I think this list is good but you will want to adapt it to fit your needs and. It is a running list of things that should be brought on gigs/shows (the list of Murphy's Law preventatives)

BEFORE THE GIG" STUFF:

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To start with, set yourself aside from the rest of the flaky musicians out there with just a little professionalism. Be prepared to talk to the entertainment director or whoever else books the room and lock down the detail before hand. Ask if they would prefer you fax over an agreement or just bring it in with you when you are done with the conversation but be sure to nail down these few things first - no matter what.

1.What is the venue address and how do we get there?

2.Who is my primary contact at the venue the night of the gig and what is their cell phone number?

3.Do we need to bring a PA and if so, what is the capacity of the room?

4.Do we need to bring a sound person, doorman, or other staff and is there anyone there to watch our gear as we unload?

5.Is the show all ages or 21+ or 65+ and is there any type of conduct or content we should avoid?

6.What other bands are playing and in what order?

7.What time is load in and where should we park - is there a fee to park? (And are there any specific instructions?)

8.Is there a sound check before show time? When?

9.Is there a backstage area for bands?

10.What time do doors open?

11.What time does the first band begin?

12.What time do we go on stage and how long should we stay there?

13.What time is load out/closing?

14.What is the cover charge?

How are we being paid - flat rate or a cut of the door

Beginning bands have the hardest time with this stuff because you want the gig so bad you feel you should be shy about money. This is also a problem with many musicians playing for benefits or fundraisers. The fact is that someone is making money and its your talent in part that is making that money for them. You should get some too. If not, there better be something good in it for you or you just graduated to hobbiest!

Now, you have the gig and are about to leave. Here is some more stuff to think about..........

* Label *every* cable that connects someplace in the back of your rack/rig -- even if you never remove them.

* Preprinted set-lists (dark big type to easily be read from a standing position with them taped to the floor)

* Agree on who is responsible for what gear -- this might include setup, tear-down, and who keeps a watchful eye on what. If you have "roadies"/friends helping, agree on what material they will handle (merely to avoid confusion). Most importantly, it means that at the end of the night, whom ever is selected to be responsible for a piece of equipment is also responsible for seeing that it gets packed up and taken home at the end of the night.

* Cable-tie everything you can! Those sticky-back cable-tie bases are handy too.

* Color code all cables that coming from or going to a player's stage position with colored electrical tape. This would include his/her line to the monitor he/she uses. Stick a square of the same colored tape above the inputs to all devices possible. Since multicolored tape is hard to find, use combos of what you can find. It also might be a good idea to have a color code for special lines (line-out's from amps get white plus the player's color code, monitor lines get red plus the player color code).

* Check all batteries for a decent charge (especially onboard instrument preamps) Replace all marginal batteries with fresh ones.

* EVERYTHING must have a gig-bag, tote-bag, or a case of some kind; no free-floating items of any kind! Label the bags and cases with your name (or your band's name) and optionally, the contents of the container (if you have friends/"roadies", it helps identify what lid/bag belongs with what equipment).

* Each member of the band should have a checklist of all their equipment so that at the end of the night, simply run down the list make sure you have everything before you leave.

IN GENERAL:

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* Extra power cords (heavy-duty extension cords)

* Multi-outlet power strips (at least one).

* Line/wall-outlet testers

* Duct tape

* Masking tape

* Band-aids/general first-aid kit (a small one is fine)

* A few pens and a pad of paper

* Extra patch cords, mic cables, speaker cables (two of everything if you can afford it)

* Adapters/converters (line-level, mic, RCA-to-phono, etc.)

* Screwdrivers (as many sizes as possible; both flatheads and philips heads; possibly allen wrenches too), pliers (regular and needle-nose) -- A Leatherman's tool would cover most of these plus some.

* Voltmeter (for testing the batteries -- those Duracell testing packages can be used as well)

* Extra fuses (two for each piece of equipment that uses one)

* Wire cutters

* An extra promo package (promo tapes with list); band business cards (names and numbers of whom to talk to); Include an itinerary of upcoming shows to give to people who are interested and want to see you again!

* Fingernail clippers (multiple uses here)

* Pen flashlight (it's always darkest in places where wires and cables are hidden)

* Assorted glues (5-minute Epoxy and super-glue)

* Blank cassette tapes (the sound-man might have the ability to record the show -- a good way of checking the quality of the show...and the sound-man!) Get tapes that are high quality and at least as long as the set time on one side (the sound-man will more than likely be more receptive to the idea of recording if all he's got to do is turn it on set the record levels and do his job, rather than look at the tape to see if he's got to flip it, or worse, change in a new one)

* If you use sequencers/computers/etc to call up patches automatically, have a back-up diskette of the software and the the patch data, same story for ROMS. Also, be sure the "write protect" switch is on.

* Towels/rags for general cleaning (usually of spilt beer).

* Soldering iron and solder for quick electrical repairs.

BASS RIG (or any rack gear in general):

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* An extra pack of strings

* Tuner (if it's not a part of the rack)

* Picks (even if you don't use them)

* A child's night-light in one of the power conditioner sockets to you can see connections in the back.

* Any "special" tools for your bass (special truss-rod wrenches, etc.)

* 9V batteries (for stomp-boxes and active electronic instruments; get them in bulk)

* Extra parts for your equipment (tubes, modules, ROM cards, an extra antenna if you use wireless equipment)

* (if possible) An extra "special" cables (like the "all-most" MIDI cable from your foot-controller to your effects unit)

* If you have one, bring an extra instrument -- If you have more than one bass, bring another in case something goes wrong with your regular one.

1. *If you can afford it, bring a DI box or a microphone for micing your bass cab. This will give you more consistent tone night after night...and soundmen never seem have enough of either one. For you (the "sensible" bass player), be prepared! Bring picks for your guitarist -- find out his/her favorite brand/size and get a few. Also, get a pack of his/her brand of guitar strings...as it was put to me, "Yeah, it's ridiculous to have to baby-sit the guitarist, but for $10, you can have this simple "show insurance" that will give you peace of mind."
   

Be sure to figure out your own needs. I don’t want to get an email telling me off because I forgot to tell you to bring a jacket to an outdoor winter gig!

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