Members JacieFB Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by GCDEF It may not be good enough for anyone. I was going to play one show where the "PA" was provided. When I asked about it, I was told it was a 4 channel powered mixer and a pair of Bose speakers. No monitors. Maybe you could play with that, but we couldn't. I think I put up with too many crappy show set-ups. One time, they had no mic stands. I had my girlfriend hold a mic for me(bassist) and our drummer's stalker held the mic for our guitarist. I'm too good at just making due, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GCDEF Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by JacieFB I think I put up with too many crappy show set-ups. One time, they had no mic stands. I had my girlfriend hold a mic for me(bassist) and our drummer's stalker held the mic for our guitarist.I'm too good at just making due, I guess. Wow. I'm a little more particular than that. We have a pretty decent PA, but clubs we play that provide a PA, I always go check it out first and talk to the soundman before we actually play there. I hate surprises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by GCDEF Wow. I'm a little more particular than that. We have a pretty decent PA, but clubs we play that provide a PA, I always go check it out first and talk to the soundman before we actually play there. I hate surprises. Good policy. We have since stopped booking the "random" basement show...unless we get a recommendation to play somewhere by a friend or it's someplace we are comfortable with. We don't play very often in town anyway. Now on the road...it's often take what you can get. We've been pretty fortunate so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 daze. Play it safe and bring everything and just leave it in your car(s). Show up and see what's doin. Then you can just pull the items as needed and you won't be barging in there with a bunch of stuff and stepping on anyone's toes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by worthyjoe daze. Play it safe and bring everything and just leave it in your car(s). Show up and see what's doin. Then you can just pull the items as needed and you won't be barging in there with a bunch of stuff and stepping on anyone's toes. Play it SAFER, and make sure it's well-hidden in the car. Theives, you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by GCDEF It may not be good enough for anyone. I was going to play one show where the "PA" was provided. When I asked about it, I was told it was a 4 channel powered mixer and a pair of Bose speakers. No monitors. Maybe you could play with that, but we couldn't.Sounds like you have it well under control there dazed1. Different strokes. Thousands of original music indie and punk bands play without monitors nightly. I wonder if the Cavern or the Star Club had monitors? BK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by Brian Krashpad Different strokes. Thousands of original music indie and punk bands play without monitors nightly.I wonder if the Cavern or the Star Club had monitors?BK Exactly what I'm saying. What is a monitor, anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Oh...yeah, I remember...it's that black box that hides my feet from the audience and hopefully keeps them from spilling my drink. Occasionally ear drum-piercing high pitched sqeaky noises come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members geekgurl Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Sources close told me Carlos Santana used to hurl before every gig. I don't know if he still does that now ...But on a more practical note, congratulations on your gig! Now here's my advice:* enjoy it. 60 minutes can feel REAAALLLY long ... but in the end, as you're packing up your gear, you'll be thinking "that was it?? All that prep, all that worry, all that excitement, the gear, the gig promotion, the practice, and that was IT?!!??" And then you'll be hooked. You'll want to play another gig. * Don't let nerves freak you out; welcome them as a sign you're taking your performance seriously, and you're just gearing up. I still get butterflies before I play, but it never turns out to be a big deal because I turn those butterflies from fear into eager energy ... I acknowledge my mind and body are just gearing up to do their thing.* I know this is your first time out, but try not to be self-conscious. I don't think about what everyone thinks of ME. I think about contributing to the energy of the band, and making sure I do my part to say what I want to say on my instrument, convey with conviction that I believe in why I'm playing this music for people (which to simplify in a corny way is to give them something unique and beautiful to listen to and to contribute positivity, even if just for that fleeting moment). This is really important for me, because I'm one of the two namesake leaders of our band ... and if the two of us aren't in the right headspace, the band is not likely to follow.Depending on your music, your message may be different. But get with the band's message ... check your own ego at the stage entrance.* No matter how much you screw up on stage, keep the energy up and going. Odds are no one in the audience is going to hear the mistakes you hear ... missed lyrics are obvious, but you can recover. Even if you screw up enough for it to be noticeable, if the band's energy is good, it won't matter; the audience does want to like you.