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lenny

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Feb 4, 2006
Messages
2,415
Location
Nova Scotia Canada
thought some folks would like to know how we do this in Nova Scotia Canada :D

When requesting a song from the band, just say "play .. my song!" We have chips implanted in our heads with an unlimited database of the favorite tunes of every patron who ever walked into a bar and all songs ever recorded so feel free to be vague, we love the challenge.

If we say we really don't remember that tune you want, we're only kidding. Bands do know every song ever recorded, so keep humming. Hum harder if need be... it helps jog the memory, or just repeat your request over and over again.

If a band tells you they do not know a song you want to hear, they either forgot they know the tune or they are just putting you on. Try singing a few words for the band. Any words will do.

It also helps to scream your request from across the room several times per s et followed by the phrases, "AW COME ON!" and, "YOU SUCK!" Exaggerated hand gestures expressing disapproval from the dance floor are a big help as well, such as the thumbs down or your middle finger up Put-downs are the best way to jog a band's memory. This instantly promotes you to the status of "Personal Friend of the Band." You can b et your request will be the next song we play.

Entertainers are notorious fakers and jokesters and never really prepare for their shows. They simply walk on stage with no prior thought to what they will do once they arrive. We don't actually make s et lists or rehearse songs. We mostly just wait for you to yell som et hing out, and then fake it.

An entertainer's job is so easy, even a monkey could do it, so don't l et them off the hook easily. Your request is all that matters. Once you've figured out what genre of music the band plays, please make your requests from a totally different genre. The more exaggerated the b et ter. If it’s a blues band playing, yell for some M et allica or Slayer or Pantera. Likewise, if it’s a death-speed m et al band, be sure to request Brown-eyed Girl or some Grateful Dead. Musicians need to constantly broaden their musical horizons, and its your job to see that it happens....immediately.

''TALKING WITH THE BAND''

The best time to discuss anything with the band in any meaningful way is at the middle of a song when all band members are singing at the same time. Our hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny voice from the megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us. And we can converse with you in sign language while singing the song, so don't worry that we're in the middle of the chorus.

Musicians are expert lip readers too. If a musician does not reply to your question or comment during a tune, it's because they didn't g et a good look at your mouth in order to read your lips. Simply continue to scream your request and be sure to over emphasize the words with your lips. This helps immensely. Don't be fooled.

Singers have the innate ability to answer questions and sing at the same time. If the singer doesn't answer your questions immediately, regardless of how stupid the question may seem, it's because they are purposely ignoring you. If this happens, immediately cop an attitude. We love this.

''IMPORTANT''

When an entertainer leans over to hear you b et ter, grab his or her head in both hands and yell directly into their ear, while holding their head securely so they cannot pull away. This will be taken as an invitation to a friendly and playful game of tug of war b et ween their head and your hands. Don’t give up! Hang on until the singer or guitar player submits. Drummers are often safe from this fun game since they usually sit in the back, protected by the guitar players. Keyboard players are protected by their instrument, and only play the game when tricked into coming from behind their keyboards. Though difficult to g et them to play, it's not impossible, so keep trying. They're especially vulnerable during the break b et ween songs.

''HELPING THE BAND''

If you inform the band that you are a singer, the band will appreciate your help with the next few tunes, or however long you can remain standing on stage. If you're too drunk to stand unassisted, simply lean on one of the band members or the most expensive piece of equipment you see. Just pr et end you're in a Karaoke bar. Simply feel free to walk up on stage and join in. By the way, the drunker you are, the b et ter you sound, and the louder you should sing. If by chance you fall off the stage, be sure to crawl back up and attempt to sing harmony. Keep in mind that nothing assists the band more than outrageous dancing, fifth and sixth part harmonies, or a tambourine played on one and three and out of tempo. Try the cowbell; they love the challenge. The band always needs the help and will take this as a compliment.

Finally, the microphone and PA system are merely props, they don't really amplify your voice, so when you grab the mic out of the singers hand be sure to scream into it at the top of your lungs, otherwise no one will hear what a great singer you are. Hearing is over-rated anyhow. The crowd and the sound guy will love you for it.

''BONUS TIP''

As a last resort, wait until the band takes a break and then g et on stage and start playing their instruments. They love this. Even if you are ejected from the club, you can rest assured in the fact you have successfully compl et ed your audition. The band will call you immediately the following day to offer you a position.
 

Bungo

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Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
1,410
Location
London
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!!!

