Weird post gig interactions

[skygzr]

A couple of years ago, right after the last song, the hottest woman in the place came up and gave me a really nice kiss. Maybe 800 milliseconds, right on the lips.

As I get older I keep hoping to be objectified at least one more time. You want me for my body? Bless you, child.

 

[bumperbass]

Screenshot of my phone. M and N are right beside each other and I have big thumbs.
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It's all in fun, my friend. The main thing is that I emjoy your posts. My phone's the same way and it takes me 5 minutes to reply in a thread because 4 minutes out of the 5, I'm fixing mistakes,

 

[bigjohnyeti]

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[Tnavis]

Oh man, so many over the years. In no particular order, as they come to mind:

- My first show with a previous band, both of their previous bass players were standing directly in front of me with arms crossed (including the one who had tracked the album we were playing the CD release for). Afterwards, he said "Well, you didn't play it exactly right, but performed it better than I would have".

- After playing a big band gig in college, the father of someone in our horn section came up to me and said "You walked onto that stage like Custer at Little Big Horn". Still not sure, to this day, if that was supposed to be a compliment.

- Set break during a jazz/funk gig in a bar, a "industry type" older guy was holding court with a bunch of waaaaay younger women and proceeded to give me a whole bunch of advice for the band. "Definitely fire the trumpet player. He's way too tall. Nobody likes to see tall horn players. Hell, fire everybody. Then rehire them. Shows them who's boss"

 

[Brad Johnson]

When I first came back to the East Coast my college roommate got me to go on an audition with him. The band was looking for a bassist and guitarist. They told us to come to a club. We walk in with gigbags and the current players appeared to realize that something was up. Turned out it was a gig and when we arrived they asked the guitarist and bassist if we could use their rigs audition to for their spots. We left.

We figured if they'd do that to them, they'd probably do it to us too.

 

[juancaminos]

I have a few...I'll go in random order. We were really trying to get into the place that is hard to describe. Full resturant, bar, huge outdoor area for volleyball, and other outdoor activities. The stage is outside and set up pretty well. There were few of these places in in AZ. I really worked the manager of this particular store, we even added songs to our set list BEFORE he hired us at his requested. Anyway we did well there and had a pretty good run there, the staff and customers loved us.

At one of our later gigs there was a few tables pushed together by the dance floor with a large gathering of people, the waitstaff were all over waiting on these people like their lives depended on it. The guys in the band were all excited because they were told that one of the owners was at that table throwing a big party. Lots of excitment was in the air. Me...I have a lot more to do that anyone else so I glanced at the table and kept setting up the PA and monitors by myself as always. I don't care too much about stuff like that. So we get set up and thru the first set, everyone leasves the stage to visit friends, pee, get drinks, etc. I stay back to make between set adjustments and get a tap on the shoulder...It's the guy from the table, the owner.

He says hey I just wanted to let you know that you are real good, you have a lot of soul, you play well and you can sing. I thank him and start to talk in general band terms. He cuts me off and says "no, I'm talking about you". "You have way more talent than anyone on this stage tonight, infact you have more natural talent than anyone I've seen on this stage in a while" Once again I thanked him and told him that this was a group effort
(I actually only sang two songs during the first set). He said "believe me I've been in this business a long time get rid of your other singer and second guitar player and I'll keep you busier than you can imagine" Once again I thanked him and told him that Dan (our lead singer and front man) was my frined and that wasn't going to happen. We talked a bit about the bar and band business and it was time to get back to work. As soon as he left the band came running over and wanted to know what he said. I told them that he liked our music and wanted to know about that band. Dan said "well you sure talk a long time for that, that's all"? I said yep lets play. That happened 11 years ago and I've never said a word to anyone.

 

[Drucifer]

That happened 11 years ago and I've never said a word to anyone.

Until today...

 

[juancaminos]

Until today...

Yes and what an audience...

 

[Pendulous]

My FiL played bass in a country/rock cover band. He invited us to one of their gigs, in ridgeway VA I think it was. It was informal, some little hole in the wall dance place for country folks. People brought food and drink. Apparently this place has been around for years.

After one set he came over to speak with family and an older woman dress in something out of Loretta Lynn’s wardrobe came over. She was gushing about the band and the men in it. She went on and on. (Mind you my MiL was there with us.)

After a bit of that she not so subtly and not so quietly told him he would be wise to go home with him that night. She’d show him things only an older woman could show him. I just about fell on the floor laughing. My FiL was at least 70 at the time. I have no idea how old she must’ve been. He turned her down and MiL gave her some icy dagger stares.

Five minutes later she was talking to the guitar player. I’m sure she made an attempt on all of them. I give her credit for confidence though!

 

[Lorenzo V]

One night after a gig, two woman came up and told me I sing "Pretty good black songs for a white guy..." I was quite chuffed with that. Another night a big intimidating guy who'd been staring intently at me for some time finally came up to me with a stern look on his face. I wasn't sure what was gonna happen. Then he says very eloquently in the most disarming voice: "I really enjoy your singing." Phew lol. Another time I'm singing 'Roxanne' and it seems like the whole bar has stopped and turned their eyes to me. I'm wondering if they think I suck, but, much to my relief I get a rousing applause at the end. Turns out I was the first one they ever had in there that could sing it in the original key lol.

