And when you see the drummer there is always a notepad who hides the drummers face (even when playing Dixieland and nothing is newer than 100 years...)Even without smoke, every photo from this gig has no drummer…View attachment 106908
And when you see the drummer there is always a notepad who hides the drummers face (even when playing Dixieland and nothing is newer than 100 years...)Even without smoke, every photo from this gig has no drummer…View attachment 106908
A drummer friend of mine was playing at a bar about an hour from my house. Their new bass player was not 21. The establishment made the poor guy stand outside to play. He was right next to the entry door however, so everybody saw him.We don't deserve to be hidden, unless the rest of the band is willing to take turns playing in the corner. HAHAHAHAHA!
Funny story: When I first started playing out I was 18-ish in a power trio. Both the guitar and bass players were older and in the Air Force. We played mostly biker bars. Well I convinced the boys since we were a cover band to let me sing a couple of Journey and Pat Benatar songs. All of the patrons of the bar watched us walking the front door with our gear and then into the back where the stage was, no one said anything to me, and while we were playing no one noticed. I was hidden behind my cymbals which was good since I was a bit scared to be in such a place. So I launch into a Journey ballad and I can sense all of this movement around me. When we get to the solo and I can open my eyes and stop concentrate on singing the entire bar is standing in front of me trying to see if there really is a chick playing drums. Song ends they all go away.I figure if I can see the audience then they can see me
Question: why don't you have some of your own lights? I was in a situation at a bar where the only lighting on the stage was 3 spots, I was in absolute total darkness, since then I'm been looking for some small LED's or something to light me up. Ain't doing that again!The main reason for posting this picture was to highlight the huge disparity in lighting. Absolutely zero directed rear stage, but all the toys directed at the front line. At around half the festival / event gigs we perform at, a riser is provided, & getting a fair share of lighting generally goes hand in hand with riser provision. As soon as I see no riser, I'm fairly sure there's no rear stage lighting either.
Disclosure - many of those cases were mine, & room / access wasn't an issue
When I did jazz band in high school, we used to set up like this. I loved it & wished I could do this more often.Like Dave King - The Bad Plus. I love watching him play in that configuration.
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This looks lousy. What did you use for a monitor?I feel you Andy- this used to be the standard gig setup for me. Hidden (or protected?) behind a wall of amps while the "rock stars" were front and centre.
To be fair I was using a crappy Roland TD-6 at the time and the stages were the size of a postage stamp so it was probably for the best
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A friend of mine went from playing a 6-piece kit to a Zendrum EXP and hasn’t regretted it. He says he the last to set up and the first to leave.Just start bringing only a cajon to every gig that you set up only when everyone else is done.
Fixed.
Used an old STK powered amp aimed at my head to get some idea of what the mix sounded like.This looks lousy. What did you use for a monitor?
The photo in Andy’s first post, the positioning of drums & amps is very common. It allows for better mic’ing of the kit, with the sounds from the amps not directed at the kit. But in your case, you might as well be playing next to the keg.
I guess so. And maybe that’s a great reason to throw down mad chops. “HERE ME CHOP, MFers!!”Used an old STK powered amp aimed at my head to get some idea of what the mix sounded like.
Might as well have not been on the stage at all sometimes- audience thought we used a drum machine (take it as a compliment I guess)?
It's ridiculous! And, at some point, someone ALWAYS makes a comment about how much space the drums take up. I'm not sure exactly what I'm supposed to do about that. I can go to 1 up 1 down and as little as 2 cymbals. For me, that's the smallest kit I want to play. If y'all can't fit in around me find a new drummer or let's not gig at this venue.Nevermind the contortionist obstacle course to get behind the kit in the dark
This makes me angrier than it should. Like, I am legit pissed off for you. That is downright inconsiderate and disrespectful.This guy always seemed to make sure the drums were in his way. I don't play with them any more.
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You could tell her...To be fair, she really isn't like that. Its more of a lack of awareness situation...
I don't really care about being in the spotlight, but I also don't want to not be seen at all. I am a member of the band and I am contributing to the overall sound. Also, I have invested a lot of money in my gear and it is beautiful and I would like for it to be displayed. Even when the stage is huge and there is plenty of room, they still want to put that damn guitar stand that holds 6 guitars directly in front of the bass drum. Then, the singer stands directly in front of that with a music stand right beside him. WE WILL NOT LET ANYONE SEE YOU OR YOUR INSTRUMENT!- don't let people park amps, stools, guitar stands, in front of your kit
- don't let Diva singers use a big honkin music stand that blocks out the view. Arggg! (learn your frickin lines!)