An open letter to young bands...

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:07 pm

To add to what Ollie said:

Put together a press/promo kit including:

A GOOD SOUNDING demo - leave out the 3 minute guitar solo and focus on recording the songs. This is your only first impression make it count.

A set list of covers - sorry, you probably don't get to play all originals and club owners want to make sure your material will be reasonably popular with their patrons

Comments and compliments from LEGITIMATE other club owners, promoters, reviewers, etc... No you can't use your bass player's girlfriend's "omigosh, you guys are awesome" comments - or at least you shouldn't.

Most importantly - current contact information!!!! If you change pre-paid cell phones every two weeks, you might want to use a more permanent number. Email works great, but only if you have regular access and check it frequently.

Follow these little rules and you should be up and gigging in no time.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:14 pm

Thanks Jonesy

RE: Demo.

Keep the demo samples short. Sometimes you only get a few minutes of a bookers time before he chucks the CD onto the pile.

Give them what they want in bite sized portions.

MynameisJenn · Post by **MynameisJenn** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:06 pm

fb has always been nice to me, but then again i do have tits

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:07 pm

MynameisJenn wrote:fb has always been nice to me, but then again i do have tits

Nothing like the honest truth to make a point.

<wink>

this dude · Post by **this dude** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:28 am

I'd just like to add (for example) that if you're anxiously awaiting a painful sugery, and are blown on steroids and pain pills, DO NOT attempt to get bookings from people you don't already know! I guess that falls under the 'Don't be a d*ck, EVER!' category.

A band is a business like any other. It doesn't end up mattering how good your product is to however many people- Very often it's that one person who recalls you to be a disheveled jerkweed that will influence how much work you get.

Here's a couple tips for the actual gig, courtesy of this asshat douchebag I fired last summer-

When entering a venue you've never played before, avoid punk-toned phrases like "Are the drinks free here, OR WHAT?"

Also, regarding drinks, if you just spent four hours playing to 15 people in a 250 seat room, don't get curt with the waitress when she hands you a tab. (Occasionally, the 'stupid beeoch' behind the bar is the person who books the bands, dumbass.)

If you don't win in some competition, try not to express your disappointment by throwing cymbals. Cymbals tend to lose any appeal as a musical instrument when thrown.

When a song ends and there's minimal response, don't interrupt the show by whispering/saying to your bandmates- "Hey, was that okay? What's the matter with these people?"

If you insist on dropping your sticks every other song because your momma didn't give you enough attention as a child, have extras on hand in a readily accessible stick bag. Don't just eek out a beat while walking around your drumset. Trust me, after the second or third time, you're the only one who thinks you're 'cool'.

If you sometimes have trouble remembering where you are in a simple 12 bar blues progression, don't spend two thirds of your break time chiefing down in the parking lot because it "relaxes" you. You're probably relaxed enough.

All in all, just be courteous and competant, and you'll work alot more.

doubleshot · Post by **doubleshot** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:37 am

When a song ends and there's minimal response, don't interrupt the show by whispering/saying to your bandmates- "Hey, was that okay? What's the matter with these people?"

So true man, so true.

girlzrock · Post by **girlzrock** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:19 pm

My 2 cents...

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion!!!! Don't assume that the club owners will be promoting you. Make professional looking flyers (not a cheesy picture someone in the band drew and thought was cool either. The internet is a wealth of images that should fit any look you want), ask if you can hang them at the bar and hand some out as well. Put them up at school (If permitted), hand them out to your friends and their friends and complete strangers. This is your first impression to people who are deciding what to do with their time so make them want to come see you.

If you don't have a website, get something up on myspace. It's an awesome way to let your fans know what you are doing.

This is a business and if you don't market yourself heavily, you'll get lost in the shuffle between the 3000 other bands that seem to be popping up in Fort Wayne daily. Sorry kids, it's not always about how good your music is or how well your guitarist nailed his solo. You have to give people who have never heard of you a reason to come see you and that happens with promoting the hell out of your band and creating a marketing image.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:36 pm

....somehow, I get the feeling the only people reading this thread are those of us who've been around long enough to know this stuff already...

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:46 pm

We can use this as a reference link to the the next new member who posts...

"Our band (place name here), wants a gig, call us."

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:18 pm

True... sticky this. Take down some of the no longer relevant stickys and put this one up there. Just a suggestion.

deek · Post by **deek** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:27 pm

If it becomes a sticky, let's try to stay on topic...I only say this because we started to stray into promotion and advertising and things NOT to do on stage...this topic is about how to get a gig, not about the stuff that takes place after...

I am assuming we are trying to help bands that are getting their first gig, are new to the area or are trying to get into a venue they haven't played before, right?

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:31 pm

That is ALL relevant...for anyone really.

Get the gig, promote the gig and keep the gig(s) coming.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:33 pm

Yes, but one of the best ways to ensure yourself of not getting future bookings is to screw up an early booking. Bad news travels fast, as they say.

Simply put, be professional, and don't expect anyone else to do all your work for you. Bust your butt and self-promote.

Also, since most musicians lack a little something in the business sense (overgeneralization I know, but usually true), you may want to consider hiring a booking agent and/or manager at some point (they're not the same thing).

romancraig · Post by **romancraig** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:39 pm

MynameisJenn wrote:fb has always been nice to me, but then again i do have tits

Behold the power of vagine...

Mama Dragon · Post by **Mama Dragon** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:09 pm

bassjones wrote:....somehow, I get the feeling the only people reading this thread are those of us who've been around long enough to know this stuff already...

Nope, because I'm reading it and learning from it.