#1645421 - 04/16/05 03:47 PM
Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Between just having had tooth surgery, having lots of work to do, and it being my least favorite place to play (the dreaded hotel), I am not at all looking forward to playing tonight.
In fact, I'm looking to enjoy this gig slightly less than having my teeth pulled the other day. 
Please, someone remind me why I'm playing tonight? I know there must be a good reason, other than not letting my bandmates down (which is the only reason I'm doing it at all, for the moment). I'd rather play video games with my son and go to sleep early, given the choice.
- Jeff
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#1645422 - 04/16/05 05:18 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Strangerbytheminute
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Registered: 11/29/04
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Loc: Seattle
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OK....hold your hands to the screen and repeat after me....
I'm inspired, and darn gone it people like me...
I know how you feel, but sometimes it's these gigs that give you the biggest rewards. You might meet somebody there that can help you in unexpected ways....
Any way...break a leg.....And take a pain pill the dentist gave you....
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#1645423 - 04/16/05 06:25 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Thanks (?)
I haven't taken any Vicodin. It hurts a little, but not nearly as much as the feeling of the toothe before it was pulled. I may pop an Advil or two before I leave tonight.
I do love to play, of course. But I don't like this venue, I'm not physically all that well, and... jeez, i just don't feel like playing music tonight.
I guess I'll file this under "take the good with the bad". And, like you say, sometimes a gig will surprise you in a good way.
- Jeff
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#1645425 - 04/16/05 07:24 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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I'm booked tonight, then May 7, May 21, June 4, June 10, June 18. And we may have other gigs between those.
And yeah, I am whining. It's true. hopefully, I'll get some kind of second wind between now and when I hit the first note of the first song. But I think I've just been dragged down with too much work, bad physical stuff and my usual mental wasteland.
I told my singer how I was feeling (when he asked), and he replied, "Great. Maybe we should pay people at the door instead of them paying us."
Which would be funny, if it weren't too close to the truth.
- Jeff
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#1645426 - 04/16/05 07:37 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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There are a room full of people looking for entertainment, and a client to whom you promised entertainment.
It is pretty cut and dried. You made a deal. Be a man of your word, and give them what you promised them.
Bill
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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#1645427 - 04/16/05 07:52 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Lee Flier
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Ummm... let me think... maybe you'll get hit on by some hottie who gets really turned on by your giant, swollen, throbbing... jaw. 
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#1645428 - 04/16/05 09:42 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Rick Hoffman
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Registered: 03/25/04
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Loc: Long Island, NY
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HAHAHA oh man! Throbbing jaw huh-good one.
Hey Jeff, do you remember why you picked up an instrument in the first place? Remember when you first started, you dreamed of doing gigs like this, man.
OK well maybe not but still, have you taken music so for-granted that you feel like you'e going to go through the motions?
Sounds like you may need a break or some kind of shot in the arm to get you inspired again.
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#1645429 - 04/17/05 04:31 AM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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GeoffB
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Registered: 11/05/04
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Loc: UK East Midlands via Scotland
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Pay the bills..........pay the bills.............pay the bills..............
_________________________
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the World will know Peace": Jimi Hendrix
Frank M:Back in the day you could have a trio with two people.
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#1645430 - 04/17/05 01:44 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Well... as usual, I was much more dire in my Cassandra-like prediction of doom and gloom than reality would have it.
We rolled in at about 7:30 for a 9:00 gig, presumably to help with set-up. But lo and behold, my singer had enlisted the services of his son and a friend before we arrived... everything was ready to go except drums and instrument amps, and little things like guitars to tune and so on.
I knew we wouldn't have a great crowd, and there were probably about 15 people there while we finished setup. But they started yelling to us, "When you gonna play?" at about 8:15. We told them we went on at 9:00, to be greeted by a round of "BOOO"s. So, since we needed to sound check anyway, I leaned into the mic and said, "Okay, we'll do one tune just for you."
"YAY!"
I don't know what my singer did to the PA, but everything sounded great. He and I played and listened from out front (we're both wireless), and I was very encouraged... at least we'd have a great-sounding gig, if for no audience to speak of.
But then, people started drifting in. By the third or fourth song, we probably have 30 people there. Then, a group of maybe 10-15 sailors in full Naval whites showed up. I saw them stop at the door where the cover charge was being collected, and I ran over in mid song and told our guy to let them in for free.
Anyway, it was pretty cool from then on out. We played very well for some undeterminable reason. We also whipped out five songs we'd never done at a gig before, and those went well.
We really didn't have a big take at the door... like $130. But in addition to the $300 the hotel paid, it wasn't an entirely poor night as far as the money goes. We had a lot of people dancing and singing along to every song. Even the bartenders have warmed to us there, and they were sending requests up, which we mostly honored.
So, that's that. Another one down. I think the hotel may want to renew our contract after it's up in November. I was told that none of the bands they have in bring in a really huge crowd, and that our crowds have been fairly typical for their Saturday nights, so despite the lack of crazy standing room only, screaming crowds, apparently we do alright there.
- Jeff
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#1645431 - 04/17/05 04:25 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Lee Flier
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Good deal, Jeff!  Sounds like it went all right. See the "Inspiring band pep talk" thread for some more, errhh, inspiration. 