* Everyone in your band has more experience than you in live situations ... so lean on them. What I mean by that is trust them (you can trust them, right?) and know that they are going to do their part.Well, that's all I got. The rest is just doing. Have fun out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Next to Nothing Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Originally posted by Brian Krashpad Different strokes. Thousands of original music indie and punk bands play without monitors nightly.I wonder if the Cavern or the Star Club had monitors?BK +1000 also, unless you are setting up the PA yourself, who needs an HOUR to set up? That seems like an ample amount of time for any band to be ready to go. we are usually up 'n running and done sound checking in 20. This cat is playing some local gig...not an arena show. Dazed, Have fun!!! You will remember this evening forever so dont let a few mistakes/etc take away from a great experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Yup. I don't vividly remember my first gig but I remember my first gig at a "big" club in my area last spring. We brought a lot of people out and were fortunate to get a really good natural crowd that night as well. I was so hyped up that I couldn't remember portions of the gig or what songs we played. Luckily it all went pretty smooth but the whole night was pretty much a blur. Good times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dazed1 Posted October 11, 2005 Author Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 I have played without monitors, but not by choice. Maybe its just my lack of experience, but I have a hard time pitching correctly if I cannot hear myself. I am insecure, so leave me alone. Yeah, I am not gonna drag out the whole kit and kaboodle without some recon first, and I have a guard for the equipment. (well armed spousal unit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flemtone Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Oh! One more thing:No matter how 'in tune' your instruments are at soundcheck, give yourself about 5 minutes to re-tune them just before you go up. Playing outside plays hell with tunings because of sunlight, humidity (or lack thereof), temperature, etc. Be ABSOLUTELY sure that you're all in tune for your first number. Thhe first song makes or breaks a band. First impressions are everything.Good luck! Tell us how it comes out.Oh yeah...pics? -Tim from Jersey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dazed1 Posted October 11, 2005 Author Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Pics? More than likely with the assorted riff-raff (friends) who are gonna stop by. Good advice on the tuning aspect, it about drove me crazy when we played outside at a friends house at Horseshoe Lake. I picked up a Boss TU-2 just for this upcoming gig- I needed one anyway. Mentally, I keep going from absolute calm to OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG I AM FREAKING OUT every fifteen minutes or so. I hope I dont have a stroke before then. You guys are really helping me out and I really appreciate it. I have been playing only for two years, but have practiced with a single minded obsession of doing this, so this is really a big deal for me. It has given me a complete and utter respect for musicians that can pull it off live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kayak Posted October 11, 2005 Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 If you can absolutely positively confirm ahead of time that you don't need to bring in and setup any of your own PA, then one hour is probably more than enough time. However, if there is a chance that you may have to set up your own (or part of your own) PA, I'd allow more like two hours to deal with those pesky little issues. You want enough time after setup and sound check to take a deep breath and relax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dazed1 Posted October 11, 2005 Author Members Share Posted October 11, 2005 Kayak- Yeah I am gonna drive over there (I live like 10 minutes from the venue) and eyeball it myself just to make sure what I need and what I dont. Plenty of time to get something if I have to. For my PA two hours seems a bit like overkill, but I understand the part about giving yourself time to relax. 20-30 minutes is the longest its ever taken us to setup, but then if the unforseen happens I only have 30 minutes to fix it. So yeah, I will definately be there a little earlier than I previously stated. Good advise! Keep 'em coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members colliewobble Posted October 13, 2005 Members Share Posted October 13, 2005 Lots of good advice. I'll just second what SpacedCowboy said...use that nervous energy to your advantage. I heard it said somewhere that when you have butterflies in your stomach, just get them to fly in formation. Which means channel that energy and use it. The time will pass quickly and you'll be wanting back up there for more. Rock on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GCDEF Posted October 13, 2005 Members Share Posted October 13, 2005 Originally posted by dazed1 Kayak- Yeah I am gonna drive over there (I live like 10 minutes from the venue) and eyeball it myself just to make sure what I need and what I dont. Plenty of time to get something if I have to. For my PA two hours seems a bit like overkill, but I understand the part about giving yourself time to relax. 