Backstage With the Band

[lsits]

I usually show up early and put down my drum rug to claim my space. The largest kit I've ever brought to a gig was a five-piece with two crashes and a ride cymbal....not huge by anyone's standard. Often I'll have a bass amp on one side, a keyboard amp on the other, and a guitar amp on a stand directly in front. The guitarist also has a guitar rack that holds four guitars that he often sets up in front. Sometimes between sets I feel like just staying behind the kit since it's such a pain to get out and back in. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic.....,yet.

[dboomer]

The drummer should have at least as many drums as the guitar players have guitars and pedals

[dboomer]

The drummer should have at least as many drums as the guitar players have guitars and pedals

[kmart]

And strings.
And cords.
And maybe frets too...

[kmart]

And strings.
And cords.
And maybe frets too...

[kombi1976]

This hasn't been an issue for me for about 20 years. The current drummer I play with is a seasoned professional.....who also has a stack of (albeit small) percussion around his kit. He plays a '60s Ring Starr Ludwig kit but he has just about every percussion on top of that. The difference is he never seems busy and he adds things EXACTLY when they should be. Besides, who am I to criticise. I use a 1/2 stack and 1x12 combo on an amp stand for my rig. If I had a Leslie (and I want one) I'd probably work out a way to drag that along instead of the 1x12.....making my space on stage even bigger!

[kombi1976]

This hasn't been an issue for me for about 20 years. The current drummer I play with is a seasoned professional.....who also has a stack of (albeit small) percussion around his kit. He plays a '60s Ring Starr Ludwig kit but he has just about every percussion on top of that. The difference is he never seems busy and he adds things EXACTLY when they should be. Besides, who am I to criticise. I use a 1/2 stack and 1x12 combo on an amp stand for my rig. If I had a Leslie (and I want one) I'd probably work out a way to drag that along instead of the 1x12.....making my space on stage even bigger!

[FitchFY]

Originally Posted by chadd

Have a hot chick tell him she's disappointed that she can't see him when he's playing.

This is golden!

[FitchFY]

Originally Posted by chadd

Have a hot chick tell him she's disappointed that she can't see him when he's playing.

This is golden!

[Sillypeoples]

Originally Posted by Lee Knight

Just tell him he CAN'T. Tell him his small kit is required. Contrary to some opinions, I've always found that the band's mission and in turn, concensus, is enough to get through to any good, professional musician.

Consensus always trumps ego driven, selfish choices like monster kits on small stages or incompatible genres.

Maybe a little reverse psychology is in order...

Two separate cars...if he wants to roll up 3 hours ahead of time to set up his rig, I'll go buy the light show and props for Trans Siberian Orchestra and give him another $25 to set that up that us well.

It would be like having a personal roady......then I could stumble in 15 minutes prior to a gig. really play the Rock Star......fog machines, spot lights,, lasers.....

[Sillypeoples]

Originally Posted by Lee Knight

Just tell him he CAN'T. Tell him his small kit is required. Contrary to some opinions, I've always found that the band's mission and in turn, concensus, is enough to get through to any good, professional musician.

Consensus always trumps ego driven, selfish choices like monster kits on small stages or incompatible genres.

Maybe a little reverse psychology is in order...

Two separate cars...if he wants to roll up 3 hours ahead of time to set up his rig, I'll go buy the light show and props for Trans Siberian Orchestra and give him another $25 to set that up that us well.

It would be like having a personal roady......then I could stumble in 15 minutes prior to a gig. really play the Rock Star......fog machines, spot lights,, lasers.....

[beatpoet]

Originally Posted by lsits

I usually show up early and put down my drum rug to claim my space. The largest kit I've ever brought to a gig was a five-piece with two crashes and a ride cymbal....not huge by anyone's standard. Often I'll have a bass amp on one side, a keyboard amp on the other, and a guitar amp on a stand directly in front. The guitarist also has a guitar rack that holds four guitars that he often sets up in front. Sometimes between sets I feel like just staying behind the kit since it's such a pain to get out and back in. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic.....,yet.

That's the story of my gigging life at the moment, being trapped behind the kit against the back wall and ending up just staying there the whole night.

[beatpoet]

Originally Posted by lsits

I usually show up early and put down my drum rug to claim my space. The largest kit I've ever brought to a gig was a five-piece with two crashes and a ride cymbal....not huge by anyone's standard. Often I'll have a bass amp on one side, a keyboard amp on the other, and a guitar amp on a stand directly in front. The guitarist also has a guitar rack that holds four guitars that he often sets up in front. Sometimes between sets I feel like just staying behind the kit since it's such a pain to get out and back in. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic.....,yet.

That's the story of my gigging life at the moment, being trapped behind the kit against the back wall and ending up just staying there the whole night.

[Sarricola_Sauce]

My Timmy commissioned an 18" custom drum riser from a local fabricator putting the band in debt about a thousand dollars. The first gig we played after it being completed just so happened to be in a bigger room with provided sound and the joint already had a really neat riser provided.

My Timmy wanted to put his riser on top of the provided riser. Early in the day I found out, told the bass player over the phone that I think its crazy for all the obvious reasons. Somehow by the time my feelings got to my Timmy they turned into 'Sarricola Sauce says no riser Timmy'. My Timmy begins to drink at 4pm and is hammered by the time we go on stage. My Timmy sang some backups so he had a mic the whole night and drunkenly (sp?) sniped my from on stage the entire night. timmy also played like absolute shit all night cuz he was plastered. I don't work with that Timmy any more because he costs me money.

[Sarricola_Sauce]

My Timmy commissioned an 18" custom drum riser from a local fabricator putting the band in debt about a thousand dollars. The first gig we played after it being completed just so happened to be in a bigger room with provided sound and the joint already had a really neat riser provided.

My Timmy wanted to put his riser on top of the provided riser. Early in the day I found out, told the bass player over the phone that I think its crazy for all the obvious reasons. Somehow by the time my feelings got to my Timmy they turned into 'Sarricola Sauce says no riser Timmy'. My Timmy begins to drink at 4pm and is hammered by the time we go on stage. My Timmy sang some backups so he had a mic the whole night and drunkenly (sp?) sniped my from on stage the entire night. timmy also played like absolute shit all night cuz he was plastered. I don't work with that Timmy any more because he costs me money.

[aj_guitarist]

Originally Posted by TIMKEYS

its very easy to deal with a drummer like that ,,,,, tape a picture of a drum machine to his snare on break.

- Lol! I'm gonna do that soon

[aj_guitarist]

Originally Posted by TIMKEYS

its very easy to deal with a drummer like that ,,,,, tape a picture of a drum machine to his snare on break.

- Lol! I'm gonna do that soon

[1001gear]

And wjat makes you think this will make any sense to a drummer?

[1001gear]

And wjat makes you think this will make any sense to a drummer?

[JBassJohn]

After reading this I think I work with the best drummer there is. He doesn't have a huge kit, he doesn't lose time, he doesn't do crazy fills, he sings backup and lead sometimes, he arranges gigs, he helps lug the PA when he's done setting up.