How much gear do you take to your shows? - Page 5

Rotti · #61 05-08-2007, 07:46 AM

How do you like those LED cans? I've been looking at those.

screamndemon69 · #62 05-08-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supermau

I'll be playing out again soon. I keep it pretty simple.

Kustom '72 Coupe 212
Two or Three guitars
Pedalboard consisting of a wah, delay, flanger, tube screamer, and the amp switches.

MMMmmm Kustom Coupe! I love those amps! They just released a new Coupe head that I'd love to try out. I was lucky to catch master amp designer himself, James Brown, in the Kustom booth a couple years ago and he was nice enough to sit and tweak the knobs on a Coupe while I was playing it for almost half an hour. He also developed the 5150, JSX and XXX for Peavey among other amps before he went to work for Kustom.

screamndemon69 · #63 05-08-2007, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darin

Got clips?

There's a web address at the botom of the banner. It looks like www.thekeystoneband.com

He has posted links before. I heard a few cool covers on their page. Check it out.

**jemaholic** · #64 05-08-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toma

you seriously dont need amps that big.

x

Obviously, you don't have big amps. I may not 'need' them, but I prefer them.
They sound better, move more air and have tremendous power that 1-12" enclosures cannot produce - and yes, they are mic'd through the PA.

supermau · #65 05-08-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

MMMmmm Kustom Coupe! I love those amps! They just released a new Coupe head that I'd love to try out. I was lucky to catch master amp designer himself, James Brown, in the Kustom booth a couple years ago and he was nice enough to sit and tweak the knobs on a Coupe while I was playing it for almost half an hour. He also developed the 5150, JSX and XXX for Peavey among other amps before he went to work for Kustom.

Indeed. It's a cool amp. Got it's own flavor and all the features you really need.

screamndemon69 · #66 05-09-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemaholic

Obviously, you don't have big amps. I may not 'need' them, but I prefer them.
They sound better, move more air and have tremendous power that 1-12" enclosures cannot produce - and yes, they are mic'd through the PA.

Those cabs couldn't be moving too much air if you have them miced thru the PA. I imagine you still get a great sound even at lower volumes. Do you use an attenuator with those heads so you can saturate the tubes and not blow the walls off the club?

I'm totally cool with having whatever gear you are willing to set up and tote to gigs. A big part of ROCK is excess

I personally try not to bring more than I need but I have been known to bring 3-4 guitars to ALL my gigs.

This weekend I will be using my Mesa 1/4 stack (biggest rig I own) since the room is huge and I don't mic my amp. Usually my Deluxe Reverb 1x12 is plenty loud enough (only 22wtts class A) and unless I'm playing an outdoor venue, I never mic it or really ever have to. Suprisingly enough, it actually keeps up with our PA and cuts thru the mix.

I have to add that I also ALWAYS bring my Ampeg JetII 1x12 combo (15wtts class A) and run it stereo as a side fill on the opposite side of the stage so I don't have to run my guitar in the monitors. I get a BIG full sound and great pan delays

**jemaholic** · #67 05-09-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darin

Got clips?

Sound only- but this is a live recording with 3 full Marshall stacks - 2 of mine and one of the other guys....

http://www.thekeystoneband.com/audio...OfYourLove.mp3

Vids on the way...

screamndemon69 · #68 05-09-2007, 10:06 AM

jemaholic - just curious how many shows you guys play out a year/month?

Do you guys get together for rehearsals often? Unfortunately, my band NEVER rehearses outside of "paid rehearsals" and it probably shows

We do however play out almost EVERY weekend and some say a live gig is worth 10 rehearsals as long as the band mates practice their parts between shows. I spend a few hours a week working on our material to always keep improving my parts and to try and keep our music fresh for the fans that come to every show.

**jemaholic** · #69 05-10-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

jemaholic - just curious how many shows you guys play out a year/month?

Do you guys get together for rehearsals often? Unfortunately, my band NEVER rehearses outside of "paid rehearsals" and it probably shows

We do however play out almost EVERY weekend and some say a live gig is worth 10 rehearsals as long as the band mates practice their parts between shows. I spend a few hours a week working on our material to always keep improving my parts and to try and keep our music fresh for the fans that come to every show.

We practice every Friday night that we don't play out and since we all have careers we only play every 4 weeks or so. We bought a trailer to carry everything in. Back in the 80's when we were 20ish(and playing 300 nights a year), all live bands we saw had really big gear. We decided since nobody does that anymore it would help set us apart - and in doing so we discovered that 'lost' sound of big amps. We only play large venues- for instance we just landed a huge outdoor 'Summer Concert Series' show on a 50' stage with a clamshell back for July 20th -sponsered by the local city hall. The sat before us is Foreigner and the sat after us is the Black Crows. We wanted to warm up for one of those guys, but the city council was at one of our recent shows and instead gave us our own headline bill instead. Whatever. I still want to warm up for the Black Crows!
It's hard getting those big gigs and there is a lot of politics involved, but I think it's worth it. BTW- we're having a pro video company shoot the whole show for a future DVD. Flash pots, lasers, follow spots and fog machines will be hummin that night!

screamndemon69 · #70 05-10-2007, 09:23 AM

Congrats! That is very cool playing with the Crows AND Foreigner!!! I love the Crows and grew up with Foreigner.

