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Wimpy A** Bandmates
- Thread starter 4-stringB
- Start date
Seriously. This. They were under an awning and had fans and water provided. That's just wussing out to me, but I don't know their ages and medical histories, so I'll reserve judgement.
I've been to Death Valley in the summer when it was just a hair over 120 degrees and I've lived in Tallahassee in the summer when it regularly goes over 103. Tallahassee is worse, no question. It's like the difference between being in an oven and being in a sauna. I live in South Florida, and while it is as hot as hell here and generally more humid, North Florida is like a hotter part of hell.
No.
Your interpretation of "minor physical inconveniences" may differ from mine. "Sweating," as in the OP, is a minor inconvenience to me.
Heatstroke is a serious problem. Fingers locking up from the cold is a serious problem.
You can chill now.
There are so many other factors that come into play as already mentioned... i sure as heck can't pass judgement.
Everyone has limits ... assuming that they are honest guys... i'd say give em a break.
I do think that they should have given it a shot and tried to do it, after a couple songs if you ain't feelin' it... then leave.
I work in an office... but im no stranger to the heat or even humidity being a houston native... I would have gigged
Everyone has limits ... assuming that they are honest guys... i'd say give em a break.
I do think that they should have given it a shot and tried to do it, after a couple songs if you ain't feelin' it... then leave.
I work in an office... but im no stranger to the heat or even humidity being a houston native... I would have gigged
Man, I played an indoor show once, no A/C, in the middle of summer, high humidity, full light show, packed house, you get the picture. I sweated until my boots filled. I, literally, took off my boots and poured the sweat out!
Cold, on the other hand... I can't deal with that.
Cold, on the other hand... I can't deal with that.
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
I've also done weekend long premier league soccer tournaments in those kinds of of conditions as well. Running nonstop for 90+ minutes four to five times a day in 100 degree heat with 95% humidity is total hell. Sure it can be done, but I would not suggest doing it unless it's something you absolutely must do. I've never had a heat stroke, but I have seen other players collapse from it and it's not pretty.
guy n. cognito said:
And you would not have been missed. The event made about $5000 that was donated to a local charity that provides free mamograms for the less fortunate. We had no pre-arranged gigs that weekend and were asked by a friend to play. So go hide in your a.c. and cry when you don't get a pony for Xmas. IMHO charity events are okay if, you believe in the cause, there will be enough people there to warrant lugging the gear, and there is not a venue or promoter making $ off of you. People came out specifically to see us play, so we helped the cause. A worthy cause. It was just my intent to say that if the women benefiting from the services that this organization offers can pick fruit and vegetables all day in the 100'+ heat, playing an hour in the same conditions is a cake walk. Sunscreen, water and STFU.
I'm really amazed to see how many folks actually take the stage in the heat! Unfortunately, some folks really aren't cut out for hot weather. 80 degrees or so in the shade is about where my upper limit is. Knowing that, I wouldn't have accepted the gig in the first place. Bailing out on a commitment is rarely the right thing to do.
Your analogy lacks perspective. It's almost like me telling you it's OK to roll down a hill, and you decide to point out the inherent risks in rolling down a mountain.
In the awning, with a fan and ice water, you're safe. Unless you have an upsettable pre-existing condition (my mom has Lupus, for instance) I can see no reason it would be unsafe. I'm sure that under the awning, couldn't be more than 90 degrees or so...
They need to suck it up. I just played in a rehearsal space where it was 105. I've played gigs outdoors when it was 40 degrees in early October. You do what you have to do and enjoy it
I used to work in an office cubicle all day. That has nothing to do with it. It's probably more about intelligence and "street smarts" if you will. Your office bandmates probably didn't think to dress appropriately for the weather and--typical of most cube dwellers--they were probably dehydrated. It's a shame that they gave up on the kids because they could have checked the weather report and put some thought into taking care of themselves and being prepared.
The Army took me from Alaska and dumped me into 120°F with full gear on. You just have to learn to pay attention to the weather, plan ahead, and take care of yourself.
The Army took me from Alaska and dumped me into 120°F with full gear on. You just have to learn to pay attention to the weather, plan ahead, and take care of yourself.
matt descending said:
First off, I was addressing the OP, not you. Second, you should avoid making assumptions. I've played my share of outdoor gigs.......I'm just not dumb enough to do it for free. I'm merely adding some perspective on why the OPs bandmates may have been less- than-motivated to play this gig.
Poker runs are one of the biggest scams going right now. They usually only raise a few hundred for charity, meanwhile the organizers tend to "earn" some pretty hefty "fees" for their efforts. Most musicians figured that out long ago, and tend to avoid these unpaid gigs.
Oh, and BTW...... It's quite honarable of you to want to support a charity, but throwing a huge event and only netting $5000 is hardly what I'd call efficient fund raising.
oniman7 said:
I'm not sure where you live, but here in the south we have people die during every heat wave....... In their homes......in the shade.......with access to water.
During the 90s I got to play at jazz fest two years in a row. Mid summer in New Orleans can be miserable. I saw plenty of musicians "fall out" due to the heat. A few even ended up at the hospital. I'm sure we should have just told them to man up and deal with it, but it's hard to hear when you're unconscious.
guy n. cognito said:
I stand corrected and apologize for being presumptuous. The rest stands. As for the event, it was by no means huge. There was a donation bucket at the entrance and all of the $ raised was from that and raffles of donated items. The $ that was raised was enough for 50-100 migrant farmworkers to receive mamograms. I am not disappointed in the least.
Played an outdoor/backyard party in 1989, it was about 30 degrees (farenheit) that night. It sucked: state police, DPS, and sheriff's office all came out (uninvited). Opening band made it thru their set, but the fuzz shut us down about half way thru our set. We didn't wuss out.
On a completely different note:
In my current gig, the "boss of the band"/guitar player in the ambient/lounge project is seemingly afraid to play out anywhere. Every time we practice, we make plans for something like this: "ok, we practice one more time in-house, then we set up a small show at JamStation for close friends and such". This has gone on for two months now. Each time have our weekly practice, something else comes up. Ain't this some BS?
I love the music, but am tired of feeling like I'm having my intelligence insulted by this. We've been playing together for about 10 months or so, have a good hour and a half of material, it's down tight. I have no idea what his deal is. Am looking elsewhere at the moment.
On a completely different note:
In my current gig, the "boss of the band"/guitar player in the ambient/lounge project is seemingly afraid to play out anywhere. Every time we practice, we make plans for something like this: "ok, we practice one more time in-house, then we set up a small show at JamStation for close friends and such". This has gone on for two months now. Each time have our weekly practice, something else comes up. Ain't this some BS?
I love the music, but am tired of feeling like I'm having my intelligence insulted by this. We've been playing together for about 10 months or so, have a good hour and a half of material, it's down tight. I have no idea what his deal is. Am looking elsewhere at the moment.
+1 on the lame band, if they don't have pre existing conditions, drink water & don't over do it and the show goes on. My drummer works in mordor (steel foundry), so he can't sit out in the direct sun eating fireballs and rubbing lava all over his body.
...and I'm perfectly comfortable running around in teh snow in a t-shirt, while other folks freeze.
We're all physically different and used to different things.
Andean Indians living at high elevations operate just fine - but perfectly healthy folks not used to it get hypoxia at the same elevations.
80 degrees F and 40% humidity? I'm sweating like a hog.
