Same thing has happened to me twice in past ten years and one was a couple months ago. Gotta suck it up to prove worthiness. My singer has had strep throat twice and endured.
Way to suck it up brother!!!!!
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Wimpy A** Bandmates
- Thread starter 4-stringB
- Start date
Same thing has happened to me twice in past ten years and one was a couple months ago. Gotta suck it up to prove worthiness. My singer has had strep throat twice and endured.
Way to suck it up brother!!!!!
I am the whitest kid you will ever meet and I almost never travel outdoors.
That said, with my last band, we played in my garage, 4 or 5 of us (depending on the lineup at the time) with no AC except a tiny tower fan in one corner of the room for up to 6 hours a day, multiple days a week. This is in Florida (only a couple hours out from Tallahassee, actually), where the heat averaged almost 100 with a humidity of around 80. We all complained, but kept hydrated and none of us ever came even close to passing out. You'd think being in shade would be better, but because of the metal door and zero insulation, it was like an oven, and sometimes actually got hotter inside than out.
How can they live in Florida and call off something like that? I thought everybody in Florida had learned to accept that it's the sun's goal to boil your skin.
That said, with my last band, we played in my garage, 4 or 5 of us (depending on the lineup at the time) with no AC except a tiny tower fan in one corner of the room for up to 6 hours a day, multiple days a week. This is in Florida (only a couple hours out from Tallahassee, actually), where the heat averaged almost 100 with a humidity of around 80. We all complained, but kept hydrated and none of us ever came even close to passing out. You'd think being in shade would be better, but because of the metal door and zero insulation, it was like an oven, and sometimes actually got hotter inside than out.
How can they live in Florida and call off something like that? I thought everybody in Florida had learned to accept that it's the sun's goal to boil your skin.
I'm 6'3" 245lbs, Ive never played a gig inside or out, air conditioned or not, where I haven't left completely drenched in sweat. We're bass players, we're big, bald, bearded , and SWEAT it out! Same goes for drummers, if your not sweating... your not doing it right.
I played an hour long set in the central California 105' heat in a parking lot, full sun. It was a benefit for breast cancer. Did it for the bewbs! Oh yeah, there are three girls in the band. Tell that to your wussy band members.
Wow... And my daily work environment ranges from -10 degree freezers to 35 degree coolers, yet I have always jumped at a chance to jam out and/or play with people regardless of the weather conditions. This includes closed garages in the middle of 100 degree Summers. Those are some pretty pampered band mates you have there. I could only imagine what they would do if they broke a nail...
Air conditioning was invented over a century ago. Practicing in a climate controlled environment is not a "luxury" for pampered people, unless you're talking about a third-world country. If you can afford thousands of dollars worth of gear, but you're too damn cheap to have an AC unit where you practice, then something's not right with you.
There's no excuse in this day and age for indoor venues not to have AC, or at least proper ventilation in those regions where the weather is eternally mild. I refuse to play in any environment where the conditions are hazardous to my health. I don't have anything to prove, it's just not worth it to me. It's supposed about playing music, not showing what a toughguy you are. Thankfully most venues around here have made it to the 20th century.
Of course some people are acclimatized to different types of weather, through upbringing/exposure and genetics. Some thrive in arctic conditions, some thrive in heat and humidity, some thrive in desert climates. Some people can play in 90°F weather and hardly break a sweat. Some start to pour sweat at 75°F and soon become unable to hold a pick or keep their eyeglasses from sliding off their face. I knew one guy who shorted out his signal chain because he sweated so much during a show and so their set was cut short because the venue was too cheap to have AC. I do best in cool to cold weather as long as I can keep my fingers and toes warm. My ideal conditions might be intolerable for someone who grew up in Nicaragua or Death Valley. Find bandmates who have similar comfort zones as yours.
There's no excuse in this day and age for indoor venues not to have AC, or at least proper ventilation in those regions where the weather is eternally mild. I refuse to play in any environment where the conditions are hazardous to my health. I don't have anything to prove, it's just not worth it to me. It's supposed about playing music, not showing what a toughguy you are. Thankfully most venues around here have made it to the 20th century.
Of course some people are acclimatized to different types of weather, through upbringing/exposure and genetics. Some thrive in arctic conditions, some thrive in heat and humidity, some thrive in desert climates. Some people can play in 90°F weather and hardly break a sweat. Some start to pour sweat at 75°F and soon become unable to hold a pick or keep their eyeglasses from sliding off their face. I knew one guy who shorted out his signal chain because he sweated so much during a show and so their set was cut short because the venue was too cheap to have AC. I do best in cool to cold weather as long as I can keep my fingers and toes warm. My ideal conditions might be intolerable for someone who grew up in Nicaragua or Death Valley. Find bandmates who have similar comfort zones as yours.
It's funny listening to people from overseas complain about gigging in the heat. Until you've played an outside gig in 114 degree heat in the Australian sun on a stage that was black and had no cooling whatsoever, you haven't lived.
