Jah Works. Great band, but what's with the fake accent (at least I suspect it's fake)?
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The BIGGEST douche move onstage is...
- Thread starter GlennW
- Start date
Jah Works. Great band, but what's with the fake accent (at least I suspect it's fake)?
I can do Birmingham, Liverpool, London & Cockney. I'm working on Yorkshire.
It's the same here in the States. I come from New York City and there are at least five different NYC accents. Most people just do Brooklyn. There are dozens of southern accents as well. I can listen to NASCAR drivers and tell what state they're from, sometimes even what part of what state. I've always found regional accents and dialects fascinating.
So work ethic and overcoming a fear of performing is douchey? Only in the world of musicians.
Are you talking about the work ethic that prompted a CL ad which includes:
"-Let's make music, break ****, and **** girls!"
How did that pan out?
I once worked on a project in Minnesota with a guy who had just flown in from Newcastle. At first, none of the locals there could understand a word he said. I had to translate for them until they got used to his Geordie accent.
You are correct. Love that band- I used to plan my month around them when I booked bands at a club in Philly. None of them are Jamaican- not sure why the lead singer needed to use the accent. The music stood on its own.
- Jan 27, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
Actually, the ad is quite effective. I intentionally wrote an ad that would appeal to the emotions of a lot of people, and it's gotten more replies than I know what to do with. Even so, it's hit or miss depending on distance and how the bands operate. I played with a band last week that was a bit loud considering we were "jamming" in their basement, but it was all right. Sunday I'm playing with another band.
Besides which, I enjoy making music, breaking things, and girls. Three great tastes that taste great together.
I’ve already commented a couple times on this thread, mostly for humor and bringing up different examples that fit the OP’s description of what is “douche.” More serious for a minute after givin it more thought my opinion is this:
1. It was already mentioned that “douche is the new “@$$H0L3” what does it say about our society that we consider an object that cleans female genitalia to be a more degrading term than calling someone a donkey’s anus? Why does it have to be about gender? Just like calling someone a pu$$y, it’s sexist isn’t it? Am I the only one who thinks so?
2. Wearing sandals, shorts, or sunglasses to an indoor bar show might come off a bit “frat boy-ish” but I never really thought of it, or Hawian shirts, as being a “douche” move, and for outdoor shows in warm climates it seems common enough as others have stated.
The way you dress isn’t “douche” or “@$$H0L3ish” or “dickish” Axel Rose is! More specifically, not respecting and appreciating your audience is what is. Don't cancel shows for no reason, don't go on late and make the audience wait, don't overcharge ticket prices, etc. I was in a band where we were given tickets to sell we were supposed to sell tickets for $10and the club got $5 from each ticket. I found this rediculous because we were not a known band, it was one of our first shows, it was a crappy little dive bar etc. $10 was too much for this show in my oppinion, so I just sold the tickets for $5 and gave it all to the club and played for free. Then when we got to the bar noone was watching the door anyway so you didn't even need a ticket to get in really. But the guitarist and drummer sold their tickets for $10 to all their friends and family that came out. That is "douche" not what you wear.
1. It was already mentioned that “douche is the new “@$$H0L3” what does it say about our society that we consider an object that cleans female genitalia to be a more degrading term than calling someone a donkey’s anus? Why does it have to be about gender? Just like calling someone a pu$$y, it’s sexist isn’t it? Am I the only one who thinks so?
2. Wearing sandals, shorts, or sunglasses to an indoor bar show might come off a bit “frat boy-ish” but I never really thought of it, or Hawian shirts, as being a “douche” move, and for outdoor shows in warm climates it seems common enough as others have stated.
The way you dress isn’t “douche” or “@$$H0L3ish” or “dickish” Axel Rose is! More specifically, not respecting and appreciating your audience is what is. Don't cancel shows for no reason, don't go on late and make the audience wait, don't overcharge ticket prices, etc. I was in a band where we were given tickets to sell we were supposed to sell tickets for $10and the club got $5 from each ticket. I found this rediculous because we were not a known band, it was one of our first shows, it was a crappy little dive bar etc. $10 was too much for this show in my oppinion, so I just sold the tickets for $5 and gave it all to the club and played for free. Then when we got to the bar noone was watching the door anyway so you didn't even need a ticket to get in really. But the guitarist and drummer sold their tickets for $10 to all their friends and family that came out. That is "douche" not what you wear.
