Advice for Non-Musicians

Danny G · September 06, 2011, 11:34:12 AM

Post advice for music fans and show attendees

If a touring band/musician is at the venue eating, wait until they are done to start a conversation. That is probably the first actual meal they've had all day, if not the last several. It's hard for the musician to concentrate on what the person is saying and it's hard to answer questions with your mouth full, heh

People carrying gear have the right of way.

As much as you'd like to help load a band's gear and as helpful as it sounds in theory, sometimes it can sometimes only hurt. The band knows exactly what is theirs/how much it weighs/where it should go and in what order. And unfortunately sometimes overzealous drunk friends drop 120lb tube combo amps from chest level onto a concrete floor.

Hemisaurus · September 06, 2011, 11:36:11 AM

Man, your friends suck

Danny G · September 06, 2011, 11:43:24 AM

Nah, he's a great guy. But he'd already hoisted the amp under his arm and dropped it b4 any of us could stop him. Amp was fine tho *phew*

Instant Dan · September 06, 2011, 11:45:41 AM

I used to be guilty of doing the first one but being young, dumb, and star-struck was probably it. Now that I am a little older, I realize to give them space. Being couped up in a van is no fun and you need your space. Still, if it is a musician I really like or thought the band really went out of their way, I usually shake their hands and say 'thanks for coming, you did awesome!' Even if they have heard it a million times, it's nicer to hear that than waiting for the main band to come on.

justinhedrick · September 06, 2011, 11:51:39 AM

if the musicians were in previous bands, don't gush over their old band when you're there to see their new one . . .

Instant Dan · September 06, 2011, 11:55:51 AM

Don't call out for their hits. Chances are, they are going to play it.

If it's a small stage, be kind and don't set your drink near their cables or pedalboard. Seen a lot of sets end early because of that.

Hemisaurus · September 06, 2011, 12:00:33 PM

Shouldn't this thread go in GD, as we're all musicians here, right

The number one no-no is don't call out Freebird.

I have no idea who started that shit, and I don't want to know. I don't know Freebird, I ain't gonna learn Freebird, I don't find it funny, and if you want to find out how heavy my bass is, just call it out one more time.

Instant Dan · September 06, 2011, 12:05:44 PM

My friend's response when he was playing and someone yelled out 'Freebird' was to flip them off and yell 'There's your freebird!'

Danny G · September 06, 2011, 12:18:04 PM

^^^ This.

I personally love when people request "Freebird" heh!

Hemisaurus · September 06, 2011, 12:41:37 PM

I guess. A truly American response, for an American request.

Metal and Beer · September 06, 2011, 08:35:33 PM

I never understood the "why don't they want help?" thing until I was on the other end of the situation. Not only will just-trying-to-help drunk guy potentially drop something, the bands' load-in/out routine has over time incorporated a realtime accounting of gear, too. The steps go in a certain order on purpose, and I-Just-Want-To-Help-Guy fucks that up. I freaked for an hour in Jackson, MS because someone "helped" and set my amp somewhere I didn't catch at first..

As far as relations go with fans/patrons, I'm ALWAYS accomodating even when it's not the best time or whatever. Musicians who're cold and aloof at best and contemptuous dickbags at worst need to get a job in a field where they can be all by themsefs.

neighbor664 · September 06, 2011, 09:11:09 PM

Quote from: Danny G on September 06, 2011, 12:18:04 PM
^^^ This.

I personally love when people request "Freebird" heh!

Danny, that is because you actually play with people that can do it justice. The version y'all did at Slim's was f'n awesome!

VOLVO))) · September 06, 2011, 10:18:22 PM

I always offer my hand to help bands loading in and out. Even if I've already played, and loaded my shit out already. They're almost always appreciative, and always offer me merch and shit. Dark Castle's the biggest offender. I've seen them like 15 times, and I've never left without carrying a bunch of shit out of guilt, because they have SO MUCH SHIT. hahaha.

If I listed the bands I've lugged shit for, you guys would be sick.

