|
|
It's a good idea to have backups, just in case things don't go as planned (and, in other news from the Obvious Department, chocolate tastes really good, but if that's all you eat, you'll probably not be all that healthy). I take the position that every band member should have at least one backup musician that can step in and fake their way through a set or two if needed. Not because the guitarist just doesn't want to show up that night, but because bad things just happen.
Take JoS's most recent show at Firehouse Grill. I was sick as a dog, both from the flu and from strep. A band can get away with canceling a show when they have enough of a draw that lots of people will still come to the next show. When they don't have that kind of draw, canceling shows quickly gets around to other bar owners, and a bad reputation is established (actually, even when they do have that kind of a draw, too many cancellations makes the band too much trouble to deal with, no matter how many people you bring in to the bar).
So earlier that week, I rang up a good friend of mine (Rob) and he came out and sat in with us for about half of the night. That gave me enough rest that I wasn't completely ragged out by the end of the show, and JoS (hopefully) kept the reputation intact. Back in the summer, a good friend of mine (B-Nice) sat in with us for a few shows while Matt was away on his vacation.
All in all, having backups gives more flexibility to a band. It's not always possible, though. If there is a person in the group that is the clear crowd draw (local band Quazi comes to mind) and they can't come, then you're probably better off canceling than trying to muddle through. Lead vocalists tend to fall in this camp, unless there is enough vocal talent in the band to eek by.
It should go without saying that if the group situation is a single person and their backing band, things are different. Take Shania Twain as an example. Her backing musicians are pretty darn good, but most people really wouldn't notice if the drummer was a different guy than the show before (which would be too bad -- her main drummer's really tight), but there would be mass unhappiness if she couldn't set foot on stage and they tried to have the show anyway.
Posted by Casper at December 31, 2003 10:43 AM