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

Pet peeve

#22
Pet peeve: Everyone thinks we should be there 2+ hours before we start playing. I'm good with as little as a half hour, and I'm the one with the PA. But I'm good with an hour, if it reduces everyone else's stress.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skychief
#23
I feel for you. I went through years of teaching all of my band members the parts to our songs before every show; SO exhausting. Then it takes away from your performance, because even though you know your parts like the back of your hand, you still can't give your crowd a good show because you're looking at everyone else telling them what part to go to next.

…LUCKILY, I was able to find an amazing, talented group of dedicated musicians 4 years ago. There is no word to describe the feeling of being with musicians that are on the same page as you. I hope you find the crew that meshes with you one day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass
#24
Robroy said:
Pet peeve: Everyone thinks we should be there 2+ hours before we start playing. I'm good with as little as a half hour, and I'm the one with the PA. But I'm good with an hour, if it reduces everyone else's stress.
Click to expand...

If it's a one-band show night, and you've got it under control; then I completely agree with you.
If it's an original band show with bands playing before you though, I'm all for being there whenever the show starts to support the other acts. (I don't think that that is the kind of situation you were referring to though)
 
#26
Robroy said:
Pet peeve: Everyone thinks we should be there 2+ hours before we start playing. I'm good with as little as a half hour, and I'm the one with the PA. But I'm good with an hour, if it reduces everyone else's stress.
Click to expand...

Things happen. You could get caught in heavy traffic. Your motor vehicle could break down. You could get into a traffic accident. It could be anything really.

Reducing your advance time to just 30 minutes is to cut it very, very close - with very little margin of error. Way too close to still have a reasonable time cushion in case something goes wrong. Personally, I'd opt to build in the extra advance time and not need it, rather than to need it - and not have it.

MM
 
#27
I don't really give a rats about people who don't practice in my band because we're all more or less in the same position. I work like a dog most of the time, and barely have time to hit the gym every other day, alternating with some instrument practice sometimes. I don't even have the time or inclination to cook anymore. My bandmates are mostly more important than me at their places of business so I don't get huffy about who has or hasn't had the opportunity to have a bash during the week. In our position and in the current climate the world is experiencing we're lucky we can do it at all.
 
#28
IPYF said:
I don't really give a rats about people who don't practice in my band because we're all more or less in the same position. I work like a dog most of the time, and barely have time to hit the gym every other day, alternating with some instrument practice sometimes.
Click to expand...

That's your problem right there! You gotta lay off that gym stuff, it sucks up time like crazy. Just do deep knee bends while playing your bass. :D
 
#29
IPYF said:
I don't really give a rats about people who don't practice in my band because we're all more or less in the same position. I work like a dog most of the time, and barely have time to hit the gym every other day, alternating with some instrument practice sometimes. I don't even have the time or inclination to cook anymore. My bandmates are mostly more important than me at their places of business so I don't get huffy about who has or hasn't had the opportunity to have a bash during the week. In our position and in the current climate the world is experiencing we're lucky we can do it at all.
Click to expand...


Well...
ALLRIGHTY THEN
 
#31
Mystic Michael said:
Things happen. You could get caught in heavy traffic. Your motor vehicle could break down. You could get into a traffic accident. It could be anything really.

Reducing your advance time to just 30 minutes is to cut it very, very close - with very little margin of error. Way too close to still have a reasonable time cushion in case something goes wrong. Personally, I'd opt to build in the extra advance time and not need it, rather than to need it - and not have it.

MM
Click to expand...
My day job pays roughly 100 times what my gigs pay. I arrive five minutes earlier than I need to.
 
#32
Robroy said:
My day job pays roughly 100 times what my gigs pay. I arrive five minutes earlier than I need to.
Click to expand...

Ordinarily I would simply allow you to have the last word, then just forget about it. Just have to say that, at least for me, it's not about the money. It's about professionalism and pride of craft.