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#1645432 - 04/17/05 09:39 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Rick Hoffman
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Jeff that sounds awesome man. Hell, you don't need to take a break. You seem like a hella experienced guy, maybe when I've done a few million gigs I'll know what you're talkin about in this thread.
Anyhow that's cool that you let those sailors in for nothin. I'm sure they ran up a nice tab at the bar!
Keep rockin man. My band is currently recording so there's no gig stories for me to share, not until 4/30...
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#1645433 - 04/18/05 03:09 AM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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GZsound
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Registered: 01/17/01
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From one who has done a million gigs, (or so it seems) the only advice I can give is this: When it starts to be like work, take a break.
I played all of March with pneumonia and had to constantly remind myself why in the hell I still get up on stage and do it.
I always remember the two years I took off in 1980..the only break in nonstop playing (except for a little Vietnam thing) since 1961.
I hated not playing. Repeat after me.."I hate not playing, I hate not playing".... Now shut up, suck a gut, live with the pain and go play.
And remember the audience doesn't care at all how bad you feel..
_________________________
Mark G.
"A man may fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame others" -- John Burroughs
"I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man." -- Thomas Jefferson
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#1645434 - 04/22/05 12:29 AM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
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Originally posted by Rick Hoffman:
Jeff that sounds awesome man. Hell, you don't need to take a break. You seem like a hella experienced guy, maybe when I've done a few million gigs I'll know what you're talkin about in this thread.
But it's like GZ says... sucking it up and playing, even for gigs that aren't ideal locations or paydays or whatever, is the test of mettle for a musician. Sure, anyone can play the easy ones, when you have a great crowd in a great place, et cetera. But you know you're a true gigging god when you can make it fun (or at least bearable) under crappy conditions as well.
- Jeff
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#1645435 - 04/22/05 12:41 AM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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d gauss
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if ya don't feel like doing it... don't do it. piss on 'em. who gives a shit, it's just a hotel. axl, the crazy fatman rose won't even do madison square garden. the oasis dude only shows up when he feels like it... and THEY have money for days and don't have to get up in the morning to be a weasel..... 
-d. gauss
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#1645436 - 04/22/05 07:13 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Nightshademetal
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I am 52 and have been playing playing pro for 40 years, I have done more than 2000 gigs, played more dives, had more highs, packed rooms, crickets, drunk broads, ex wives, new wives, having my daughter play a full gig, having a 104 fever. And guess what, I still play in two bands, one for money, one for love, and I look foward to playing out every time I can. Pete
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#1645437 - 04/22/05 11:15 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Dennyf
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Registered: 11/17/03
Posts: 1231
Loc: Virginia Beach, VA
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Well, I hate to admit it, but playing with just one band can get stale, dental distress nonwithstanding.
So, oddly enough, the solution for me is to play MORE. Sitting in with another band, picking up a "casual" gig, and/or going to open mics supplement my weekly gig schedule.
Like most guys, it's not that I'm unhappy in my relationship, I just need a little "strange" once in a while. Why is that so hard to understand?
_________________________
band link: bluepearlband.com music, lessons, gig schedules at dennyf.com STURGEON'S LAW --98% of everything is bullshit. My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Jackhammer of Love and Mercy. Get yours.
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#1645439 - 04/23/05 03:32 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Strangerbytheminute
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Registered: 11/29/04
Posts: 190
Loc: Seattle
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I need some inspiration for tonights gig. I've been doing some fairly physical work this week and now my arms fall asleep whenever I have them above my waist for more than 5 mins. It should make for an interesting gig ......
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#1645440 - 04/23/05 08:12 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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HiRoller
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Loc: Portland, OR USA
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This has nothing to do with playing music, but it is a pretty inspiring speech:
D-Day: War's over, man. Wormer dropped the big one.
Bluto: Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.
Bluto: And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough...
[thinks hard]
Bluto: the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go!
[runs out, alone; then returns]
Bluto: What the fuck happened to the Delta I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Bluto, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Wormer, he's a dead man! Marmalard, dead! Niedermeyer...
Otter: Dead! Bluto's right. Psychotic, but absolutely right. We gotta take these bastards. Now we could do it with conventional weapons that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part.
Bluto: We're just the guys to do it.
D-Day: Let's do it.
Bluto: LET'S DO IT!
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#1645441 - 04/23/05 08:50 PM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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Strangerbytheminute
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Registered: 11/29/04
Posts: 190
Loc: Seattle
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#1645442 - 04/24/05 11:32 AM
Re: Please, someone inspire me to play my gig tonight
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dondottcomm
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Registered: 06/28/01
Posts: 261
Loc: Orlando Fl.
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Sick of it...Then think of it this way!I haven't had a gig in 5 freakin years!Just studio and Im not even playin' 99 percent of the time!!Right now I'd go on tour with G.W.Bush if he'd front a band and we had gigs at VFW's!Fuk I'd go on tour with freakin' Osama Bin ladin if he was doing rap ala Ice Tea about the "man"!6 more months and I may look into showtunes...And I hate showtunes with a passion that cannot be described..So your gig doesn't sound so bad now does it.LOL
_________________________
What? you mean I can take this block of fine swiss and make a song??...COOL!
Don
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