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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: azaghal1981 on July 27, 2011, 05:08:10 pm

Title: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on July 27, 2011, 05:08:10 pm
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/07/encores_no_more_a_perfect_circle_motley_crue.php


Please, God let this trend continue. Fuck stupid planned encores!
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Relaxer on July 27, 2011, 05:12:25 pm
Yeah the encore at Urge Overkill was ridiculous. They reserved their second biggest song (Sister Havana, and didn't even play their #1 biggest song, Girl You'll Be a Woman Soon, at all) for the encore, plus it took them like 10 minutes to come back onstage.

Best was the Datsuns playing to like 100 people at the club and then saying "This is when we're supposed to go offstage but instead we'll just do the encore right now" and then immediately returned to rocking.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on July 27, 2011, 05:24:40 pm
The most excessive I've seen was The Feelies' four planned breaks. Wilco take an absurd amount, too if I remember correctly. I actually heard an idiot or two complaining about no encore after My Bloody Valentine in Richmond as if YMMR wasn't the best way imaginable to end a show.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on July 28, 2011, 05:17:28 am
It would be great if a band left the stage for this purpose and everyone stayed quiet instead of applauding like seals barking for a fish they know is coming...
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Brian_Wallace on July 28, 2011, 07:46:52 am
It would be great if a band left the stage for this purpose and everyone stayed quiet instead of applauding like seals barking for a fish they know is coming...

"Oh....you WOULDN'T LET US LEAVE!"

"Shut up!  You wouldn't turn on the lights!"

The obvious reason for the encore break is so the band can start prepping the post-show inbibing so they peak at the right time.  It takes a few minutes to get buzzed.....about the time it takes to do A.) a fan favorite and B.) their biggest hit which a band can usually do completely f'ed up.

Suede did that "Let's pretend we didn't go off for five minutes.  Here's the songs we'd do for our 'encore'" a while back at WUST, didn't they?

Also, when they were dewy-faced, most-hyped-bands-on-the-planet, The Strokes and Oasis didn't do encores.  Mainly due to the fact that they probably didn't have enough songs to.


Brian
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: i am gay and i like cats on July 28, 2011, 09:26:20 am
i like the days of old in the world of hair metal . . . when they would go underneath the stage and bang broads.  yeah . . . banging broads.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on July 28, 2011, 09:51:28 am
Wouldn't they do that mid-set during the obligatory drum solos?
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Bombay Chutney on July 28, 2011, 09:59:52 am
I have no problem with the standard encore setup.  However - You only get to come back once.  You can play a few songs, but don't keep running off/on the stage.   At that point you're just wasting my time.

The Dead were great about this.  They'd leave the stage for a few minutes, come back and play one song.  Thanks for coming.  Goodnight.

And the "let's pretend we just went off stage" thing is as cliche as the encore these days.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Brian_Wallace on July 28, 2011, 10:16:59 am

One of the greatest encore stories is this Aerosmith one:

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/aerosmith.asp (http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/aerosmith.asp)

Sure, it MAY be an untrue urban legend...but wouldn't that just be a fabulous testament to how f'ed up they were in the 70's?

Brian
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: i am gay and i like cats on July 28, 2011, 10:22:06 am
this is just me . . . but one of my favs, is on 6/26/11 at redrocks, final night for widespread panic three night run.  all covers second set, final song being wild thing.  encore.  back into wild thing . . . then into sultans of swing.  fucking sweet.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Thousand Made-Up Loves on July 28, 2011, 11:13:54 am
"Thank you, thank you, thank you and FUCK YOU" would be fine by me.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: atomicfront on July 28, 2011, 02:53:11 pm
I like encores.  I also like multiple ones when the show is great and the audience keeps clapping and they come out and have to think of songs to do. 

If you dont' like encores just leave after the set. 

Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: hutch on July 28, 2011, 03:47:16 pm
i tell you what i hate: when the audience is really into it and the band refuses to come out for an encore..


that is L A M E
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Jaguar on July 28, 2011, 03:50:56 pm
^ Agreed.

I'm with Atomicfront, I like encores though some are obviously contrived. It gives the band a chance to pee and freshen up for a last blowout.

Although, sometimes I have to laugh, or even feel a bit sad for the band, when they quickly turn around and come back to play their planned encore set for fear the crowd will leave without cheering them on for one.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: xneverwherex on July 28, 2011, 05:33:02 pm
The Dandy Warhols are pretty good about this - instead of an encore - whomever (usually Zia) has to use the restroom/take a smoke break whatever they have to do - usually leaves and the band continues on without them. Sometimes Courtney takes over drum duties if Fathead is gone but it runs smoothly.

I figure they took that from Bowie after touring with them - as Bowie used to just say he was leaving for a cigarette break and he'd be back in 10 mins or so and everyone should get a drink. (or at least thats what he did at the Warfield show).

But my personal favorites are the bands that have one album - are on their first ever tour (sometimes first show ever in the states) and they have an encore listed (naturally their 'hit'). Never makes any sense when your set is only going to be 40 mins anyway. Thankfully this doesnt happen much.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on July 28, 2011, 05:52:05 pm
99.9% are contrived.
I think I may have seen two or three uncontrived ones in my lifetime.
^ Agreed.

I'm with Atomicfront, I like encores though some are obviously contrived. It gives the band a chance to pee and freshen up for a last blowout.

Although, sometimes I have to laugh, or even feel a bit sad for the band, when they quickly turn around and come back to play their planned encore set for fear the crowd will leave without cheering them on for one.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on July 28, 2011, 06:09:39 pm
99.9% are contrived.
I think I may have seen two or three uncontrived ones in my lifetime.
^ Agreed.

