Top five things other bands do that irritate you.

[bassgod76]

I remember we played at a place that had a PA (speakers and PA head), but due to theft, did not have stands, mics, and cords. So we were opening for these presumptuous a**holes. We knew about the PA situation at this little venue, so we came prepared… They didn’t. Already put off by these guys with their holier than thou attitude, we finish our set and promptly strip the stage of our stuff. We almost made it out of the venue before they noticed. Just as I closed my last bag, one of the guitarists comes up to me and is like, “Um, we’re used to having a prepared PA. Can we borrow one of your speaker cables?” If they would’ve asked for all the cables, I would’ve told him to go pound sand, but I felt bad. I just watched that movie, “Pay It Forward”, so I loaned him a speaker cable. Never again! They play their set and finish. You would think that prick b*stard would yank that cable and promptly return it to me. Oh no! They wandered down to the bar to get drinks and hang out with each other. My band mates already left, because these guys were such turds. This forced me to yank the cable myself, wrap it up, and of course these “rock stars” were too cool to say thank you. Rude!!!!

If someone from another band loans you gear, please return it promptly, in the same condition, accompanied by a “thank you” or a beer! Sheesh!

 

[bassgod76]

Bassgod76, I commend your unrestricted stage presence. Your fearless use of a thong in public makes it obvious you have balls.

Thanks! The thong always brought about many great stories. Too many to tell!

 

[TortillaChip520]

+1 to the shorts thing (yeah, even if you play metal... don't be a pu**y!), but even worse are the disgusting, worn out, white-three-years-ago sneakers.

The clothes make the man, but the SHOES make the clothes! I don't expect everyone to have on $300 Cole-Haans, but a halfway decent pair of CLEAN sneakers from this decade would be a HUGE improvement for MOST bands...

the irony....

just read it to yourself with a strong lisp, and you'll be lauging as hard as i am..

 

[Andy Brown]

I can't stand bands with mismatched members. I am not paying to see a short fat guy singing and a guy who looks like lurch playing the mandolin. Keep it roughly the same size and shape.

Are you kidding? This is one of the most stupid things I've seen here if you weren't.

Who cares what the band looks like as long as they rock.

 

[phaneo]

I guess you didn't look at the clip.
It was Eric Clapton looking like he just staggered out of the tour bus in his PJ's and doing just fine without an image consultant.

I saw the clip and saw Clapton in a pair of jeans a faded t shirt and a three day beard. To me that's no big deal, he looks comfortable and he's Clapton!

 

[krovx]

Not too big on the look of the band, more interested in the sound.

Here are a few that have irritated me over the years, many which have been previously mentioned.

1. Noodling. On stage or at practice, either way it is %^&*ing annoying and very unprofessional.
2. The gear borrowers. You know, the person who just got a bass but has no rig, or is too lazy to bring their so they want to use your hard earned premo gear. It is always uncomfortable situation because you do not want to be a dick yet, if something were to happen to your gear while they were using it would piss you off. Plus, most of the people who ask to borrow gear are clueless about gear.

Me:"This is a four ohm cab is your gear compatibile with that, how many watts are you pushing?" etc.
Them: " I donno man, I just play. Rock-n-roll bro!" RAWR!

3. Bands, especially rock bands, that lack bass players. Why is this becoming so popular? You sound like crap live, and your guitar(s) tone usually sucks trying to compensate for the lack of bass.
4. People who do not have setup and takedown to a science. It is like they have never moved their gear at all, staring into the abyss or whatever. Move! Not to mention most of these jokers end up playing longer than were scheduled.
5. Bands that are always asking for hook ups and favors, but NEVER return the favor or even show a sign of gratitude when you do help. Or, if you go out of your way to help someone, they don't even bother to show up or tell anyone that cannot make the gig. Ultimately making you look like a joke.

Just five right?