I can't believe what I'm reading, you quit because of a little heat. The only time I'll not play is an outdoor show in a rain storm, with live cables laying about and such it's just to dangerous. But because it's hot out cheeze louis guys and gals get a grip. It's a live show, I don't know about you but that's what I live for.
I'm guessing you played this gig for free, since it was for "charity?". Yeah, I would have walked from that, too.
Don't even get me started about playing or practicing in the heat; I live in the Arizona desert, and have played contact sports in padding in 100+ temps. It makes you tough, and give you energy to stay jumpin' through the 4th set, even if the crowd is lame. Sounds to me like the OP here needs to remind his bandmates that, when the going gets tough...the tough get going, and I don't mean "whining and sniveling away from the gig," either. The show must go on.
I just spent a week on the equator! Get yourself some SPF 110 and you definitely wont burn.
I have also had my share of adverse condition gigs.
I have done an indoor gig at a club some years ago that all the guys in the band spend half naked in the dressing room because it was too hot( around 110 degrees if the fahrenheit converter is right). There was no A/C and not that good ventilation. We still went for it, 30 minutes later passed out. I got a bottle water shower, took my shirt off and finished the gig. We didn't get paid.
Not looking forward doing that again any time soon.
2 years ago the band I was playing with got a beach bar gig.(Dream gig I know right? NOT!) We were scheduled to play there every weekend. First weekend= Hell.
Sunburns, heat exhaustion noticeable crotch sweating. Second week=Epic. Put on a cool hat, sunglasses, tons of sunscreen, lots of water, swimsuit and flip-flops. Cool like a cucumber and we played all the way till it was dark.
And last but not least last year I moved to Germany and I played a gig in a wonderful club without any heating(it broke down and the place is basement) in the middle of the winter which means 5 degrees.The owner told us it is ok if we want to cancel it but the other people in the band thought that once room is full the body heat of the crowd and lights will help. Well, they were wrong. My hands were blue because I didn't have any (emo) gloves, I played while wearing a jacket and a isothermal beanie. To our luck we used the hand dryer on the bathroom which really helped.
All said, I have to admit that you should draw a line on conditions. However, if you are young and stupid and/or have a good health insurance go after it no matter the conditions.
I have done an indoor gig at a club some years ago that all the guys in the band spend half naked in the dressing room because it was too hot( around 110 degrees if the fahrenheit converter is right). There was no A/C and not that good ventilation. We still went for it, 30 minutes later passed out. I got a bottle water shower, took my shirt off and finished the gig. We didn't get paid.
Not looking forward doing that again any time soon.2 years ago the band I was playing with got a beach bar gig.(Dream gig I know right? NOT!) We were scheduled to play there every weekend. First weekend= Hell.
Sunburns, heat exhaustion noticeable crotch sweating. Second week=Epic. Put on a cool hat, sunglasses, tons of sunscreen, lots of water, swimsuit and flip-flops. Cool like a cucumber and we played all the way till it was dark.
And last but not least last year I moved to Germany and I played a gig in a wonderful club without any heating(it broke down and the place is basement) in the middle of the winter which means 5 degrees.The owner told us it is ok if we want to cancel it but the other people in the band thought that once room is full the body heat of the crowd and lights will help. Well, they were wrong. My hands were blue because I didn't have any (emo) gloves, I played while wearing a jacket and a isothermal beanie. To our luck we used the hand dryer on the bathroom which really helped.
All said, I have to admit that you should draw a line on conditions. However, if you are young and stupid and/or have a good health insurance go after it no matter the conditions.
Man... I couldn't put up with that. Back in the pro days with the 22 500 watt pars and a 1000 watt follow spot, ALL the shows were a %$#&ing green house. Playing outside is just sunscreen, cheap sunglasses, and LOTS of water. Whatta buncha PUSSIES!
Gigs are far to rare these days to worry about heat.
Now RAIN on the other hand...
Gigs are far to rare these days to worry about heat.
Now RAIN on the other hand...
MikeBass
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Had outdoor gigs in 95+ degree heat and high humidity in direct sunlight- had that exact gig last Saturday in fact.
Never canceled because of it.
Never canceled because of it.
I sweat through my shirt, tie, and jacket on a regular basis.
It's show biz, and the show must go on! Drink more water!
Only amatures stiff the audience over minor physical inconveniences.
It's show biz, and the show must go on! Drink more water!
Only amatures stiff the audience over minor physical inconveniences.
People keep bringing up heatstroke and such... I live in one of the hottest parts of the US (you know, lots of humidity. Hotter than a dry heat). I have been outside for hours in full camo (airsoft days), full black clothing, etc. I've practiced in a garage for six hours. As long as you keep yourself well hydrated, you'll be fine. I have never once passed out from dehydration.
He said they were under a 20 X 10 awning (a HUGE difference from being in direct sunlight) and had as much water as they needed... all they had to do was stay under it and keep hydrated.
OP, next time your band bails like that, ring me up and I'll be there to play it
He said they were under a 20 X 10 awning (a HUGE difference from being in direct sunlight) and had as much water as they needed... all they had to do was stay under it and keep hydrated.
OP, next time your band bails like that, ring me up and I'll be there to play it
