Real Rock Stars Don’t Complain Onstage

Last week, I played a gig at a NY venue. There were six bands on the evening’s bill.

The singer of one of the bands was pretty annoying onstage. That band’s music was decidedly punk, which should mean that the band members are decidedly badass.

“Can I get a little more guitar in my monitor,” she whined more than once.

The drummer had to keep moving stuff on the house drum kit around—it looked like he was experiencing the dreaded “creeping bass drum” issue that really is a drag for drummers.

“Wow, this drum set kind of sucks,” the singer said into the microphone.

It was my friend Ted who pointed out how lame it was for the singer to whine like that.

He’s right.

You’re in a punk band and you’re complaining to the audience? That is so NOT badass. It’s a pansy move. It’s lame.

People, you’re playing a show at a club. Your audience wants to be entertained. Do your best rock star bit. Give us some snappy banter that keeps us smiling.

Bruce Henderson who was the singer in one of my old bands, knew this and acted accordingly. He didn’t complain onstage regardless of whether or not his monitors sounded right. Instead, he made pointed quips like, “this song goes out to my wife and my girlfriend.”

The crowd loved that kind of stuff.

So take a pointer from my friends Bruce and Ted.

No one gives a shit that your monitor mix is off and we don’t want to hear about it.

Stop complaining. Start entertaining.

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