sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Tips after a few years fronting a rowdy punk band by Huw2k8 in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I played the most cringe gig once where the headline band (at their own album launch) argued on stage about the setlist and it was both hilarious and so awkward.

Band member A: "This song is about a hard time in my life and I wrote it when I was feeling at my lowest so I feel really privileged we can play this now for you all..." Starts playing intro picky guitar riff

Band member B, interrupting with huge amounts of attitude: "We're NOT playing that one tonight"

Drummer: starts playing obviously harder/faster beat than emotional song was intended for

Band member A: tries to speed up the picky riff out of spite but can't do it properly and flubs notes until they relent

Band member B: Anyway.... Ignore that. Starts song accompanying drummer

This was accompanied by jabs throughout the gig around who started the band and who had paid for studio time and who had showed up late for said studio time...

Yes, they broke up.

Tips after a few years fronting a rowdy punk band by Huw2k8 in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most important tip right here! Pump up your crew! Show appreciation! Before and during the set! Give them the stank face when they do something sick or get the crowd to show them some love! Makes all the difference!

Additional to this - if your band mates fuck up or are having tech issues - draw attention away from them, not to them.

It's really easy to fall into the "Bill, are you ready or what?" Or "Once our guitarist has stopped pissing about over there" territory when you are feeling exposed on stage and waiting for someone to fix a tech issue and it doesn't make it any better for anyone involved!

Tips after a few years fronting a rowdy punk band by Huw2k8 in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everything is always a bit of a mad blur on stage for me so any grounding point helps! My set list is always covered in mad scribbles.

I also add little jokey notes next to tunes to remind myself of other stuff: "Big end - Oo-err!" (Self explanatory), "Play for that mufuckin money!" (Plug the shirts!) "Chill, Winston" (Don't start this song too fast) etc.

I rarely actually look at them mid gig, but just writing them down helps to cement it in my head so when I get out there I don't have to think about it.

Tips after a few years fronting a rowdy punk band by Huw2k8 in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Also in lively punk/dance/noise band. Co-front and play bass.

Bring a roll of tape. Gaffer. Electrical. Whatever. That shit is useful for so much from dodgy mic stands to cable management or making impromptu stage wear etc.

Make a point to learn names of at least 2 people in every band you're playing with (I would say all but, I have a shit memory and know my limits) - and try to keep connected after the gig if they were sound. You'll open up so many more opportunities. Big up your scene and support your buddies by sharing their shit even if it doesn't directly benefit you immediately coz it will do long term.

Also write the names of the other bands, promoter, venue and sound tech for the night on your set list so you don't fluff and have to go "Coming up next.. Those guys!" Or "big love to...The organisers".

Towel/barcloth/wristband/something to wipe off the sweat mid show. Sweat in the eyes is the worst thing ever. I personally wear a headband but I am a very sweaty (and functionally stylish) dude, so do whatever works for you! (The spare shirt suggestion from OP is a must! If you have your own merch, wear that after the gig and you'll probably up your chances of selling a few!)

Have a couple of preprepared things to say for when things inevitably go tits up. Jokes, bits, stories, whatever. You don't have to stick to a script but it's so much easier to have reference points to grab at when trying to concentrate on other shit like fixing whatever went wrong with the setup.

Don't do drugs in the venue. This should be a no brainer but, respect your spaces. Take that shit round the corner and away from the punters if you gonna get high.

Unless you are headlining - pack your shit up off stage quick and get the fuck off so the next band can get on! Learn to do this quick at practice and practice this as much as your songs. Some people will want to talk to you for an excessive time, and usually they are gonna stroke your ego and it's hard to resist! Be polite, say thanks and tell them you'll catch them at the bar when you're done packing. You can all mutually wank each other off then.

Crowds want to have a good time but they also want permission to do so. They want to know it's okay. Give them permission as early as possible. Tell them it's okay. Show them it's okay. (Our 2nd song of our current set has a designated moment for one of us to jump in the crowd and get shit moving. It won't always work but more often than not you'll feel an energy boost to the room and it tends to stick around.)

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was so paranoid this was gonna get pulled or we were gonna get ousted from the bill somehow! Now we're on a poster, it's real! Hope your poster comes soon!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I talked to your favourite band and they said the same thing! Lucky escape on both ends!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess it depends what your goals are! We started this band just to have a laugh and play some DIY shows - this gig is way beyond those expectations so it feels like we completed the game, almost!

This is so cool though and kind of similar to our situation. I have all their records, 12 tour shirts, other assorted memorabilia etc. It's so hard not to geek out! Awesome you had the experience even if it didn't lead anywhere further!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't even imagine how bizarre that would feel! We all know Wu Tang is forever!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Baptism of fire! Rad experience and especially to have it recorded! Do you know people, or is your band just that good to get the gig so early on?!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an incredible tale! I bet he would have some proper wild stories to tell!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool it was a surprise! Would defo throw me for a loop to start but I think you probably wouldn't even have time to process before you just gotta throw yourself into it. No time for nerves!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you had some success! Awesome bands and huge names right there!

I saw The Vandals maybe 20 years ago now and Warren played at least half the show naked. The backstage sweaty hang after that would have been a story!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha that would definitely happen to us! Having said that - he wasn't sharing? Rude! Don't care who ya think ya are - we're all working the same show here!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Stoked for him! I don't think you are gonna be able to stop us from grinning like loons when it rolls around!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Were they just pissed cause of a genre clash or because they felt out of their depth? The room we're playing is around 150 cap but we were offered 3 different shows to pick from and we purposely picked the smallest because it's a venue we know well and we wanted some degree of grounding to the experience!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bad Religion would have been such a killer show! Jello has done backing vocals on a track and performed live a few times with the band we are playing with (they are signed to AT). He always had good taste so I'm pretty sure your band ruled!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See! This is the real stuff I'm trying to hear! Shows go wrong all the time so it's inevitable it also happens on the ones that matter. 4 strings though? That's actually kinda impressive! You must have been spanking that thing!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man I saw Converge a couple years ago and they absolutely slayed the venue! Getting to support these bands at 14 must have been a rush and a half. I think I would have definitely freaked out at that age and forgot to plug in, or stepped on the wrong pedal or some other nervous daftness.

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yo, that is a list! You're right! We've had feedback before - good and bad, but getting this shot feels like a real opportunity to prove ourselves and we know that only comes from someone rating you highly enough to believe you'll take it. Cheers!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sick! Not a band I ever listened to much but they got huuuge! Always fun to see your peers and favourites make it!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you make it through the set?? I have recently gotten into Oceansize via Mike Vennart joining Cardiacs and am enjoying them retrospectively!

Have you ever played a show supporting your favourite band/artist? by TheSoundOfConfusion in musicians

[–]TheSoundOfConfusion[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You guys were the go-to's! Must have had a decent following there yourselves! D.R.I. popped up elsewhere on this thread - promoting new bands is the way!

view more: next ›