 

[chanson]

Metal bands who insist in describing themselves as brutal, epic, etc. when in reality they can hardly play and are neither of those terms

Musicians who play cheap, crappy instruments covered in stickers

 

[fenderfunker]

I can't stand bands with mismatched members. I am not paying to see a short fat guy singing and a guy who looks like lurch playing the mandolin. Keep it roughly the same size and shape.

This is so funny. Can you imagine auditioning new members; I'm sorry, You play fantasticly, your gear is top notch, you own a studio and PA and a truck, but you look too different to me.
***.

 

[The Artist]

Again, my band^^ Our singer uses a music stand for his lyrics and we're an alt. hard rock band. Worse still we have been playing for close to 5 years now. It just looks so not rock and roll! and he still get is wrong some gigs, so whats the point?^^ oh well, but otherwise he's fun to watch

 

[roysloco]

...
2. The gear borrowers. You know, the person who just got a bass but has no rig, or is too lazy to bring their so they want to use your hard earned premo gear. It is always uncomfortable situation because you do not want to be a dick yet, if something were to happen to your gear while they were using it would piss you off. Plus, most of the people who ask to borrow gear are clueless about gear.
...

I'm a 'permanent guest' with 3 busy bands, so I gig about twice a week.
99% of gigs I play :

1. Start with 4 flights of stairs (with no lift) ...
2. then 10 minute walk to the train station (usually in the rain) ...
3. followed by a very cramped train ride to work at rush hour ...
4. followed by a 10 minute walk (in the rain) to the office where I have to stash my gear under my desk.
5. Then I finish work and walk at least another 10-15 minutes (in the rain) to the gig.
​

Bringing a bass amp to a gig would be ridiculously difficult for me so I always borrow at the gig or just go through the PA.

That said, I never assume it's okay (even if the sound guys says so - I always make a point of introducing myself to the owner and paying attention to his instructions regarding his gear), always say thanks afterwards and assume I owe him at least a pint in return for the favour. If someone didn't want to let me play through their amp I wouldn't be remotely offended and I'd just use the PA+stage monitors - I totally get that it's worth more than the money you paid for it (my guitarist doesn't lend out his acoustic for that very reason).

One day I'll get a roadie and none of this will matter

I hate the arrogance you sometimes get off other bands at gigs. Arrogance = you think you're better than everyone else, it doesn't = genius (and they're invariably 'average').

 

[The Owl]

All of the above and that classic insult, "So when are you gonna get a real bass like a Fender?"

MUST---RESTRAIN---FIST--OF---DEATH!!!!!!

 

[bassgod76]

All of the above and that classic insult, "So when are you gonna get a real bass like a Fender?"

MUST---RESTRAIN---FIST--OF---DEATH!!!!!!

I have experienced my share of retards, but never have encountered this. That is an invitation for an ass-whipping.

 

[nortonrider]

2. The gear borrowers. You know, the person who just got a bass but has no rig, or is too lazy to bring their so they want to use your hard earned premo gear. It is always uncomfortable situation because you do not want to be a dick yet, if something were to happen to your gear while they were using it would piss you off. Plus, most of the people who ask to borrow gear are clueless about gear.

Agree! It's like like a carpenter showing up to work and having to borrow a hammer.

 

[The Owl]

Metal bands who insist in describing themselves as brutal, epic, etc. when in reality they can hardly play and are neither of those terms

Musicians who play cheap, crappy instruments covered in stickers

+ INFINITY!

 

[Beatle Bob]

I think it's good to know Free bird. then, when some idiot shouts it out, you can shut him/her fairly quickly. also, the crowd will see that person as an idiot. (double points!)
How come nobody ever shouts for Inagodadavida ???

 

[Tony In Philly]

2. The gear borrowers. You know, the person who just got a bass but has no rig, or is too lazy to bring their so they want to use your hard earned premo gear. It is always uncomfortable situation because you do not want to be a dick yet, if something were to happen to your gear while they were using it would piss you off. Plus, most of the people who ask to borrow gear are clueless about gear.

