The world of depping

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

16 minutes ago, FretsOnFire said:

Where do people find dep gigs? 

 

7 minutes ago, Franticsmurf said:

At first I was depping for a band I used to play in - I knew the guys, even the bass player that replaced me. That was easy as the set hadn't changed and effectively I was just playing in 'my' band. But recently, they've started coming from an ex bandmate and I've had four in quick succession as a result of two recommendations from him. I don't go looking for them as up until recently I haven't felt competent enough to do them. 

This. Get an in. Keep doing them well and it just gets legs.

Before you know it the diary starts filling up.

I’ve also seen quite a few posts on social media advertising availability.

Not done that myself, but it could be a start.

[BigRedX]

4 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

I don’t. I get asked to play the set that they want played. I don’t get a say in it.

I wasn’t expecting everything to be dropped a step, to be playing with a dep singer, to be learning three new songs in a day (I know it’s a few days until Saturday, but I only have one day free that I’ll be able to do it and refresh on the others I haven’t played for a while) or to be playing to a rammed club celebrating their 50th anniversary (I’ve played there before and it’s not usually that busy). As a dep you have to roll with it or stop doing it.

The set content doesn't bother me at all. If that’s what they want, I’m happy to go with it.

I do find it very odd that bands still play Long Train Running, Sweet Home Alabama, All Right Now, Play That Funky Music.

The other more recent ones like Sex on Fire I kinda get, but I would not lose a moments sleep if I never Long Train and Funky ever again.

 

In so many ways this is an exact reflection of some of the graphic design jobs I have worked on. Even when the client thinks they want something new and different a lot of the time they finally decide that what they really wanted was what they already had. I once worked on what was supposed to be a major packaging redesign of a range of crisps for a well-know manufacturer of said products. For several months various options did the rounds, but what finally went into production was so similar to their previous bags that unless you placed the old and new ones side-by-side most people wouldn't have even noticed they had changed. Some of my colleague were despairing about the situation and ranting at every opportunity. I just smiled, did what I was asked knowing that every revision back to something that looked more like the original design was a couple more hours pay for me.

[Stub Mandrel]

44 minutes ago, FretsOnFire said:

Where do people find dep gigs? 

 

Just let people know you're willing to dep and you get asked. I turned one down a few days ago... I've gigged with four bands this month and depping as well is too much.

[chris_b]

55 minutes ago, FretsOnFire said:

Where do people find dep gigs? 

 

Recommendation, being at the right place at the right time, being available, being seen. After that it's all about making others want you on the gig, getting your name to the top of their list.

[casapete]

34 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

Recommendation, being at the right place at the right time, being available, being seen. After that it's all about making others want you on the gig, getting your name to the top of their list.

Exactly this!

I played with the same main band for 15 years, and people would often assume I wasn’t available for deps,

even though I often was! Since leaving this band ( and supposedly semi retiring! ) I’ve done a fair few

dep gigs, so people are realising I’m around more and give me a call. Mainly pub / function bands,

who rarely have parts available so I’m winging it most of the time. I’m amazed how many bands don’t

have chord charts / guide parts for any possible dep situations though. It really helps if you can offer 

backing vocals too, however limited. 

[chris_b]

25 minutes ago, casapete said:

. . . . It really helps if you can offer backing vocals too, however limited. 

 

My life as a bass player would have turned out very differently if I could sing.

[casapete]

1 hour ago, chris_b said:

 

My life as a bass player would have turned out very differently if I could sing.

I have a very ordinary singing voice, but it’s ideal for BVs where it’s not threatening

any lead vocal….ever….. 😆

I think that’s what has often helped me get gigs, as there are quite a few players around 

here who are a lot better than me.

( Nothing to do with me being cheap either…)

[Stub Mandrel]

50 minutes ago, casapete said:

I have a very ordinary singing voice, but it’s ideal for BVs where it’s not threatening

any lead vocal….ever….. 😆

 

That's me... I can sing in tune, but I just don't have the sort of voice that suits being a lead singer.

[casapete]

27 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

That's me... I can sing in tune, but I just don't have the sort of voice that suits being a lead singer.

I honestly think that if you can play an instrument then you can probably sing as well.

Even if your tone isn’t great it can be of use, especially in smaller bands where any

’extras’ may prove invaluable in making the sound bigger / better. 

[Lozz196]

I’m the same, voice doesn’t have enough character to do lead vocals but can harmonise and double up well with the lead. 

[chris_b]

You guys are lucky I sound like Kermit gargling with porridge.

[lowdown]

13 minutes ago, chris_b said:

You guys are lucky I sound like Kermit gargling with porridge.

 

 

I couldn't imagine what that sounded like, so I had a word with the fellow over at ChatGPT. The below, was his response.

 

Question = What would Kermit the Frog gargling with porridge sound like?

