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"So about last night" Double thread adventure!
Wed, 11/16/2005 - 9:36pm
Do you remember the upcoming gig I had for which I asked about last-minute tips? It's taken me a while to work out how I felt about that show. My feelings are strongly ambivalent; this post comes in two halves, so that the rant doesn't sour the joy, and the joy doesn't dilute the rant.
[1 - The Rant]
The place was small. Very small. The owner told us when we agreed to do the gig that there was space for forty people. Forty would be pushing it. I would say at capacity it could have held thrity. A wee room. There was so little space that I had to stand in the genkan (that's the doorway where people take off their shoes). Every time somebody came into bar they'd trip over my leads and do their damndest to bash into me. They'd elbow their way to the bar, realise that the space wouldn't accomodate them so then muscle their way back out, taking no care, once again, not to bash me. The owner kept slipping past as well, off on mystery errands of his own.
Even so, the gig was going pretty well. We were in tune, okay for tightness and there was plenty of energy coming out of us. The crowd were just beginning to reciprocate, some nodding heads, a couple of whoops.
Then, after the 4th song of an 8-song set, the owner reappeared in the entrance. He interrupted our set and said that another bar down the street needed a power bar. We said we didn't have any spare. He said he'd just take his one back, then. I said that my amp and effects were plugged into it because he had only provided ONE wall socket for the entire band. He said, nevertheless. So we have to spend 15 minutes in the middle of the set unplugging all my stuff, moving power bars (each of which, naturally, is just too short to reach 2 amps a compressor and a PA) so everything can be juiced up. I have to play the rest of the set without effects.
The guy takes the power bar, says neither thank you nor sorry, and disappears into the night.
[2 - The Joy]
We got to play a bunch of songs to people we didn't know. Everyone here who has played a gig will know just how amazing it feels to be up there, rattling 30 nads, feeding off the energy of the crowd, sweating like a fat kid in gym class, bouncing around with your bass around you, ears smarting from the volume. It is a feeling beyond description. To those of you who haven't played a show yet, I urge you to make it the biggest concern of your life until you do. Every time I play a gig I'm reminded why I make the hour's drive to the practice studio every week, why I spend more money than is entirely sane on bits of wood and metal that make no difference to anybody else but me. Why I don't give a monkey's deposit whether I become a rockstar or not, just so long as I can continue to play shows to people whilst my fingers will allow me. Playing bass with a group of people you trust and respect to a crowd of strangers in a small room that stinks of lager, cigarettes and stale sweat is one of the greatest feelings that anyone can experience. Better, even, than a wank.
Thanks for listening. I'm all a-quiver.
Wed, 11/16/2005 - 11:40pm
#2
Wow, cool man. Good that you guys persevered(sp?) through the situation. I'm sure at least a few people would have recognized the effort you guys put in to keep playing. Good on ya.
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 12:35am
#3
Bro, Your gig sounded like a blast. Small room makin' em sweat. Awsome! Even with you problem the energy gets you by. Keep it up the next one will be even better. One thing, next time your a little ahead, get a couple of long extention chords and a extra box. Stuff happens at the worst times, and ya never know when you might have to search the room looking for Power. Also Duct tape. It holds the world together. Keep Rockin'
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 12:52am
#4
Quote (Cantdosleepflower @ Nov. 16 2005,9:36) wrote:
To those of you who haven't played a show yet, I urge you to make it the biggest concern of your life until you do.
Wow, those are powerful words. It's awesome to hear you say that after what seemed to be a less than positive show. Just outta curiousity, would you play that place again? Where exactly was this? The cramped space and the shoes off spot makes me thing Japan, but I think you're English. Can you imagine taking your shoes off in an American bar?
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 2:44am
#5
I'd certainly play there again. We got to drink for free...
But asides from that, if they have a space where we can perform, and they want us back, then I'm in like Flynn.
As for the Japan thing, you're right on both counts. I'm an Englishman living in Japan. Working as a classroom assistant (oh the glamour). Being a foreign band has advantages - we have a strong following amongst our fellow ex-pats, so bars tend to invite us back, knowing we'll bring along a dozen hard-drinking foreigners with us. On the other hand, you do sometimes feel a bit like a novelty - we played an 'international' show in the Summer where our opener was a balloon act!
You didn't actually have to take your shoes off at this place (bars tend to be American style) but most bars still have a little low area by the door where you could do so. The area is technically public property, so if I leave my door unlocked the postie lets himself in and looks about for me.
The balloon act was great.
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 4:59am
#6
Congrats on the gig cdsf
I haven't played Japan yet, but I've played some gigs like yours.
Yeah, you want to carry enough extension cords and power strips so that if you all have to plug into one wall socket, you can. Of course then there's the circuit breaker problem shutting the band down. We always looked around the entire place for other power outlets and ran extensions to them if we could to spread our power draw out to more than one circuit breaker.
Also, if you play there again, see if you could set up somewhere besides the entry area, and if not, stick a twanger in the doorway. If you show up first, you can usually call dibbs on the best spot.
Sounds like you had fun despite the hassles, and you're right, that's what it's all about.
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 6:45am
#7
If you ever do play here (well, in the next year) then there's always a futon here for you, Mr F. That goes out to all you uglies.
*wants to eat uglyburgers with real uglies*
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 7:58am
#8
Quote (Cantdosleepflower @ Nov. 16 2005,9:36) wrote:
It is a feeling beyond description. To those of you who haven't played a show yet, I urge you to make it the biggest concern of your life until you do. Every time I play a gig I'm reminded why I make the hour's drive to the practice studio every week, why I spend more money than is entirely sane on bits of wood and metal that make no difference to anybody else but me. Why I don't give a monkey's deposit whether I become a rockstar or not, just so long as I can continue to play shows to people whilst my fingers will allow me. Playing bass with a group of people you trust and respect to a crowd of strangers in a small room that stinks of lager, cigarettes and stale sweat is one of the greatest feelings that anyone can experience. Better, even, than a wank.
No drug, no booze, no brilliantly creative act of physical depravity can even come close.
Wonderfully said, Can'tdo.
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 3:34pm
#9
Except for the owner, it sounds like it was a great gig, the small room might be a plus depending on how you look at it 
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 4:53pm
#10
I have yet to gig and until recently had not really played with other people since I was 17. That was 16 years ago. When I played at the CO Uglyfest the energy was so amazing with just 6 people and I can't imagine what it would be with some structure and an audience. Good on ya CDSF. Great Story and another tip for me, extra power strips and extension cords make the world go round.
H
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 6:47pm
#11
that owner sounds like an a$$...glad yee played good though
Thu, 11/17/2005 - 10:35pm
#12
That sounds awesome. Playing live IS a very good high for me. As long as you have a good crowd it don't matter how many people are in that said crowd, IMO. Hell I have just as much fun playing for 10 people as I do 100 as long as everone's into it. Congrats on a good nite!
Fri, 11/18/2005 - 4:27am
#13
Hell yeah, playing live is where it's at! Sounds great that you made a possible horrible experience into a good one. Next time bring your own multi-outlets and extra's of just about everything you need...just in case.
Good to hear you caught the live bug. Keep it up!
Fri, 11/18/2005 - 7:48am
#14
Like I always say...
we play the same for one person as we do for...........two.
sounds like it was a sh!tygood night. I would have been very pissed at that bar owner. At least you can see it for the good you got out of it.
If I can't hear the BASS to hell with the melody-