Take solace in the fact that you were merely a fill-in, it's not your band, and you can say no from now on.
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You had me at "45 minutes into the first set, the singer finally shows up..."
unbelievable.
Yeah, been there too. I assume it could be a number of things. Some people are genuinely impressed by any musical playing and in their mind it was a great show because anyone strumming basic chords on a guitar is a great show. Super low expectations?
it's ok to sing badly as long as the audience is dancing
As a freelancer, it's always handy to have one of these stashed in your gig bag...just in case.Last week, I picked up a sub gig from another bass player because he got double booked. I've played with the band before and it was a good time so I was looking forward to some easy money. The whole schtick of the band is they only play really dirty songs. Think songs like Big Bottom, I Kissed a Girl, Dirty Diana, Big Balls etc. I spent the days leading up to the gig refreshing the songs, dialing in some synth tones for a few of the songs, and was feeling really good going into the gig. I'm doubly excited because I just got a new bass and I'm stoked to get it out on it's virgin gig. Sound check happens, and one of the singers is running late. She's got a reputation around the music scene for being kind of a mess, so while it's annoying, it's not altogether unexpected.
Show time comes, and we start playing without her. The second song in the set requires our delinquent singer, so we start hopping around the setlist seemingly at random and it takes several minutes for the group to decide what song they want to do. It seemed like an eternity on stage, but looking at my video footage, it sometimes took as long as 3 long minutes to get going on the next song. We can't keep a crowd on the dance floor to save our lives despite playing top 40 songs with great singers because we're so disorganized and everything is just a complete mess. I get the sense that everyone else in the band is here for free pizza and beer and they seem completely unbothered by how poorly the show is going. It's even more odd because I've played with the bandleader and most of the other musicians in other projects that were very put together by comparison, and I'm very confused that no one seems to have their act together here.
45 minutes into the first set, the singer finally shows up, but the rest of the gig is no better than before. The bars patrons seem to be tolerating us more than anything, and I can't help but feel absolutely embarrassed to be on a stage with such a dysfunctional band. It seems like no one is taking this very seriously except for me. Forgotten lyrics, meandering guitar solos, and messy transitions all around. Thankfully, this gig is taking place in a town an hour away from where I live, so at least no one I know is here to see this titanic failure, right? Right?
Or so I thought.
During our break, I get a tap on my shoulder, and who should I see but my least favorite co-worker. She's a bit of brown nosing busy-body at work, the kind of person who would remind the teacher about a pop quiz they would have forgotten about otherwise. Apparently, this dumpy dive is her favorite bar, and she's thrilled to see me, even though she's the last person on earth I'd want to run into outside of work. I'm mortified because most people at my job know I'm a musician, but this is absolutely not the gig to get recognized at.
As soon as we hit midnight, I'm quick to pack up and get my ass outta there, but not before my co-worker has tried to buy my girlfriend (who does not drink) and I a shot. Fireball. Of course. When in Rome, I suppose. Here's hoping she was too drunk to remember much, because I certainly would like to forget this gig forever. It really stinks to show up prepared and professional when it's clear that no one else is.
Anyway, thanks for reading my sad story. Really sad for this to have been my new Serek's maiden voyage into gigging, but at least it's only uphill from here.
Everyone will feel better if you post photos of the new Serek on this thread.
didja get paid?
What was the lead singer's excuse for being late?
I find being late terribly disrespectful to the band, the audience, and the venue.
I hope the band sat around drinking while the lead singer broke down and packed up all your equipment for you.
Keep a beer bottle with you on stage. Accept the shot graciously, chase it with beer, but spit it into the bottle. Everyone's happy and you get to drive home safely after the gig.I’m not much of a drinker, especially hard liquor. More than once I have accepted the shot graciously and then made an excuse like, “I have to use the rest room, but I’ll enjoy this when I get back!” Then I dump the shot into an empty glass, throw it out the back door, or pour it down the sink. I’ve found that offering it to a band member is counter-productive.
with a QR code to scan going to a youtube of the WORST song of the night !!Your picture on the wall of the break room next to the wage documents.
I filled in for a few songs for a new band, awful, 2 sisters were singing, we were turning the chorus back to the verse while the 2 sisters argued on who was going to sing the 2nd verse,,,,,I always hated what I called " Band Meetings" on stage between songs. I had nothing to do with set lists, but seems like better planning was needed. I hated standing on stage in a circle talking for what seemed like a long time to play a song we had already played 15 minutes ago. Usually because some drunk woman wanted us to. Or a song we didn't really rehearse for the gig, or haven't played in a long time. Train wrecks then occurred.