 

ChatGPT said:

 

"If you imagine it, it’d probably be a mix of:

Kermit’s distinct voice: that high, slightly nasal, throaty tone.

The wet, bubbly gargle sound: like sloshing oatmeal mush in the back of the throat.

A muffled “hrrmm-hrrmm-hrrrmph” quality: because porridge is thick, it would make the sound less liquidy and more gloppy.

So it might come out like:
👉 “Grrhh–glllhrrmm–muhhrrggghhh–blrrp!”
with little oaty splats at the end.

 

Do you want me to try to write out a full onomatopoeic “Kermit gargling porridge performance,” as if it were in a script?

Also, would you like me to make a quick audio impression of this as well (using onomatopoeia and frog-like tone), or do you prefer it just as a written script?

 

 

 

 

[TimR]

6 hours ago, BigRedX said:

 

In so many ways this is an exact reflection of some of the graphic design jobs I have worked on. Even when the client thinks they want something new and different a lot of the time they finally decide that what they really wanted was what they already had. I once worked on what was supposed to be a major packaging redesign of a range of crisps for a well-know manufacturer of said products. For several months various options did the rounds, but what finally went into production was so similar to their previous bags that unless you placed the old and new ones side-by-side most people wouldn't have even noticed they had changed. Some of my colleague were despairing about the situation and ranting at every opportunity. I just smiled, did what I was asked knowing that every revision back to something that looked more like the original design was a couple more hours pay for me.

 

My guess, without knowing full details is that is exactly what you get when designing by committee. You say 'did the rounds', I'm assuming more than one person was involved in the decision making. I've been in similar situations, the people who don't want to change dig their heels in and what results is a massive compromise.

 

This is why I would always advocate playing in a band with a leader with vision, that you trust and who calls the shots. They may ask opinions and may/may not take them into consideration but final call rests with them.

 

Depping being the ultimate in that respect, turn up and have fun playing some great refreshing material. Tunes that you've not been endlessly rehearsing for that single gig at the Dog and Duck (Where the Duck didn't even bother turning up). 

[Stub Mandrel]

3 hours ago, casapete said:

I honestly think that if you can play an instrument then you can probably sing as well.

Even if your tone isn’t great it can be of use, especially in smaller bands where any

’extras’ may prove invaluable in making the sound bigger / better. 

 

Yes... my confidence in singing BVs is getting better. With the singer shoving his mike in my face last Sunday, I didn't have any choice!

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, lowdown said:

Also, would you like me to make a quick audio impression of this as well (using onomatopoeia and frog-like tone)

 

Yes!

[tauzero]

Looking at things from the opposite angle, I was just thinking about whether my main band would want a dep in. The two guitarists, one of whom is also the singer, really both need to be there. As the drummer gets 95% of the gigs, he's not going to book one for when he's not there, and as well as providing myself, I provide and run the PA and it's far easier not to book gigs when I'm not available than for them to work out the logistics of collecting and storing the PA, setting it up, and making it work. OTOH, the number 2 band has singer/gob-iron player and guitarist, both of whom are necessary, but the rhythm section is deppable - I came in as a dep and became permanent, and also got depped a couple of weeks ago when there was a gig conflict (annoyingly, the gig for the main band was cancelled).

[ricksterphil]

I've depped once at Gloworm Festival for Johnny & the Raindrops.

 

I enjoyed it and as it happened, the drummer was also depping and we gelled really well. I did loads of prep and had everything on my tablet clamped to a mic stand JIC

 

They do original songs for kids and Johnny gets loads of kids up on stage playing carboard guitars, which is brilliant. At the gig I did, as the kids cam off stage I was high-fiving them and one of the little girls gave me a hug! My best moment on stage ever!

 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

4 hours ago, ricksterphil said:

I've depped once at Gloworm Festival for Johnny & the Raindrops.

 

I enjoyed it and as it happened, the drummer was also depping and we gelled really well. I did loads of prep and had everything on my tablet clamped to a mic stand JIC

 

They do original songs for kids and Johnny gets loads of kids up on stage playing carboard guitars, which is brilliant. At the gig I did, as the kids cam off stage I was high-fiving them and one of the little girls gave me a hug! My best moment on stage ever!

 

 

 

Sounds like the sort of thing all kids should be exposed to!

[JapanAxe]

I love depping, although I frequently end up biting off more than I can chew! A lot of my opportunities have come through musicians who I’ve already played with, but if my diary is looking thin I put an ad on Bandmix. A couple of my long-term dep relationships have started that way.

 

I always try to be the person that solves problems rather than creates them, whether that’s singing a couple of numbers, digging out cables from my spares bag, or giving a lift to another band member.

 

Finally, I always thank the band for the gig, even if I have silently sworn to be unavailable next time they call - I’m pleased to say that’s a rare occurrence!