Band Stage Or Garage Sale

This week's entry isn't technical...you don't have to be an Electrical Engineer to do any of this stuff.  In fact, the only requirement is that you're breathing and have some degree of a pulse.

No...this week is about the presentation of your band.  We put hundreds of hours into practice.  We put thousands of dollars into equipment.  But then we go out and play on a stage set up that looks like the clearance rack at Marshall's during Tax Free Weekend.

I've heard some bands that were absolutely remarkable players, but chose to surround themselves in something akin to Fred Sanford's front yard*.  Just because you don't have to have a wall of Marshall amps or a 120 lamp lighting rig, it doesn't mean there are things you can' do to make yourself look a bit more professional.

So...here's what I don't want to see on any of your stages!

Clothes
You're on a stage...not the dressing booth at Kohl's.  Why do you have the stinky T-Shirt you set up in hanging on the side of your amp?  At least hang it up out of sight.  The only clothes that should be hanging up on stage is your cape when you do your Elvis impersonation.

Milk Crates
I know, I know...they're the greatest thing ever for carrying cables.  Heck...I remember when you couldn't buy 'em at Target.  You had to get them from the Borden Milk distributor at 2:00 in the morning.  And in addition to storage, they're great for stacking amps on.  Heck, I've seen an entire drum riser made from 'em.  But don't leave 'em laying around with cables streaming out of them. 

Instrument Cases
I've touched on this one before.  I can't understand how a musician will go buy a $2000 acoustic guitar, and then not spend another $10 for a proper guitar stand.  I've seen first hand a drunk walk on stage and step into said acoustic guitar because the musician had it laying in the open case on the floor.  The only time an open guitar case is acceptable in your playing area is if you've got it open for tips.

Orange Extension Cords
I'm guilty of this one too.  I had this killer 48,000 watt lighting rig back in the 80's, and huge freaking bundles of orange extension cords from Ace Hardware running all over the place to power 'em up.  As a result, people tended to look more at the orange extension cords than anything else.  Nobody came to see your extension cords...don't let them upstage you.  There are plenty of black ones available now.  And if you want to save some money, learn how to make your own.

Empty Beer Bottles / Shot Glasses / Etc.
What's the fascination with lining up empty beer bottles across the front of the stage.  It's just one more trip hazard.  That...and here's a news flash...it's not sending the "cool" message of "these guys can really drink".  It's more like "what a bunch of slobs".  Put your empties out of sight and then bus your own stage between sets.  Oh yeah, do the bar staff a favor and make sure that you've cleared everything out after last call...you're helping them protect their liquor license.

Lingerie
Ok if it was thrown by the audience.  Not cool if you placed it yourself.  Just make sure that no one see's the $1 tag from TJ Maxx.

A Tangle Of Cables.
Nobody know better than I do how much wiring it takes to put a full blown show together.  Just make sure things are bundled and an excess wire is coiled up out of sight.  It you've got this mound of wire next to you that looks like a snake charmer's basket...do something about it.

Band Members That Look Like They Just Mowed The Yard
We've talked about this one before.  Take a little pride in your appearance.  I know, I know..."it's all about the music...not how we look".  True...if you want to sit in your bedroom and crank out MP3's on Soundcloud all day long.  But if you're out playing, it just became a visual medium.

People are easily distracted.  Don't give 'em any more reason to be.  Keep your stage clean on and the focus on you!

Next week, we're going to get a new kind of technical.  Not sound, but lights.  The Rhythm Dawgs have made the move from traditional incandesant lighting to DMX controlled LED fixtures.  Much less power, much less heat, but more complex.  We'll spend a couple of weeks talking about the pros and cons of different kinds of lighting.  I'll also give you some tips on getting the most bang for your buck.

Until next week, keep the meters out of the red crap off the stage.

Ken

 



Ken Carver has been a musician and performer since the early 70's, and involved with live music production since the mid 70's. He worked for 15 years as a broadcast engineer, building numerous studios and transmitter sites around Texas. He's also worked in Critical Care Communications for the medical industry, R&D for an automated lighting manufacturer, and owned Project Lighting & Sound in the 80's. He currently heads up an R&D Hardware Technician Team at National Instruments in Austin, and still performs on the weekends in the Central Texas area. You can reach Ken at itsjustlogistics@gmail.com