Fendercaster Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 I know set lengths have been discussed before, but I have a couple questions. In our area, for country bands, four hours is the normal job length, with three 15/20 minute breaks. Why can't I get our drummer, who calls the breaks, to understand that 45 minutes on, 20 off, comes out right at the end of the night? He always calls the break at 40 minutes, expecting that a 20 minute break will finish us up at the right time at the end of the night. Duh, you do that, we'll be done for the night 20 minutes before quitting time! Also, I've played with so many musicians who always want 5 more minutes before they go back up, and complain that there are still two or three more sets to go. If you're going to bitch about having to get back up, why do you play? When I'm playing out, I get pumped, and can't wait to get back up! Any thoughts? My gear: http://fendercaster.freeservers.com/guit3.html If you own two Lexus cars, do you have Lexi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Knutson Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Why do you let the drummer call the breaks if he always gets it wrong? Maybe YOU should call the breaks. https://bunny.bandcamp.com/ https://theystolemycrayon.bandcamp.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super 8 Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Why do bands need to take so many breaks? I've always felt bands should play two sets with one twenty or or thirty minute break in the middle. In another thread we're talking about about why DJ's are kicking ass on bands. Could part of the reason be that bands seem to require an hour a night of 'piss around' time? Super 8 Hear my stuff here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 My band usually does 45 minute sets with 15 minute breaks, or 50 min sets (add another song) with 20 min breaks. We play three sets though. Sounds like you play four, and you're right on the math. But in beginning the question, "Why can't our drummer..." you've already answered it. As for why some musicians push for extra break minutes, here are some thoughts. I've been one of those whiners, and been the bandleader cracking the whip. Keep in mind what I relate here is about Southern CA, having cut my teeth in a cover band that does 70's funk, so YMMV. It would not surprise me if things on the right coast are more civil, reducing the import of the following excuses. First, musicians, at least in places I've played, tend to be last priority in the eyes of the bartenders, especially if there are comp drinks involved. If the bar is busy, it can take forever to capture their very selective attention. Too many "desperate housewives" waving 20's as you're waving your little beer ticket. I've spent entire breaks at the bar trying to get a frickin' shot of Patron. Then you're supposed to get on mic and remind people to tip those punks well. Second, some of the single males in the band might be following Aristotle (Onassis), who once said "all the world's riches are meaningless without women." You meet someone you like, and who seems to like you, you get 15-20 minutes, times two or three, to talk to them. Civilians, including that Banana Republic-clad "Friends" extra with a pic of his golden retriever in his wallet and a real estate licesne still warm from the copy machine, and the impossibly thin Jack White clone in the VonDutch T shirt, have All Effing Night. To make matters worse, no matter what she says, the talkative, music-loving creature you met between sets will Not Be There next time you get offstage. Her girlfriend will become dour and want to Leave Now, or drunk and need to. That extra five minutes is sometimes needed to get to a point where it's not too forced to ask for contact info, which for the night, is likely All You're Getting. None of this is any excuse for lack of professionalism, I'm with you on that. Explaining, not excusing. Also not meaning to take a sexist attitude myself - just being a camera, really. Rounding up players when break time is over can require a cattle prod, particularly in a big club. Solutions? Befriend a cocktail waitress, even if it takes going in when you're not gigging and tipping her well. Cocktailers are the mixologists' first priority. Conspire with her so that band drinks will be delivered to the Stage on breaks... that'll keep everyone closer. If I had a solution for the romantic dynamics thing I'd write a book that'd make me rich enough to build a studio you'd all be invited to hang out and record in whenever you want. I'l work on that. Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Originally posted by Super 8: Why do bands need to take so many breaks? I've always felt bands should play two sets with one twenty or or thirty minute break in the middle.It really depends on the type of music you do. We're pretty hard rock, so after 45 minutes, we need a little rest and so does our audience. Gives them time to get drinks, pee, talk and so on. We're pretty good about sticking to 15 minute breaks over a 4-hour gig. My drummer's the one that usually wants "five more minutes, dude" between sets, but I drag his ass up to the stage and the show goes on whether he likes it or not. - Jeff Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Originally posted by Stephen Fortner: Civilians, including that Banana Republic-clad "Friends" extra with a pic of his golden retriever in his wallet and a real estate licesne still warm from the copy machine, and the impossibly thin Jack White clone in the VonDutch T shirt, have All Effing Night.LOL. But those bastards don't get to wink and smile at the chicks from onstage, now, do they? Of course, every gigging musician has experienced the gal who seems to be digging on you throughout your gig and you play your last song just in time to see her walking out the door. - Jeff Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Sayers Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 My experience has been 3 or 4 x 45 minute sets with 15 breaks. What shits me is the DJ who has to equal your level when you get off, it's the only time people can talk and chat each other up yet they insist on playing loud music through the break. Sorry - I'm ranting cheers john Studio Design Forum Studios Under Construction Home Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LavaMan Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 I will agree with a previous poost that your math is right on - sounds like someone else needs to call the setbreaks! I would sit dwon with everyone and get an agreement on set and break length (this can somestimes vary based on the demands of the club owner) Once everybody is on the same sheet of music (pardon the pun) hold them to it! Every band needs an enforcer! Lava Man www.lavacable.com Your One-Stop Custom Cable Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russrags Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 In Nashville, it's becoming common ... No Breaks. You might loose a player here or there for a song, long enough to go pee, or someone else might get up and fill in on a song or two. With so many bands playing side by side in different clubs, the band takes a break, the audience goes to another bar !!! One Bass Player I know plays in two bands, 6-10PM in the 1st band, then 10-2AM in the 2nd .. no breaks in either band!!! I don't take breaks while the Studio clock is ticking either. Russ http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-russragsdale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunkman Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Our band consciously decided to set ourselves apart by taking a single 15-minute break on 3-hour jobs, or two 15-minute breaks in the 4-hour jobs. (I guess we don't have the "market pressure" of Nashville yet!) Also, whenever possible, we'll play our own break music, with tunes pre-mixed and segue'd on Adobe Audition. Each break track is cut to 15:30, with an extra "emergency" song that can stretch it to 18 minutes if necessary. "If more of us valued food, cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J. R. R. Tolkien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Back when I used to play the local circuit, the club owners would get irate if you played longer than 45-50 minutes. You were REQUIRED to take a break, for all the reasons daWeasel stated. However... if you're playing on Bourbon Street or a similar situation where customers can walk out your door into another club 10 feet away, people WILL leave as soon as you stop playing so you really ought go 75 minutes or so. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 IMO, breaks are not only good for the band, they're good for the audience as well. How many times have you been in a bar, and the band's been too loud for you to talk to someone, so you wait for that break? And then...what REALLY pisses me off, are the clubs that have a DJ on the breaks who's even LOUDER than the band!!! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Originally posted by coyote: Back when I used to play the local circuit, the club owners would get irate if you played longer than 45-50 minutes. You were REQUIRED to take a break, for all the reasons daWeasel stated.Yes. In our gigs where we have contracts with the establishment, the breaks are required and written in as such. BTW: that's been a good thing, because I can tell our drummer if he's going to lag on a break, it's going to cost us $50. Money talks! - Jeff Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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