Driving home post gig after a train wreck gig. The elements, for your pleasure.
1. Drummer of 3 years (and musical director) can't make the gig so we use a new guy. Only one rehearsal with him. He hasn't learnt many songs and/or has a very different style.
2. Rhythm guitarist has new amp and a new guitar both bought a day before the gig and minimally tested. He's not all that good at the best of times but still.
3. First gig in 6 weeks so we're All a bit rusty but because we've done 3 years of gigs we are arrogant enough to wing it.
4. I'm using a 5 string live for the first time. Bought it a month ago for another project and have only played it in bright light, usually seated, and on the other projects songs. Can't place myself on the fretboard. Dud notes abound.
5. Using the sound guy we sacked months ago because he was the only one available on a holiday weekend. I think he bears a grudge .
6. Singer has a shocker remembering lyrics, sometimes he goes around again, sometimes he comes back in mid verse.
So I can't see the dots, I can't get the usual signals from the drummer, rhythm guitarist is so out of key/tune I can barely place myself in the song, foldbacks so loud with other instruments can't hear myself, drummer forgets that he's the one to do the 1-2-3-4, long gaps between songs while guitarist fiddles with new amp.
Crowd loves it and asks when we're back. Confusing .
What are your red flags?
1. Drummer of 3 years (and musical director) can't make the gig so we use a new guy. Only one rehearsal with him. He hasn't learnt many songs and/or has a very different style.
2. Rhythm guitarist has new amp and a new guitar both bought a day before the gig and minimally tested. He's not all that good at the best of times but still.
3. First gig in 6 weeks so we're All a bit rusty but because we've done 3 years of gigs we are arrogant enough to wing it.
4. I'm using a 5 string live for the first time. Bought it a month ago for another project and have only played it in bright light, usually seated, and on the other projects songs. Can't place myself on the fretboard. Dud notes abound.
5. Using the sound guy we sacked months ago because he was the only one available on a holiday weekend. I think he bears a grudge .
6. Singer has a shocker remembering lyrics, sometimes he goes around again, sometimes he comes back in mid verse.
So I can't see the dots, I can't get the usual signals from the drummer, rhythm guitarist is so out of key/tune I can barely place myself in the song, foldbacks so loud with other instruments can't hear myself, drummer forgets that he's the one to do the 1-2-3-4, long gaps between songs while guitarist fiddles with new amp.
Crowd loves it and asks when we're back. Confusing .
What are your red flags?
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