12Pack

So - I'd figure I'd blog about gigging and the fun or not so fun aspects of it.

Last night, February 19 I played at a place. The gig was from 8pm to 11pm and I arrived at promptly 6:50 to set up. One thing I hate about gigging is setting up - then rushing into playing. Personally, I like to set up, take a rest while kicking back a beer before playing.

Upon arrival the parking lot was completely full, plus snow banks and cars every where in and out of the parking lots. I hate this. It sucks when you have to carry equipment in from 1/2 mile down the road. I hung out in the parking lot waiting for something to open up close to the building and after about 30 minutes, a couple pulled out and I pulled in right next to the door.

I popped the trunk - took out a speaker and the PA and entered - only to find that they gave us a spot for our duo act that was pretty much 3 feet by 3 feet wide - tucked in a corner with a bunch of people eating at a table, that I literally had to turn sideways so my headstock wouldn't knock the teeth out of the dude eating there.

After sitting in the parking lot for a half out - seeing this space to play in - I immediately got more aggitated. I couldn't set up the double FOH speakers and had to use only one speaker for the night. My pedal board was resting on the floor in a whacky angle and my right elbow kept bumping into my singer. Thank God we both showered - it was tight.

Opened the first set with the lounge/jazz stuff as the people ate and kicked up the 2nd and 3rd sets with more of the traditional covers and more upbeat songs. I decided to play "Learning to Fly"-Tom Petty as my singing/playing debute and it came out pretty good for a rookie singer. Honestly - I'd rather stick to just playing though. It's easier!

Packed up at 11:00pm and was home by 12:10. My back is on fire today as the way I was holding my guitar last night all crunched up.