markbunney Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) We have a gig coming up at an RAF base soon which could be a big opportunity for us to get regular gigs at other bases. Firstly, does anyone have any experiene of playing at these places, if so what are they like? Secondly, we have been told that there is a dress code for people attending the event, including the band. They want chinos for men and cocktail dresses for women. We are a hard rock covers band and are going to end up looking like Michael Buble's backing band Edited July 25, 2013 by markbunney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I'm gettng a flashback... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JoSGeUm5uU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JoSGeUm5uU[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1374683798' post='2151840'] Secondly, we have been told that there is a dress code for people attending the event, including the band. They want chinos for men and cocktail dresses for men. [/quote] I wanna go, just for this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigash Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I can see why you are upset, Chinos and Cocktail dresses will definately clash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybassplayer Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Guessing the cocktail dress comment was a typo ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulconnolly Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Chinos and cocktail dresses - mmmmm nice :-) Can't help but back in the day (late 80s) we did a gig at the US base in Greenock. We just wore our normal jeans and t-shirts. 3 x 45minute spots of prog with a few covers thrown in. Bizzare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 If you don't like their terms, don't accept the gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbunney Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Ha, slight typo on my original post, but I am tempted to wear a cocktail dress out of sheer bloody mindedness!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbunney Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1374684322' post='2151860'] If you don't like their terms, don't accept the gig. [/quote] We accepted the gig a while back, but have only just been informed of these conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Like you said, it might be a good opportunity for the band. So if you feel it's an opportunity that you welcome, then surely you will be happy to abide by their requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1374684401' post='2151863'] We accepted the gig a while back, but have only just been informed of these conditions [/quote] If you're a covers band accepting money to entertain people, I'm afraid playing the 'artistic integrity' card isn't really an option... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Go with the cocktail dresses....on a serious note have you asked them if they realise they have booked a hard rock band and that traditionally these people don't even own that kind of clobber let alone wear it out in public! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbunney Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Don't get me wrong, im not being precious about it. It will just feel weird belting out guns n roses, bon jovi, stones etc in chinos! They booked us on the strength of a couple of YouTube videos in which our singer was wearing a glittery silver bandana and eye liner! Oh well, hopefully it will be a good gig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1374684401' post='2151863'] We accepted the gig a while back, but have only just been informed of these conditions [/quote] Any change of conditions gives you the right to withdraw from the gig - just like any contract really. But . . . [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1374684965' post='2151878'] ....on a serious note have you asked them if they realise they have booked a hard rock band and that traditionally these people don't even own that kind of clobber let alone wear it out in public! [/quote] . . . that's the best suggestion yet. Talking is generally good. Everything is negotiable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I'd double check that they know what kind of band they've booked. I would guess the night will go something like this... DJ during the food, band come on for first set, band don't come on for second set, DJ takes over. Band doesn't get paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Thats frock and roll brother.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 MB1. Might be an idea to leave the wireless at home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Maybe wear what they what they want you to wear, then wear your stage clober for your set, then get changed back into the "required" wear...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjas Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 As a covers band, we played at an army base 3 times last year, they are really good gigs compared to pub gigs, guaranteed audience that will love you if you are any good. We played the officers mess Xmas party, I wore a dinner jacket........ Not my usual attire but it was fun. Jas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I played a couple of RAF bases in Germany back in the 90s. It was a soul band so the outfits weren't too far out of line but they didn't seem to mind the drummer having green hair or the band turning up for breakfast in the officers mess, when the uniformed types were having lunch. It was a great tour though, the people stationed out there were bored out of their minds and just itching to crazy on the weekends, and there was a lot of free booze. A lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1374684322' post='2151860'] If you don't like their terms, don't accept the gig. [/quote] This...but I'd also be concerned whether they know what they've booked. The upside is that these military gigs do ..or can look after you very well. The food/spread they put on can be pretty amazing...they sure eat well. For this, I'd suck up...if these are the gigs you want... if not, then you can always pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) Did a few Navy & Army base gigs in Hong Kong before the handover. Had to wear DJ's and some of the sets didn't finish till quite late. A good blast though, and good payers too. Go with the flow and enjoy, it's a good circuit. Edited July 25, 2013 by mep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1374683798' post='2151840'] hard rock covers band [/quote] Some of the worst 4 words you can put together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenitram Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 What sort of dreadful people are these who expect the ladies to be formally attired in cocktail dresses but require nothing more than casual wear for the chaps. I would suggest doing the decent thing and wearing a proper suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1374684952' post='2151877'] If you're a covers band accepting money to entertain people, I'm afraid playing the 'artistic integrity' card isn't really an option... [/quote] Where's that 'like' button?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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