Long sets, short breaks, better time for crowd ...

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

... because, let's face it, that's why we're there, to entertain the people, sell booze and make sure the staff is well tipped, at least, that's what we try to accomplish at a show ...

I can remember being a frustrated audience member in the past, wondering when the fucking band was coming back ... I can't understand 40-50 minute breaks at all. At this time, we play either a three-set show (1st set: 1:15 hr., 2nd set: 1:10 hr., 3rd set: 1 hr.-ISH) with 10-15 minute break in between or two sets, each about 1:30 hr., with a 20-minute breather in between.

We play long for the reasons mentioned above, and also because we all four love to perform. I don't get not wanting to be on stage. Sure, you need to catch a breather from time-to-time, but get it taken care of and get back on stage. We had a planned weekend off this past weekend and I went absolutely NUTS because we were not playing.

People do not want to pay cover to sit and listen to a CD. Get your ass on stage or slide to the side and make room for bands that want to play. End of rant.

Thoughts?

r:>)

Skate Toad · Post by **Skate Toad** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

Agreed! I have seen some agency bands recently and i just have to wonder why they are so big. Taking 45 + min set breaks. Not called for!! Especially at a $5 cover.
But in short i'm with ya. I think long enough to grab a fresh bev., hit the head, and hob knob with patrons on the way to those locales is way more than enough 10 min 15 max

DMFJ03 · Post by **DMFJ03** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

We're pretty good about getting back on stage within 15 minutes. Then again, we play for at least an hour for each set. We try to do 15 songs a set, but our blatters usually end up getting the best of us and we end up doing 12-13.

We're usually good about it, but some nights we slack off.

ASB10 · Post by **ASB10** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

As always it depends on the venue and the crowd that particular evening. When the crowd is a little on the light side, then we may take 20 minutes, but generally I am the time gestapo, and we take 15 minutes tops. Depending on the scheduled time, we have four different setlist set-ups, including a set-up that features four sets (4.5 hour shows at one venue we play on occasion). I generally know that we can do 15-16 songs per hour, depending on how verbose I am, and how much crowd participation is occurring, and of course, how fast we are playing that evening (sometimes our drummer gets a little excited).....I agree...long breaks are annoying and I have seen one particular band do 30 minute breaks as a habitual occurrence.......no wonder they are falling out of favor with everyone......

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

Sometimes it's not always a bad thing to take longer breaks. It lets the band take breaks, lets the band mingle and make new fans. It also lets people talk without screaming into each others ears. Lets face it, 90 percent of the people that come out are out because they want to hook up with someone and get messed up. The band is there to aid in this because it gets the girls out. The time for the guy to make the move is between sets. But anyway, that's just a theory. I've also noticed that when the band is done, people rush the bar and the bar makes a lot of money because the people's attention is not solely on the band. What do y'all think...and by the way 40 is waaaaaaaayyyy too long. 20 is about right.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

Always remember that your primary purpose is to make your employer happy. Generally, that means maximizing their profits for the night.

I agree with Rob. 10 minutes is a bit short and doesn't leave the crowd enough drinkgetting, mingling and talking time--I have had bartenders complain that the crowd was spending too much time on the dance floor and not ordering enough drinks.

15 minutes isn't bad, but 20 seems to work better for everybody in my experience. Any less time, and the "tiger" doesn't make out or the waitresses didn't get around to all the tables while they were full. Any more and thats about the time the diehards start yelling "where's the band?"

In the old union days, the scale was: 1 hour for the 1st set, then a 15 minute break and 45 minutes for every set thereafter with a 15 minute break.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Monday Sep 12, 2005

Bands often wonder why they don't get the success that they believe that they deserve.

When you play one of the best rooms in Blair County, which mind you is very exclusive and many awesome bands would kill just to play it, and then sabatoge yourself by taking a 40 minute break, you don't have anyone to blame but yourself.

Robthedrummer wrote:It also lets people talk without screaming into each others ears.

Agreed 100%

I know that many bands/soundmen will play recorded music during breaks, and that's cool, but I don't like it when they play it at performance volume levels. I know that when I get off stage, that's when I get a chance to talk to my bandmates, friends, patrons, ect. and it's nice if I don't have to scream.

Just my personal opinion there.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005

I think breaks should be part of the dynamic of the gig. I actually caught hell for not taking a break... the bar manager said she sells way more drinks then.
I agree that break music should be a bit quieter, so singles can mingle, and for me, so the band has more POW! when it starts back up.

I used to pray for break time... metal can be really challenging to sing, and I had to learn how to do it without hurting myself, which took a long time. Plus, there was the whole "redneck groupie making the BJ sign"-thing to egg me on. Once the implied oral sex deal trailed off, I'd just rather play. You guys who didn't get to play hair-band music in the 80's, there's a reason I love telling those old stories! Now, THAT was a break!

Sidestep takes breaks, but there doesn't seem to be a formula. We usually go over an hour the first set, over an hour the second set, and a short third set... our audience skews a bit older, and tends to clear somewhat by the end. Oral sex? Look at my pic in my avatar and decide for yourself.

----------->JMS

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005

There's a rumor there a band around that takes long breaks, I also hear the band may show up at the last minute and doesn't like to pay sound companies. But its just a rumor

We usually do the 15 min break, sometimes someone is in a conversation with a crowd member and doesn't like to rush off but we shoot for 15 if its a few longer thats Ok, anything longer than 1/2hr is ubsurd though.

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Tuesday Sep 13, 2005

tonefight wrote:There's a rumor there a band around that takes long breaks, I also hear the band may show up at the last minute and doesn't like to pay sound companies. But its just a rumor

We usually do the 15 min break, sometimes someone is in a conversation with a crowd member and doesn't like to rush off but we shoot for 15 if its a few longer thats Ok, anything longer than 1/2hr is ubsurd though.

Tony, I think you're just jealous because they stole your moniker. Aren't you the original "Love Stomper"??

John

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

We played a place in Indianapolis that REQUIRED us to take a 30 min break, it was in the contract that way a 75 min set a 30 min break and another 75 min set...I hated it. 15- to 20 min is enough any more than 20 and I'm wonderin where th band is.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

FatVin wrote:We played a place in Indianapolis that REQUIRED us to take a 30 min break, it was in the contract that way a 75 min set a 30 min break and another 75 min set...I hated it. 15- to 20 min is enough any more than 20 and I'm wonderin where th band is.

Vin, this could be the shortest post you've ever put up ... lol ... just breakin' your stones ...

r:>)

ZappasXWife · Post by **ZappasXWife** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

I had some good beans the other night with the fish that I ate (made on a George Foreman grill, of course).

bassist_25s shortest post! With no comment on the psychological reasoning behind choosing fish over meat...or maybe it is subliminally implied? Maybe inherently learned? Just breakin yer balls bassist...rock on!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

Actually, it tastes very good. I'm not a big seafood eater, but I really love this brand of fish.

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

No it ain't

Don Hughes · Post by **Don Hughes** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

Now THAT'S the shortest post from Vin!

This is gonna turn into a "shortest post" thread.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Sep 15, 2005

-->JMS

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Friday Sep 16, 2005

Ya...er...no

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Friday Sep 16, 2005

I've always liked the first set to be the shortest.

robsottile · Post by **robsottile** » Friday Sep 16, 2005

We used to play at a place in Harrisburg that required us to play two, hour long, sets with a one hour break in between. They wanted it "on the dot" to. The thing about, the place was really happening and the hour went really quick.