• 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.

Pre gig nap

T

tmsteph

Jan 11, 2009
54
1
#1
It is the weirdest thing, about 45 minutes before any gig that I am excited for I go into the "zone"... which puts me in a really relaxed state(I have absolutely no stage fright). So I go into the green room, back of car, or random bench and fall straight asleep for 15 or 20 minutes regardless of whats going on, wake up totally refreshed and ready to rock the snot out of my bass:bassist:. My band-mates think its hillarious!

There is even a picture of me curled up on a bench no more than 15 feet off to the left of a death metal band at a open mike!

Am I completely insane? Does this happen to ANYBODY?
 
#5
I've tried it, and it doesn't work for me, especially if in my own band where I am the front man and have to talk to the audience. Instead of waking up refreshed, sometimes I'm groggy, and lethargic. I used to have a pre-stage ritual of a couple beers, which would never fail to get me in the right mood for some rockin' blues before hitting the stage, but I don't drink anymore, so I can't do that anymore.
 
#6
I have only done this once, but I was exhausted, problem was it was the sketchiest bar I have ever played in, it was a basement bar and for some reason the back of the bar was not heated and the door had been open for about an hour as 4 bands had just loaded in, this is one of the coldest days of the year, somewhere around -40. I laid down on a disgusting couch and had a pre-show nap while a death metal band was reading verses out of the bible. If I could nap before every show I think I would too, wake up just ready to give er, unfortunately I am usually making about 10 trips to the washroom instead, ha
 
#8
A nap before a gig would just make me groggy for the first set.

I've played gigs where I could have taken a nap in the middle of the set.

And once I laid down on a couch after a gig, and then woke up to an empty bar with the band and all the equipment all cleared out. Luckily the bastriches were waiting outside, but the first few moments were very disconcerting.
 
#9
jive1 said:
I've played gigs where I could have taken a nap in the middle of the set.
Click to expand...
Man, this is the truth. Background music at corporate events or boring wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions make me extremely sleepy. There are times were I get so relaxed that I could tip right over if I'm not careful!
 
#11
jive1 said:
I've played gigs where I could have taken a nap in the middle of the set.
Click to expand...


That's usually the reason my eyes are closed!

Our sound guy passed out briefly on a couch after a gig once. For some reason, no one took any photos of him doing immoral things with produce. (Probably because the rest of us kept drinking)
 
#13
Eublet said:
Man, this is the truth. Background music at corporate events or boring wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions make me extremely sleepy. There are times were I get so relaxed that I could tip right over if I'm not careful!
Click to expand...

I have to admit that when I go to an event where someone is doing the weeble wobble, I want to request an extended version of Girl From Impanema.
 
#16
i work saturdays, so when i've played friday night, then got up and worked all day, a good power nap before saturday night's gig makes all the difference in how well i do.
 
#18
Ill try to hunt down the pic but no promises, this was on someone else's camera months ago... Maybe it has something to do with me being slightly insomniatic/wierd sleeping schedule. I generally only sleep 4-5 hours at night with 2 or 3 45 minute naps as my schedule allows(college student). So maybe my body is used to naps haha.

Also apparently I look like Im seriously on drugs when I play (I only use tobacco, dont even drink.) Maybe some weird chemicals are a churnin in my brain before I hit the stage? High on music?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back