So, my big ass corporate company is having a holiday party (sigh. it USED to be Christmas, and just, everbuddy else understood, "peace on erf" meant "shut your whiny ass up about including other religions in our celebrations! just sit over there with your dradle and be happy. NINE days! you people...")

um. anyhow.

my big ass corporate company that has over 500 employees is coming off the hip with some big money for entertainment this year: employee "battle of the bands" since they know there's a few of us here that play.

question one. WOULD YOU play a battle of the bands AT your COMPANY? Hell NAW.

Question Two. Was the first thing you thought was "cheap-ass way to get entertainment! hey hey who's thinking!"

I think it's crazy stupid and there's no way I'd participate. So, then, I'm coming across as self-impressed (I'm immediately comparing myself to Prince and "USA for Africa" where, you know, "it's just not my bag. get off my back shut the hell up, have a song, go away") But damn if folks ain't bugging me about it all day (okay, maybe 10 people have asked) because you KNOW I DEFINITELY tell folks I'm in a band and all that stuff.

So. Hmm. Do I do it? Would you?

I work in Advertising and I can't tell you how many "creative" people are in this biz and are in bands.

They have a battle of the bands every year and I went one year. Now, I'm friends with some of these people and have a level of professional respect for some of them.

Then the night of the battle of the bands and all respect I had for some of them was gone. It was a nightmare and I vowed that night never to be involved.

Otan, I think in your case it would have the opposite effect because you kick ass. Next thing you know, you have a corner office and people are taking you to lunch,

My

Slave2daGroove said:

I dunno man. I'm in advertising - I was nodding my head to your story - that's EXACTLY how I would see this thing going... it's going to be a custerfluck - nobody's going to really PLAN this thing with a PA and stuff... I just predict disaster no matter how you look at it.

And sure enough, if I DONT sign up, it will be kickass and I'll spend the party looking into my drink wishing I had my guitar, and if I DO sign up, I'll be up on stage wishing I could crawl into a closet somewhere.

NOT TO MENTION that my bands don't play for free - they're not my bands so I don't line this stuff up. I could throw something together for this thing, but it would sound thrown together, and AUGH. I dunno. Maybe I'll contact some of the other musicians here and we'll throw something together for the party.

THAT is what they should have done... in my opinion - an all-star band.

Talk to someone to see if there's any money involved to pay the band. Even if it's a grand prize, if it would cover the band, it would make for some serious motivation for the band.

I'm feeling you on the whole thing but do your stand-up thing and go into it light-hearted. You know people will not let it go if you just do nothing.

Even if it's a drum machine with you on the guitar and singing, I really think you'll kick people's asses. Although there's a lot of talent in Atlanta, on second thought, talk your band into it.

That's funny! I'm in advertising as well and guess what: half my co-workers play in bands. One of them actually performed at a christmas company party. We once formed a company band but never got round to reheasring let alone performing. I do have a guitar and amp in the office, since I'm a'creative'my boss thinks it's cool. (well hey, it IS) If I were you, I'd say my band couldn't make it on the date, but I'd love to do one song with another band. Then pick something you can really shred on, let them do the hard work and at the end of the set you join them as a 'special guest' and do a lot of crowd pleasing stuff. Will take you five minutes and make you a legend in the office.

hectim said:

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Also, if "things go wrong", just remember that "normal" people don't really notice that kind of stuff. You'll have people coming up to you saying your show was good and you'll want to say "yeah, but such and such happened and this was fucked up..." SAVE IT. Things don't look 1/10 as bad in the audience as you think they do when you're up there.

You have a great excuse: your bands only play for money. Be a guest player in someone else's group and blow everyone away.

otan said:

I'd do it. But I'd play something I know would piss them off. How about U play a long instrumental concept piece. Something they'd regret.

It does sound like a cop out on their behalf, but if I was a performer I'd imagin I'd be happy wherever I played.

The fact that it's a competition would give anyone second thoughts...especially 'cause I take it you don't know how good the other bands are...bummer that's a really hard choice...Hectims plan is cool, otherwise you could just do it for 'a laugh'..maybe sing a bunch of bizarre covers, or do some crazy ass instrumental like Camille says!...provided you can get your band in on it...erm, for free like.

Hope you find a way to do it 'cause it'd be great to see how it goes down!

MaggotBrain said:

Well - I DO work for the weather channel, so we're talking about doing all weather songs - "Riders on the storm" (which I hate so I would DEFINITELY turn it into a funk stomp) and whatever else comes to mind. If I don't have fun, I'd have to unleash my Carrie-powers on them all, and that's not a good idea.

So yeah, I'll have fun. ("fun" means "vodka-colas"). Sigh. I'm such an old fart.

Remember: however bad the gig could be, nothing feels worse than watching another band with your coworkers and not being able to show off a little yourself.

otan said:

hectim said:

Exactly! Even if it's a full-on-suckfest, I'd wanna be up there laughing. So. I'm on it. I'll blame the cake.

My input and somewhat totally off-topic

I booked Frank Axtell's band ( http://frankaxtell.com ) a few months ago for an annual conference a company I work for is having at Universal Studios in Orlando.

