Members ContusionBass Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 My band plans to tour in may... i've never toured with a band before, so i am quite excited. what are the issues i might run into while out and about? i want to try to plan this so we dont get snagged.
Members i_wanna_les_paul Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 No flash photography, please stay with the group at all times. Your personal belongings may be subject to search before entering and upon leaving. Please do not pester the wildlife, feed the bears, pet the bison or swim in the hot springs. Oh, wrong tour. I'm sure someone more helpful will be along shortly... Have fun, anyhoo. Dustin
Members bnyswonger Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Travel light, don't bring anything you'd shed big tears over if you lost it, go to bed even when you don't feel like it when you've got an early leave time, unless you're in a bus with a toilet go easy on the coffee in the morning, take those mega packs of vitamins daily, plan laundry & dry cleaning stops in advance, bring a towel to the gig in case the venue thinks their stinky bar towel is suitable for you to wipe off with, bring a wet bag for your stage clothes afterward, be patient with people who hate their jobs and take it out on you, when you deserve restitution for hotel & restaurant {censored}ups demand it - there's a 50-50 chance you might get it. Hows that for openers?
Members tylytle Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Unless you have great paying gigs, Learn to like Bologna.
Members s4001 Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by bnyswonger Travel light, don't bring anything you'd shed big tears over if you lost it, go to bed even when you don't feel like it when you've got an early leave time, unless you're in a bus with a toilet go easy on the coffee in the morning, take those mega packs of vitamins daily, plan laundry & dry cleaning stops in advance, bring a towel to the gig in case the venue thinks their stinky bar towel is suitable for you to wipe off with, bring a wet bag for your stage clothes afterward, be patient with people who hate their jobs and take it out on you, when you deserve restitution for hotel & restaurant {censored}ups demand it - there's a 50-50 chance you might get it. Hows that for openers? sounds like fun
Members ContusionBass Posted February 12, 2006 Author Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by bnyswonger Travel light, don't bring anything you'd shed big tears over if you lost it, go to bed even when you don't feel like it when you've got an early leave time, unless you're in a bus with a toilet go easy on the coffee in the morning, take those mega packs of vitamins daily, plan laundry & dry cleaning stops in advance, bring a towel to the gig in case the venue thinks their stinky bar towel is suitable for you to wipe off with, bring a wet bag for your stage clothes afterward, be patient with people who hate their jobs and take it out on you, when you deserve restitution for hotel & restaurant {censored}ups demand it - there's a 50-50 chance you might get it. Hows that for openers? thanks. alot of those issues have actually been addressed. ever been stiffed by a venue owner? or didnt get as much as u were promised.we have an RV, and we plan to get a trailer before we go.
Members wakefyld45 Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Make friends at every gig, as they will feed you and let you spend the night at thier place. CONTRACT ALL YOUR GIGS, its not unreasonable to contract a gig so you can actually get paid, alot of times they will promise to pay you, and then screw you at the gig. Write up a plan for your spending, you want tour to be fiscally beneficial for the band, so make a list of everything you will spend money on, create an scheduale and stick to it as best as you can. Eat healthy! and take care of yourself, being on tour is hell on your body. Oh and keep things low stress, have a plan to deal with everything and anything, which means sit down before tour and talk with those who are going, what each of you are responsible for. and lastly have fun, just not too much. ohh and remember playing a show is work, so never get trashed, unless you have an off day following, keep it laid back you will have much more fun, and many more memories! GL
Members wakefyld45 Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Ohh and maps maps maps, take care of them and they will take care of you, do not lose them they are very important!
Members bigby Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by ContusionBass thanks. alot of those issues have actually been addressed. ever been stiffed by a venue owner? or didnt get as much as u were promised.we have an RV, and we plan to get a trailer before we go. I traveled on several extended road trips years ago; however, our manager would sure up the financial aspects prior to us even arriving at the gig. He had contacts throughout the typical band circuit in this area (texas, florida and west coast) with established contracts already in place. That made things much easier on us. If you're going pay as you play, be sure to have something in writing prior to the gig with terms of your payment spelled out completely (flat rate, % of bar/door, whatever). We also had the luxury of a couple volunteer (we paid for their room/food/beer) roadies to help set up and keep track at the door if door % was part of the payment; I wouldn't leave that up to the guys working the door for the bar owner. Good luck, wrap it up every time and enjoy!
Members catphish Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by bigby Good luck, wrap it up every time and enjoy! better advice has never been dispenced.
