Playing before a famous band...

[superbatmat]

Hello, I must play Sunday with my group Newsic Syndicate (http://myspace.com/newsicsyndicate) before "Gotan Project" and I am a little nervous… Did some among you already play before a big and famous band ? How did you manage that ?
I'm so happy to play for that show !
Thank you

[drozzy]

Mate, i've said this before and hopefully wont have to again - your band is superb. Its probably the first myspace band that i waited for the page to fully load to listen to ALL of the songs.

Just don't out perform them! God knows you probably will!

[Drummer Karl]

Soon we gonaa play before a young newcomer band...called peachbox. They are getting pretty darn famous at the moment (playing in USA, too).
We`ll also be nervous but hey, see it as a great opportunity...and have fun!

all the best for the show man...drum on. =)

Karl

[Pocketman]

Karl,

I've never played before a famous band but I did play in front of a famous drummer. Bobby Rondinelli came into the bar I was playing. I was a little nervous but just stuck to playing the songs the best I could. The band was an R&B group so I just tried to stay nice and solid. He came up to me later and said, "Hey man, you sound good."

Don't be nervous. Just take advantage of the opportunity.

[xush]

the only time I was aware of anyone in a crowd we were playing for wasn't a band, but Yes's soundman. I guess that's not a big deal really (except to us), but we found out just before we started a set that began with a Yes medley, so that put on a little extra pressure.

Come to think of it, there was one major-label band that used to come to a lot of our shows when we played their area, but they were always super-nice and friendly so that kind of put me at ease.

It's just something you've got to put out of your mind while you're performing-
I'm sure you'll focus on the job at hand and do just fine!
keep us posted~

[joeysnare]

hey man,we played a show at the roxy in saskatoon,canada,and we had rob zombie and scott ian of anthrax.i was soo nervous i threw up twice beofre the show,but we ended up having a great time and scott even came up and complimented us,,just remember their people too, just like you.

[anp27]

Here's a funny story I'd like to share with you guys, which has some relevance to the topic, happened to me last year (2006). It goes a little something like this...
I used to play 6 nights a week at the J.W. Marriot here (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), at the hotel's lounge. It was just another ordinary day (night), or so I thought. Anyway, as my band and I continue with the second set, this blonde dude walks in, and due to the fact that there weren't any seats left for him to sit, stands near one of the tables and watches us play. Suddenly, my bassist says to me.. "Adriane, that blonde guy is staring at you!!" I just shrug it off and continue playing. After 30 minutes or so, the blonde dude leaves, waving us all goodbye.
The following night, half way through the second set, the same blonde guy from the night before comes to the lounge again! This time, he has two other guys with him. All three of them sit right in front of the band, watching and listening very intently. After the 45 minute set was over, we all head to the bar to get our drinks and take a break. I smile politely as I rush past the blonde dude and his friends. To my surprise, he stops me from walking any further, and says, "Hey, you sound really great up there!" and invites me to join him and his friends. He and his friends start going on and on about how tight the band sounds, etc, "It's great that you're a female drummer! You sound so good, I can't believe what I'm hearing or seeing!.. Then I ask him, "Ermm, are you guys musicians or something?" The blonde guy replies, "Yes! we're the LIONEL RICHIE BAND. I'm the guitarist (Ben Mauro, who's played with everyone from Britney Spears to Christina Aguielera), this guy here plays the sax, and this guy's the drummer". As soon as I look at the drummer, and since I'm standing right in front of him, and I have a better view of him, I suddenly blurt out, "I've seen you before, somewhere... I know it!" But at that moment in time, I coudn't remember his name. Then the sax player guy goes, "yeah... he's an awesome drummer, you might have seen him in Modern Drummer magazine before... he's OSCAR SEATON". I was literally speechless. I wanted to pass out then and there. Here's this guy, who's played with everyone from Lee Ritenour to countless other big names, sitting and watching me play..and saying good things about MY playing? Something was definitely not right. After our third set, they said their goodbyes and left. They said they had an early morning flight to Indonesia, and wanted to rest.
I found it hard to sleep that night...

[rockitman]

Don't be concerned with who follows you in the line up. Just play the songs the way you always do. Those cats were in your shoes at one time or another and chances are that next year you maybe in thier shoes.
I opened for Toto at Summerfest in Milwaukee last year. They were very nice to us and signed my snare drum for me. I got Lukather, Phillips, Porcaro, and Phillinganes signature and very nice supportive comments from them all regarding the band and our performance.
I find this to be the case in most circumstances.

[Flamacue]

Mate, i've said this before and hopefully wont have to again - your band is superb. Its probably the first myspace band that i waited for the page to fully load to listen to ALL of the songs.

Just don't out perform them! God knows you probably will!

