I was an aspiring musician back in the day, and have recently jumped back into the game. One odd thing that has consistently happened to me is weird interactions with people after gigs. I must be a magnet for it despite being 6'2" and rocking an unintentional resting biotch face. Sober people leave me alone, drunk people are somehow drawn to me.
Back in the day my most memorable stories were stuff like having bands trying to recruit me (this happened several times) literally in front of my band mates. Getting hit on in front of my former wife but ONLY when she was there, no play when I was solo. Having people telling me what type of cover songs we should be playing (we were an original band) was common. The situations varied but it became a running joke and my band mates would watch to see who accosted me after each show.
Fast forward 18 years and I am back in a band. Joined up with a talented group of local guys in SD called Murder of Five, an original hard rock outfit in my age range.They were very selective, and it felt like I was participating in a season of the bachelor. The callback rehearsals went on for a couple months, but I finally got the job. 3 weeks after being officially named MoF's bass player we got a call asking if we could fill a cancellation slot at the House of Blues. My first show in 18 years was in front of 400ish people a week later. Weeeeeeee!
As expected... I picked up right where I left off with the weird interactions. Mid gig I noticed a guy I did not recognize standing in the crowd on my side of the stage staring laser beams at me. He was not bobbing in time to the music, just staring at me. Band finishes set, next band is playing and I'm in crowd watching them. I feel a tap on my shoulder... It's the dude.
Weird guy "Hey man, you killed it. I've seen you guys play a bunch of times and you are always great."
Me "Thanks man, but this is my first show with these guys."
Weird guy "Yea, I know."
Entire time he never smiled, never showed any emotion. After his "yea, I know" he turns and fades into the crowd.
He wasn't the only one who approached me after the show that gave off weird vibes, but his was the most dramatic interaction. After the gig, band mates and I are talking and I bring it up. Roaring laughter from the guys. He approached several band mates at the bar, not sure if it was before or after he talked to me, and tried to buy them a round of shots. Told them he had seen the Craigslist add and that HE was their new bass player. He even asked when rehearsal was for him to show them how much better than me he was. When they asked him why he hadn't auditioned if he was so damn good, he had some lame excuse so they started clowning him.
I also found out that the band's original bass player, and a couple of the guys who I auditioned against were there that night. Those were some of the other weird interactions, but those were nothing like Mr stalker guy.
So.... I cant be the only bass player to have weird crap like this happen. How many of you have played in front of pissed off guys who didn't get the job? What other weird post show shenanigans have been pointed at you?
Back in the day my most memorable stories were stuff like having bands trying to recruit me (this happened several times) literally in front of my band mates. Getting hit on in front of my former wife but ONLY when she was there, no play when I was solo. Having people telling me what type of cover songs we should be playing (we were an original band) was common. The situations varied but it became a running joke and my band mates would watch to see who accosted me after each show.
Fast forward 18 years and I am back in a band. Joined up with a talented group of local guys in SD called Murder of Five, an original hard rock outfit in my age range.They were very selective, and it felt like I was participating in a season of the bachelor. The callback rehearsals went on for a couple months, but I finally got the job. 3 weeks after being officially named MoF's bass player we got a call asking if we could fill a cancellation slot at the House of Blues. My first show in 18 years was in front of 400ish people a week later. Weeeeeeee!
As expected... I picked up right where I left off with the weird interactions. Mid gig I noticed a guy I did not recognize standing in the crowd on my side of the stage staring laser beams at me. He was not bobbing in time to the music, just staring at me. Band finishes set, next band is playing and I'm in crowd watching them. I feel a tap on my shoulder... It's the dude.
Weird guy "Hey man, you killed it. I've seen you guys play a bunch of times and you are always great."
Me "Thanks man, but this is my first show with these guys."
Weird guy "Yea, I know."
Entire time he never smiled, never showed any emotion. After his "yea, I know" he turns and fades into the crowd.
He wasn't the only one who approached me after the show that gave off weird vibes, but his was the most dramatic interaction. After the gig, band mates and I are talking and I bring it up. Roaring laughter from the guys. He approached several band mates at the bar, not sure if it was before or after he talked to me, and tried to buy them a round of shots. Told them he had seen the Craigslist add and that HE was their new bass player. He even asked when rehearsal was for him to show them how much better than me he was. When they asked him why he hadn't auditioned if he was so damn good, he had some lame excuse so they started clowning him.
I also found out that the band's original bass player, and a couple of the guys who I auditioned against were there that night. Those were some of the other weird interactions, but those were nothing like Mr stalker guy.
So.... I cant be the only bass player to have weird crap like this happen. How many of you have played in front of pissed off guys who didn't get the job? What other weird post show shenanigans have been pointed at you?
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