Band O' Jerks (aka rudeness will get you nowhere

[lyleman]

Went down to the village to see a band that my neighbor had played with before. They were playing at a crappy little bar but I thought what the hell, it's Saturday night.

So I get there while they're setting up, introduce myself, say my neighbor said you were playing, etc. and ask what kind of music will they be playing. The guy (trying to be funny but sounding like a jerk) says "bolivian love songs". Then laughed and said, "I don;t know what were playing...". I asked them another question and got another snide reply.

Now believe me, I was short and to the point - I know setup is a busy time. So I sat down, finished my drink, and thought "you know, I could be home practicing my guitar instead of watching these a**h*l*s"!

So here I am. And there they are. And there's the bar owner who just lost $20-$25 worth of business (I was going to have a bite to eat).

Moral of the story - people don't NEED to see a band, they have to WANT to see a band.

[stratman50th]

Good point. I guess they didn't read scott powell's thread on gigs!

[scott powell]

I would have introduced my self, asked what kind of songs you like,if you have any requests,do you come to the club often,and left you feeling happy. set up AINT that complicated :rolleye:
i HATE bands like that,all ego and BS, they wont last, mark my words. Karma has a way of coming back at you.
I hada kid come up tonite and talk my ears off before we started playing. i REALLY wanted a beer and about 3 min of silence,but people coming to the club are the most important thing, WE need them, they dont need us, so we sat and talked until i could excuse myself without being rude.
he had requested a song,and later i sent it out adressing him by name, now THATS customer service :D

[lyleman]

Scott - That's what I'm talking about. That "kid" you talked to and recognized could end up bringing more of his friends with him next time. Seems to me that how a band's following is built.

On the flip side, the guys I went to see will never again see me or my friends.

[Vintage Picker]

Connecting with the crowd is vital. They love to be the one the guitar player or other band members talk to....and it doesn't matter if they're 60 and you're 15...or vice versa....point is you've made them feel important for at least a little while, and they'll remember you took the time to talk with them. Not long ago I played for a church group and I had 18 people who came, not because they were in the church...they came to see me.....and it sure wasn't because my playing was so great. They came because they know me and know they'll have a solo spot in my attention for at least part of the evening.

[Mr. Boston]

he had requested a song,and later i sent it out adressing him by name, now THATS customer service :D


You just said a mouthful- or typed a handful depending how you look at it. But that's a GREAT point. Too many of these (usually) young bands have all attitude and little respect. I don't care how "deep" your music is or even how well you play. If you project the attitude of someone I don't want to give my money to- I'm not going to.

Now I LOVE it when I'm playing in front of people and I catch vibes off of a few that they "get" what we're trying to do. But seriously, if people are dancing and I know I'm helping them have a good time, I don't much care if they see our "vision" or not you know? Ultimately I'm there for them- not the other way around, that's how I look at it.