 

[basscapes]

Certainly not post gig, but rather, middle of the third set, during a gig (I've posted a much more fleshed out version of this on TB before, but it's such a good story)-

Playing a "res-bar" (those of you in Northern Ontario, Canada KNOW what that is!). Third set in, and these two guys have been going at it all night at a table right in front of the stage (must have come in drunk or high or whatever).

By third set, things have gotten ugly between these two and a fight ensues- right in the middle of our cover of "The Weight" by The Band, there is a loud bang and one drops to the floor He's been shot.

As if waiting for their cue (!) FOUR RCMP officers come racing in, along with some paramedics. The cops haul out the guy still standing, and the 'meds do the same with the guy on the ground.

We figure, "Well, that's it for this evening. This party is over!" and start unplugging our instruments and tearing down.

Bar "manager" comes running up to us as we are tearing down. After a very brief exchange of colorful words, yells something to the effect of, "You guys ain't done your third set yet! Start F'ing playing!!"

We did.

We got paid after that, got our crap together and were out of there like lightening!!!

 

[redwingxix]

I'm guessing that the "res" is reservation and not restaurant?

 

[rtslinger]

Been there with the guy staring through me night, I was like who is this guy? Do I know him? does he hate the songs we are doing? We get to Ozzy stuff and I go in to Rudy Sarzo mode punching the neck and all the over the neck hand crap and now he is smiling? I guess he was waiting for the parlour tricks. Sometimes people are hard to read. Also had this couple no dancing no reaction no clapping nothing the entire night they stay. They come up to me at the end of the gig and said hey man do you have a card you guys were great we want you to play our wedding and we need! So you just never know.

 

[Darkhorse1962]

Last weekend....Lakeside bar full of entitled rich people.
Drunk bro walks up on stage and asks which one of us is sleeping with our lead singer.

Any guesses what happened next?

 

[madbass6]

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?

awsome !! be proud man! hey any tips for the rest of us cats out here out of the game for years who would like to get back in ?

 

[Verb the Noun]

Last weekend....Lakeside bar full of entitled rich people.
Drunk bro walks up on stage and asks which one of us is sleeping with our lead singer.

Any guesses what happened next?

Obvious guess is him hitting on your singer (or with the entitled rich people line demanding rather than hitting on)... but that's too predictable me thinks.

/grabs popcorn and waits for the story of what actually happened.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I might have posted this in another thread but forgive me, it's my favorite. I got a nipple print on my bass one crazy biker bar gig. It stayed there for a good while, I was careful not to smudge the smudge. She fell over a monitor after the imprint and cracked her head pretty good...

I would have shot a clearcoat over that...

BnB

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Many years ago...

Did an audition for a classic rock three piece. Aced the audition, and was invited to come hear the band play their last show with the current bassist. "But don't say anything..."

Well, yeah, because they hadn't told the old bassist he was out yet.

And, of course, who comes over to chat with Mrs 57 and me right after the first set? Exactly.

Turns out the old bassist is this 20something kid who's partially blind, real nice guy, and he's asking us how we heard about the band, telling us how good the band is and how the band is the best thing he has going for him, etc, etc.

He joined us for a pizza and beer and we chatted some more. I liked the kid more and more. Driving home, Mrs 57 and I had the same thoughts about the night.

Called the BL the next day and turned down the gig.

Way to go, mike57! Classy move. You will be rewarded for that! Great story!

 

[funkmaster p]

I heard this one a couple months ago.
"Man, you do such a great job on bass. How come nobody here gives a (BEEP)?"

 

[Verb the Noun]

awsome !! be proud man! hey any tips for the rest of us cats out here out of the game for years who would like to get back in ?

TY!!!

I started with brushing up my chops on an acoustic bass. Planted that thing in the corner of the living room so I was reminded to practice it. After 30 years or so of being a self taught "ear" player, I actually started worked on music knowledge, theory, scales, modes, bla bla bla. Have quite a few "retired" musician friends who had no desire to jump back into the game but were more than happy to play guitar with me. Informal casual jamming was a fantastic way to put my newfound knowledge into practice.

Beginning of this year I decided it was time. Got a new rig and started looking on CL. This is where my expectations hit a brick wall and I suspect is the meat of your question. The bands doing original music I was interested in were all young enough to not even give me a try out. The established cover bands obviously wanted a veteran player and not a fixer upper having another go at it.

So, I started playing with a really crappy classic rock cover project. It was pretty bad, but I made quite a few connections with decent musicians the BL was bringing in. One of those guys started a project I jumped over to that was much better. I still really didn't want to be in a cover band, but I was learning lots of songs and growing as a musician at a rate I didn't think possible. Constant line up changes kept that band from getting off the ground, but again I was making lots of connections with active local musicians.

Eventually decided I would probably just need to be the BL for what I really wanted to do. Downloaded recording software, and built a very budget home recording set up. Started writing material. Game plan was a 6 song rough demo and then start gathering musicians. Never quite got that far with it, as I stumbled on the CL add for Murder of Five and landed the job.


Woah... off topic wall of text, my bad. Hijacked my own thread.

TLDR; Practice. Jam with people. Don't be afraid to try out for crappy bands, you will get noticed and make connections. Work on your own material and don't be afraid to take on BL role if you know what you want and no one else is doing it. Keep an eye out for opportunities.