What a crazy ride this weekend. The band (100% covers) has been together for almost a year, our latest personnel change was only a month ago. All the changes have been definite upgrades, but the summer has been one of few practices and a couple big festivals shows, not really feeling very confident despite relatively big gigs falling into our laps. Our first gig was as an opener in February. Personally, I hadn't played out at all - ever - before getting involved in this project, but I always wanted to, and had a pretty good idea how a good night should "feel".
So Friday night the bar (new room for us) we played was large, had an awesome stage, and like 10 patrons. We hadn't played together in 3 weeks, yet we kept our energy up and actually played very well. We were pumped for putting it all out there despite the lack of crowd energy, but after we wrap up the barmaid hands us $105 - the take at the door. That was not the arrangement our singer made with the owner, whom he promptly called at 2:30 AM. Long story short, we gave up on getting what was agreed upon to avoid a trip to jail. Scratch that place off the list...
Saturday night we were still licking our wounds a bit, but the joint we were playing (also new to us) was looking to be a winner. They were promoting us and were really excited to have us there (they tracked US down to come play!). With a guarantee there were no worries about the door, and I knew from friends bands that we wouldn't get stiffed. Place was busy when we started, the dance floor was rarely empty, and we absolutely killed. A friend of the owners was having a Bday party there, so all the important people were there and they loved us. After the first set they said they wanted us back. Damn. People were dancing, singing, drinking, it was finally what I envisioned. I booked another gig there next month, after that we get a saturday a month all winter.
What a rush. I'm exhausted and sore (wtf was i thinking dancing with 20-somethings while playing???), and cannot wait to do it again. I know they all won't be like this, but damn when it all clicks it's pretty awesome. I had to share with someone who gets it, thanks for reading.
So Friday night the bar (new room for us) we played was large, had an awesome stage, and like 10 patrons. We hadn't played together in 3 weeks, yet we kept our energy up and actually played very well. We were pumped for putting it all out there despite the lack of crowd energy, but after we wrap up the barmaid hands us $105 - the take at the door. That was not the arrangement our singer made with the owner, whom he promptly called at 2:30 AM. Long story short, we gave up on getting what was agreed upon to avoid a trip to jail. Scratch that place off the list...
Saturday night we were still licking our wounds a bit, but the joint we were playing (also new to us) was looking to be a winner. They were promoting us and were really excited to have us there (they tracked US down to come play!). With a guarantee there were no worries about the door, and I knew from friends bands that we wouldn't get stiffed. Place was busy when we started, the dance floor was rarely empty, and we absolutely killed. A friend of the owners was having a Bday party there, so all the important people were there and they loved us. After the first set they said they wanted us back. Damn. People were dancing, singing, drinking, it was finally what I envisioned. I booked another gig there next month, after that we get a saturday a month all winter.
What a rush. I'm exhausted and sore (wtf was i thinking dancing with 20-somethings while playing???), and cannot wait to do it again. I know they all won't be like this, but damn when it all clicks it's pretty awesome. I had to share with someone who gets it, thanks for reading.
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