I'm with Atomicfront, I like encores though some are obviously contrived. It gives the band a chance to pee and freshen up for a last blowout.

Although, sometimes I have to laugh, or even feel a bit sad for the band, when they quickly turn around and come back to play their planned encore set for fear the crowd will leave without cheering them on for one.

the only way an encore can anything other than contrived is if the band sincerely had no intention of continuing and the audience demands it.   Otherwise it's just a dumb ritual, which kind of proves that most rock fans are idiots.

Once or twice over many years, I've seen some local band with a small repertoire finish their set, and people want them to keep playing, and they have to make something up and or play something they haven't really practiced, and it sounds like shit.   That's the only time it's actually something special.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: atomicfront on July 28, 2011, 06:10:03 pm
Well Hope Sandavol didn't so an encore when I saw her.  Of course she also played in darkness and got mad at the guy adjusting her microphone and told him he ruined it now and walked off stage.  

Maybe she can not only start the no encore trend but also play in complete darkness trend.  
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on July 28, 2011, 06:21:07 pm
99.9% are contrived.
I think I may have seen two or three uncontrived ones in my lifetime.
^ Agreed.

I'm with Atomicfront, I like encores though some are obviously contrived. It gives the band a chance to pee and freshen up for a last blowout.

Although, sometimes I have to laugh, or even feel a bit sad for the band, when they quickly turn around and come back to play their planned encore set for fear the crowd will leave without cheering them on for one.

the only way an encore can anything other than contrived is if the band sincerely had no intention of continuing and the audience demands it.   Otherwise it's just a dumb ritual, which kind of proves that most rock fans are idiots.

Once or twice over many years, I've seen some local band with a small repertoire finish their set, and people want them to keep playing, and they have to make something up and or play something they haven't really practiced, and it sounds like shit.   That's the only time it's actually something special.

Exactly.


The most memorable uncontrived one I saw (the only one I remember off hand, honestly) was the first night of Devo at the club last year. The crowd would not leave for a good 15 minutes and they came out in street clothes and did "Beautiful World." That was a lot of fun.
It was also after a BS contrived encore, though.

Swans treatment of the ritual last year was amusing. They came back, played a bunch of noise for less than a minute then Gira did a solo vocal rendition of "Little Mouth." Anyone ever see a band do a "encore" at Velvet? How could anybody deny the goofiness of that?
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: i am gay and i like cats on July 28, 2011, 06:21:39 pm
you do know . . . that most bands don't care what people want.  they are the ones that have to suffer through the industry and put up with all the bullshit.  they care about what they want and what makes them happy.  if they want to do or not do an encore, they will or they won't because they want to.  the end.  
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on July 28, 2011, 07:04:36 pm
if they want to do or not do an encore, they will or they won't because they want to.  the end.  

I doubt that that's true.  I think most bands probably regard it as bullshit they have to do because the fans expect it.   It's kind of like nobody wants to pay $50,000 for a wedding, but then they get sucked into all the rituals that everyone expects, and suddenly they've got a shitty DJ playing "Macarena" and a bouquet toss, just like everyone else.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on July 28, 2011, 07:12:08 pm
Sure, the decision is ultimately that of the band but we have reached a point (and have been at that point for a while) where encores are the norm and bands feel pressured to do them or face ridiculous reactions from the crowd such as a chorus of boos.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: sweetcell on August 08, 2011, 02:14:02 pm
It gives the band a chance to pee and freshen up for a last blowout.

no no no.  THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL, DAMMIT.  so you've been on stage for an hour or more, drinking beer, singing your heart out, jumping about, and you think you have the right to pee or sit down for 60 seconds?  DENIED, NOW GET BACK ON STAGE <crack of a whip>

I think I may have seen two or three uncontrived ones in my lifetime.

you need to go to more shows.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: azaghal1981 on August 08, 2011, 02:20:33 pm
^You know that the second part of that post is not true. ;)

RE: the pee break thing, you're totally reaching but get it done before going on.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: sweetcell on August 08, 2011, 02:30:22 pm
^ ;D  ok, fine, i meant you need to go to *better* shows... <hides>

i love how motley crue and lil'wayne have conveniently become role models for folks 'round here.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Vas Deferens on August 08, 2011, 02:30:50 pm
he goes to a lot of shows and cancels a lot of them, too

^You know that the second part of that post is not true. ;)

Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: hutch on August 08, 2011, 02:37:09 pm


encores are for big rock shows not shows on someone's porch..
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: atomicfront on August 08, 2011, 06:04:41 pm
I think people against encores are the same people who are against the wave at baseball games.  Some people dont' like fun. 
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: Thousand Made-Up Loves on August 08, 2011, 06:16:59 pm
I think people against encores are the same people who are against the wave at baseball games.  Some people dont' like fun. 

I'm pro-encores, anti-wave. The wave at ballgames is lame as shit.
Title: Re: Is It Time to say "Thank You and Good Night" to the Pro Forma Encore?
Post by: xneverwherex on August 09, 2011, 11:41:10 am
Saw Guster last night at Summerstage. As theres a curfew there, they kindly said - 'we have no time for this encore BS - so we're running to the side stage for 3 secs and will  pretend that was our encore and keep on playing'. Worked out great - they ran off - ran right back on - crowd went crazy and they played a 3 song 'encore'.

Havent seen a band in a long while that has really great stage banter. I was pleasantly surprised.