This kinda goes with my post from the other day about cover band musicians....I think it applies to ALL us artists not only drummers,originals or covers,every week I want to quit,I beat myself over it but I keep going,I guess the SUICIDE KINGS gigs always amaze me!!lol!Enjoy cause this is exactly how it goes!...........You break down your drums at home then load them into your vehicle.You drive to the venue,which may be 5 or 50 miles away.There,you might have to double-park or drive up onto the sidewalk for load-in.On occasion you have to park a fair distance away and lug your gear from there.You unload into the club,sometimes having to elbow your way thru a packed house,and you might have to contend with a surly drunk.After you play three or four sets to a disinterested few,a very enthusiastic crowd,or an audience that hits somewhere in the middle,its time to pack up and go home.If youre the bandleader,you may have to deal with a disgruntled club owner because your draw wasnt all that great that night.He or she hands over your pay,and you divide the cash among the band.Unless you have some very dedicated fans,the breaking down and loading out of your gear is your responsibility.Your ride home could be a short hop or a long haul.Plus the weather conditions might be bad and slow down your drive.Club musicians who survive the circuit have surrendered to the process.By surrender,I mean accepting that being a gigging drummer brings with it a range of human behaviors and emotions,and not all of them are joyful or exciting.For the folks who stick it out,its the pure LOVE of performing that drives them to play for one person or a thousand,on big stages or dingy bars.(excerpt from an article written by Bernie Schallehn for MD magazine titled The Unglamorous Side of Gigging)
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:46:58 +0000
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