I've been in a band for the past 10 or so years, playing in a variety of places, and have come to the conclusion that no one has a fucking clue as to what to do in many situations in this business. While I will be the first to admit that there is still a hell of a lot more for me to learn (and there always will be), I figured it was time that someone tried to put into words some of the ridiculous shit that goes on.
I'll try to keep my posts restricted to situations I've encountered, which is to say small to mid-level live and studio environments. In many ways, I believe this info to be the most relevant, because the bands and artists that are at this level are the ones that are the most fucking clueless. Now this could be just blatant ignorance or inflated opinion of self-importance. Either way, if you pull any of this shit, your antics are annoying and self-centred, and it gets on many people's nerves.
I may branch out into other aspects of the music industry, but for now I'll probably have enough cannon fodder just talking about live and recorded music. So, get your heads out of your asses and maybe this might help you.
I will try to post one a week, every Tuesday. Next week: CHAPTER ONE - STAGE ETIQUETTE.
*DISCLAIMER: My opinions are mine alone. If you don't agree with them, that is completely fine. I'm just calling it like I see it.
Hey, I need some legitimate backup on a couple arguments I'm having with the singer of the band which bears his name. I'm a seasoned pro guitarist and backup singer who's been in dozens of fair, good and really good bands. He is a newbie who happens to have a really good voice. I'll give you some examples of shit he does that I have asked him not to do as it not only makes him look bad but me as well by proxy. He maintains that he can do whatever he wants, it's "his" band and I'm being uptight.
ReplyDeleteHe announces he's drunk on the microphone. alot.
He karaokes to the intermission music.
He starts songs that the band doesn't know and kind of expects us to intuit our way through.
He oftentimes hooks up his phone to the intermission music and plays boom-jiggy music at volume levels much louder than the band.
If another band member is saying something into a mic (stage banter), he talks over them, pretty much every time.
I do quite a bit for the band over and above my base responsibility and also own a fair bit of the PA so I feel like I should have some leverage in decision-making. But really this stuff seems like gut level, no brainer kinda shit.