[UPSTROKE]

That is so typical of reality with most second floor toms. Just because of crap like that happening, I make it a big deal NOT to lay anything on my second floor tom. Believe me, been there --done that. I do have to admit though---I never had sense enough to replace the bottom head with styro-foam and just use the dam thing for a beer cooler. probably would have been far more useful to reach back for a nice cold beer instead of just to whack one more big 'ol drum.

[mouse]

I use a solid plastic box to carry my kick pedal, cymbal arms and sticks in. Measures around 500 L x 350 w x 350 D It doubles as a nice table to place beside my floor tom to put my repotoire and water on. No chance it will get spilt onto the drums there, may get an occasional wood chip in it though?
I'm a heavy beer drinker from way back but find drinking alchohol is one thing i can't do when playing drums, it dehydrates the body too much.
There is always afterwards.

Smoking ... shortens your cigarettes ...give up.

[UPSTROKE]

Ha Ha Ha What a coincidence. Two days ago, doing a wedding gig, I took the tray out of my trap case, stood it on end and Viola !! Instant table. I don't even use the case.
Just the hardware tray that goes inside of it. I've only had this trap case for 15-20 years. It--takes--me--a--little--while--to --figger--things--out----I'm--kinda--s-l-o-o-o-o-w. But--shucks--it--work--purdy--good.

[Smee]

Originally Posted by UPSTROKE

NOT GOOD!! Never smoke or drink on stage. Makes you look like rank amateurs.

I agree with this, the only thing I drink on stage is water and although I am a smoker I never smoke anywhere near my drums.......

[UPSTROKE]

SMEE; Thanks for your reply and input. VERY good to hear you don't do that stuff on stage. Sit in the audience and look at a bar band that does allow that behavior. In order to smoke and drink, they have to stand around and kill time. Some of them even order drinks over the mike. TACKY! How did the performers use their time during the last concert you went to see?? The whole idea of being "Entertainers" is to entertaining the audience. Personally, I've never gotten really and excited and wanted to cheer while the band wanders around on stage BS'ing with each other and drinking. The whole idea is to keep the momentum, involvement and emotion going with the audience. Just like a football team working for a touchdown.
This message is not expressly meant for you. It sounds like you are already on the right track. My hope is that many others that are not, will read it and heed it. You need to go to Office Max and buy a package of little gold stars and stick one on the far side of your floor tom to remind your self to do these things we just talked about. Couldn' hoit??

[mouse]

My band hate me, i push for 4 seconds between songs.
Go watch a live band and count the seconds between songs (1000 and1,1000and2, etc.,and you'll see what i mean.
4 seconds gives continuity in a performance ( we don't have the pleasure of screaming fans to fill in time ). As long as you keep an eye on each other and your guitarist hasn't broken a string or hasn't dehydrated crisp because of beer depravation i just keep on keeping on.
Often i'll start off by myself or cue another musician while the rest of the band catch up depending on the song. It's great to have a stage song list to follow. Sometimes i'll go straight from one song to another if people are up dancing.There are times where the vocalist comments between songs but IMO a lot of that goes over the audiences heads, sometimes less is more. Watch any Deep Purple show for great stage performances.
Anyone use smoke machines, now they are interesting to use to get a stage effect where the band doesn't dissapear, still, better for the health than fags

[UPSTROKE]

Mouse; You are so on top of things in the right way. You always bring up good, positive approaches and answers that are just simple and logical. Thank you. If you are the same in your music, I can certainly see why you're always working'
(hint, hint-to those of you with some of these bad habits). Being an entertainer, (as opposed to a mere musician) is a world apart. If you got to work at your day gig, you are expected to come to work sober and straight.
You don't sit at your work place and smoke, drink or do drugs. there's no question about it.
Why then, do we as musicians, feel that it is proper to do any of that crap on a stage? Oh, yeah, because you're an artist and you have to be creative.
Bullsh*t!! That's like an alcoholic saying he needs to have a drink because---
Mouse is on the right track. Stop calling yourselves "musicians".
BE "ENTERTAINERS" You will be amazed at how your entire perspective and attitude about your performance changes. You are no longer there "Just to play music". Your whole concept is to "Entertain" your audience. All of the crap your band has been doing, will just go away by simply changing your point of view about what your job REALLY is. Think about it. PLEASE

[mouse]

Any band can get on a stage and rattle off songs they have learned, it is the extra effort to get them across to the audience that can turn a gig into a good gig. A bubbly front person always helps (watch Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey etc) but not all bands are so lucky. Unusually the cornball stuff seems to work i.e Jimmy H eating his guitar, the duck walk, dare i mention cigarette tricks (getting back to the topic), etc.
There is no doubt that looking like you are enjoying what you are doing rubs off on other musicians and the audience.It is a good idea to out dress the audience so you stand out. A black and white night our band wears red shirts.
Believe me nobody has a good day all the time, it's swings and roundabouts in a band situation and it is an important part of being in a band to lift the member who is having a bad day, as i is their performance (or not) that will affect the way you play and get across. Sometimes easy to do, many times not, but that little effort helps, remember to smile .
This is a good reason to go and watch other bands, not to just suss out the drummer but watch their performance and see what they do wrong and find things that you can do or not do to improve your own situation. Another point is, if you do showboat some like twirl sticks, drum solo and the like, make sure you can pull it off before doing so in public .
To stand rigid and pull off a night with your musical ability alone is an amazing feat, only Pink Floyd can do that .

Thanks for the comments Upstroke, another tip is to not get big headed with accolades, smile because your performance has made someone else happy, that's why we do it isn't it? My concept with every gig is to treat it as my last one, if i die tomorrow, at least i went out givng my favourite thing that i do, next to riding motorcycles, my best performance.

I guess only the smokers reading this are going to gain from the replies here The beauty of these forums is the information one can gather that you will never find in any instructional book, or without actual playing experience outside your bedroom, the things they never tell you.

[UPSTROKE]

You are a monster full of good ideas, awesome sense of humor, fantastic insight
into the musicians mind, and a fountain of great information. Your fresh, open minded approach to everything is over half of the reason that I, for one attend and read this forum. Thank you for being you. We all appreciate your input.

[guss]

Originally Posted by full metal

Yea Im sure it does take away some but Im hooked but Ill quit some day.

I still think that thing is really cool though, they also have an ashtray thats really neat not like the one that gibralter makes that looks like it will fall out as soon as it's bumped or something.

Some day soon right? but ash tray sounds kewl(even though im strait egde untill 23...)