Hey all you guys and gals of TB. I want to know what it was like to play your 1st gig. Did it suck or rock? Were you nervous or not? What ever.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What was it like playing your 1st gig?
- Thread starter Eric Albany
- Start date
20 years ago, in my first band I was playing guitar. I was nervous as heck and made quite a few mistakes on each song.
10 years ago, in my first band as a bass player I was excited and ready to play. Only made a few mistakes per song and they were all very minor. We all did well.
Joe.
My first gig went really well and we had alot of listeners there... well because we were warming up for this kinda succesful band because the guitarist of the band was our drummers father... Only thing that keeps haunting from that gig was that I later noticed that I had learned the song pretty much WRONG... It didn`t sound awful but there were alot of parts just off...
Was very nervous for my first gig, but it was great. Once my legs stopped shaking somewhere around the 5th song.
My first "paying" gig was outdoors at a street festival in this little town. I thought we sucked but when I watched the video later it was actually pretty good.
klokker said:
Small towns are great because you know a lot of people, but are bad because if you fail miserably then every one who knows you and doesn't like you will give you crap for it.
We knew 6 songs - it was just me on bass & the guitar player. We picked up a drummer who never played with us before. When the night was over the bar owner asked us back and gave us a case of beer "for the road" . It was not one of your higher class venues, but from then on I always liked playing on the stage.
We played well....but our audience were all senior citizens minus about 5 friends from school that decided to come....... :\
Needless to say we have since moved on to much better things. (Thank God)
Needless to say we have since moved on to much better things. (Thank God)
My first gig was at a high school in 1980. We opened for another band. We were a 5 peice. Drums, bass, 2 guitars and keys. During the 3rd song, the power on one side of the stage went out. The side that I was on with one guitar player had power so we continued to play. During the next song, the power was restored but it went out a couple more times during our set. When we finished, the other band came out. They were a 4 piece. A drummer who played electronic drums, guitar, bass and keys. Power went out several times and they had no choice but to walk off stage because nothing worked. By the time it was straightened out it was obvious that the audience didn't like what the band was playing. They kept cheering for us to go back on. We had a lot of fun but the headlining band was upset by what happened and wouldn't talk to us after the show. They broke up shortly after that. My band stayed together and became the house band a local club. We gigged 5 nights per week for the next 4 years.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
1969 or 1970. High school jazz band. I was OK until I looked into the audience and saw something completely unexpected: Pop (a pro jazz bassist) was there. I had no idea he'd be attending!
I remember my hands suddenly becoming very clammy, and a certain part of my anatomy instantaneously going to full emergency pucker. Everyone told me I did a good job, but I don't remember anything after that moment.
The next day, there was a newspaper article with a color photo. The costumes we were required to wear were awful - polyester in vivid colors - imagine the Partridge Family on acid.
I remember my hands suddenly becoming very clammy, and a certain part of my anatomy instantaneously going to full emergency pucker. Everyone told me I did a good job, but I don't remember anything after that moment.
The next day, there was a newspaper article with a color photo. The costumes we were required to wear were awful - polyester in vivid colors - imagine the Partridge Family on acid.
I was nervous at first until we started playing. Thats when i remembered that i knew the songs like the back of my hand and had a blast.
I was lead guitar in a ska band about 8 years ago. First show was in a Boys and Girls Club. It was scary as hell.
My first gig in a rock band was during my sophomore year battle of the bands. We played Funk 49 and White Room. To say the least, I was pretty damn nervous because I had never heard either song until a week before we were scheduled to play lol. That said, we got up on stage and rocked. We got a lot of compliments and were told we should of won, which definitely boosted my confidence.
I don't get nervous at all these days. In fact, I'm really comfortable up on stage and in front of people. One of my good friends and guitar buddies still gets nervous though, and he's played on some big stages before.
I don't get nervous at all these days. In fact, I'm really comfortable up on stage and in front of people. One of my good friends and guitar buddies still gets nervous though, and he's played on some big stages before.
We videotaped the show. Reviewing the tape, happily we sounded ok, but I just stood there like a lump the whole time. Lesson learned. People don't want to watch a lumbering hulkasaurus stand there expressionless till the song ends, no matter how good they sound. Like my brother told me, they might as well stay home and watch a record spin around. It was fun, though, got me hooked.
Summer of 1990. I was playing guitar and singing in an all originals band. Think Metallica meets Janes Addiction for lunch with Fugazi and Mudhoney...
I was at a friends house at the beach for the weekend. 5 overcast hours bodysurfing. No sunscreen. Irish descent...
At 9pm the blisters began to form. I was in trouble. Thats when we got the phone call.
"Hey we have a gig tomorrow night!" the drummer says.
"I dont know about that." I say.
I got talked into it. I went to bed. Woke up completely swollen, and crusty. Drove home. The guys were nice enough to load my gear.
During the first song, the blisters on my forehead and scalp popped, trickling salty puss into my nervous eyes. I was in blind agony, playing bad songs for 20 people who could care less.
That was my first gig.
I was at a friends house at the beach for the weekend. 5 overcast hours bodysurfing. No sunscreen. Irish descent...
At 9pm the blisters began to form. I was in trouble. Thats when we got the phone call.
"Hey we have a gig tomorrow night!" the drummer says.
"I dont know about that." I say.
I got talked into it. I went to bed. Woke up completely swollen, and crusty. Drove home. The guys were nice enough to load my gear.
During the first song, the blisters on my forehead and scalp popped, trickling salty puss into my nervous eyes. I was in blind agony, playing bad songs for 20 people who could care less.
That was my first gig.
That may be the most horrifying first gig story I've ever heard. I've heard of worse single incident gigs, but as far as a "First Gig" goes, that one's at least a bit tough to beat.