Members chris-dax Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by ContusionBass My band plans to tour in may... i've never toured with a band before, so i am quite excited. what are the issues i might run into while out and about? i want to try to plan this so we dont get snagged. Contusion - my advice would be to sit down and think a long time about what you want to accomplish on this tour. On a daily basis, on a nightly basis, on a personal basis, on a music basis. Really think about why you're doing this and what you want to accomplish. Write it down and then pare it down to 5-6 sentences. Write them down on a sheet of paper that you keep with you for the whole time. Every time you eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner pull out your list and check yourself. Then before you crash for the night, give it one more run through. How did I do on this, this and this. How can I maintain so that tomorrow I do at least as well. How can I do better on this, this and this tomorrow. Half way through, reevaluate the list....make changes as necessary. This sounds like a lot of bs...and a lot of it is. One thing it will do is carry you over the emotional ups and downs of being on the road. Another thing it will do is keep you focused on making the most of the time....it will fly by and later you'll be sitting around thinking...WTF...? This is good discipline that will help you maintain your sanity....trust me. On the road, discipline is good....it keeps you in shape so that the couple of minutes you're on stage, you are at your best and can perform and do what you're out there to do.... last thing.....just have fun....live your dream. Life is a vapor evaporating before your eyes....live it now....c-d
Members BlackBelt Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Take extra socks and underwear (seriously). Take a lightweight and a heavyweight jacket, and a couple of extra pairs of shoes. Drink lot's of water, little to no soda, and go easy on the alcohol. Take a multi-vitamin everyday. Eat only at national chain restaurant, and NEVER at a truckstop (food poisoning mecca- don't ask how I know). Sleep as much as you can, because it's the one thing that will keep you going. VERY IMPORTANT: control the climate where you sleep, your vocals will depend on it. If the air is so dry that your nose is whistling like it's full of a box of Triscuits the next morning, your in trouble. When you get off the bus (or van, or whatever) STRETCH your muscles, starting with head rotations, then arm circles, then gyrate your hips in a circle, then stretch your hamstrings by crossing your right leg over your left and bending forward at the waist until you feel it in the back of your leg. Change legs and repeat. Don't do this after riding all day, and you'll know why I said to do it! Find out if anyone you are traveling with is on any type of medication, and what to do if they have a medical emergency. Know who to call back home for each person in the group if something happens to them, like they catch on fire at a gig (once again, don't ask how I know) Make sure that you have condoms, and for pete's sake USE THEM only during 'encounters'. Sure it's fun to inflate one to penis size and stick it in your guitar players mouth while he's sleeping with his pie-hole wide open. And sure, pictures of that are the funniest thing you've ever seen. But later that night you'll be wishing you saved that last condom for someone other than your guitar player. (don't ask how I know) Also, I found that if I stashed stuff to pull out at awkward times on the tour, it really helped relieve the tension. There's nothing pleasant about everybody getting on everybody else's nerves, and no one talking to each other. So, at some weird time like that, stick a hollow dildo on the guitarists SM-57 microphone while he's not looking, and wait until he gets up to his mic and opens his mouth before he see's it. Everyone will have a good laugh, and it will take their mind off how much they hate each other for awhile. Just be creative, and remember that it's long ride...
Members HelterSkelter Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 I herd theres some website that you can make your own tour or book it yourself. Is this true? Touring is my highest goal I want to achieve. I can die happy once I go on a tour....
Members SB Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 A lot of great advice so far. I'm trying to think of something to add, but so far only one thing comes to mind, however it is very important: No matter how much you want to go outside for some fresh air after a gig, no matter how warm it is outside, always wipe yourself down and put on a dry top before doing so. Nothing worse than being sick on tour, especially if you have to sing. Also, don't damage your voice screaming along to your favourite CD (especially if it's Guns'n'Roses or Queen) late at night after a gig. If you sang at the gig, give your voice some rest for the rest of the night. Speak softly, but don't whisper, 'cause whispering is just as bad for your vocal chords as screaming! It's true.Bass-wise, remember to gently drain your blisters (if you get them) and moisturise your right-hand calouses every night (sorbolene lotion works very well). That way they won't dry out and peel off and you'll have thick, sturdy leather-like calouses that don't hurt and produce a good tone with warm yet defined attack.
Members ContusionBass Posted February 12, 2006 Author Members Posted February 12, 2006 thx guys for all the info. this should really help us out in the long run.
