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What makes a band FUN?
- Thread starter trackskinz
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Like minded musicians, who all can play well. Listen, and react. Think song first. Leave ego at home.
This is the answer I like best so far. If the band is a good live act, then the audience will derive their own fun from the event. Indeed, as innovators in all fields do, the best bands showed their fans the way by changing the game.
Consider the Ramones at their height. Another dead serious band, they shook the foundations of rock, reviving its sincerity and joy, and the kids loved them for it. In performance they had their four-point stage formation set. While the other Ramones thrashed about, Joey, like the eye of a tornado, didn't move much, clung to the mike for dear life, wore black shades, and sang his heart out... into the mike, not out to the audience. The crowd went mental.
Similarly, but importantly distinctive, The Specials featured multiple front men with fractional, complementary duties. Terry Hall was in the center, internalized, almost reluctant, and clean cut looking, while the others spun around him, strutting, thrashing, posing, entertaining. "fun" was the natural by-product of The Specials' music. An ultimate party band, with no extrovert, gregarious front person needed. Their audiences jumped in unison like pistons to the beat, from start to finish, every show.
What makes a band FUN?
Working hard and playing hard.
The best bands I have been in weren't afraid of sacrifice and hard work behind the scenes. The best band mates put a lid on their rock star attitude behind the scenes and were team players, and then became superb entertainers and let their inner rock stars shine on the stage.
It is possible to work hard at rehearsal and simultaneously take opportunities to find the humor in life, music, and being an entertainer. My current band focuses and works our butts off for three solid hours at rehearsal, but we still crack jokes and really enjoy each others' company while we're at it.
The most fun I ever had in a band were those that were highly prepared/rehearsed, knew the material like the backs of our hands, were uninhibited and audience-centered, and put on a great show each and every time. The audience appreciation, client approval, and repeat invitations are worth all the hard work. And having band mates who agree is priceless.
Working hard and playing hard.
The best bands I have been in weren't afraid of sacrifice and hard work behind the scenes. The best band mates put a lid on their rock star attitude behind the scenes and were team players, and then became superb entertainers and let their inner rock stars shine on the stage.
It is possible to work hard at rehearsal and simultaneously take opportunities to find the humor in life, music, and being an entertainer. My current band focuses and works our butts off for three solid hours at rehearsal, but we still crack jokes and really enjoy each others' company while we're at it.
The most fun I ever had in a band were those that were highly prepared/rehearsed, knew the material like the backs of our hands, were uninhibited and audience-centered, and put on a great show each and every time. The audience appreciation, client approval, and repeat invitations are worth all the hard work. And having band mates who agree is priceless.
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Sure this has already been said, but as a bassist/frontman, having an interesting and engaging frontman is probably the single most important thing to worry about for an engaging live performance.
If they're standing there like a stone and not expressing themselves to the music and engaging the audience, then they aren't doing their job as a frontman, period.
In a live situation, the musical performance isn't always more important than the image. They both play a huge role in the band. Being a great vocalist is only half the job description of being a front man.
If they're standing there like a stone and not expressing themselves to the music and engaging the audience, then they aren't doing their job as a frontman, period.
In a live situation, the musical performance isn't always more important than the image. They both play a huge role in the band. Being a great vocalist is only half the job description of being a front man.
I think "having fun," and how it is displayed, are very subjective. I believe in "serious fun," even though some bands have an image that discourages admitting how much they are enjoying themselves. I'm a pretty big fan, and in every live video I've seen of The Clash it appears to me that they are totally enjoying, in their own way, owning the stage, playing their music, creating an experience, and engaging the audience the way they did.
To me, "energy" and "passion" are the by-products of a rewarding performance experience.
Since you're a cover band, I'd suggest (while working on everyone's showmanship as others have commented) that you take a good look at your material. Likely wouldn't be too hard to slant your set more to the fun side than what you currently have I bet. Might not be your favorite material but that's not the point of a cover band!
In my younger days I played with some friends and for the last set we would all come out wearing Hawaiian/tropical shirts. We called ourselves the, 'Mauna Loa brothers." The keyboard player actually came up with a whole back story for the family and assigned names for the band members and are regular followers. A gimmick, sure, but we had fun and more importantly the audience had fun. Some even started wearing tropical shirts to our shows. Life is short and the music business is tough, so enjoy both as much as you can. Have fun man, it's music! Keep the groove.
I know I'm in a boring to watch band. I've seen the videos (emphasis on the plural).
We don't move a lot. Guitarist is mainly staring at the guitar. Singer, he's being replaced due to him leaving, once sang with his hands in his pockets. I made fun of him. Can't say much about the drummer because he just drums.
I dance in a three foot radius. As much as I'd love to run around the usual small stage, natural shyness and a short audio cable keeps me stationary.
Between songs... Singer and I were getting better at banter. Not great.
My point is watching a video of your gig. If you can't even entertain yourself, it's a lesson to step up your charisma.
The main thing, as everyone else wrote, is to include the crowd. If you love the music, or at least fake like you do, make sure the crowd knows it and can join you in the fun.
As far as MC ing, that's not my strong suit. Perhaps during the third set after a few chats with the bartender. Then I'll tell you goofy jokes based on life experiences.
Good luck. Have fun.
We don't move a lot. Guitarist is mainly staring at the guitar. Singer, he's being replaced due to him leaving, once sang with his hands in his pockets. I made fun of him. Can't say much about the drummer because he just drums.
I dance in a three foot radius. As much as I'd love to run around the usual small stage, natural shyness and a short audio cable keeps me stationary.
Between songs... Singer and I were getting better at banter. Not great.
My point is watching a video of your gig. If you can't even entertain yourself, it's a lesson to step up your charisma.
The main thing, as everyone else wrote, is to include the crowd. If you love the music, or at least fake like you do, make sure the crowd knows it and can join you in the fun.
As far as MC ing, that's not my strong suit. Perhaps during the third set after a few chats with the bartender. Then I'll tell you goofy jokes based on life experiences.
Good luck. Have fun.
Pelle is one of the best frontmen in the last 15+ years. Great charisma and stage rap. He can have the crowd eating from the palm of his hand. Pure confidence and bravado. He just comes across as a fun (and funny) guy.
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For me what makes a band fun is...
1) playing a music selection that I like
2) playing music with people I like
3) playing music with people who are really really great musicians but have a sense of humility
4) getting paid well
1) playing a music selection that I like
2) playing music with people I like
3) playing music with people who are really really great musicians but have a sense of humility
4) getting paid well
In the case of every band I have ever been it, the most affable person without fail is the drummer.
Yep. I'm in a classic rock cover band too and what makes us 'fun' is when we play and have a good time on stage and it makes the crowd dance. Lots of times this means playing stuff that we as a band don't care much about but we can nail it if we have to.
It's obvious when the band is having a great time playing Driven to Tears, Mama Kin and Fight the Good Fight and it only entertains ourselves. When we play any Bruno Mars the place gets up and has a blast.
We end up playing more Bruno and Miranda Lambert and less Yes. We're there to sell beer.
Recognizable songs that aren't boring or depressing. A visible sense of fun and interaction among the musicians onstage.
