tmidgett wrote:

adamawakes wrote:The other time was when we opened for a band called Headtest – they sat just outside the club door rather than watch our set. I think it’s good manners to check out the other bands – check out what other people are up to - I always have.

I have always liked this, theoretically.

But even if I really like the other bands, I almost never watch much of their sets if they are playing before I am.

For one, I have to get my shit together, and I cannot concentrate on someone else's music right then.

For two, the sound in front of the stage can be heavier/more impressive than the sound onstage, and I don't want to be left wanting up there.

I often don't watch bands playing after mine either.

Perhaps I am rude. I just end up in weird mindsets before/after playing, and it's often not conducive to watching someone else do something.

I am the same as this.

Sometimes I will watch the other bands, but only if I think they were good in the soundcheck, or if I already know that they're good.

It's nice to relax before playing.

I am going to add a 'nice' anecdote to this list, about the time my band were lucky enough to open for Fugazi. I know stories are legion about their conduct and geniality; this one's mine.

It's 11pm, and we are in the wings with our jaws on the floor watching Fugazi finish their hurricane-force set. Guy Picciotto is on the deck, bathed in sweat, wrapped in mic cable doing his electroshock therapy thing.
They finish and walk off into the wings. About ten seconds later, Guy comes up to me and our singer standing by our gear, and says: "Hey. Thanks so much for playing. Do you need a hand with your gear? Where's your van? I'll give you a hand." We barely get the chance to reply when he says "Oh sorry, we're doing an encore." He dives back on stage for two songs with the crazy freak dance setting on full. 2000 people go ape. They finish for good, and fifteen seconds later Ian and Guy, calm and pleasant as you like, are helping us load out. I also remember each one of them making sure they shook hands and introduced themselves individually to everyone in our band.

This incident caused me to re-think my behaviour at shows and on tour. Extraordinary band, extraordinary people.

Matt larcombe wrote:
Wasent Matthew Good by any chance was it? That guy needs to have his testicles removed post haste.

After a little research, the dude went by the name "Collapsing Opposites"
And for the record. The guy wasn't a total dick. He just made some assumptions that were completely inappropriate.

Dälek were beautiful, engaging people.

I think they still are, even apart.

si-maro wrote:I think the worst is playing with a band and thinking that they suck on a musical level, but then afterwards discovering that they're absolutely lovely. I find that much worse than discovering a band you like are a bunch of dicks...

Oh, man, that is so true. On tour, so many local opening bands are totally wretched musically, but are super nice people - put you up, feed you, buy you beer, etc.

Then I end up thinking that I'm a dick, because I can't fake enthusiasm for a crappy band. And it's the worst of all when it's young kids looking for approval/fishing for a compliment. I wish I could just lie and say "Yeah - you guys were great too!" but the part of me that reasons that it's best not to encourage them to keep playing that shit wins out - musical Darwinist logic or something.....

Maybe I need to come up with something like, "Hey, yeah, that stuff you were playing - it would sound really killer if you guys did that as a tin whistle trio instead of conforming to the straitjacket of the guitar/bass/drums format." Something where I don't have to say they were good, but lets me say something..... And if I said that, they'd probably think I was just kind of a fucking weirdo and forget about the fact that I never actually complimented them.

But I'm not a total dick - I always sincerely thank people profusely if they treat us nicely. Hell, if you have eggs, flour, and baking powder, I'll even buy a quart of buttermilk and make everybody some kick-ass pancakes after the show. And I'll even wash the dishes when I'm done!

cwileyriser wrote:

si-maro wrote:I think the worst is playing with a band and thinking that they suck on a musical level, but then afterwards discovering that they're absolutely lovely. I find that much worse than discovering a band you like are a bunch of dicks...

Oh, man, that is so true. On tour, so many local opening bands are totally wretched musically, but are super nice people - put you up, feed you, buy you beer, etc.

Then I end up thinking that I'm a dick, because I can't fake enthusiasm for a crappy band. And it's the worst of all when it's young kids looking for approval/fishing for a compliment. I wish I could just lie and say "Yeah - you guys were great too!" but the part of me that reasons that it's best not to encourage them to keep playing that shit wins out - musical Darwinist logic or something.....

Maybe I need to come up with something like, "Hey, yeah, that stuff you were playing - it would sound really killer if you guys did that as a tin whistle trio instead of conforming to the straitjacket of the guitar/bass/drums format." Something where I don't have to say they were good, but lets me say something..... And if I said that, they'd probably think I was just kind of a fucking weirdo and forget about the fact that I never actually complimented them.

But I'm not a total dick - I always sincerely thank people profusely if they treat us nicely. Hell, if you have eggs, flour, and baking powder, I'll even buy a quart of buttermilk and make everybody some kick-ass pancakes after the show. And I'll even wash the dishes when I'm done!

There's a whole thread on here somewhere of what to say when your friend's band sucks, without actually saying "you sucked". But I'm damned if I'm trawling through the 977 threads that come up when you put the word 'suck' into the search function. If you can find it though, it's a goodie.

There's this UK noise band called Bologna Pony too - I forgot those twats. They blew my amp when they borrowed it and when I expressed my displeasure at this the tall guitarist yelled "FUCK YOU" in my face. I heard the drummer is an OK guy but even he was a bit of a prick to deal with. They have this anger thing onstage and I guess it just spills out. Anyway, beware them.

Hosoi wrote:Dälek were beautiful, engaging people.

I think they still are, even apart.

What do you mean?

Chapter Two wrote:There's a whole thread on here somewhere of what to say when your friend's band sucks, without actually saying "you sucked". But I'm damned if I'm trawling through the 977 threads that come up when you put the word 'suck' into the search function. If you can find it though, it's a goodie.

I think I found what you're referencing:

http://www.electrical.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9840

Is that the one?

As a drummer, I can't imagine wanting to borrow someone else's kit unless it was a dire emergency (f'rinstance. mine got stolen, burnt, etc. and absolutely had to do the gig). I've spent a lot of time getting it to where I want it and I also configure it for the the music the band is playing.

As for letting someone else borrow mine... er... ok, if it's an emergency but I'll probably be standing by the stage with my teeth gritted (it's kinda like a trumpet player must probably feel as someone else puts their saliva in their horn).

Jim