Showing up 15 minutes after the gig was to have started, then having to set up during one's allotted performance time - even if due to an unforeseen delay - would be unacceptably amateurish. I wouldn't care if I had ten million dollars in the bank, and I never earned a dime from music. It's the principle of the thing.

MM
 
  • Like
Reactions: HolmeBass, xUptheIronsx, Fat Steve and 1 other person
#33
Mystic Michael said:
Ordinarily I would simply allow you to have the last word, then just forget about it. Just have to say that, at least for me, it's not about the money. It's about professionalism and pride of craft.

Showing up 15 minutes after the gig was to have started, then having to set up during one's allotted performance time - even if due to an unforeseen delay - would be unacceptably amateurish. I wouldn't care if I had ten million dollars in the bank, and I never earned a dime from music. It's the principle of the thing.

MM
Click to expand...
I think you misunderstood me. What I was trying to communicate was twofold:

1. My job is much more of a professional commitment than my hobby, playing in gigging bands.
2. I show up early to work out of professional committment, but not an hour early. Five minutes is fine. The to-do lists are already done, mental prep is done on my way to work or in the shower.

So, if it takes a half hour to set up for a gig, but problems can extend it to 45 minutes, then Showing up 45 minutes before a gig is good. A full hour early borders on anal. And anything else tells me the person has too much time on his hands.

I showed up to one gig 25 minutes before showtime because of a crisis at work. I am the band's soundman and we were using a brand new PA for the first time and it included a board I'd never used before. There was a quick learning curve involved in both hooking up the board as well as operating it "correctly".

Because of this, we started 5 minutes late.

Meanwhile, I was asked to run sound for an "off site" TV production (local cable) and brought my Behringer 16 channel mixer, but, remembering that I had not used it since I moved to KY, brought my 8 channel Mackie, just in case.

We got everything wired and, sure enough, nothing worked on the Behringer. I unplugged and went to the mackie and we were set up with 15 minutes to spare. It was wise to bring a backup. epilogue: I used deoxit on all the sliders and knobs on the behringer and worked them all hard and everything works fine now.
 
#34
I'm one of those people too. I'm uber-responsible. Always on time (usually early). Always prepared. Never drunk on stage. I always give it my best. So I have the same pet peeve.

Everyone can be excused for not being fully prepared once or twice. When it becomes a pattern, this is who they are -- flaky, irresponsible, lazy, passive-aggressive -- take your pick. When there is a pattern with someone, assume it will repeat and then take appropriate measures (usually means replacing them). I agree. People generally do not change that much.
 
#35
So, we have a gig at 7 and the band sez we need to be there by five to make sure the sound is right. There is no arguing about it.

Meanwhile mister passive agressive (me) will simply show up at six. It pays about $23 a band member. It's hard enough to justify being there at all, but two extra hours? That is, to be blunt, stupid.

Not happening...
 
#36
Robroy said:
So, we have a gig at 7 and the band sez we need to be there by five to make sure the sound is right. There is no arguing about it.

Meanwhile mister passive agressive (me) will simply show up at six. It pays about $23 a band member. It's hard enough to justify being there at all, but two extra hours? That is, to be blunt, stupid.

Not happening...
Click to expand...


Inquiring minds want to know,
Which band are we speaking of here?
The Partridge Family,
Or The Adams Family?
 
#38
SteveHeissner said:
I hear ya brother. The problem with a band is that it's comprised of people and is only as strong as its weakest member. It seems nothing short of a miracle when a 3, 4, 5 or more piece band gels and each member holds up their end.
Click to expand...

I figured out a LONG time ago that the advice of Del Paxton in That Thing You Do is absolutely correct. Bands come and go. And I think the hardest part of being in a band is keeping it together.
 
#39
Robroy said:
So, we have a gig at 7 and the band sez we need to be there by five to make sure the sound is right. There is no arguing about it.

Meanwhile mister passive agressive (me) will simply show up at six. It pays about $23 a band member. It's hard enough to justify being there at all, but two extra hours? That is, to be blunt, stupid.

Not happening...
Click to expand...

Someone says be there at five, and you are going to show up at six?

Not cool.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back