Members wmxmbd Posted October 2, 2005 Members Share Posted October 2, 2005 hey there. i'm in a band, we've played many shows at what one might call 'normal' venues, mostly in the chicago-land area. anyway, in a week, we're playing in lake forest college's homecoming parade on the 88.9 wmxm float. needless to say, we've never done anything quite like this before and it should be interesting how moody, instrumental, ambient rock fits in with cheerleaders and frats. anyway, anyone here ever play their original music in a parade before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members srsfallriver Posted October 3, 2005 Members Share Posted October 3, 2005 It wasn't original music but I played in two parades (on a float) when I was 18/19. It was fun. You didn't have to worry about people hearing your tunes a second time. During my first parade, the float got lost from the parade route for a mile or so! It was sort of a competition/fundraiser. We won "Band Most Likely To Raise Jim Billushi From The Grave!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GZsound Posted October 3, 2005 Members Share Posted October 3, 2005 We played in our city's largest parade way back in the 60's. It was a nightmare. The truck pulling the flatbed trailer had a clutch problem and every time it started from a full stop, it nearly pulled a wheelie and the band and all our equipment fell over. We nearly lost the drums off the back twice. I have never had the urge to do it again since.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted October 3, 2005 Members Share Posted October 3, 2005 Originally posted by GZsound We played in our city's largest parade way back in the 60's. It was a nightmare. The truck pulling the flatbed trailer had a clutch problem and every time it started from a full stop, it nearly pulled a wheelie and the band and all our equipment fell over. We nearly lost the drums off the back twice. I have never had the urge to do it again since.. Wow...that sounds pretty scary! There was an interesting thread about this sort of thing last week....the float's trailer was so tiny that they had to be very creative in placing their gear...the lead singer sang from atop the vehicle pulling the trailer, if I'm not mistaken! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhythmonly Posted October 3, 2005 Members Share Posted October 3, 2005 Just make sure that your Rider stipulates that your float is in front of the Elephants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted October 3, 2005 Members Share Posted October 3, 2005 http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042743 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wheresgrant3 Posted October 3, 2005 Members Share Posted October 3, 2005 Originally posted by JacieFB http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042743 Thanks for the bump on that thread.... I think we hold the record for smallest float for full band setup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members P.Bagley Posted October 4, 2005 Members Share Posted October 4, 2005 I've played in a couple of parades, on top of a flat bed trailer behind a 1 ton truck. Question - Why do people _ALWAYS_ choose to pull the parade float with a manual transmission truck? Last time the float was larger and heavier, so less jerks and stumbles. Tough to stay in time when you are trying not to fall into the cymbals. Other times we nearly lost band members off the back of the trailer or fell forward as the driver hit the brakes too hard. I recommend your band stipulates that the pull vehicle be equipped with an automatic transmission. You may want to also provide the driver if you have someone you can trust to be slow and smooth. You have to be able to stop and start a car so a blindfolded person can't tell. It isn't tough, just something to practice. The next problem was weather. It it's cold you still have to play. Bring more cold weather protection than you think you'll need. It gets colder standing three feet higher than everyone else and moving. Hope it stays above freezing. Side note - saw a band at the ice castle in St Paul MN. Temps hovering in the singe digits F, -10 or lower C. The band played on in parkas and gloves with the fingers cut out. Not a good gig, and I hope they got paid a lot! Good luck up on the float. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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