made it through and we didn't have to cancel the gig.' I also think there's a necessary out you have to be willing to take if the cost of getting through the gig might mean irreversible complications down the line or if your playing is compromised to the point that the performance will be so bad that it's not worth the negative repercussions. Scrapes, bumps, bruises, cuts, the occasionaly projectile vomiting, sure, I undersand that. Performance anxiety? I get that too, actually, having found that after years of performing I started getting panic attacks and nausea before every gig (which turned out to be related to the dynamics of the band I was in...simple solution: quit the band. Problem solved.) But it's a balancing act. If I'm going to potentially do, say irreversible nerve damage or something than no, not going to happen. If my wife or my parents go into the hospital, then I'll drop everything because that, to me, is more of a priority.

Mind you, these are all extreme situations and I would imagine that most would be in agreement that if it's a choice between a possible career (or even hobby)-ending injury and playing a short set at the local brew house we'd all opt for rescheduling where possible. Like anything else it's a matter of balancing short term vs. long term with a bit of common sense.

That said, I definitely think you've got reason to be upset with your singer and maybe a serious Conversation is in order. Your reputation will in part depend on the band to which you're linked, and if one member isn't pulling his weight for any reason, that'll reflect on the band as a whole. You don't want your reputation and professionalism to be questioned just because someone with whom you're associated is having difficulty (for whatever reason) maintaining his commitment.

J.
 
I played a gig in Watertown, South Dakota about 20+ years ago where I had the flu.

Keep in mind I live in Wisconsin and I had the flu before we left on this 4 night gig. I never got better until after we were back home.

I played all four nights, plus the travel, puking my brains out, with a fever. It was our job and missing the gig would have cost us our living for the week.

The show must go on...has more to do with how many people are affected by not putting the show on. Alot of people are counting on you and a person should do whatver they can to perform. Granted their are some extreme circumstances where a gig just has to be cancelled. You learn to live with it happening...and if you do this long enough, it will happen, many times over.
 
Just so happens i wrecked my back at our show on saturday and we have to play with a national act tomorrow and friday i'm playing with a different band.. so far i've been in bed since saturday unable to really walk or move... but you know what? i'm still gonna play.... i'm gonna be a little b**h from the pain i can already tell, but i'm still gonna do it... anyone overnite me some vicodin? would be greatly appreciated :p just kidding....
 
el chumpo, what's up buddy? dan, haven't heard from you in a while.. what's new man? We're good, my singer is a little pus, but he's a good guy.. i got selfish and drunk and had to vent you know? we played with '80's band New Model Army on wednesday and i moonlighted (i am a bandwh*re) with these cats last night.. Invalid Link Removed and it was great! my main concern about this whole thing is seeing if my singer can play more than one night per week without issues... the guy can play a mean guitar, and he hits some pretty damn decent vocal lines, but i just wanna book more than one night a week you know? .....ahhh... it'll be cool we're on a good level so this was more or less just venting.. we got some sick shows and the new band fits me well, so i'm havin fun... how's you're stuff going? you still playing with the church group? .... (one more post and i'm at 300, man that feels GOOD!?!?!, thanks paul)
 
firkinahsoul said:
that's why you don't have singers. do it yourself. If our singer is being a pus, I take over. I can hit higher notes anyway. To hell with them.

man i totally agree with you, problem is he plays leed geetar and i need that... besides, i've been told isound like a dead frog when i sing. like i said before, i get a bulls**t mic and that's it.. i guess i'm more of a comedian thatn a singer... "ladies and gentlemen, we've only got 47 more for you, hope you guys aren't busy for the next 7 hours" .... yeah i only BS, no sing....


firkinahsoul.. heard your stuff, you rip... check out my goods if you get a chance... Link Removed .. it's old, but new stuff is on the way...
 
gustomatic said:
el chumpo, what's up buddy? dan, haven't heard from you in a while.. what's new man? ... how's you're stuff going? you still playing with the church group? .... (one more post and i'm at 300, man that feels GOOD!?!?!, thanks paul)
No, not playin with the church band right now. The drummer tried to sleep with my wife (keyboard), and they kicked all three of us out of the band when I was about to crush his head in with a baseball bat. ...to make a long story short.

So, I started up a band with an old buddy of mine and we've been writing originals and working on some covers. It's cool, it's a 3 piece so there's less heads to work with.

Other then that, I'm just trying to put my life back together, and see where my marrage is going to go.
 
chump stain said:
No, not playin with the church band right now. The drummer tried to sleep with my wife (keyboard), and they kicked all three of us out of the band when I was about to crush his head in with a baseball bat. ...to make a long story short

Other then that, I'm just trying to put my life back together, and see where my marrage is going to go.

wow!! at least if you hit him before sunday you have the chance to repent....ha ha (no offense please).... ewwwww.... he was probably thinking the same thing :spit: ...sorry to hear that man.... it's tough trying to be a rockstar AND hold it all together. trust me, i know.... i get to play at Clairemont High School this coming friday for a lunch period. We are still playing a Slayer cover (Dead Skin Mask mind you, hee hee!!).... :D hey man drop me some more emails when you get a chance, i'm curious to hear more about this... i got some shizzle to lay on you too... yeah my girl has 4 kids (not mine) and she's been shot at, witness protection program, the whole nine man. i offered her a luggage rack (and got beat up too).. i spend time with the 2 boys once a week and it's hard as H.E. Double hockey stick if you get my flow, but i wouldn't trade it for anything.. check out www.zippo.com , there is a zippo tour this summer and the new band i'm with, 3 against 1, landed one of the openers right before the headliner. the new band i'm playing with is on the bill here in SD with Abloom (members of soulfly and snot).. it's gonna be sick!!! Any kids from San Diego (c,mon jared morante, get out sometime!! you are on the list man, no worries!!) it's Monday June 7th @ BRICK BY BRICK and yes, i still don't know where to put gigspam on this site...... stay in touch dan, especially if you decide to come west. you've got a fat couch to crash on if it will help your mindstate. i know the feeling VERY well. sometimes it's best to just avoid the sitch to clear your melon....... i'll hit you up when i go east.. stay cool and stay in touch bro!!

tha G