Premature ejaculation at concerts.

Subject: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: The Shambles
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 02:25 PM

Premature ejaculation of applause at concerts, is what I am referring to.

The intro starts, the artist breathes in but before they can sing, is drowned out by clapping by the folk who have recognised the song.

I have even heard it done when the artist subsequently states it was a new song and being performed for the very first time!

I must admit I have not been to a concert by a 'big named artist' for some time I assume this annoying habit still goes on?

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 02:30 PM

It also happens at the end of songs, so the next time it happens I'll tell the assembled what they have just done! no wondr they dont applaud at the actual end, its hard to do it twice in a short space of time!
White Bear Sunday, Blue anchor Saturday sold out for Friday with Roy Bailey

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 02:40 PM

No cure as yet, but I hear it's coming soon.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 03:04 PM

Only happened to me once, when I was watching....oh never mind.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST,Willie-O
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 03:10 PM

Maybe that's why the Grateful Dead developed a sort of "generic intro" that could be any of 100 songs.

Probably not though.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 03:15 PM

I don't think that problem arose at Status Quo gigs either. There are some advantages to using the same riff for every song!

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 04:24 PM

Someone switched on the main lighting before the last singer had finished his set -Is this premature illumination?
Bill

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Peter T.
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 04:33 PM

What is with that anyway? Is this so that people can signal to everyone else that they know the song? (Hi, I am at a Simon and Garfunkel concert, and I know "Sounds of Silence"! Really? How sophisticated of you, never would have recognised it myself, you must buy their albums and listen to their music. I come to concerts at random, never heard of these people....). To let the performer know that they have bought his record? Are they applauding because the performer has decided to grace them with a version of the song live that they know backwards anyway?


I think the real reason many times is to show off -- one notices the sneaky intro (Clapton does this, it is really irritating) so that everyone is waiting to pounce the microsecond a recogniseable chord appears -- me, me, I knew what it was first!

I think the best thing to do is to start the song, get the applause, and then stop, and start all over again. At least then the live albums would only be filled with coughing.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 04:38 PM

Speaking primarily as audience - I know I have done this when recognizing a song that is a favorite - especially when I have had to sit thorugh multiple songs that I really don't care for.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Maxine
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 04:46 PM

Oh dear....a joke

a man says to his wife "my Olympic condoms have arrived dear, tonight I will wear the gold one". The wife says "Can't you wear the silver one and come bloody second for a change"!

Sorry, but when you name a thread like this, it's inevitable!!

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 05:09 PM

Premature applause has always bugged me. I would prefer that people just wait till the song is genuinely over. I also don't like it when DJ's talk over the beginning and/or the end of a song, for much the same reason...but I've gotten around that by not listening to the radio at all if I can possibly help it.

- LH

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Amergin
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 05:11 PM

I'm with< MMario....if it is a song i love and recognise...will clap a little...one would think it would give the performer an idea of what his audience likes....

Oh and, Peter T, I have gone to concerts performed by folks who I have never heard before, or have only heard one song of theirs....done by other people...and have mostly found the experience enjoyable.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST,Lyle
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 06:06 PM

Little different perspective.

When I listen to a record, tape or CD, I listen intently for every note and word, every nuance of the music. When I listen to a live performance, I am less concerned about the sounds, but very aware of the visual aspects of the performer. Does s/he act bored? appear to actually like performing? appear to like the song? give some measure of interpretation to the music by actions, expressions?? and so on. So I interpret the premature clap (how do you like that one, spaw??) as the audience saying, "Thanks for doing that one - you have no idea how many times I've sat spellbound listening to it." And it does not bother me at all.

But that's me.

Lyle

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Joe_F
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 06:20 PM

Another way I am weird: I think it is tasteless to *record* applause at all. It amounts to boasting. I wish I could censor it out of the records I own.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: breezy
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 06:30 PM

It must help energise the artiste too, its great for anticipation of a favourite, its approval of choice, some of you guys are really sounding stingey, loosen up out there ,have fun , communicate, This Saturday at the Blue Anchor, Sunday at the White Bear.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 09:15 PM

Poor old Roy Bailey, at Fylde festival one year, had just managed to play the intro and drawn breath, sang one word 'round' and the entire audience joined in the song and drowned him out... he had to stop them and beg that he be allowed to do his own song!