Most "Band Management" threads are actually just "Band Drama". Maybe there should be a separate forum for that as well. Anyway, it all makes for great entertainment when I should be working.
I think its secretly called "Band [Drama] Management" where we learn to manage our bands drama.
And yes, it does distract me from my work.
...And yes, it does distract me from my work.
How can it not? It's pure Schadenfreude.
During an open mic night, when someone tries coming up on stage and telling you how to play in the middle of a song.
Happened to me with one other bassist who thought he was God's gift to the world. As it turns out, he didn't know what he was playing at all. He didn't know the chord intervals or turns, and his "instructions" made the jam all the more embarrassing.
This happened in front of a full house, and a girl I liked was sitting right there watching as it went on. She hasn't spoken to me since then.
However, I got my revenge. Last night at the same place for the open mic night, I tore out another bass solo and made that douche leave with his head tilted. That would mark the second time I made a crappy bassist leave in shame.
Happened to me with one other bassist who thought he was God's gift to the world. As it turns out, he didn't know what he was playing at all. He didn't know the chord intervals or turns, and his "instructions" made the jam all the more embarrassing.
This happened in front of a full house, and a girl I liked was sitting right there watching as it went on. She hasn't spoken to me since then.
However, I got my revenge. Last night at the same place for the open mic night, I tore out another bass solo and made that douche leave with his head tilted. That would mark the second time I made a crappy bassist leave in shame.
As an Aussie, I'd have to say most fake Australian accents sound more tragic that douchy to me . . .
I love accents, I love trying to imitate them. Speaking briefly in an affected accent isn't "douchey" or "disrespecting by "making fun of some ethnicity", using a fake accent all night or trying to pass yourself off as being from somewhere else probably is "douchey". At the least, extended fakery is annoying.
Sheena Easton has a strong Scottish brogue speaking, but sings in a neutral American accent; in an interview, she said it's not on purpose, it's just what comes out.
If you cover "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" or "Drugs In My Pocket", should you affect an accent if your own doesn't match the original vocalist? Certainly would sound weird for some songs to have the singer's natural accent that doesn't match the original song, though it's probably best to stick with natural at all times. Some songs definitely don't need the affectation, mostly in C&W, which leads me to...
Nothing worse than hearing a Canadian C&W band that's trying to sound "country" with an indistinct "southern drawl" added to the lyrics. *shudder*. Most Canadian country acts seem to do this. *shudder* *shudder*
*chuckle* I've experienced this sort of thing numerous times. We (the band) once helped ourselves to a sumptuous buffet before they could stop us; we were supposed to eat with the sound crew who got burgers & fries.
Another gig we were told we'd get a meal, when we arrived the bar owner encouraged us to have pizza and that we could have whatever we wanted off the menu for supper after he showed us to our hotel rooms. When we got back to the bar we found our supper WAS the pizza we'd had earlier.
I don't mind if a venue puts some restraints on menu choice (burgers ok, pasta ok; Lobster thermidor not ok), but "Douchey" is a wedding gig or corporate gig where they give the band lame sandwiches instead of just giving the band the same damn gourmet meal everyone else is eating. C'mon! 200 orders of Fillet Mignon, what's another three or four you cheap bastiches; your ham&cheese on Wonderbread is INSULTING.
Speaking of food, well, food for thought...
+1 I pick up accents easily, unintentionally.
Madonna spends a lot of time in the UK. I watched the youtube clip of her "evolving English accent" and it A) doesn't sound very strong at all and B) that she just picked it up naturally and isn't forced/faked.
When I was aged 7, I spent a month in California. When I got home my friend asked "Why are you talking like that?"
Years ago my then Scottish girlfriend's family visited and asked why she was talking like a Canadian, yet she still sounded very Scottish indeed to any non-Scot.