I just checked out the myspace page...damn, I was very impressed with the entire sound...I can't remember when a flute could rock like that since Jethro Tull...kick a$$! Great sound from the band. Not a sound I would expect a mainstream audience to latch on quickly, but musicians abroad should really enjoy whatever you guys put out...

[drumbandit]

Here's a funny story I'd like to share with you guys, which has some relevance to the topic, happened to me last year (2006). It goes a little something like this...
I used to play 6 nights a week at the J.W. Marriot here (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), at the hotel's lounge. It was just another ordinary day (night), or so I thought. Anyway, as my band and I continue with the second set, this blonde dude walks in, and due to the fact that there weren't any seats left for him to sit, stands near one of the tables and watches us play. Suddenly, my bassist says to me.. "Adriane, that blonde guy is staring at you!!" I just shrug it off and continue playing. After 30 minutes or so, the blonde dude leaves, waving us all goodbye.
The following night, half way through the second set, the same blonde guy from the night before comes to the lounge again! This time, he has two other guys with him. All three of them sit right in front of the band, watching and listening very intently. After the 45 minute set was over, we all head to the bar to get our drinks and take a break. I smile politely as I rush past the blonde dude and his friends. To my surprise, he stops me from walking any further, and says, "Hey, you sound really great up there!" and invites me to join him and his friends. He and his friends start going on and on about how tight the band sounds, etc, "It's great that you're a female drummer! You sound so good, I can't believe what I'm hearing or seeing!.. Then I ask him, "Ermm, are you guys musicians or something?" The blonde guy replies, "Yes! we're the LIONEL RICHIE BAND. I'm the guitarist (Ben Mauro, who's played with everyone from Britney Spears to Christina Aguielera), this guy here plays the sax, and this guy's the drummer". As soon as I look at the drummer, and since I'm standing right in front of him, and I have a better view of him, I suddenly blurt out, "I've seen you before, somewhere... I know it!" But at that moment in time, I coudn't remember his name. Then the sax player guy goes, "yeah... he's an awesome drummer, you might have seen him in Modern Drummer magazine before... he's OSCAR SEATON". I was literally speechless. I wanted to pass out then and there. Here's this guy, who's played with everyone from Lee Ritenour to countless other big names, sitting and watching me play..and saying good things about MY playing? Something was definitely not right. After our third set, they said their goodbyes and left. They said they had an early morning flight to Indonesia, and wanted to rest.
I found it hard to sleep that night...

That sound so good. It must have been good to know that they'd come to the bar to listen to you/ your band especially. You should be proud !

Tom

[jjmason777]

Don't be concerned with who follows you in the line up. Just play the songs the way you always do. Those cats were in your shoes at one time or another and chances are that next year you maybe in thier shoes.
I opened for Toto at Summerfest in Milwaukee last year. They were very nice to us and signed my snare drum for me. I got Lukather, Phillips, Porcaro, and Phillinganes signature and very nice supportive comments from them all regarding the band and our performance.
I find this to be the case in most circumstances.

Which Porcaro are you talking about? Because Jeff Porcaro, co-founding member of TOTO has been dead since 1992. I'm not calling you a liar, I just don't know who you mean. Joe? Steve? Mike?

[Wegadrummer]

Two years ago me and my brother where with the Norwegian Idol tour.. It was scary has hell every night.. But stay focused and have fun.. Thats my advice.. and drink alot of water

[masonni]

I have toured and opend for lots of "famous" bands, nothing to worry about at all. Just go out and give the best damn show you ever did. If you out perform them... well? They don't call you back. Who cares.

[anp27]

That sound so good. It must have been good to know that they'd come to the bar to listen to you/ your band especially. You should be proud !

Tom

Well, I was certainly more 'intimidated' than 'proud', believe me haha
There's this JVC commercial that they always have playing in the electrical stores here.. in one part of the commercial, it features Lee Rit with his band (Melvin Davis-bass, Chris Botti-Trumpet) with Oscar Seaton on drums. Everytime I see that commercial, I get goosebumps, knowing that that's the same guy who watched me play, and whom I actually had the pleasure of meeting, and got to 'hang out' with.. amazing.

[Walkinghairball]

My band has opened for John Kay and Steppenwolf, and RATT.

We almost got a Great White gig also.

[superbatmat]

Thanks a lot for all your coments !

[ArtyZ]

I love to play in front of other musicians.., especially if they are really good or famous or both. I don't get nervous at all any more. I supposed I used to, can't remember.
Most musicians can't get out to see other bands perform because will all kinda work at the same time. Nights, weekends, ya know. I think its a treat to be able to see other bands live.
I enjoy having other drummers watch me as I'm very secure and sure of myself with my drumming. My band is also quite decent so I just try to keep it tight and don't show off. I usually play much better when I know that there are other drummers in the room as well.
I keep a solid tempo, play for the band and the music, and all is well. How can ya go wrong if you do that?