How to be a good hang!

drumholmes

drumholmes

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What do you do off the stage to help the band or artist you play for?

Being in a band isn't always about playing. In fact, most of our time is spent off-stage, hanging out with each other. A positive attitude helps the time between gigs go much more smoothly.
This comes naturally to some, but there are certain things you can bring to the table that help a band keep chugging along.

I've found that I do well as the head Google Maps operator. It takes a toll on the phone battery, but having a good navigator goes a long way. And finding good food while traveling is essential!
 
My band bs's at rehearsal as much as practicing. We're friends despite differences of religion, politics, life experience etc. and show that respect. I am big on positive reinforcement, just recognizing when someone plays well or we finally get a tune up to performance level. On stage or off we have each others back. Getting to the gig early, having a meal and takin' care of biz.
 
I do a lot of navigating, like drumholmes above. (I have a phone charger on my tote next to my kit, so I can have my phone recharged while I play.)
I help with posting our gigs on social media. (Band leader creates the posters, cuz he's really good with the computer stuff, but me and the bass player blast social media for our gigs.) I help be on the lookout for different venues for our band to try booking, as I tend to be more connected on Facebook with other local musicians, so I tend to see where everyone is playing, and if there's a venue that we don't play at, I get the info and pass it along to the guys who book the band.

The few times I get out to see other folks play, if I notice songs that do well for that band, and might work for us, I make sure to share that with the group, too. I would be the only one in our band to actually get out and see folks in our area, so I have more perspective than they do on what is working in a given venue in our area. Similarly if I hear something on the radio, or on TV that might make sense, I make a note of it.

I maintain the set-break playlists, and the phone that I play them with. I used to count on the sound man to launch them when we go on break, but when we have a sound guy, they don't all know what might be the best playlist to play (I have several, in many different genres) and one of our regular guys can't operate the app that I use ;) I've just taken to running that phone into one unused channel on our mic box, and back to the board, so all they have to do is turn it up.
 
If we are talking and one of my band members is going through a tough time (health issues, doctor's appointments, funerals, sickness, etc.), I always try to text them through the week to make sure they are ok and to see if they need anything, and I let them know I love them and I'm praying for them. I don't do this in the band-wide text because then it becomes a pile-on. I like to do this one-on-one.
 
Depends on the gig. If I'm with my usual gang we've been together for years and we're like a comfy pair of shoes so we just work well together and everything gets done between us almost telepathically. Anyone who brings the beers gets additional brownie points.

If I'm depping I keep out of the way with setup. I don't know the routine and what works for my guys doesn't necessarily work for another band. Just be 100% professional while you're on the job.
 
The band I've been in longest (picture 1), I'm coming up on 15 years. In fact, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who's the namesake for the band and I are the only two constant members for that time (although I took about three years off in the middle).

In that time I've done a lot of the design work - created images for flyers, album covers, t-shirts, you name it. We co-manage the social media. About four years ago we found our forever bassist, who's actually another multi-instrumentalist (he taught music for several years). Since then, songwriting has opened up to include the three of us on equal footing, and there's serious talk about reformatting the band away from "namesake's band" to a different name to reflect this equal footing.

The namesake guy, MC, and I are best friends. We check in on each other all the time and hang out after work to talk about things other than music. The bass player and I, Mingo, have chased after dozens of side gigs together as a ready-made rhythm section, and we've even co-directed a few benefit concerts together. We're all going to see a show together a week from Friday.

I've been in a couple other bands where the vibe has been as good, or better, than the music. When I lived in Monterey, California, I formed a band with a bunch of guys who became very close friends (picture 2). We were all pretty much novices at our instruments and at playing out professionally, but we had tons of fun. The hang was always amazing and almost 20 years later we're all still in touch. I also was in a long-running three-piece cover band here in central WA (picture 3) until about three years ago, with two of the nicest and most professional guys you could ever meet. Mike and Joe are still close and Joe (who moved to Laughlin, Nevada to play in the casinos) still calls me from time to time whenever he thinks of me, just to check in.

