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"You're terrible!"
- Thread starter Skokiaan
- Start date
I love Lowell George, most multi-syllabic lyrics ever. Every rockabilly blues song danceable and tight with great hooks and rocking vocals. RIP. Died too young.
One of my goals is to live long enough that, even if I have all my marbles, I can say whatever I want, and people will let it go, assuming I'm senile (but also realizing I'm right much of the time).
For the record:
- She did not have dementia (though I'm not a doctor). She was not confused about what she heard or said. She hated the music. That's all. She got around fine on her own. Staff was not paying particular attentiun to her. After the episode she sat back down with two apparent friends and all were turned to face the band. They could have faced away - they were at long tables with their backs to the tables. All had sour pusses on their faces. Twenty minutes later she got up and went inside.
- There was no misunderstanding regarding the gig and the music requested. It was an 80s themed party. Centerpieces were large Rubiks Cubes. The staff and some residents were decked out in 80s style clothing.
She mentioned other music she likes besides Chopin, but I couldn't hear everything she said. Safe to assume it was other classical composers. I doubt she would enjoy any amplified band.
- She did not have dementia (though I'm not a doctor). She was not confused about what she heard or said. She hated the music. That's all. She got around fine on her own. Staff was not paying particular attentiun to her. After the episode she sat back down with two apparent friends and all were turned to face the band. They could have faced away - they were at long tables with their backs to the tables. All had sour pusses on their faces. Twenty minutes later she got up and went inside.
- There was no misunderstanding regarding the gig and the music requested. It was an 80s themed party. Centerpieces were large Rubiks Cubes. The staff and some residents were decked out in 80s style clothing.
She mentioned other music she likes besides Chopin, but I couldn't hear everything she said. Safe to assume it was other classical composers. I doubt she would enjoy any amplified band.
One of the first things to go with dementia is your "filter" - that whole social grace thing where you don't say stuff that you're thinking (because you want to be nice) sometimes goes out the window. With my Mom, that was certainly true at times.
So yeah, she really hated your music, but a decade younger, she probably wouldn't have said it.
Agreed, that does happen. But then many old people (not me and I'm 72) feel pretty much free to say whatever they think even absent dementia. Old and set in their ways and ofttimes loudmouthed curmudgeons who voice whatever thought passes through their brains. Which, just like their bodies, don't work so well any longer. Stay flexible in mind and body, you youts.
For a car show, you want greaser rock and not 80's style band stuff. Each has their place, but this appears to have been a mismatch. By greaser rock I mean Steppenwolf, Black Sabbath, Cream, Hendrix, Mountain, CCR, or any other similar early era blues/rock. You could also get away with late 50's / early 60's nostalgia stuff too if the cars are ancient enough.
I saw Metallica in the 90’s, I think it was the old Arena in Seattle. It would have been the Sandman tour I think. The crowd threw the folding chairs into a giant pile in the middle of the floor, and were climbing them. I made my way down to the floor (from the high up back seats). I tried to make my way to the front, past this giant dude. He grabbed my t-shirt to prevent me going by him, and tore it off instead. He shrugged, and I watched the rest of that chaotic show up front.
Reminds me of a wedding I played at about 20 odd years ago (we were 4 piece rock covers band)
about 3 songs into the first set an elderly lady with a zimmer frame comes up to lead guitarist and said "I don't like this Jazzy music you're playing".
LG says "we're not a jazz band"
So we continue playing and the lady comes up again and says "You're playing too much Jazzy music - I don't like this Jazzy music"!
LG again tells the lady we're not a jazz band and we're not playing 'jazzy' music
This happened about 3 more times in the first set.... then we had a break.
Bride asked about a song and LG said "Look I don't know who the lady over there in the zimmer frame is, but if she tells us once more to stop playing Jazzy music I'll whack her with my guitar"!
Bride looks over then says "Oh that's my Grandma - don't worry about her she's tone deaf"!
We didn't see the old lady again and even had a request for Rage Against The Machine....
...and you hepcats might be all hopped up on the Mary Jane.
I have a theory that it’s socially unacceptable to punch old people in the face so they can just be rude a-holes because there’s no punishment. Also some older folks are just cranky old miserable people (trust me I’m turning into one) and nothing makes them happy.
Unfortunately she was the turd in the lunch bowl that day. Part of dealing with the public. Laugh it off and learn to play another day.
Unfortunately she was the turd in the lunch bowl that day. Part of dealing with the public. Laugh it off and learn to play another day.
Maybe there's a rule about here - the more classical the music played at an open event at a car showroom, the less likely you are to able to afford the car.
Most of the time people are very gracious when I play out. They cone up to us and say very nice things. But every once in a while, somebody insults you, whether directly or indirectly. It’s just part of putting yourself and your art out there.
I remember one gig where we took a break, and a drunk guy came up to us and said, “I should be your guitar player. I’m better than him!” While pointing at our GP. The GP, a lifelong friend, said “get your own band, a**hole!” We laughed and the guy slunk away, back to the rock he crawled out from.
I remember one gig where we took a break, and a drunk guy came up to us and said, “I should be your guitar player. I’m better than him!” While pointing at our GP. The GP, a lifelong friend, said “get your own band, a**hole!” We laughed and the guy slunk away, back to the rock he crawled out from.