A friend who was born in Canada, raised in the UK to age 14, then back to Canada where he remains, now in his 40s, still sounds like a Brit.
My Irish friend also came to Canada about age 14, where he has remained and he has completely lost his Irish accent, though it comes back a bit with a few pints in him.
I had a great instructor once who stuttered. I had the utmost respect for the man, but I had a very difficult time discussing anything with him as I had to stifle the urge t t tuh tuh to stutter, so great was my compulsion. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery? I can't stammer it.
I don't know any Dutch people (my best friend is Dutch, and I spent a month in Holland) who speak English without a hint of their Dutch accent.
I used to do voice dubbing, cartoons & movies, and had to affect many accents (English, German, French, Italian etc) and certainly to a native speaker they would laugh, but it was close enough for the people signing my cheques. However, the Dutch speaking English is an accent that cannot be imitated. Well, not by me or anyone I've heard attempt it.
The funniest thing I ever heard was my Chinese-Dutch friend speak to our cab driver in Cantonese, with a strong Dutch Accent!
BIGGEST 'DOUCHEY' move onstage is... to not get onstage.
One of my band's, the BL/guitarist/lead vocalist called the last minute before an extremely important gig (trying to impress a booking agent) and tell the rest of the band "I don't think I can make it" with no sub. The gig was lined up 3 months in advance, there was no reason/excuse for his absence.
The client was not pleased, the agent who booked us was not pleased, we bandmates were not pleased. The agent still calls me personally for gigs, luckily, but no more gigs for "that" band from said agent. Then there was the time we were to start a resident Sunday gig and he showed up more than two hours late to the first Sunday, which turned out to be our last. And then the time he...
BTW,
IMO, the term "Douche" is increasingly overused, and alas shows no signs of abating.
Sheena Easton has a strong Scottish brogue speaking, but sings in a neutral American accent; in an interview, she said it's not on purpose, it's just what comes out.
If you cover "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" or "Drugs In My Pocket", should you affect an accent if your own doesn't match the original vocalist? Certainly would sound weird for some songs to have the singer's natural accent that doesn't match the original song, though it's probably best to stick with natural at all times. Some songs definitely don't need the affectation, mostly in C&W, which leads me to...
Nothing worse than hearing a Canadian C&W band that's trying to sound "country" with an indistinct "southern drawl" added to the lyrics. *shudder*. Most Canadian country acts seem to do this. *shudder* *shudder*
Biggest?
Right. .... We had a corporate gig at a winery we'd played at many times. Our (former) drummer was known to have a bit of a short fuse but We'd not had any real probs.
We were told dinner was supplied this night- a bonus imo. After set up, sound check etc we have an hour or so to fill- this place is out in the sticks so we usually hang around, but dinner was coming so we looked thru the menu.
Looking at the a' la carte' menu we were considering what delicious meal to get (for free). Then a waitress comes over & gives us a 'pizza menu' and says we can pick from this.
Ok, a bit of a downer, but not a problem. The pizza's were ranging from trad Italian to 'gourmet' local ingredients. Atlantic Salmon, local cheeses & meats. A nice choice really AND it was free!!!
Now as we'd been previously lusting over the full menu, we had a few li'l QUIET & private jokes about being 'muso's & so only "good enough" for the "pizza menu".
All in fun & we were cackling
So. ..fwd to the gig. ..
After our meal, which was very good, we get up to play 1st set -Jazz & quiet dinner type stuff. After the 1st song, or guitard took an extra few seconds between songs to do something, & our lead singer jokingly said to the rather friendly & talkative crowd, "well, time for a joke".... The drummer, who unbeknownst to us had been privately seething about not being "allowed" the full menu, pipes up rather loudly-
"I know a good joke," (then SHOUTS) "PIZZA!!!" Them threw a drum stick onto the dance floor.:what:
The crowd all looked on., shocked. We were mortified as WE knew what he meant. I don't know whether the management heard, but they Probly heard later if not.
We tried to cover up as much as possible then carried on as professionally as possible.
