So I'll try and run this out there and see what kind of advice I can get from the rest of you.

Banter between songs, it's awkward and our band stinks at it, I mean we're horrible at it. We do our best to play from one song to the next and minimize the downtime but you eventually have to stop and say "Thank You" or someone has to take a drink between songs.

We are 4 pc, drums/bass/guitar/vocal, and the 3 of us "up front" all have wireless so while we're playing we wander around to engage the crowd, no one is static, we can be very engaging during, possibly even entertaining.

And than it happens....down time, "thank you's", "welcomes", "remember your bartnenders" have all been said......the dance floor is clearing, the drummer is still taking a drink, or the guitarist is changing out the guitar with broken string for another.........what to say, what to say.

Just wondering if anyone has any hints on things you think about to base some time of "banter" on. Anything would help, really, almost anything. So if you have any ideas I'd be glad to read them.

Thanx

"Ladies, now would be a perfect time to throw panties and/or bras on the stage in tribute"

anything light hearted, jokes, history of the song you;re about to play

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

The stuff I usually say into the mic cant be posted on this forum. It all depends on the settings man. There isn't a specific script.

Tell all the girls to form an orderly line backstage and their needs will be seen to accordingly....

Just wing it bro.

CC

_________________
Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

That's why it's important to be cool with your band, we usually just shoot the $@!& on stage. I'll make fun of my bandmates, we'll banter back and forth, talk about other bands, feign requests.

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Do like Paul Stanley and tell the audience their awesome and how much you love them. Then make a plug for your new album at Wal~Mart.

I just saw KISS again a couple of weeks ago.

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I'd definitely use this one, good suggestion! and...it WILL work! That's the best part

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

Always does bro, always does.

CC

_________________
Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

I did too, great show in Minneapolis.

If I had a WalMart release that would make sense

And we're old, married, so the sexual stuff would seem pretty lame coming from us.

Having a good rapport with the audience is essential for a band and light-hearted banter is a big part of it.Banter,beside endearing you to the listeners also allows bandmates to quietly tune,make amp or effects pedal adjustments between songs.Kidding with bandmates and the audience brightens and relaxes the atmosphere and makes for a more enjoyable time for everyone.Once you get used to it you'll find it comes easy,in the meantime get a few jokebooks or look up joke sites on the net.Good Luck.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

That's what's so puzzling to me, the rapport part, it shouldn't be a problem. We are smack-dab in the middle of WI, middle of nowhere in other words. 50% of our crowd at every gig is our friends, people we know by name and their spouses, some coworkers etc. So how come I can talk and joke and goof with them in a group of 20 with no problem until I get behind the mic. Than everything I say sounds pretty lame.

You're thinkin about it far too much man. You need to just be natural like you said you are off the mic. Just cool it out.



CC

_________________
Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Its a good idea to plan these short stops into your interval.
We used to go
5 songs (stop, jacket off make a remark about heat)
4 songs (stop, plug cd's and tshirts)
4 songs (stop, "thanks for the clap" as a response to applause, plug any upcoming gigs, thank support acts and promoter)
4 songs (were off to the bar buy us a drink eh?)
End.

If you can get some structure to them like that. Interject your own humour, so its not dead time. You'll do right. You have to make it your own thing though, not feel awkward about it.

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No no and no

Here's how we usually go, and if you are in the Hampton Roads area, you can check us out December 7th at Peppermint's in VA Beach.

Open with loud, fast song
Introduce the band-comment on previous band or if on firstmake fun of the town we're in.
3-4 more songs
Make fun of my lead guitarist, she wears those old school skinny straps and by this point it has worked it's way between her boobs-then she usually quips on me-do some plugs
cover song
2-3 songs
Banter with everyone, make fun of Sean(drummer) for being so sweaty, plug $@!& and upcoming shows,give the requesite we got one more then whoever thefuckisnext
Close with an anthem

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If you have a web site tell the audience about it. Remind them of your band name. We have new pictures from every gig on our web page every Monday after a weekend gig. Try and get them to be a fan on facebook or Myspace or follow you on twitter. Promote any future shows. Talk with the wait staff and ask if there are any drink specials or upcoming events at the bar your playing. Talk about your local sports team whether they are doing good or bad. Don't say anything political, don't talk about medical procedures. If you have military, in the house recognize them. As an example about the pictures, check out our web site. We played Friday night and the pictures are already on our web page.

www.thissideup.us

Good thoughts, thanx.

Medical procedures? That's funny, as awkward as I feel I never considered discussing one of those