General Music Chat

Ok... so two days ago two of the guys in one of my bands say that some girly friends of theirs want us to play late saturday night, at a house party.
No money involved, no sound system of course, so wed have to lug all of our stuff there.
High probability of many under 21 people there.

So we kick it around for a few minutes before leaving rehearsal, and I say 'ehhh... I dont know about that.'
Well, today it was posted on the old myspace that we were doing it... which I found out about tonight. Hadnt looked at the page recently.

On the plus side:
probably lots of young women getting their drink on.

On the negative side:
No money, possible legal issues with noise ordinance and underage people, setting up in some room of a house, three days notice. No type of professionalism from the 'host', no security.


Anyways, in a nutshell, I told them to get bent. Im not doing it.

Questions:
Am I an ahole?
Would you do it?
And what are your general feelings on playing house parties?

Yeah , I agree man. Too many red flags for the way things are in todays society.20 yrs ago, I wouldnt see it as that much of a threat, but the "MAN" is alot more strict with John Q Public nowdays. Too many ways to get into trouble indirectly with law suites etc.MAN , what a bummer though. You coulda wore your parachute pants and spiked wrist bands from the 80's and shown those brats how to ROCK..

If it fills bad, smalls bad and sounds bad it is bad. Do not do it.

I am with TheKIDD on this one. Not today. Too many pitfalls.

that's a no brainer!


www.myspace.com/blunderingeye
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/6039/
http://bandmix.com/hayden-king/
"Jamm Pudding" on yahoo messenger (wed's 8-10 pm E.S.T.)

*

It depends, I suppose, on how much info you have on it all. If this is all you know about it, then, yeah, I'd say no.

Out here in the sticks, I've played at a few of these kinds of things, & it was never any trouble, but in a more city/suburb situation, I would expect problems w/law, neighbors, etc.

Besides, whenever someone asks me to play for free at their lil party, I like to invite them to a lil home improvement party at my house, "so bring your hammer & some boards & stuff."

Ppl don't realize that this is work sometimes, & I'm not shy about reminding them.

You're still a curmudgeon, though, Zip.

...I'd take it just for the prospect of...... big boobies

Seems that there's no value at all in playing there.

You're not getting paid
You're not getting exposure
You're not even getting fans (teens won't be able to go out and see you in bars)

And you are accepting a LOT of risk even if you don't see underage drinking. When you are an adult at a party, whether it's your party or not, you're equally as responsible.

I don't like taking unnecessary risks, and that is exactly what that is.

I wouldn't do it even if there was pay involved.

You're an ass.. JUST KIDDING.
Okay, here's the thing: get your amp, axe, pedals and head to the party. Shred a bit and wail some dirty solos and seconds later, you're upstairs getting a blowjob from 24 girls... there might be guys upstairs too. Keep em away from you.

Now, seriously, I dunno. It'll definitely get you laid if that's what you have in mind. You seem like the responsible kinda type that won't do that though... I woulda done it. Done it once before, but it was just a coupla songs and then everyone got scattered everywhere.. including upstairs lol

I think you made a good call...plus it's always fun to tell people to get bent!

Ya, I'm shocked that y'all didnt take question #1 and run with it.

1. Dont realy know you well enough to answer that one...............

2 Not at this point in my life, there was a time though............

3 When I lived in DC. in the 80s, The bands I played with would play annywhere anny time and deal with the consequences latter. I have a few scars from flying beer bottles and was jailed a couple of times. Now people are crazzy so none for me thanx, UNLESS it had security and permits or whatever was required for that locality.

Everybody seems happy to play for free or next to nothing. What the hell, you may as well do the same. Sounds like to me you're a curmudgeon. Think of all the people there who could become fans of the band. And think of all the free gigs you'll be offered in the future. And think of all the future fans you'll get by doing all those free gigs. Yep, you're a stick-in-the-mud curmudgeon. You'll also get fewer boobs sitting at home...

There are times when ya just have to play for fun. There's a unique individual out here that does a "full moon jam," every month at his house. There are usually amps & such & there's always a PA, so I don't mind going over there a few times a year with my bass or my acoustic. That's a lil different than someone asking you to come & entertain for free at their party, with your whole band & equipment. That takes someone who thinks you're in it for fun, & you don't take it seriously. You just need to let 'em know how wrong they are, & they usually understand. I don't load up an amp unless it's a paying gig or a benefit I can believe in.

Spontaneously sitting in with other musicians is fun more often than not, though, & I have always tried to do that a lot.

GT
The situation as you posted it sounds like a losing proposition.
However if playing out in the country side the problems could be minimal.
We played a party for band family and friends. We did not get paid.
We went at it as a practice session. We played, we cut up, we had fun.
We got feed well and the hostess brought out cold wet towells for every member of the band due to the heat. (summer in Texas) We were appreciated, and all took part in a family style fireworks show.
No problem with the law, or neighbors. Beer drinkin was done with respect to women and children present.
The situation is so variable. The last "teen" party Ray and I played was very well chaparoned. Also a lot of fun.

LOL

I am 41, just turned on Jan 15th.

We play more frats and/or sororities than about anything else. Yeah we play for free.

The best is the idea that if they aren't paying you, you can do whatever you want. (and we often do)

IF you have a song that has an alt ending and you would like to see how the crowd likes it. (perfect time to do it)

IF you want to jam a tune you have never done before, perfect time to do it.

IF you just want to get wild and weird, creative to the extent that others are completely lost and must follow along with where ever the hell you are going, perfect time to do it.

IF you need practice as a vocalist..

Just don't get with any underage women and remember that until your part is over, you are merely there to play.

(I am getting to the point that I like the little non-paying venues, as I can GO OFF and hone the craft a little without worrying about anything at all)