There's something weird/cool/pulse-pounding/whack about facing a bunch of strangers who expect you to do something REALLY exceptional - take them someplace in their past, and do it perfectly.
Cover music, man. It's bizarre! There they are, staring you down like something off George Romero's cutting-room floor, and you're looking back at them while the drummer counts off the song. It's time to nail it - kill the tune, raise the energy level, keep them dancing and singing along while not allowing that bastard Moe Mentum to escape out the back door.
Like most bands, we use a set list to get the wheel spinning. It helps the guitarist get his settings in place, helps the drummer and bass player figure out transitions and lock down the correct tempos and gives us a general roadmap for the night.
But what if the night takes a left turn down Bizarre Road? What if the crowd the night before loved 80s music but this crowd's eating it up like liver and lima bean-flavored ice cream? What if following the set list song-for-song is not only letting Moe get away, but it's killing the poor guy?
THEN it's time to slow things down - figuratively, not literally - and go Wachowski Brothers on the crowd. Bullet time, Matrix style.
What's that mean? Well, if you saw The Matrix (and I know you did), you remember Neo moving so quickly he felt like he was moving in slow motion. He could gauge his every move in a controlled, calm way. Remember him leaning back on his heels dodging The Agents' bullets?
OK - when bad energy comes back at you, go Neo style. Slow everything down in your head. Lean back, dodge, dodge. Don't panic - don't get discouraged. Then, while the band's playing the current song, rewind the past few songs in your head. Pay attention to details - every little foot tap and provocative stare. What worked? What didn't?
After that, do a quick mental review of the songlist while the band's cooking along.
Do all of this in about four or five seconds, but do it so quickly that - to you - you're moving in slow motion and not missing anything about crowd reactions to the previous songs.
This sounds really goofy, but I'm telling you - I've completely changed a set's directions based upon some girl tapping her foot or clapping for a song we played ten minutes before. And it WORKS. So when it works, you go with that road until it stops working, or until the end of the set. By then, you'll probably have the crowd on your side and ready to follow you wherever you want to take them.
(For those of you who want to cut to the chase? ALWAYS think on your feet. OK - I friggin' LOVE the Matrix. Sue me!)
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2 comments:
Man, you have a hard job! But, you're so good at it! Thanks for everything you do - especially the stuff that's just not fun, but it has to be done. I'm so lucky to be a part of this band!
I must concur with baby curmdgeon. Ever since I started playing music professionally, I've always served in the context of the "hired gun" position. I've never had the desire to be a band leader. I have the utmost respect for bandleaders.
Before I started playing music full-time, I worked in the field of law enforcement/corrections. I had to alter my personality while at work in order to deal with the inmates I was supervising as well as my co-workers. Each member of the security team had to serve as "shift leader" which meant when the proverbial fan was dripping with the familiar yet unpleasant stuff, the shift leader was responsible for calling the shots and coordinating the movements of the rest of the team. Although it was exciting at times, it was also very stressful.
Party Jones is the type of band where you don't really sense who is in charge as there is no micro-managing. There is only leadership by example. I love having a bandleader who sets a high standard by his actions rather than empty words. It reminds me of being a kid and cleaning my room. If I cleaned my room without being told, I remember the pride I felt at being complimented by my parents. On the other hand, when I was forced to clean my room, I always did it begrudgingly.
As a former small business owner, I learned firsthand how challenging it is to bring out the best in employees while ensuring business goals are met. In previous blogs, Kenny has explained the business side of cover bands. Even though the number of "employees" within the business entity of Party Jones is smaller than most small businesses, the challenge is no less greater.
My personality has always been as a supporter. I love nothing more than being the guy that people can count on. I love taking care of all the logistic minutia and behind the scenes stuff. I think that may be one reason I'm a drummer and not a lead instrument. To take part in a band where the onus is on the members to uphold their responsibilities yet are given the freedom within their own respective talents to grow is truly a rare thing.
This is why I was predestined to wear the blue shirt while others are predestined to wear the tan shirts.
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