...ah yes , very often, a band's bread and butter. Better earning, but far less glamorous than a club gig. No "balls out" explosion of musical chops and flash, but a steady, often dull night of hastily cobbled-together cover tunes and, if one is very lucky, chicken wings.
Many bands either refuse all together, or actually perform under a different name when playing a night at a bar or pub. I used to be in the former category. Rock n' Roll was supposed to be about noise, lights, ACTION! Of course, anything the band wanted doing came strictly out of pocket, usually mine. For the past few years, however, The Responsibles have been assembling our rehearsal space in public bars on paisley carpet.
THE GOOD
A great way to introduce/ practice new songs. There's no cover, so a bar is usually full of people who have little or no interest in your creations. As long as the punters hear a few tunes they recognize, they're happy. In fact, I tend to think they believe ALL of our songs to be covers--kind of a compliment actually.
These gigs can be fairly well paying. The more people who come, the more money spent. A simple formula, especially when you are getting a percentage of the night's take. Recording, pressing, T-shirts, etc, cost a lot of money, and its nice to be able to pay for all or most of it from band earnings.
Crowd approval can do wonders for band morale. Actually, if a band is anyways half decent, and has a good selection of songs, this is a fairly easy feat. As the night progresses, the audience dons "beer headphones", and suddenly, a lucky band can be transported to pub stardom.
As mentioned, there is no cover, thereby increasing the number of bodies in the place. I find this particularly satisfying for friends of the band, who faithfully come to every gig (Hiya Rich and Angie!) most of the time to watch us suck, or pay a twenty dollar cover for a headlining band they don't even like--simply to see us open.
Free beer, and often, a meal. No explanation needed. And, if you have a musician/ friend for a bartender, you are in for a good night--a party you are allowed to play at. Say no more!
THE BAD
Empty. The band plays to a bartender and a lone server, who is wearing an i-Pod. Can be very demoralizing. Worse yet, a crowd of revellers arrive, listen for thirty seconds, and then leave. The sinking feeling that in order to get paid, you have to keep playing for another two or three hours, and then load everything back home at three am. If a band plays in an empty bar, does it really matter?
Not empty, but full of music experts. Some of whom will engage you in conversation about a particular tune, or instrument you are playing--while you are playing it. I'm not particularly good at being firm in these situations, and I imagine that my meekness is taken as a sign they should should keep on talking. Who knows, one could get lucky and return from a washroom break to find one's new found friend playing your instrument! Believe me, they will want to at the very least.
Also, you will receive more advice than you have ever desired. These managers of the night will claim to have either known, played with, or handled the affairs of any number of successful artists. Also, "you're a good band", but we should change our sound and get rid of me, no offense, buddy.
Requests. Usually that no one in the band knows, or only one person. In the latter case, you will have a brief discussion about the details of the tune, which you have never heard, and proceed to play it in a text book half-arsed fashion. Also, learn "Happy Birthday", really, it's worth it. I do, however, draw the line at Christmas Carols
Of course, every band should know they are background music for drinking, so do take breaks--not too long, naturally. And I'm not surprised when a drunk is weaving in front of me, glaring and mumbling. It's much like a bear in the forest, just act cool, but be prepared.
So, it's a mix, a melange of good, well-fed fun, and monotonous, inane slogging. All in all, it's a full night, and remember to plug shows at other places, and try to sell CDs, as some of the patrons may want to remember what they thought they liked the night before...
p.s. The Responsibles are playing at the Lionshead Pub on Saturday August 28--no cover, three sets!
