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Issues with stage volume

#61
crucislancer said:
Last night my band played a new venue, and while the gig was good for the most part, there was some volume issues that came up during the last set. The volume on both guitars came up quite a bit at that point, so loud that I had to say something about it to both guitarists. One of them brought his level down, but the other just laughed when I mentioned it. This morning, the lead guitarist had this to say on our shared band group:

"Hey guys. Good show last night. Definitely better sound than last Friday. I know there's work to do on guitar mix, but please make an effort to be kind. Positive input is welcomed, but constant griping about volume, FX or any other aspect of our sound is not going to fly with me.

Let's continue to do the best we can, given the resources and time that we all have. Each new room brings with it a new learning curve. So please give this some time. At least more time than a 10-minute soundcheck provides.

I won't be coming out early to move cabinets or re-wire stuff. The Saturday crowd will just have to hear what the Friday crowd heard. And, the packed stage will just have to be a packed stage again. Next time we play there, we'll know some different things to try.

One last thought to ponder.........rock and roll is not lounge music. If anyone can't deal with volume, go play music at a nursing home."

As far as I know, I was the only one "griping" about the volume, and it was only that last set. Not sure how to deal with this. My first instinct is to call him up and discuss, but this kind of message pisses me off, so a discussion might turn into a shouting match. I guess I'll take the day to calm down, and just deal with his volume issues as best I can with my mouth shut.
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Typical self centered Rock Star Syndrome rookie beginner snot attitude. Obviously oblivious to the definition of "professionalism". Either he'd be gone or I would. Such passive aggressive conduct is completely unacceptable to anyone who wants to be perceived as professional.

crucislancer said:
Good question. I don't think he had much to drink last night, I think he took a shot during the 4th set, but other than that I couldn't say. The other guitarist was drinking quite a bit, and I think he went out to his car to smoke weed a couple times.
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arbiterusa said:
Call your guitar player by tonight or forgo any say in anything. He knows what he did. Call him on it and tell him it's not acceptable. Be ready to walk on tonight's show. It's that important. The guy is a manipulative jerk.
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What arbiterusa said. Sounds like a match made in Purgatory eh? How much crap should anyone have to take, is the guy THAT good that he's worth it? Does the fact that two of the members are new say anything about the issue? Only a matter of time IME...
 
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#63
Is this guy the BL as well? Is it all on this guy to book the gigs and be responsible for the outcome or is this more of a collaborative effort where everyone has an input? It doesn't really matter I suppose, you've just been told to STFU!

We all like to talk about being a professional band and acting professionally. We act like every situation should be handled perfectly within our professional band. I would suggest - IMHO - if you're questioning how much the guitarists were drinking and you know one snuck out a couple times to toke up - you're not in a professional band and you shouldn't expect professional treatment.

Maybe you were a jerk when you brought the volume issue up and he is acting out. Maybe you were perfectly professional and he's just a jerk. I don't know.

I do know I would handle this situation immediately. We can discuss the problem and come to a resolution, even if that resolution is me deciding to leave the band. I'm a grown azz man, you don't get to tell me to STFU.
 
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#64
I have never refused to turn my amp down when asked. It takes a certain kind of arsehole to turn down that sort of request. Also, when a PA and monitors are involved, excessive stage volume is wholly unnecessary. With that said it sounds like your guitarist is doing the sound, and when someone on the stage is also the soundman it is pretty terrible most of the time. I used to play at a bar regularly where the mixer was at the back of the stage...good lucking getting a good mix when you can't even hear the FOH from the mixer.
 
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#65
when this happens, I treat them to their own medicine and play the first set at a volume that would drown out a howitzer. I find that usually brings things back to reality rather fast. (Unless it's a keyboardist, then the only hope is to cut off their left hand)
 
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#66
wmhill said:
when this happens, I treat them to their own medicine and play the first set at a volume that would drown out a howitzer. I find that usually brings things back to reality rather fast. (Unless it's a keyboardist, then the only hope is to cut off their left hand)
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LOL I thought about that. That wouldn't be a problem to do. Funny, we had a keys player in the band until recently, and when his left hand got heavy I just asked him to back off, and he did. Why? Because he's a great guy and a pro.
 
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#70
crucislancer said:
Last night my band played a new venue, and while the gig was good for the most part, there was some volume issues that came up during the last set. The volume on both guitars came up quite a bit at that point, so loud that I had to say something about it to both guitarists. One of them brought his level down, but the other just laughed when I mentioned it. This morning, the lead guitarist had this to say on our shared band group:

"Hey guys. Good show last night. Definitely better sound than last Friday. I know there's work to do on guitar mix, but please make an effort to be kind. Positive input is welcomed, but constant griping about volume, FX or any other aspect of our sound is not going to fly with me.

Let's continue to do the best we can, given the resources and time that we all have. Each new room brings with it a new learning curve. So please give this some time. At least more time than a 10-minute soundcheck provides.

I won't be coming out early to move cabinets or re-wire stuff. The Saturday crowd will just have to hear what the Friday crowd heard. And, the packed stage will just have to be a packed stage again. Next time we play there, we'll know some different things to try.

One last thought to ponder.........rock and roll is not lounge music. If anyone can't deal with volume, go play music at a nursing home."

