mcnach Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 [quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1329767790' post='1547075'] Do you ever look out at your audience and think "you pathetic bunch of idiots; dancing (!), singing along (!!) and generally having a good time (!!!) to Brown eyed girl, Walking on sunshine, Sex on fire etc, etc. It's almost as though you've never even heard of Camel or King Crimson! Losers!" Just sayin' like..... Edit: This comment may contain exaggeration and humour. [/quote] Sometimes I may have want to strangle a particular individual, usually drunk (the individual, not myself), because I have to remain polite while that person is overstepping certain boundaries. But no, contempt for the audience in general? No. Most of my gigs don't pay terribly well, I mean, the money is a nice part of the gigs and it helps me buy things... but it is not an income I can depend on, so I do it 1st because I enjoy it. The day I feel the way you describe is the day I stop gigging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1329853328' post='1548628'] I refuse to comment on grounds that I might incriminate myself. [/quote] Far too late for that, my friend... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I hate them all, the filthy salivating dogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I think the OP was trying to get at the mentality of a crowd that can dance to the same 60 year old songs week in week out. I mean, it`s definitely not normal behaviour. Very conservative vibe doing covers. Can be frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 [quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1329866013' post='1548975'] I think the OP was trying to get at the mentality of a crowd that can dance to the same 60 year old songs week in week out. I mean, it`s definitely not normal behaviour. Very conservative vibe doing covers. Can be frustrating. [/quote] Yeah, that's what I got. Guess you're going to be locked in that vibe - the songs work, people like them (you get all that ear worm thing, etc); thus, singing for your supper, you need to keep bringing them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1329856345' post='1548687'] those 3 men and a dog might agree..!! [/quote] That would be a jazz festival..... with Van Morrison headlining the Saturday and Jools Holland the Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 but look on the bright side... those people who are pleased easier are the ones that might want to applaud. I would be picking holes in me and my band if I was in the audience... but then I do it anyway...even though I am in the band Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I agree with Bluejay. And would go further and say that as musicians we ourselves have forgotten how much work goes into just getting to a level where we're trotting out 'easy' numbers. They're only easy because we've practiced and worked at making them look and feel easy. To most of the audience what we do is magical and practically everyone I ever talk to about being in a band says "I wish I could play a musical instrument." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1329938075' post='1550123'] I agree with Bluejay. And would go further and say that as musicians we ourselves have forgotten how much work goes into just getting to a level where we're trotting out 'easy' numbers. They're only easy because we've practiced and worked at making them look and feel easy. To most of the audience what we do is magical and practically everyone I ever talk to about being in a band says "I wish I could play a musical instrument." [/quote] Plus several million on this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1329920029' post='1549731'] That would be a jazz festival..... with Van Morrison headlining the Saturday and Jools Holland the Sunday. [/quote] Make it stop! Make it stop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1329920029' post='1549731'] That would be a jazz festival..... with Van Morrison headlining the Saturday and Jools Holland the Sunday. [/quote] You got me all excited runs and hides .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Surely an audience - whatever you think of them - is the only thing preventing us all from just being bedroom noodlers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I play pretty much the same set in the same bar almost every week (if i'm not busy working elsewhere) and get paid for it. The audience love it, they come back to said bar with their friends because they enjoyed it so much when they were out for a meal there. Of course i can get fed up of playing these dreary 3/4 chord songs but i know full well i'd rather be doing that then working behind the bar or watering at said venue. I've played gigs in pubs full of people sniffing questionable substances in the toilets, trying to shake my hand, talk to me, hug me etc... during playing. I smile and get on with it & get paid. If the punters are happy, i'm happy. At the end of the day thats what i'm there to do. Provide a service of entertainment. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. I think people get to hung up about playing songs they like as appose to songs the general public like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I think the only time I've ever had any form of contempt for my audience was when I used to play regular gigs at Freud's in Oxford on a Friday/Saturday night - and this was only when people were so pissed they thought dancing around us, as there was no real 'stage' to speak of, and crashing into us was a bit of a laugh - oh, and when one of them decided to kick the guitarist in the head... yes we stopped playing and packed up after that - but it's generally when people get so sh*t faced they can't even stand up and then get arsey that I have a problem with. That was pretty much a one off - I generally love playing for people and am generally very grateful and respectful of any audience I play to - especially a paying one - as others have said without 'the audience' we wouldn't be doing what we do - it's playing in front of people that kind of makes you a 'real' musician - if you can move people, get them whooping and cheering and dancing, and thinking - then you've gone beyond just 'playing bass' to actually [b]playing music [/b]- having contempt for anyone who's taken an interest in what you're doing is just stupid - if you're not enjoying it don't do it, stay home and avoid people - the choice is yours - no one is forcing you to do this stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I don't have contempt for audiences but I do for time wasting, lazy musos. Being dicked about raises the constant question as to whether one can be arsed with it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 As a proud egalitarian, I attempt to have equal contempt for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1330011366' post='1551390'] I don't have contempt for audiences but I do for time wasting, lazy musos. Being dicked about raises the constant question as to whether one can be arsed with it all. [/quote] I feel your pain. Guitarist quit. Guitarist replaced. Singer quit. Rhythm section still going strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1329853328' post='1548628'] I refuse to comment on grounds that I might incriminate myself. [/quote] I wish I had that forethought To those that were a little surprised by my remarks and feel I should probably be in a different line of work - you're not wrong but I love playing music and I'm a stubborn git. I probably should have clarified that my contempt usually originates from some of the other people I'm playing with who you know are screwing you around and ultimately cheapening your dream of playing music. A lot of the gigs I do are with great people, playing great music to great audiences (and sometimes for great money too:) ) It's the other gigs where all of the above are absent that gives rise to contempt. Like someone mentioned earlier - it shouldn't come as a surprise that you can feel this way if this is what you do for a living. Music is my job and I love it, but the job part of it is just like any other job and who here doesn't have a sh*tty day at work every once in a while with an a**hole for a boss? My dad once said that part of being a professional means doing the best job you can when you feel like doing your worst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1330011366' post='1551390'] I don't have contempt for audiences but I do for time wasting, lazy musos. Being dicked about raises the constant question as to whether one can be arsed with it all. [/quote] welcome to the Devon music scene Marv, it doesn't ever get better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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