Last year I booked him and he got top dollar for that gig. It was in a REALLY Plush hotel at the Disney Resort. It made the $$$ BIG BUCKS $$$ dinner and presentations so worth it by having live music while all these executives smooged each other to death. No big production but some really good smooth jazz fusion type stuff.

Anyway, his performance was so well received last year that the company wanted to re-book him this year. Now TODAY, they want to cancel him 2 weeks before the gig because they are "trimming" the budget at the last minute.

Frank and I have a solid relationship both as friends and when it comes to business and we know and recognize the difference when it comes down to business and we leave those issues at that door when we hang as friends.

BUT!!!
It still makes you feel very uncomfortable knowing that you set up a gig for your friend and he got screwed out of time and money not to mention the other band members still have to get paid whether the gig goes on or not.

So in short, don't mix friends with business. It just sucks to be in this position. I'm not saying that would happen to you Otan in this case, but I, for one, will second guess involving my friends and in this case, my friend's friends with any corporation I may be working for.

YM - why does he still have to pay the other musicians? If they've played with him before, then they should know it's a part of playing. I've been in band that had their gigs cancelled, and I didn't expect the guy to pay me regardless.

otan said:

Because you don't hire these guys and then cancel. When you want the best, they expect the best from you as well. (and vice versa)

http://www.prince.org/msg/15/65448

Let me know what the budget is & I could suply the Band.

Otan,

Yeah, I would go ahead and do it man. Just get up there, let it flow and then step on down. Let everybody know where you're coming from and let the music speak for itself.

I'm sure people know you're in a band, but once they see you perform they'll see you in a new light.

Just my opinion. I'd do it.

The Quest

TheQuest said:

Good point. It's just a mental freakout to get up in front of folks that know you as one type of person, and then open a vein in front of them like that... very intimidating.

Or you could go in costumes & not let anyone know who you are...

groovement said:

You could make you're own bee-keepers 'Tora Tora' outfit!

I just found out that they DO have commission for the bands, so, yes, I shall be bustin a move and screaming for the Ice, Ice baby.

STOP.

Cracker Time.

otan said:

Damn, Otan. U're 2 Funny. Here's some nutritional info for ya.

I highly recommended writing 'slave' on your cheek and insisting that Beau is dead and you are to be known as Otan. Maybe your coworkers will think you're insane but who knows, mabye you'll get to shag the local Carmen Electra-lookalike.

otan said:[/quote]
Good point. It's just a mental freakout to get up in front of folks that know you as one type of person, and then open a vein in front of them like that... very intimidating.[/quote]

posted too damn soon edit
[This message was edited Tue Oct 21 5:02:26 PDT 2003 by hectim]

Otan, you're from Atlanta? I just moved down here a little over a month ago! What are some bands you're in, I'd be interested in checking them out!
As for the battle of the bands thing, well, me personally I hate them, but if there's commission, you'll leave with a couple bucks in your pocket even if it sucks. Plus if there are some women around the office you'd care to impress, this is your big chance!

VinaBlue said:

Vina, how many crackers does it take? Oh wait, 19 crackers




Otan, we need new threads with updates on this, the suspense is killin me over here. Then, there's this new to Atlanta guy, I can't wait to see what becomes of this gig.

What is the date of the party?, I need to mark my calender.

Oh you kids. Go on...

The party is Dec 13th. The money is sweet, but the real payment will be the drop-jawed look when I whip into "It's Not Unusual" Or whatever I get around to singing - I think I'll actually be doing the Sly Stone Tribute "Nevergonnaletyoumakemehatemycrackers". The band knows it. I just need to remember the words.

And the only honey I'm interested in impressing will be my hot ass wife.



Sorry ladies, he's taken.
[This message was edited Tue Oct 21 19:07:53 PDT 2003 by otan]

guitarslinger44 said:

Right now my guitarbiz has slowed down, I'm just playing in one, until them others call me again. We play in the restaurant gigs and blues dives around town. I'm just the sideman on those gigs.

I'm thinking about stepping out to a open blues jam tomorrow night (wednesday) just to get back out and offend some folks. Of course, the last time I played there, I kinda got escorted to the front door on account of my volume and gamey lyrics.

Oh sure. EVERYBODY'S a critic at midnight.

otan said:

Hot Wife is an understatement

otan said:

Man, I love reading shit like this at 4am.

I LOVE this guy! He CRACKS me up!



Otan, you ROCK, dude. I was gonna say she's a lucky woman, but I have an idea that you're lucky too. Let me just take a moment to compliment you on having it all and doing it all. You're a Rock Star with a family, and you do it RIGHT. Same with Yamomma. You guys rule.

Thanks. I do what I can with what I gots. yeah. I'm lucky alright.

okay, Battle o Bands update. NOBODY, I repeat NOBODY has stepped up to the plate around here. Nobody's turned in a demo or asked to be included. So I just shot an email to the coordinator.

Looks like I might be getting me $1500 if no other bands are interested.

And I'll tell you this. I'll work to make $1500 instead of enjoying a company christmas party. Damn right I would.

So now I just need to put together a band real quick. 2 months. gtr44 - you live in Atlanta - you got any samples of your playing?