You don't have to be friends with your bandmates, but man, it sure does make it more enjoyable.
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I think having a small group meal and get together , or some kind of activity like corn hole (that name still slays me), disc golf or pickle ball is a great way to know people better or stay connected to those you know.
 
Besides playing, we all contribute in some other way as well.
One of the guitar players bought a small fog machine and came up with the idea for the light on the bass drum head and the backlight for gigs.
I bought 2 moving heads, made the band t-shirts, do recording and editing of videos, pictures and audio.
The lead guitar player has ideas about song arrangements and we played in his back yard at the last gig.
The female singer took care of drinks and food, as well as the bass player.
For a band as a hobby, I think it works out best and lasts longest if there is balance and you can get along besides playing as well.
 

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When supporting an artist, it can help to learn how to pack up their gear correctly. Often, it is a great move for the artist to spend time at the merch table right after a set so fans can meet them. If the artist is comfortable doing so, it usually multiplies our merch sales.

And if the gear is all set and there's no readily available security, it helps to accompany the artist at the merch table, just in case it's an uncomfortable situation. The old "buddy system" model!
 
Besides being the drummer in our band, I take care of our sound equipment and IEM setup. Making sure we have enough spares for everything, adapters, batteries, cables (I even have spare guitar/instrument cables in my box), being the one who talks with the sound guys, all that stuff.

Also, I'm the one who organizes (and often pay out of my pocket) the "thank you dinners" for our roadies, as I like our friends who spend their time with us on gigs, hauling our stuff, help setting up and tearing down, etc... to feel valued for their support.
 
I have years of experience at this, often in difficult circumstances - high pressure gigs, people exhausted from 2 hours sleep etc...
Most it's not what you do, it's what you don't do.
Don't talk too much, like non stop bending people's ear and dominating the tour bus, car or van. Don't complain about anything if at all possible.
Be flexible and easy going. Things happen on the road, flights get cancelled, vehicles break down, other people let you down or lie to you.
If the journey takes a lot longer than predicted, try and stay positive and just get on with it. If the wrong gear turns up from the hire company, try and work with it, don't moan about it.
Be über professional at the venue. Be ready to soundcheck when asked. When you don't need to play, DON'T play. It's hard for other people to soundcheck while you are noodling. It's hard for the front of house, monitor person and any musician to communicate when there is a cacophony of unnecessary noise going on.
Overall try to be positive at all times, try not to make to much noise (talking or playing your instrument) and be aware of other people's needs.
 
Chris Whitten said:
Don't complain about anything if at all possible.
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+1

Chris Whitten said:
When you don't need to play, DON'T play. It's hard for other people to soundcheck while you are noodling. It's hard for the front of house, monitor person and any musician to communicate when there is a cacophony of unnecessary noise going on.
Click to expand...

I didn't think this would be an issue on the pro circuit.
 
Well I wasn't just talking about pros, it was general advice.
But yeah, sometimes you are trying to EQ the lead vocal for the singer, while the guitarist is trying to adjust their FX pedal settings....it happens.
 
Fifteen pizzas? For how many people? OK.

Chris Whitten is right. I think the best things to do to insure that you are a good hang are:

Don't be an asshat.
Don't hit on the singer's old lady.
We've established this already; Be helpful
Have a positive attitude. Be cooperative.
Act like a professional at all times.
Treat the band like a business, for that's what it is.
 
I make myself useful with driving, tech, posters and being reliable but maybe struggle a bit with band diplomacy

My patience gets hammered at work and home so tend to be a bit too keen to keep the ball rolling at rehearsals. I'm really not that interested in band members' holidays, good deeds or sporting achievements.

I also try to address the elephant in the room which can make people uncomfortable

I also sometimes tease my band mates which can backfire
 
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