LTS

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: CapriUni
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 12:36 AM

Another thing that's often annoyed me (as an audience member, and speaker -- though not singer) is when the members of an audience clap immediately after the end of the piece.

Personally, I like having time to breathe in the song, a little after it finishes, to savor it. But so often, the clapping starts before the last chord even fades.

I think many people are afraid that even a second of silence will be read as an insult... But if, after I read one of my pieces, there is a breath of applause, then I know I've gotten through to them...

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 02:02 AM

Poor old Roy Bailey, at Fylde festival one year, had just managed to play the intro and drawn breath, sang one word 'round' and the entire audience joined in the song and drowned him out... he had to stop them and beg that he be allowed to do his own song!

I remember taking Mrs Shambles to see Don Williams at the Royal Albert Hall. On the more well-known songs, I don't think he bothered to even try to sing. He just sat back and listened, then he clapped the audience. Nice night never the less.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 03:53 AM

It's one of my pet hates, along with the theatregoers who clap the arrival on stage of their favourite actor before they've even said a word. Being an old curmudgeon, I sit on my hands till they've done something worth applauding.
RtS

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 06:52 AM

Speaking purely as a performer, I love applause, before, during or after a song, it's all the same to me. Keep it coming.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 08:09 AM

There's a guy who comes to see us who strongly identifies with one of my songs --- a real tears-in-your-beer job called "Misery Loves Company". He has a love-hate relationship with the song because he says it sums up his life (cheated, mistreated, drowning sorrows, etc). So if he's there, at the end of the first line we don't get applause -- we get a voice from the bar shouting "I 'ate you!"

BJ

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Peg
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 09:08 AM

I don't tend to notice it that much and I might clap softly if I like a song...if a performer announces a song first that is a good time to get the pre-applause out of the way, too...

People clapping and screaming before a song is finished seems just rude to me, though. Worst experience ever was a Tori Amos concert in a relatively small theatre. Crazed women in the audience were screaming (I mean screaming) while Ms. Amos was singing, presumably because she sings autobiographical songs about rape and therefore she is everyone's personal guru of pain. Tori also does very soft intricate vocal interludes when she eases off the piano and peopel would scream during those too, when clearly the point of being softer was to get people to listen! I love her music and understand why women think she speaks directly to them, and why audiences thin kshe is an amazing performer because she is, but screaming during a song is not the way to show your thanks or admiration.

peg

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Mooh
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 09:25 AM

Well, I'll add my voice to those who dislike applause during a song. As either a performer or member of an audience I find it annoying. I want to hear the performance, not have it interupted by needless applause. Save it for the end. Once a song has started, it's time to appreciate with your ears; once ended, with your hands.

A while back we had a discussion about festival goers talking incessantly during performances, to the distraction and annoyance of other listeners. This is just as inconsiderate.

However, I suppose I view music as a contemplative thing more than a rowdy thing, and not everyone shares my feelings, so I have to be tolerant.

I'm with Shambles.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 10:00 AM

There can be a good reason for applause during a song:
A singer sings a song his audience knows and changes part of the lyrics to allude to recent (political) events. German singer/songwriter Biermann does this sometimes. An applause of the audience in the middle of the song shows him they appreaciate his creative change.

Apart from that, I hardly see any good reason for applause during a song.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: leprechaun
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 10:14 AM

Those stinking audiences. Maybe there's some way we can get rid of those assholes altogether.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: John Hardly
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 10:37 AM

If you play a solo (bluegrass) down south I imagine you will hear an applause right AFTER your solo...

...here in Indiana I hear folks clapping DURING solos.

I REALLY don't get that.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: clansfolk
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 11:05 AM

Nothing worse than chordus interuptus

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Hrothgar
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 03:38 AM

If you come early, you can get a good seat.

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST,Crazy Eddie
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 05:18 AM

Er, Maxine,
When does he get to wear the bronze?

