What's been your most "uncomfortable" gig?

[Brian Krashpad]

Nevertheless it was a breach of contract and you stuck to your end of it.

Agreed, which is why I had no problem pulling the lawyer card. The key in those sticky situations is to stay cool (which is why I immediately moved to pull the plug on the PA when my compadre started badmouthing the store), so the other side doesn't have any counter-ammunition. A friend of mine had a similar scenario happen to him at a show I attended. He (of course) asked me to help him out afterward, but I couldn't get anything out of the venue owner. Why? Because he and his bandmates (but in particular, him) had gotten drunk and belligerent, and ordered a couple rounds after that, that they then walked out on. In that situation I had very little leverage from which to negotiate, and my friend had to console himself that they'd stiffed the venue on drinks for a goodly percentage of what they they otherwise would've been owed.

Live and learn. Don't get overly toasted at shows kids, it can bite you in the arse in ways you couldn't even have imagined.

Btw, I don't mean to imply I've never gotten overly toasted at a show. Quite the contrary, unfortunately. I'm... deeply flawed. But I do know at this point that it's a stupid thing to do.

 

[DrumBob]

OMG, my blues/roots band played three times at a local mental hospital. The first time was in a big field in a gazebo. That was OK. The second two times, we were locked in a courtyard with some of the most severely afflicted patients. It was extremely uncomfortable for me. I was freaked. On breaks, I sat behind my drums, read a book and tried not to look up. I couldn't wait to get out of there, and when the opportunity came up to play there again late last year with my current band, I turned the gig down flat. I know it was a good thing to play for those poor people, but I just couldn't go through with it again.

 

[kiteman]

OMG, my blues/roots band played three times at a local mental hospital. The first time was in a big field in a gazebo. That was OK. The second two times, we were locked in a courtyard with some of the most severely afflicted patients. It was extremely uncomfortable for me. I was freaked. On breaks, I sat behind my drums, read a book and tried not to look up. I couldn't wait to get out of there, and when the opportunity came up to play there again late last year with my current band, I turned the gig down flat. I know it was a good thing to play for those poor people, but I just couldn't go through with it again.

I have a feeling they don't care. Funny to be there in the first place.

 

[Commodore 64]

This has been a cool thread. I've yet to "gig. But I wanted to chime in and say that I have enjoyed each of the stories here. I can only hope to add my own.

On Sunday we rehearsed for 5 hours, including a monster jam on a For What It's Worth/Mr. Soul medley. I think we're gonna add Down By the River...to complete our Neil Young Medley. We have rehearsed other medlies: Stax: (Hold on I'm Comin', Soul Man, Respect,Knock On Wood), Stones: (Let's Spend the Night Together, Paint it black, The last time), Motown: (Nowhere to run, Get Ready, My Girl, Dancin in the Streets), Elvis: (Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, something else) and the "E" Medley: (Not Fade Away, Tobacco Road, Ain't Got You, She's the One).

Anyways, Sunday was the first time I think we played relatively tight...we were able to jam and still stay together and anticipate when/if to trade leads. By far the most fun I've ever had playing guitar. So hopefully I'll be able to pop my giggin' cherry soon.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

This has been a cool thread. I've yet to "gig. But I wanted to chime in and say that I have enjoyed each of the stories here. I can only hope to add my own.

On Sunday we rehearsed for 5 hours, including a monster jam on a For What It's Worth/Mr. Soul medley. I think we're gonna add Down By the River...to complete our Neil Young Medley. We have rehearsed other medlies: Stax: (Hold on I'm Comin', Soul Man, Respect,Knock On Wood), Stones: (Let's Spend the Night Together, Paint it black, The last time), Motown: (Nowhere to run, Get Ready, My Girl, Dancin in the Streets), Elvis: (Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, something else) and the "E" Medley: (Not Fade Away, Tobacco Road, Ain't Got You, She's the One).

Anyways, Sunday was the first time I think we played relatively tight...we were able to jam and still stay together and anticipate when/if to trade leads. By far the most fun I've ever had playing guitar. So hopefully I'll be able to pop my giggin' cherry soon.

Sounds like fun! Break a leg!

 

[Eric]

Anyways, Sunday was the first time I think we played relatively tight...we were able to jam and still stay together and anticipate when/if to trade leads. By far the most fun I've ever had playing guitar. So hopefully I'll be able to pop my giggin' cherry soon.

That's cool.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll ever get there (gigging). I've tried to get involved with some people a few times here, and there's so much stupid posturing (where they want you to be Slash just for their craptastic cover non-band) and/or disorganization/chaos that I'm sick of even trying. If I could find some supportive group of people who actually want to play together and that I can learn from, that would be different. But right now, it just feels like people only want seasoned professionals or something. It's really retarded.

 

[R_of_G]

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll ever get there (gigging). I've tried to get involved with some people a few times here, and there's so much stupid posturing (where they want you to be Slash just for their craptastic cover non-band) and/or disorganization/chaos that I'm sick of even trying. If I could find some supportive group of people who actually want to play together and that I can learn from, that would be different. But right now, it just feels like people only want seasoned professionals or something. It's really retarded.

It's a shame many of us fretters live so far apart. There are a bunch of players here with whom I have much more in common musically than anyone I've played with.

 

[Commodore 64]

Is there a local MoM and Pop shop that does a "Rock Band" dealio for the summer? You know , where kids that take lessons get together in little bands and play a few cover songs at the end of the summer...to a live audience? Best $110 bucks I've spent in a long time (last summer). It got me in with the group I practice with now.

 

[Eric]

Is there a local MoM and Pop shop that does a "Rock Band" dealio for the summer? You know , where kids that take lessons get together in little bands and play a few cover songs at the end of the summer...to a live audience? Best $110 bucks I've spent in a long time (last summer). It got me in with the group I practice with now.

I should look into that. The one near my house is filled with d-bags who make a hobby out of being rude, but the place I bring my guitar for repair these days offers lessons. Maybe I'll see what their deal is.

 

[Ch0jin]

It's a shame many of us fretters live so far apart. There are a bunch of players here with whom I have much more in common musically than anyone I've played with.

+1 to that. I even have an awesome rehearsal place close to me with mic'd up rooms and CD production and everything! These days though, my iPhone and loopers have kind of taken the place of actual people to jam with, which is pretty sad. (although I must say, after spending so much time jamming with drum loops, human drummers often sound pretty sloppy haha)

 

[kiteman]

I'm spoiled by my drum machine. I won't play if I don't have some kind of beat.