Playing live...

[Wis Redz of Silvanost]

hello guys,
I've never played live before but there's something in me that shouts at me to play live. You know, when I see local bands playing songs (stupid songs as far as I am concerned, no good guitar licks at all) and the audşence appreciating them, I tell to myself "hell, i could play a lot better, and then these guys would know about JS or SV." Anyway recently I've had the chance to play live. That is my friend's band is playing live this friday at school, and I asked them if they could let me play only one song and that being Summer Song. They said okay and today we've made a visit to studio. Well to be honest this was my first serious studio session. I've always played along backing tracks, original tracks etc. But I had never played Summer Song with the backing track. Anyway at the studio, they kept telling me that I couldn't play with the rhtym. I said OK that's possible since I've never played before with a band. I told them that I would play with the backing track to fit in the group. When I got back home I found the backing track and played with it and... there's no problem at all. It's just as the recording. I think they need to learn the song better. Anyway all this aside, I have one question. How would it look if I played 3 songs with backing tracks, live? one being summer song, the other audience is listening, and the other imperial march.
I really want to play JS live but if it is going to be bad with the group... to hell with it that song's a real beatiful piece and deserve better. So I thought maybe I could play with the backing tracks. the only thing that I fear is that I will look like a stupid guy playing all alone.
What would you do in this case? I really need your advices...

[lyconxero]

I don't think that there's anything wrong with playing BY yourself. Just make sure that you have a decent PA system to play the backing track out of and that you have your volume and the backing volume set properly and it should be good.

[knarfzednem]

i don't see a real problem with just playing with a backing track. but it's the audience that you should probably worry about. if they're used to the local bands, they may not take it too well. some peoples' heads might explode beacause they have to actaully listen and think about all the little notes and phrases. "what's going on, how is he doing that?" okay, okay, maybe it won't be that bad. but the only bad thing about playing along with a backing track is that you can't blame the drummer for hitting the wrong button.

[mi2tom]

Yuppy^^^ it ain't wrong playing with a backing track ... infact it's much better than playing with a band .... that being you don't have to teach the band the song and save a lot of time

[Shep]

I play in a orginals band ...and some people come just because of my solo's..so i think people may not find you to bad ( or there heads explode ) if you played soloy stuff..

[beyblade]

Go ahead and play live with the backing tracks. You're miles better off playing to a well composed backing track than what you are with a sloppy band. Good luck with it.

[King Knall]

I played with backing tracks last month, and it went very well. I didn't win though, due to lack of preparation.