If I listed the bands that I've fixed shit for at 2AM, because it broke at the show, you guys would laugh at me.

spookstrickland · September 07, 2011, 12:49:35 AM

Don't try to have a conversation with the band and or member when you are drunk! I know you mean well but I'm in a big enough hurry trying to get my shit together either to go on stage or getting off stage and you being drunk makes it next to impossible to understand what the hell you are saying. Please send an email. I know I love to get email from people who saw our shows and then I have plenty of time to chat with them.

clockwork green · September 07, 2011, 01:52:49 AM

I hate people trying to help me with my gear which sounds really fucked up but I'd rather break my leg and amp carrying my amp up a flight than have a stranger try and carry it. It's a little different with guys from other bands because they get it and if a friend dropped something of value it honestly wouldn't be that big of a deal but I'd just rather not run the risk with someone I don't know and carrying my gear sucks but it's not that big of a deal.

mortlock · September 07, 2011, 02:10:41 AM

make your girlfriends hot friend hook up with us..

lordfinesse · September 07, 2011, 03:11:51 AM

Don't start chanting "one more song" when the band has only just started it's set.

Hemisaurus · September 07, 2011, 08:01:30 AM

Send us pictures, tag us, whatever. I've seen shit-ton's of people take pictures at our shows, and I have never seen any of those pics

Discö Rice · September 07, 2011, 11:39:41 AM

Quote from: lordfinesse on September 07, 2011, 03:11:51 AM
Don't start chanting "one more song" when the band has only just started it's set.

I think that's hilarious, actually - especially if the band sucks or they play 25 minute songs.

RAGER · September 07, 2011, 12:40:36 PM

Quote from: Discö Rice on September 07, 2011, 11:39:41 AM
Quote from: lordfinesse on September 07, 2011, 03:11:51 AM
Don't start chanting "one more song" when the band has only just started it's set.
I think that's hilarious, actually - especially if the band sucks or they play 25 minute songs.

I agree. Never gets old.

Oh and don't ever set your fucking drink on any gear that's sitting against the wall. Don't even lean on it. In fact don't even look at it.

VOLVO))) · September 07, 2011, 12:47:11 PM

My band has a 35 minute song...

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

rayinreverse · September 07, 2011, 01:07:07 PM

Quote from: spookstrickland on September 07, 2011, 12:49:35 AM
Don't try to have a conversation with the band and or member when you are drunk! I know you mean well but I'm in a big enough hurry trying to get my shit together either to go on stage or getting off stage and you being drunk makes it next to impossible to understand what the hell you are saying. Please send an email. I know I love to get email from people who saw our shows and then I have plenty of time to chat with them.

I get this a lot, but I just say thanks, etc and keep loading gear.
Now once I am done loading, I do my best to talk to all the shit faced assholes that thought we 'fucking rocked man'

justinhedrick · September 07, 2011, 01:56:31 PM

Quote from: rayinreverse on September 07, 2011, 01:07:07 PM
Quote from: spookstrickland on September 07, 2011, 12:49:35 AM
Don't try to have a conversation with the band and or member when you are drunk! I know you mean well but I'm in a big enough hurry trying to get my shit together either to go on stage or getting off stage and you being drunk makes it next to impossible to understand what the hell you are saying. Please send an email. I know I love to get email from people who saw our shows and then I have plenty of time to chat with them.

I get this a lot, but I just say thanks, etc and keep loading gear.
Now once I am done loading, I do my best to talk to all the shit faced assholes that thought we 'fucking rocked man'

yep, i'm the same way.

Danny G · September 08, 2011, 12:37:11 PM

Be careful drunkenly yelling into a musician's ear trying to talk to them at the front of the stage while a band was playing. During said show that Neighbor described (I wasn't onstage for that...) drunk guy yelled drunk things I couldn't hear anyway. I immediately cringed and got the hell away from him, my ear rang and hurt for 3 days after that.

Best advice to avoid drunken stupidity as a fan: DON'T GET DRUNK.

Danny G · September 18, 2011, 08:23:24 AM

For the love of FUCK don't walk up to the stage and make requests to the band MID SONG.

It is rude rude rude and makes you look like a fucking idiot. People like that I wish I could just kick in the face. I am working. And I don't go to the bus stop where you work and slap the dick out of your mouth while you're trying to make rent. Fuckin people.