We did sack that drummer very soon after. Shame, Co he's a VERY good drummer. :thumbdown:
*chuckle* I've experienced this sort of thing numerous times. We (the band) once helped ourselves to a sumptuous buffet before they could stop us; we were supposed to eat with the sound crew who got burgers & fries.
Another gig we were told we'd get a meal, when we arrived the bar owner encouraged us to have pizza and that we could have whatever we wanted off the menu for supper after he showed us to our hotel rooms. When we got back to the bar we found our supper WAS the pizza we'd had earlier.
I don't mind if a venue puts some restraints on menu choice (burgers ok, pasta ok; Lobster thermidor not ok), but "Douchey" is a wedding gig or corporate gig where they give the band lame sandwiches instead of just giving the band the same damn gourmet meal everyone else is eating. C'mon! 200 orders of Fillet Mignon, what's another three or four you cheap bastiches; your ham&cheese on Wonderbread is INSULTING.
Speaking of food, well, food for thought...
Okay, I'm going to throw something out here as food for thought. I used to do quite a lot of travel for work, and often I would stop and stay in different areas of the country/world for fairly long stretches of time. After a few weeks there I inevitably acquired a taste of the local accent. After a couple of months there I sounded like a native. I remember one time after working in Louisiana visiting a bar and someone asking me if I hailed from Shreveport. He asked because of the accent I'd picked up.
This happens whether I want it to or not. I actually have to actively fight the process, and even then it doesn't stop it... It just delays it for a bit. I have a totally unproven theory that it might be related to my musical ear, but I'd want to talk to a bunch of other traveling musos about it before I said that with any confidence.
The reason I mention it is because a few people have mentioned Madonna inn relation to the 'fake accent' thing. I'm no fan, but given my personal history with accents I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt considering all the time she's spent across the pond.
At any rate, I'm hoping that an "honestly acquired fake accent" at least rates a little lower on the doucheyness scale
+1 I pick up accents easily, unintentionally.
Madonna spends a lot of time in the UK. I watched the youtube clip of her "evolving English accent" and it A) doesn't sound very strong at all and B) that she just picked it up naturally and isn't forced/faked.
When I was aged 7, I spent a month in California. When I got home my friend asked "Why are you talking like that?"
Years ago my then Scottish girlfriend's family visited and asked why she was talking like a Canadian, yet she still sounded very Scottish indeed to any non-Scot.
A friend who was born in Canada, raised in the UK to age 14, then back to Canada where he remains, now in his 40s, still sounds like a Brit.
My Irish friend also came to Canada about age 14, where he has remained and he has completely lost his Irish accent, though it comes back a bit with a few pints in him.
I had a great instructor once who stuttered. I had the utmost respect for the man, but I had a very difficult time discussing anything with him as I had to stifle the urge t t tuh tuh to stutter, so great was my compulsion. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery? I can't stammer it.
I don't know any Dutch people (my best friend is Dutch, and I spent a month in Holland) who speak English without a hint of their Dutch accent.
I used to do voice dubbing, cartoons & movies, and had to affect many accents (English, German, French, Italian etc) and certainly to a native speaker they would laugh, but it was close enough for the people signing my cheques. However, the Dutch speaking English is an accent that cannot be imitated. Well, not by me or anyone I've heard attempt it.
The funniest thing I ever heard was my Chinese-Dutch friend speak to our cab driver in Cantonese, with a strong Dutch Accent!
BIGGEST 'DOUCHEY' move onstage is... to not get onstage.
One of my band's, the BL/guitarist/lead vocalist called the last minute before an extremely important gig (trying to impress a booking agent) and tell the rest of the band "I don't think I can make it" with no sub. The gig was lined up 3 months in advance, there was no reason/excuse for his absence.
The client was not pleased, the agent who booked us was not pleased, we bandmates were not pleased. The agent still calls me personally for gigs, luckily, but no more gigs for "that" band from said agent. Then there was the time we were to start a resident Sunday gig and he showed up more than two hours late to the first Sunday, which turned out to be our last. And then the time he...
BTW,
IMO, the term "Douche" is increasingly overused, and alas shows no signs of abating.