I just got an email from our guitarist who is doing a gig with some other guys that are notorious gear borrowers. They wanted to use of our stage monitors because apparently they only have one. These days with so many multi-band folks there is this assumption often comes up that because this guy plays in that band, the gear borrower types think they should have free access to whatever the other band uses. I just answered back "I don't even want people asking us". I hate being put in the position of either being a jerk or being totally rolled by somebody. I'm sure they all think I'm a jerk now, but if I had said yes, they'd certainly be doing this again, and once you put your foot down and say no, then you're suddenly the bad guy. So my response was almost like "I'm gonna pretend you never asked me".

Why can't most of these insolvent narcissists go out and buy their own gear?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Again, my band^^ Our singer uses a music stand for his lyrics and we're an alt. hard rock band. Worse still we have been playing for close to 5 years now. It just looks so not rock and roll! and he still get is wrong some gigs, so whats the point?^^ oh well, but otherwise he's fun to watch

Haha, I dunno. I think I`d almost rather have my singer up on stage holding a lyric sheet than forgetting the words on a constant basis. The singer of my band complains that it`s so hard to remember the words to songs, even though all of us have to remember our parts as well. Besides, I don`t know how anyone could possibly not learn all the words to Voodoo Child within a few listens If any good has come from it, I do get to sing that song now

 

[Beatle Bob]

All of the above and that classic insult, "So when are you gonna get a real bass like a Fender?"

MUST---RESTRAIN---FIST--OF---DEATH!!!!!!

I totally agree!! "IT'S A POOR MUSICIAN WHO BLAMES HIS/HERINSTRUMENT"!!!

Along with my nicer guitars, I have a Hofner (copy) violin bass.
It's actually better than Hofner's entry level Beatle bass.
My point is: Nobody who heard my band has EVER made a snyde remark about it. That type of comment is most often made by some goof who cannot play, or equates good musicianship with brand names. Anybody here remember this little band called "The Beatles"? Guess what, YESTERDAY WAS RECORDED USING AN EPIPHONE!!!!!
AS WAS THE SOLO ON TAXMAN, DRIVE MY CAR, & AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING!!! GET THAT?? EPIPHONE, NOT GIBSON!!!!

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I just got an email from our guitarist who is doing a gig with some other guys that are notorious gear borrowers. They wanted to use of our stage monitors because apparently they only have one. These days with so many multi-band folks there is this assumption often comes up that because this guy plays in that band, the gear borrower types think they should have free access to whatever the other band uses. I just answered back "I don't even want people asking us". I hate being put in the position of either being a jerk or being totally rolled by somebody. I'm sure they all think I'm a jerk now, but if I had said yes, they'd certainly be doing this again, and once you put your foot down and say no, then you're suddenly the bad guy. So my response was almost like "I'm gonna pretend you never asked me".

Why can't most of these insolvent narcissists go out and buy their own gear?

I find that if you charge them a 'rental fee' most people quickly say, "forget it". This way you don`t seem like a total @$$, rather, it just looks like you want to make money off of your own personal investment which is more that reasonable. I figure anyone who takes offense to this is a freeloader and not worth any of your band members time.

 

[lousybassplayer]

Who cares what the band looks like as long as they rock.

Well, I was kidding, but I take issue with the above statement. What if they are a jazz band at a high paying private gig? Should they "rock" in this instance? Probably not.

My point was that I griping about clothes and shoes is pretty silly, so why not complain about fat guys and skinny guys? Or yellow socks? Or a lead singer who prefers cats to dogs? Hypothetically showing up in ratty clothes to a classy gig is pretty inappropriate, but has anyone ever seen this? Not very likely that a band who did it would get a whole lot of work. IF you are seeing a band play live, they are doing it right clothing wise or they wouldn't be there.

The only thing that irritates me about a band is when I think they suck. In such an instance I choose to go to the bar, leave or just grin and bear it.