Gigs

Alright I’m a guitarist in a rock band. Not too hardcore but not too plush. I know that it’s pretty boring to watch someone stand still. But then again you could look stupid if your sitting there with goofy sways or excessive headbanging. I haven’t really done any gigs. What exactly should I do? I can play the songs fine but it is a performance. And what is too show-off-like? Help?

Ok, I had the same problem, too. I have done 3-4 gigs so far and yes, this was my main problem, how should I stand on stage? Haha, weird, isn’t it? You can play the songs fine but you don’t know how to act in front of your fans!
Talking about myself as a guitarist, I am gonna tell you a couple of things that will hopefully help you. Don’t stand still, but don’t overdo it with passion, it may seem fake and that isn’t good, the crowd may think you are a poser. BUT, you have to go out and make everyone believe that you are the one, the greatest guitarist, knowing that the guys in front of you are there to admire and bow before you (as you may assume, self confidence is really needed out there).
Try and make a superb start, come on stage running and ask the fans go crazy for you. The other guys are surely gonna help you with that, so relax, it’s not you that has to do anything, count on your band mates, too. You may sway your hand while playing the chords with the pick, you can lean behind while playing the solo (this is when you really have to make them all go "wow", even if you make a couple mistakes, don’t let them get that)
You are gonna create your personal style over time, but this is what I advise you to do. You can also check out a few bands playing live (Iron Maiden are a really good example to follow talking about their live presentation)
Good Luck! Faith, Self confidence

I also want to know how much you could make by just playing in coffee shopsdoing cover songs and other stuff and if you could make a living doing this.

I used to be in a grindcore/hardcore band in Phoenix AZ, and I will say it would definatly be tough to make LIVING off this type of music. However, if you can get a group of people whoa re good at make innovative metal that people are into, and can get label support you might be able to record a few albums and do a few tours. but it will not be a glamourous like tour bus rockstar tour, probably chillen in vans passing out in random peoples houses. Typical gig four touring band makes 300 dollars plus merchandise sales. Playing cover songs in cofeeshops usually doesn’t pay at all but if you can get a solid cover band, bars pay good money for three hour bar sets, usually free booze too.