Click Tracks, Tribute Acts, and $20 Hacks: Gig Smarts with Corey Manske

You’re not alone if you’re running a click track on stage—more and more musicians are embracing it, and for good reason. This week on Gig Gab, Corey Manske joins Dave Hamilton to unpack how using a click can reduce stress, keep your band tight, and help you Always Be Performing. From essential stage gear like chapstick and a tape measure (you’ll get it), to the magic of “coopetition” among musicians, you’ll walk away with practical tools and mindset shifts. Corey shares how watching other players—and sometimes borrowing a rubber mallet—can lead to big breakthroughs. But that’s just the beginning. You’ll hear how launching a Third Eye Blind tribute band taught Corey the power of planning, from finding the perfect frontman to handling contracts, stage plots, and backing tracks like a pro. Learn why tribute bands are dominating the venue scene and what it really means to “wear a disguise” on stage. You’ll also get into the nitty-gritty of tech setups—which apps might replace SoundCue, how to prep your tracks for any venue, and why slipping your sound engineer a $20 bill is a move worth making. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 487 – Monday, June 23rd, 2025 June 9th: National Detroit-Style Pizza Day Guest co-host: Corey Manske 00:01:39 Everyone’s using a click (some of the time) 00:08:02 Taking the stress off by using a click live Kill Switch 00:14:51 Always be performing means always putting on a show! 00:17:00 Important gear to have on stage Tape measure (drummer thing) Chapstick 00:19:53 The value of Coopetition 00:22:15 Learning parts from other people Mike Cosgrove at a NAMM party SS Recognize Rubber Mallet 00:26:31 Playing the parts your way…and comfortably 00:29:32 “Just don’t confuse the strippers, man” Music is a shared art form…band, performers, audience 00:31:05 SPONSOR: Bzigo Iris, your smart home mosquito detector. Stop losing sleep over mosquitoes. Take back your nights with Bzigo. Go to bzigo.com/discount/BUZZ10 and save 10% off. 00:32:27 The experience of starting a Third Eye Blind Tribute Band Started a year ago The demographic is 50/50 M/F Find the right singer, and the right band Cover band is playing dress-up, being in a tribute band is wearing a disguise Previously subbed in a Smashing Pumpkins tribute for 4.5 years, which gave some information and contacts Venues figured out that Tribute bands are where the money is Developing the backing tracks Corey became the manager 00:38:02 Becoming comfortable with doing the paperwork Contracts Hospitality Riders Stage Plots Details matter! 00:40:16 Using an iPad to trigger tracks, clicks, and more SoundCue for iPad (non-existent) Replacement option: ShowOne for iPad Other replacement options We just need an audio player in a cart format! 00:52:09 The pre-production work so you can have the tracks live Frst, decide what needs to be there Decide the tempo Center the (mono) mix on where the backing vocal is. That way FOH can set the backing vocals and, boom, the tracks work in every venue Make a track for soundcheck, too! Also, give the sound engineer a $20 bill before sound check 00:59:34 Embrace technology Also, we really need an iPad app that not only triggers the sounds, but also the videos. 01:05:12 Gig Gab 487 Outtro Follow Corey Manske On Facebook On Instagram Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram [email protected] Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Click Tracks, Tribute Acts, and $20 Hacks: Gig Smarts with Corey Manske – Gig Gab 487 appeared first on Gig Gab.