As far as I know, I was the only one "griping" about the volume, and it was only that last set. Not sure how to deal with this. My first instinct is to call him up and discuss, but this kind of message pisses me off, so a discussion might turn into a shouting match. I guess I'll take the day to calm down, and just deal with his volume issues as best I can with my mouth shut.
Click to expand...

Good luck finding your new band without said guitarist.
 
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#71
crucislancer said:
Last night my band played a new venue, and while the gig was good for the most part, there was some volume issues that came up during the last set. The volume on both guitars came up quite a bit at that point, so loud that I had to say something about it to both guitarists. One of them brought his level down, but the other just laughed when I mentioned it. This morning, the lead guitarist had this to say on our shared band group:

"Hey guys. Good show last night. Definitely better sound than last Friday. I know there's work to do on guitar mix, but please make an effort to be kind. Positive input is welcomed, but constant griping about volume, FX or any other aspect of our sound is not going to fly with me.

Let's continue to do the best we can, given the resources and time that we all have. Each new room brings with it a new learning curve. So please give this some time. At least more time than a 10-minute soundcheck provides.

I won't be coming out early to move cabinets or re-wire stuff. The Saturday crowd will just have to hear what the Friday crowd heard. And, the packed stage will just have to be a packed stage again. Next time we play there, we'll know some different things to try.

One last thought to ponder.........rock and roll is not lounge music. If anyone can't deal with volume, go play music at a nursing home."

As far as I know, I was the only one "griping" about the volume, and it was only that last set. Not sure how to deal with this. My first instinct is to call him up and discuss, but this kind of message pisses me off, so a discussion might turn into a shouting match. I guess I'll take the day to calm down, and just deal with his volume issues as best I can with my mouth shut.
Click to expand...

I'd discuss it with the whole band after the gig(s) and I'd call him out specifically saying no need to be passive aggressive, lets discuss it like adults face to face.

I've been in bands with a guitarist like that (twice actually), and we've replaced him both times because of the same behavior you described... ;)

Good Luck!
 
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#72
Who is the BL or the guy everyone respects and/or listens to? Who ever that person is should go out front during the first few songs or middle of each set Then use hand signals to tell musicians to turn up or down. In my band that went to the lead singer would occasionally go out to listen. If he told you to turn down and you didn't there would be a discussion later (right away if it was blatant). If a musician repeatedly ignored him they would voted out. Just a thought.
 
#74
crucislancer said:
Last night my band played a new venue, and while the gig was good for the most part, there was some volume issues that came up during the last set. The volume on both guitars came up quite a bit at that point, so loud that I had to say something about it to both guitarists. One of them brought his level down, but the other just laughed when I mentioned it. This morning, the lead guitarist had this to say on our shared band group:

"Hey guys. Good show last night. Definitely better sound than last Friday. I know there's work to do on guitar mix, but please make an effort to be kind. Positive input is welcomed, but constant griping about volume, FX or any other aspect of our sound is not going to fly with me.

Let's continue to do the best we can, given the resources and time that we all have. Each new room brings with it a new learning curve. So please give this some time. At least more time than a 10-minute soundcheck provides.

I won't be coming out early to move cabinets or re-wire stuff. The Saturday crowd will just have to hear what the Friday crowd heard. And, the packed stage will just have to be a packed stage again. Next time we play there, we'll know some different things to try.

One last thought to ponder.........rock and roll is not lounge music. If anyone can't deal with volume, go play music at a nursing home."

As far as I know, I was the only one "griping" about the volume, and it was only that last set. Not sure how to deal with this. My first instinct is to call him up and discuss, but this kind of message pisses me off, so a discussion might turn into a shouting match. I guess I'll take the day to calm down, and just deal with his volume issues as best I can with my mouth shut.
Click to expand...
These things are all over Nashville. They look like a guitar amp but are made from sound absorbing insulation. Full disclosure, the owner is a friend. I have no money interests in his company.

Speight Baffle Co.
Screenshot_20210515-224915_DuckDuckGo.jpg


He's even done some custom color ones for a few bars in Nashville.
 
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#78
crucislancer said:
LOL I thought about that. That wouldn't be a problem to do. Funny, we had a keys player in the band until recently, and when his left hand got heavy I just asked him to back off, and he did. Why? Because he's a great guy and a pro.
Click to expand...
You should track down that keyboard player and start a band with him. Or at least think about it.
 
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#79
BlueTalon said:
You should track down that keyboard player and start a band with him. Or at least think about it.
Click to expand...

Actually, I am in a band with him. I joined his band back in November 2019. We don't gig much, but when we do it's fun. All the guys are cool, laid back, and don't stress much. And volume is not an issue.
 
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#80
crucislancer said:
3 years in July. This isn't new, the volume issues or the passive/aggressive comments from the guitarist. I thought things were getting better in that regard, but I guess not.
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Not sure why you expect things to change for the better after three years. IMHO you need to make a decision: Either accept the situation as is, or give notice that you will be leaving. It's clear the guitarist is not going to change, so there is really no point in staying and arguing about it.

If you decide to leave, you have one last ditch opportunity to try and influence a change. Essentially you make staying in the band contingent on it. Establish boundaries and hold the guitarist to it. My prediction is you will wind up walking

Also, I hope you are wearing some sort of hearing protection. I know they degrade the sound and experience, but if you don't wear protection, you eventually get degraded sound anyway.
 
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