Future Boy wrote:Dan-O: It's about the audience insofar as one gets on stage to be an entertainer and the feedback from the audience can boost one's energy level and potential to Rock. However, when one really gets in that zone, like with any other kind of zen/zone state (or Flow, if you ilke), everything else fades away, it's just about the Rocking.
I don't want to get into a big thing, cause I agree with you on the Zen thing, but I still think your statements are contradictory. You started off by saying how you, as an audience member, don't want to watch a bunch of musicians just standing around, that you're not getting your money's worth from that. Then you say that the audience plays a part, but not that big of one.
For me, the audience plays a huge part. The more I RTFO the more energy they give back to me in applause. The more energy I recieve the harder I play, which in turn, if I'm on, gives them more to become excited about. This can grow exponentially, in theory anyhow. It's a symbiotic realtionship.
You can also receive that same type of energy from you bandmates, which makes your Zen point completely valid. A good drummer can get my energy level up when they really attack the drums, a keyboardist or any other part of the band when they really feel a solo or play their part with more energy or conviction as Leaf said.
For me a good trio can really RTFO. I'm always amazed at how much sound a good trio can produce. Just the bare essentials, bass, drums and guitar, like a good rockabilly band. That really does it for me. The Stray Cats played with a ton of energy and live, they definitely RTFO.