20-30 minutes is the longest its ever taken us to setup, but then if the unforseen happens I only have 30 minutes to fix it. So yeah, I will definately be there a little earlier than I previously stated. Good advise! Keep 'em coming! Not to beat a dead horse, but the unexpected will happen. It may take you 30 minutes usually, but you may get there and find something stupid like they've overlooked the fact that you need electricity. We played an outdoor deck at a new club once and there were no outlets there at all. We ended up running an 100' extension cord into the kitchen and running everything off that one outlet. It workked, but needless to say, added time was involved. Stupid things happen. Hitting the stage pumped full of lactic acid and adrenaline isn't any fun. Add a case of nerves on top of it and you'll have a hard time. The advice about allowing time to relax is excellent. I like to be completely set up and ready to go a half hour before start time. There's time to schmooze the crowd a bit, relax and let your body recover from the stress of hauling and getting stuff working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GRIFF10672 Posted October 13, 2005 Members Share Posted October 13, 2005 Don't go with a loaded gun !!!!!!!!!! ala :" Something about Mary " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members uitar9 Posted October 15, 2005 Members Share Posted October 15, 2005 1.Hurl before you go onstage, and remember, 2the audiance doesn't know anything about you. If you act like you are relaxed and having fun then you will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Headbanger Posted October 16, 2005 Members Share Posted October 16, 2005 So, Dazed, it's sunday. How was the gig ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dazed1 Posted October 17, 2005 Author Members Share Posted October 17, 2005 Well, the gig happened. No matter how much I wanted time to slow down time the 530 start time happened sooner than I would have liked. I was so hopped up I thought my heart was gonna jump right outta my chest. We did the lead in for the first song and when I stepped up to the mic and I honestly did not know if I was gonna puke or sing. Luckily for all involved I sang. It felt like my fingers had lead in them but they started to lighten up after the 3rd song or so. I wish I would have had someone really critique the FOH sound cause I thought I was plenty loud behind the monitors, and for the most part I was. The bass, guitars and drums were suprisingly well mixed, all things considered. We actually have a video of it and we did much better than I thought we would have. Overall, not bad first time out. I got a smile on my face that is not gonna go away anytime soon. It was really a big boost to have some rowdy friends and family out in the audience shouting out encouragement. Lesson I learned from all this? Be sure of your FOH volume. (a wireless mic would have sure come in handy on this one) Remember to BREATHE! Relax, and most importantly HAVE FUN! Funny things happened during the gig that the audience missed- muffed solo's, the fact that my legs were so stiff I could not move my foot when I tried to rock my wah pedal. Some really cool sounds were discovered trying to fight my way out of a mistake. Pressure sure can be a boon to the creative process!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Greg Bogoshian Posted October 17, 2005 Members Share Posted October 17, 2005 Great to hear you had a good experience and took the little things in stride! Those are musicians' "fising stories" and you will come to appreciate them as the band's entertainment! Congratulations!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Headbanger Posted October 17, 2005 Members Share Posted October 17, 2005 Ah, I like happy endings..Around ten years ago, we were booked for a show in the countryside. We had been playing a few shows before in front of 20-300 people. We come to the place and it's a HUGE tent (Oktoberfest-like, no seats), packed with 3500 loyal followers of that heavy metal band from our region, that was so big at the time.Uh! I did not expect that. The hour before the gig I was out of my mind. Paralyzed. I wished I was home. I got up then (I was the frontman of a three-piece), bathed in adrenaline.After the first chord flying loud and mighty through the place, I was feeling so good and comfortable. We rocked. Haven't played better. In every small bar I've been more nervous.The adrenaline flows for a reason.Man, I'm such a rockstar... Good luck--- You can attach the pictures in the field below the message field --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dazed1 Posted October 17, 2005 Author Members Share Posted October 17, 2005 Ok, I am the poor schmuck in the middle trying to sing. It was a fun day all things considered. We could not have asked for better weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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