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Pre gig faffing.....

Filed Under : Music , Rants

Posted By : Tubthumper | Comments : 14

.....so many wires, so little time


I have been exceptionally bored so I decided to edit an expose over how much blokes seem to faff around when setting up. I, as a genetically superior female of the species, am the very picture of efficiency and am typically set up and ready to go in approximately 3 and a half minutes. Obviously people get hurt (trampled mainly) in the process but the road to fame is paved with the bodies of those who impair my pursuit of perfection.

Anyway, I filmed the Glamtastic 4's gig at the Roebuck on Sunday and surreptitiously recorded them setting up with my flip recorder (I've missed my vocation in life as a private eye, or assassin, such was my stealth).

Anyhow, it's very likely one of those "you had to be there to find it funny" things which is why I've kept it short but it did get me to thinking how much we do tend to faff around, in the pre gig process.

In Reload there is one particular culprit who minces around like Virgil off Thunderbirds whilst the rest of us get on with it. I've no doubt other bands have similar types; those who move with military precision and those who stand in the middle of the setting up area like a fecking human roundabout...



Comments

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# Posted by Jez (Route 69) - 17/06/2011, 16:48 (GMT)

I used to get involved, now I just sit down and riff and bit... too many chefs and all that!! :0)


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 17/06/2011, 16:51 (GMT)

Chefs? Do you do food with your music?

I play the "i'm not safe to be around electricity" card as a means to avoid doing anything with the PA etc!


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# Posted by Jez (Route 69) - 17/06/2011, 16:54 (GMT)

Now that could be an avenue I've not been down!! Might take a camping stove tonight and knock up meals as we play!!!

TV series; cook books.. I can see it now!!

The Rocking Chef!!!

:0)


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 17/06/2011, 17:00 (GMT)

If you feed them......they will come......(not in a dirty way)


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# Posted by Jez (Route 69) - 17/06/2011, 17:02 (GMT)

gonna say!! my foods good... but not that good!! lol


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# Posted by djtommatt - 17/06/2011, 18:04 (GMT)

is it just me or has everyone got a prob with this vid
when i press play it just says "this vid is private"
dj


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 17/06/2011, 19:15 (GMT)

Sorry about that - you should be able to watch it now


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# Posted by djtommatt - 17/06/2011, 20:11 (GMT)

ha ha that was good ,
any vids of the gig

dj


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# Posted by Neil Aspinall - 18/06/2011, 01:49 (GMT)

I was in the Floyd tribute band Pulse and that was a 6 hour "faff around" set up often leaving no time for a decent sound check before doors opened, and you know what... I'd do it all again as it was an amazing time and a whole load of laughs (especially Ireland with the then compulsary IRA door staff)!
Daddy Loves Ya..


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# Posted by Meana Hyena - 18/06/2011, 13:34 (GMT)

pisses me off big style anyone standing around usually gets a brummy gob full of abuse from yours truly, i like to get in and have it soundchecked in 30 minutes or quicker if poss , i cant stand noodling and tapping the audience dont need to hear it !, my gear is racked all i do is plug it in to the mains, a speaker and instrument lead jobs a guddun , pa again racked 10 minute job to connect, lights just a couple of t bars 10 mins , drummer is usually the slowest cos he doesn't think to keep his mic lead unbillical carefully coiled.....spaghetti city on steroids !!!! guess its an age thing and the fact i'm a miserable chunt ,but it does my head in all the twattin around ...just get in there and wallop..... gives me time for a beer and a bag of pork scratchings :-)


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# Posted by Ian from Bolton - 18/06/2011, 15:22 (GMT)

I have always got naffed off with hearing endless widdling too.

Being a humble bassist, I just set my gear up and wire it all together. I tune whatever basses I am taking
(usually 3 or 4) with a tuner that cuts out the bass rig, so the audience is spared that particularly painful
process. It takes a minute or so to dial in my sound. Job done, off for a drink. Stick the iPod on thru the PA.
Check tuning silently just before we start. Any fixes to sound during / after first song.


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# Posted by John Wilkinson: - 20/06/2011, 10:57 (GMT)

Takes FV two hours of "Faffing" and one and a half when gig finished.

I love it all as well.

;-)

best wishes

John


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# Posted by The Extras - 21/06/2011, 09:47 (GMT)

There are some amongst us who cannot leave their gear alone once it is set up and are constant twiddlers. I think it's a condition known as Muso Tourettes. The irresistable urge to twiddle on your own watched by a puzzled audience...CJ


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# Posted by THE STAN'S - 22/06/2011, 14:09 (GMT)

@Nic Well i've had Pre and Post Gig rituals but I know i am a complete and utter Top Class faffer from the moment i get out of car! Stan said you asked " Is she always like this " and he said " Don't worry you get used to it! "

Hope I don't stress you out too much. Can you bring that tourch for me on next gig so I can faff with that LOL! xx


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