The other bands bail, now what??

[guitarsjb]

Ok, we are playing the 26th...we HAD 3 bands. Playing from 9pm - 1 am. All the bands are original metal. Everyone has a one hour set plus tear down/set up etc.
Ok so like 3 weeks ago one band bailed out. Lost their drummer..we understood. So us and the other band decided we'd just cover it..not look for another band. Stupid move, cause now..this band bailed on us. Excuse sounds fishy but whatever. They just told us last night. I'm busting my ass trying to find other bands..but most of them are already playing.
We don't have enough material to cover that time. We do good to make our hour. I'd hate to cancel..we told the bar owner we'd play..if we decide to cancel, I don't want to put the bar in a bind by waiting much longer..it's only 10 days away. We are just really getting started, and we're doing pretty good with shows, building a following..don't wanna get a crappy reputation either...
Opinions? Thoughts? Ideas?

[mm2002]

Damn Sis, if I were closer I'd bring the boys down and we'd do something to kill some time for ya. Hell, we can barely get everyone together two nights a week for jam night, let alone schedule a gig. I really wish I could help.
Do you guys know any cover tunes? One thought would be to fill an hour with covors, then do your original stuff. I dunno, just a thought.
Love ya Sis

[Twisteramps]

I'd be thinking about ways to extend your songs... or add some easy covers ASAP. Take advantage of it - hopefully some people will be at the gig who didn't know who you were, they were there for one of the other bands - and you'll get new fans and such.

I'd offer my band up to open for you guys, but we have a gig the next day *and* that's a thursday. Plus we're a cover band, not sure how well that would go over with your crowd.

Pete

[lerxstcat]

Maybe offer an open mic jam with your backline? It doesn't have to be pro when people realize players are just sitting in.

You could do your set once, take a break, open up the open mic, take a break, then play your set again to close the night. The audience will dig the fact that your band stepped up to save the day, even if everything doesn't go perfect. Y'all are the ones who showed up and proved you care about the audience. Maybe if you know some local bands that could even get up and play a song or 2 apiece that could fill some time.

Pete's right, it's amazing how much time you can add if you take extra solos in your songs. If you're comfortable doing it, add a solo guitar piece, that's the length of a song and you can pretty much wing it.

If you end up with some dead time, just crank some CDs of material that's like enough to what your band does, to keep that vibe going.

You can do it! The bright side is that your band will be the total stars and heores (and heroine!) of the night!

[horns666]

Sis,

Damn..I was and have friends in this position..

I can't add any words encouragement..

It took me three years to find a worthy drummer..which I found yesterday..I'm not counting those chickens yet ..

I have ONE word that ALWAYS works for me ..it is a magical word..a word I use 24/7/365..

I will share this word with you now ..

FUGGUM...

[thetroy]

Do some improv metal!

[RacerX]

Jazz Odyssey?

[Shawn Lutz]

ABBA's Greatest hits thru the PA for 2 hours as your opening act

It sounds like a bummer but I agree with Pete, take advantage of the additional time, extend current songs..additional jamming and dynamics, guitar solo, drum solo, weird cover that no one will know of etc etc etc.

[horns666]

Jazz Odyssey?

"Derek Smalls on bass (plays farty bass crap) ..he wrote this.."..


Good idea tho..

[Newc]

Definitely spend the next 10 days learning 3 hours of covers. If you can get away with doing old Priest stuff (Point OF Entry, British Steel), Sabbath, and other not-too-technical stuff (or whatever's within the band's limits that you all can nail in a day or less), then you should definitely try.
My old band used to do 4-hour sets - each set was 45 minutes of play, 15 minute breaks (mostly for the drummer and singer).
4 hours is nothing as long as you've got enough covers.

[horns666]

I think Jeri is an orinal player..I don't think her heart is in covers..

I could be wrong..

Bill

[lerxstcat]

Well, her heart may not be in covers, but every bit helps. Metal jams will eat up time, just take a beat and a riff and saw on that fucker for 10 minutes or so. work up some rough stuff, if the band has any partial songs or fragments work 'em into a rough form. Look at it like surfing, you're gonna ride a wave and you may make it all the way in, or you may fall of.

One good thing about growing up playing in cover bands is that I have learned, don't get embarrassed, because you DO have a coherent first set. By the end of that set the audience will already have an alcohol plus other substances buzz and they'll be on your side. Take a break, and when you get back up, tell 'em the other bands bailed and you're there to keep up the fun as best you can. They will dig that you're trying, I'm telling you. Hit 'em with what good covers you have, then guitar solos (there's two of you, right? Let him solo too. Drummer can do a solo, more covers, if other players are there get them up there. A blues-rock jam eats up 10-15 minutes, a few of those is a set.

Get together with the band a few times in the next 10 days, as much as y'all can. Try jamming, and if y'all can, throw a few covers together. I have joined a band with 2 days notice and learned 30 songs, then played the gig that weekend. You have more time, and fewer songs to learn. You don't have to pass "A" grade on the filler stuff, they're gonna know you're covering. You really can't lose, just relax, breathe and do your best. You will be surprised at the ass you will kick, chica!

[Bert]

F*cking musicians -- so many flakes! Well at least they gave you a heads up. I've had bands simply NOT SHOW UP without any warning, which really leaves you high and dry. One time when this happened we just performed our set twice, the second time with some extra bonus improvs thrown in. Usually there is enough turnover in attendance that you can get away with it well enough.

[mm2002]

Yep, I agree with Rich. A few open jams will definitely fill some time. Joe and I (you met Joe) played a 15+ minute guitar jam a few nights ago, just swapping licks and feeling the groove. Eli, our drummer, is so fucking good he can follow anything, and he hung with us no matter what we came up with. It turned out awesome, and everyone here was absolutely awe struck. Just loosen up and jam...that's all t takes. Also remember, 99% of the people you're playing for aren't musicians....so there ya go.

[guitarsjb]

Thanks guys!! You rock. Great ideas here. No, we don't know any covers.
We actually have a few songs that we laugh about them turning into 20 min jams, if we didn't have someone to tell us when to stop...they may get their 20+ mins of fame LOL...
I've heard back from a few bands..they all have other plans, or are playing etc. Got an offer to play with one though LOL..sure why not.
Oh well, I'll take it as it comes..have fun with it. And take pics for you guys...(thought I would forget didn't ya??)