General Music Chat

Ok, I'm sitting here and I have a show tonight, and I notice aside from the fact that I usually got get my hair trimmed, and whatnot, I dont do much differently to prepare for a show that night, I do purposely refrain from things like yard work, and stressful situations..
just a curiosity if you have a routine or if you do anything in particular when you know you have a show that night.

I'm alittle more excited than usual because we have sounded really tight in rehearsal, and were debuting the new drummer, and a new song, so tonights going to be fun.

Personally, I like to know when I'm going on...& where I'm going on...UNLIKE tomorrow's gig...which is pissing me off BIGGLY, I gotta tell ya!

I really hate the non-pro's running shows...



Hope your gig goes well, Tronix.

I'm the logistics guy so I am usually pretty busy prepping the equipment to go.
It helps me to stay relaxed and focused.
I usually go dig in the washing machine for extra pics
Who needs a music store right?

Now at the show before we go on I'm usually pacing like a big cat in a cage.
I use the same psych up techniques I would use before a fight.
(might even let out a big rebel yell)
I bet it looks strange me bouncing stretching and cracking my knuckles as I pace back and forth.

It's just after 10:30, & I just got the word that I'll be going on in less than 3 hours. Boy, i love that!

Good thing the wife is out of town...I usually get a bit pissy before a gig, as I raise my energy levels for stage work. I do try to keep myself apart, when I feel this way, but ya know how relationships can be...she always wants to interact too much & too heavy just before a gig...or holds me up as I'm preparing, & that gets me nasty.

I like it best when I can have that necessary time alone, to get myself worked up for a performance. I go over lots of stuff in my headbone, then try to go blank (unsuccessfully, more often than not), then, as I tread onto the stage, I can emerge from that emotional coccoon, & perform at my best level, with the most power.

I really think I need that introspective time before a show, though.

How'd the drummer work out, Tronix? Did ya have a good gig?

I was always nervous for about the first 10 minutes when I went on to a bandstand. But after a few songs I always settled down.

Now all I do when I plan to play in front of an audience is warm up with finger exercises to limber up the old arthritic flanges. I get down wif my bad self about every day to work on songs I plan to record or make into videos, so I really don't need to do any song practice. I'm learning all the time.

Cameras and DAW's still make me nervous since they save any mistakes I may make, so I always play better live since I'm more relaxed. I know that if I screw up a note it will be forgotten or even remain unnoticed in a few seconds. Unless it's really really bad.

The gig was awesome, we had the best turn out of all the bands (3, besides ourselves.) the area right in front of the stage was packed and we walked off to a "one more song chant' (we have other songs but we dont have another song with the drummer yet..lol) The drummer killed it, he really impressed everyone, because our previous drummer was crash cymbal happy and used to give people headaches, so the new guy with much tighter beats, and timing, and knowledge of when to crash and when not to, was refreshing. He played most of our songs a touch fast, but that was nerves more than anything, and no one noticed but me, I'm sure. lol
No major errors, except by the sound guy who had our lead vox too low through the first song, but we communicated that and he took care of it for the rest of the set.
Our rhythm guitarist is a rookie, with a really strong natural feel and sense for rhythm guitar, but he's so new he lacks stage presence, in the past when he moved around too much it took away his focus from his playing, but he finally loosened up and was all over the stage, looking relaxed and like he was having fun..
overall, the show was excellent, I can't claim that we was the best band there because frankly the band that went on before us was awesome, they were all excellent musicians, the lead singer/guitarist/violinist is a music teacher in both guitar and violin, both classical or modern rock..the guy had skills. And a great VERSATILE singer as well, he could sing properly and melodically, and scream equally well. And most importantly dreadlocks...gotta love it..lol
Their drummer was on par with ours, which is saying something, the fans there definitely got a excellent drummer demo throughout the night.

I have friends that are pretty much strictly rap and hip hop only, and they came to our show because we bugged the hell out of them, and they are our friends so they came to support us, and we blew them away, they all to a one said they was going to listen to more rock and metal now, because they heard how powerful it can be, and we got praise from alot of people that had never heard us before, it was probably the best show to date from a fan reaction stand point.

Love to hear about successful gigs.
Almost as much as I like pictures of successful gigs.


Hint... hint.

Hey, man, I'm really glad your new drummer's working out for you. Kudos on the good show, & try not to compare yourself too much to other acts. Oftentimes, what musicians appreciate & what the audience appreciates are two very different things, as we all know. It sounds as if you were very appreciated, & that, in & of itself, is something to celebrate.

Enjoy that afterglow!

Sounds like a great show. I think that if you are a good musician people whoswe backgrounds are in other genres will still enjoy your performance. Gettiing an "outsider" to enjoy your music show's that there is some genuine talent there.

Love to hear about successful gigs.
Almost as much as I like pictures of successful gigs.


Hint... hint.

soon, my wife forgot our camera, but there was two other cameras going, plus, I know we got video footage of atleast one song, and we got a decent live audio recording of the entire show, because my lead guitarist brought his laptop and mic equipment, so I will have fresh stuff updated on my page soon.

which is cool, because he recorded all of the bands, and I believe he's going to make copies of their shows, available to them as well. That will get us some bonus points I'd imagine..lol

Heck yeah man. That's what I'm a talkin about.