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Mr Happy
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 06:06 AM

at lots of pube sesshes & sars i attend, there's frequently some other activity on in another part.

like darts,bagatelle,etc matches- often get their applause in the middle of snogs!

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:38 AM

hey, if you are a performer,anytime you get applause, you should be grateful! It's part of the performer/audience interaction.

Better you should worry if there is merely polite applause after a song.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Mr Furrow
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:45 AM

I have to go with Greg here. As someone who performs more than listens, anytime anyone wants to show some appreciation, I love it.

As to the premature thing, there's nothing quite as flattering. It says "I already know this and I really like it".

Just my 2 pence worth :)

Jon

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 10:49 AM

I've never done this. I'll occasionally grunt in aproval or something, but that's about it.

The closest thing I've done was actually worse, or at least it was for me: I was at a concert, sitting right in front of the stage, and the band finishes what I thought was their last song, thanks the audience, and exits the stage. Meanwhile, I've stood up, I'm clapping, all that "standing ovation" stuff, while the rest of the audience stays seated, stops applauding. While I'm looking around, thinking "Wow, what a bunch of assholes," the guy next to me points out, "It's just an intermission, Will."

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 01:18 PM

There is a wonderfull piss take of this obnoxious, and until recently largely American habit, on one of the funniest LPs ever. It is called Gorilla, by The Bonzo Dog Doo Da Band, and it should be in everybody's record collection.
Giok
PS My copy was lost or stolen, a copy would be great!

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 03:57 PM

Ha! Ha! Ha! Good one, Will!

leprechaun - I think you're onto something. Wanna join a terrorist cell whose objective is to eliminate all pointlessly noisy audiences? I say we start with movie theaters and then expand outward to take in musical concerts and strip joints. Exterminate the buggers if they won't shut up!

Reminds me of when Ramblin' Jack played for the Shoshone on the Reservation back in the old days. According to what I heard, he played several songs and the Shoshones all sat quietly and listened. Jack became nervous about the complete lack of applause. After awhile he asked RT (Rolling Thunder) if they disliked the music. "No," says RT, "they LIKE it a lot. That's why they're keeping so quiet and listening to you. If they DIDN'T like it, they'd all just walk away!"

Those were old time "Indians" who hadn't been around white folks too much.

- LH

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Blues=Life
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 04:29 PM

The funniest example of the performer making light of the early applause that I've ever seen was when Micheal Martin Murphy did a concert at Wartburg College in Iowa back in the early 80s. I was in charge of concerts there that year, and ran the set-up crew and security. Murphy played the intro to his biggest hit, "Wildfire", and the audience of course started to clap. He put a big smile on his face, opened his mouth to sing, and out came the chrorus of John Denver's hit, "Country roads, take me home". The audience stopped clapping in shock, Murphy grinned, stopped singing, and said, "Wait a minute, that's not right," and broke up laughing. He then gave a great rendition of his own song.

On the other hand, bands can be stupid about applause, too. I was at a concert put on by my friends at Hames Music, in Gaffney, SC, in conjunction with the local Peach Festival, when an all acoustic group sat down on the stage to play. They weren't overly great, but when they finished the song, we all started to clap. Turns out they were doing a long, dramatic pause, because when we clapped, they started to sing again. This happened twice more on the same song. When they finally finished, they were wearing rather smug looks on their faces for having fooled the audience. Then they noticed that no one was applauding at all. They looked a little less smug at the end of each additional song when applause was nil. They forgot that the audience is there to be entertained, not to be teased or made fun of. Since they were short on talent to begin with, they didn't get much credit for being long on attitude. Plus, quite of few of us got up and walked away until the next band came on. You can never be too smart, but you can be too much of a smart-ass.

Blues

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 11:21 PM

The only time I was close to PE (literally) was at a Cilla Fisher concert. What a voice!

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 11:35 AM

If this happens to you when your on stage just say tothe audience 'I see some one saw my last show'. I'll bet they wont do it again.
Bill(the sound)

Subject: RE: Premature ejaculation at concerts.
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 01:04 PM

We get this occasionally, but usually on songs where there is a ritard, and the audience thinks it's over.

Roll with it, best advice I can give.