Members razo Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 The most important thing is the towel. NEVER EVER LOSE YOUR TOWEL!
Members SB Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by razo The most important thing is the towel. NEVER EVER LOSE YOUR TOWEL!
Members Rippin' Robin Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 I went on two two-weeks european nightliner tours, which was awesome. A few basic things will enhance your fun, though: -Vitamin pills. Take 'em, every day, or you'll have a huge cold in a few days. -Take a shower when you can. You'll never know when the next opportunity will be. -Make sure you eat regularly, and if at all possible, make sure food+drink is stipulated in the venue contracts. -Make a sound financial planning. You don't want to get stuck in Little Tallahokeypokey in Oklahoma without money for gas, and 500 miles to go. -If you plan on drinking every day, which probably will happen, make sure you obey rule 1. (The vitamin pills). -Travel light. -Underpants will last about 4 days, after which you can just wear them inside out for another 3-4 days. Relax, the groupies know you've got pants full of funk and fun. -Your day rhythm will probably get out of whack, so get sleep when you can. -Take care of your gear. Make sure everything gets triple-checked before you leave. Take lots of spare everythings. Need to choose between spare socks or spare batteries? Take the batteries, clean socks won't make the show go, batteries will.
Members razo Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by Rippin' Robin -Take a shower when you can. You'll never know when the next opportunity will be.-Your day rhythm will probably get out of whack, so get sleep when you can. Huge +1 on these.
Members kmcclung Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Check your wheels before you leave and have a mechanic check your vehicle out! My brothers band has gone through 3 vans so far. First one blew the engine in I think virginia and they were stuck out there for a week before trading it in to a mechanic plus cash to get another one. Then that one on the next tour lost its wheel on the freeway in california. Thankfully it was at 2 or 3 in the morning and no one was on the road 'cause I guess they went all over it, then just before they went to their video release party in seattle it's transmission blew. So now they have a new van and hopefully will be okay. Their name is Coretta Scott in case anyone wondered. So in the end, I suggest Triple A. However make sure that it will cover trailers, my dad and I rented a trailer to move him to pennsylvania and before he got to my house the trailer wheel was put on wrong and caught on fire. He called AAA and his policy didn't cover the trailer so he had to add it on. Also if you go to new york make damn sure someone sleeps in the van at night, preferably the biggest scariest looking one. Everytime I look on a music site someone gets their van or trailer stolen.
Members whawkins7 Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 and take your instrument and maybe a backup and strings and a soldering kit (its happened to me) and jeans (jean are durable and dont get soiled as fast)
Members ezstep Posted February 13, 2006 Members Posted February 13, 2006 Once you get your trailer, do NOT put the band's name on it or do anything to draw attention to it. Otherwise, you had just as well paint "Free Music Equipment!" on the side of the trailer. Don't do it. While your mechanic is checking out the RV, get him to check out the trailer as well. He will look for things that most people wouldn't - wheel bearings, brakes (if it has brakes), wiring, any structural problems, etc. If you have a lot of gear, get a dual axle trailer - they are so much smoother than the single axles, plus nearly all the dual axles have the electric brakes. Smoother, more room and stops quicker. Get a packet of spare fuses for the RV and for the trailer. Have fun, and call home occassionally. Parents and friends do worry, you know, so keep in touch with them.
Members jazzbassist Posted February 13, 2006 Members Posted February 13, 2006 Do an idiot check after every gig- Local Crew LOVE to get new stuff. Speaking of local crew- Don't piss them off, they are the last ones to touch your gear and they WILL break it if they think you are an asshole. Travel at night, sleep during the day if you can. It's much easier to wake up fresh and play a show than be on the raod for 10 hours and get out of the bus and play. Don't expect anything from the venue that isn't in the rider. If you don't have it and you need it, put it in the rider. However- Don't be afraid to ask for anything at the venue. They want you to be happy, because you make them money. So if they can do it for you, chances are they will. Just remember to accept no for an answer. Soundcheck isn't rehearsal time for anyone but the headliner. Listen to the stage manager, don't play over your allotted time. Remember, it goes by his/her watch, not yours. These are just a few that I noticed no one else posted. I have a million more.
Members bnyswonger Posted February 13, 2006 Members Posted February 13, 2006 Lots of good advice here. One thing I would add is if you get a deli tray, don't eat any meat that is...ummm...shiny. If it glistens, avoid. Also avoid salads with a mayo component - potato, chicken, egg, whatever. Trail mix is a good option.
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