The big shows are hard to land but once you start playing them you are more likely to keep getting the chance to play them. We have two coming up with crowds between 25k to 40k respectively. I don't know yet who else is playing but the last ones we did were with Charlie Daniels, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot and the new band for some of the Foghat guys, "Slowride".

I'd love to see the video after you guys get them put together. Do you plan to video the Foreigner and Crows sets? I'd dig seeing the Crows set

guitardevil2005 · #71 05-10-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcid

Just the gear man. I would never bring lights or fog or any of that stuff. Im lazy.

Usually 2 or 3 guitars, amp, pedals, and PA.

same hear, except i bring 3- 4 guitars, because of different tunings.

yoyo1299 · #72 05-10-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemaholic

We practice every Friday night that we don't play out and since we all have careers we only play every 4 weeks or so. We bought a trailer to carry everything in. Back in the 80's when we were 20ish(and playing 300 nights a year), all live bands we saw had really big gear. We decided since nobody does that anymore it would help set us apart - and in doing so we discovered that 'lost' sound of big amps. We only play large venues- for instance we just landed a huge outdoor 'Summer Concert Series' show on a 50' stage with a clamshell back for July 20th -sponsered by the local city hall. The sat before us is Foreigner and the sat after us is the Black Crows. We wanted to warm up for one of those guys, but the city council was at one of our recent shows and instead gave us our own headline bill instead. Whatever. I still want to warm up for the Black Crows!
It's hard getting those big gigs and there is a lot of politics involved, but I think it's worth it. BTW- we're having a pro video company shoot the whole show for a future DVD. Flash pots, lasers, follow spots and fog machines will be hummin that night!

wow man awesome!! do you guys have a CD? if not, how do you get known and get those big gigs when some bands have never heard you?

screamndemon69 · #73 05-11-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoyo1299

wow man awesome!! do you guys have a CD? if not, how do you get known and get those big gigs when some bands have never heard you?

For us, it is playing in an area enough to get our name out there and also calling the people that put together (promoters) shows like those.

I personally looked up a webpage dedicated to an annual event (coming up shortly) and emailed the promoters and also got a phone number to call from the webpage to line it up. I had to get things set up 6+ months in advance.

Having an EPK (electronic press kit) is a must to get good shows. The kit should include current CD's or samples of songs, possibly a DVD of the band performing, clips from any shows from newspapers talking about past shows, set list of material/songs and a very short bio of the band including gear the band owns (PA, lights, ect). A nice 8x10 glossy that is professionally made is also a must in the package.

Keeping it short and sweet and as professional as possible is important. Only have the things pertinent to playing live shows included that the promoter/club owner want or need to know. Don't list your personal bio unless you have something like, "I toured with (pro band name)" because they could care less that you are influenced by so and so and your Dad gave you your first guitar (unless your Dad is someone famous).

You need a good "wow factor" for just about anything in the package so they have a higher interest level in your band over other bands that they consider.

Making good connections with promoters is a good thing. ALWAYS be as professional as possible and dress smart. Don't look like a vagabond. The more prepared you are the better chance of getting the gig. Consider getting a good gig like a job interview as that is basically what it is.

yoyo1299 · #74 05-11-2007, 10:35 AM

ok - i'll do the greenday thing and wear a suite while wearing eyeshadow.... lol jk. That's cool - if i ever got into a band, i have had a lot of experience working with the sound and live production team for my church which is the second or third biggest prestbyterian church in the US - something like 5000 people come to each service, and we run two, so that would look good especially since everything there is very professional and stuff. but again, i would need a lot more "band" experience as you said....

**jemaholic** · #75 05-11-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

For us, it is playing in an area enough to get our name out there and also calling the people that put together (promoters) shows like those.

I personally looked up a webpage dedicated to an annual event (coming up shortly) and emailed the promoters and also got a phone number to call from the webpage to line it up. I had to get things set up 6+ months in advance.

Having an EPK (electronic press kit) is a must to get good shows. The kit should include current CD's or samples of songs, possibly a DVD of the band performing, clips from any shows from newspapers talking about past shows, set list of material/songs and a very short bio of the band including gear the band owns (PA, lights, ect). A nice 8x10 glossy that is professionally made is also a must in the package.

Keeping it short and sweet and as professional as possible is important. Only have the things pertinent to playing live shows included that the promoter/club owner want or need to know. Don't list your personal bio unless you have something like, "I toured with (pro band name)" because they could care less that you are influenced by so and so and your Dad gave you your first guitar (unless your Dad is someone famous).

You need a good "wow factor" for just about anything in the package so they have a higher interest level in your band over other bands that they consider.

Making good connections with promoters is a good thing. ALWAYS be as professional as possible and dress smart. Don't look like a vagabond. The more prepared you are the better chance of getting the gig. Consider getting a good gig like a job interview as that is basically what it is.

Spot on Demon!
Remember, the local promoters NEED local bands for warmups and stuff- but they must be dependable and offer a quality product. No drinking, no drugs, no fights and certainly not ever late. It's a business. Once you're band is chosen it's a GREAT gig meeting and playing with headliners but first you must win the respect of the promoters- you got to be 100% "ON" when you play - there is always another band right behind you trying to get your gig.