Very good! You'll be pleased to hear that it's exactly the same here in the UK!:D
 

TheStoner

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Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
115
SteveB said:
F R E E B I R D ! ! ! ! !

You beat me to it dude - FREEBIRD!!!

Luckily in Rough Justice we always encore with Freebird so everyone is happy.

Did anyone see the film CARS? That featured a great "Freebird" moment.
 

SharonG

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Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
607
Location
PA
:D Great thread -
Playing in a country/rock band w/ 3 women and 1 guy (no drummer), - 2 of the women do 90% of the lead voals, we particulalry enjoy requests for Springsteen, Skynyrd, and AC/DC........

Had a fun moment last week, too. A completely toasted patron who persisted in shouting across the entire bar during our set up that we should get started, and what do we play, etc. decided during the first song that we needed his help on back up vocals. He steps around from the dance floor and leans over my mike and effectively head butts me with the brim of his baseball cap, as I'm (oddly enough) trying to get to my mike, too. If I didn't say thanks then, Tommy - THANKS! for stepping up and giving this guy a glare that sent him cowering to the far side of the room. Some people!.........:rolleyes:
 

lenny

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Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
2,415
Location
Nova Scotia Canada
i too have had my fair share of wannabe back up singers hahahha ........another time i had a guy literally try to take my guitar and play the song himself, the bouncer had to get him out hahahaha he figured if we couldnt do it ,he would ,.....another time our drummer was bent over setting up his drum snake and some "BIG"fan decided she would piggyback him ...thus effectively throwing out his back and then she had the nerve to get mad when we were late going on because he couldnt move hahahahahaha............any other stage stories? i have a few hehehe
 
Last edited:

lenny

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
2,415
Location
Nova Scotia Canada
robelinda2 said:
someone sent this to me in an email about 3 months ago, very funny, there's several more too, form some website. classic stuff!
i thought it was to good not t oshare with ya'll:D
 

grumpyoldman

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Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
574
Location
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
And to think that on many trips to bars in the USA, I always wondered why the chicken wire was up, that it couldn't be just for stopping the salad bits and wayward empties....Maybe those guys across the bridge had it figured out all along....
 

SharonG

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Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
607
Location
PA
grumpyoldman said:
And to think that on many trips to bars in the USA, I always wondered why the chicken wire was up, that it couldn't be just for stopping the salad bits and wayward empties....Maybe those guys across the bridge had it figured out all along....

LOL -

I've been warned by one friend that a roadhaouse at which I'm filling in with a blues/rock band next week might be tough - he suggested wrapping myself in chicken wire!:eek:


...........................................wish me luck!
 

grumpyoldman

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Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
574
Location
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Oh, don't forget the singers and their tendency to invite any wandering damsel up on stage to shake their thing, or grab the side mics for additional vocals. Of course, the singers don't have to worry about Tina Turner tromping all over their pedals or pedal boards, or spilling drinks into their monitors or over their amps. They are the singers, and they are not letting anyone get near THEIR microphones - the rest of us are just stage backdrops or noisy props. Hell, we don't even need to provide backing vocals if the "doll of the day" is around. I don't know about anyone else, but the headstocks on my guitars have seen more booty than most proctologists.

(no offense intended towards the female members of this forum)
 

phatduckk

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Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
i think that out of all the shows ive ever played there's only been 3 where someone hasn't shouted "SLAYER!". i have no idea why, but someone always screams "play some slayer"....

usually they get the "umm, we're a punk band look" but in one band i was in a while ago we learned Raining Blood and would go into it once "SLAYER!!!!" was requested :)

it was rad
 

tommyindelaware

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Joined
Dec 24, 2002
Messages
3,274
Location
wilmington , delaware
SharonG said:
:D Great thread -
Playing in a country/rock band w/ 3 women and 1 guy (no drummer), - 2 of the women do 90% of the lead voals, we particulalry enjoy requests for Springsteen, Skynyrd, and AC/DC........

Had a fun moment last week, too. A completely toasted patron who persisted in shouting across the entire bar during our set up that we should get started, and what do we play, etc. decided during the first song that we needed his help on back up vocals. He steps around from the dance floor and leans over my mike and effectively head butts me with the brim of his baseball cap, as I'm (oddly enough) trying to get to my mike, too. If I didn't say thanks then, Tommy - THANKS! for stepping up and giving this guy a glare that sent him cowering to the far side of the room. Some people!.........:rolleyes:

i don't always wait for the bouncer......:)
 
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