question for musicians...

[bass]

ok im in a band called euphony, and we are like melodic heavy metal (i know it sounds weird, but thats the only way to describe us)

the problem im having is, we always end up playing with ska or punk bands... doesnt that seem kinda weird? i feel kinda bad cuz all the ska/punk kids are all happy and their music is all upbeat, and whenever we play, we like almost make them cry (just joking, but you get the point)

should we keep playing with them? the bands themselves like us, but the people that go to their shows.... i dunno, what do you think?

 

[Dave2112]

Over the course of my career, I've played everything from death-metal to progressive rock to a short stint with an acoustic band. Diversity is the name of the game in today's scene. I would talk to the members of the other bands first, ask what they think of playing with you. Then find out what not only your fans think, but theirs as well. The only way to ever truly know is to talk to them and get the ear of the bartenders or manager of the places you play at.

 

[red indian]

So let me get this straight............

You turn up at their gigs and you make them cry. So how about getting your own gigs and see who turns up at them, all things being equal and opposite, they should laugh!!

"Ska or punk bands" how old are you 45?

 

[bass]

we dont make THEM cry, we make the people that show up to hear the happy ska music cry... and we dont actually make them cry, its an expression... ska music is all happy and they skank to it, and we are metal... get the point? and we do get our own gigs, the only problem is there aren't many other bands around here that are our style...

and yes "ska or punk bands" im 18 motherfucker

 

[red indian]

Quick!!! get a Medic!!!........

severe sense of humour failiure, looks like it could be fatal.

 

[bass]

nah there was no failure in sense of humor, there was failure of humor from you... anyway, im not gonna get into a fight about this, thanx for replying, even though it did nothing for me

 

[red indian]

well, good or bad humour............

I dont think it warrants direct foul mouthed abuse.

 

[Dave2112]

Ok, can we just agree to miscommunication here and move on? I don't see where this is really a big deal, considering some of the flames that have started here before.

Anyway, how've your gigs been going lately? Isn't there any place around you where you can play as the only band of the night? Where I'm at, you rarely get more than one band in a bar on any given evening. Where are you playing? I know when I played in L.A. you had to share the stage at the big places with other bands in that god-awful "play-for-pay" scheme that got old real quick.

 

[dvnc]

Well, Dave, he did quote what I remember as bein' a BIG limitation, gig-wise. He ain't able t'play most events where booze is present. While it's LEGAL to play a place that can't serve ya, it's legally tricky for the house, and thus many don't. Limits the range of gigs.

Bass, dig that red indian WAS just crackin' wise in a UK fashion. He's from that end of the water, and his humor don't always carry if y'don't remember that there's folks here from every nation. I know the man t'be cool, now, but he and I butted heads more than once. He's good people, brother, and has been grindin' his axe since both you and I were nasty thoughts in our parents heads. 😉 It's all good.

Gig-wise, my biggest suggestion is just to weather it, 'til y'all are 21, such that playin' ANYWHERE ain't a problem. If you hit up local clubs to have a Sunday night Under-18-style club, you'll find some success there, too. At least, I did. For finance-free gigging, I recall underground clubs, in leased locales (from vets's halls to nearly-abandoned warehouses) that used to be fun. Too many drug-usin' dopes got them shut down, where I'm at, but they ARE possible. Whomever is runnin' that show has to be iron-willed. All the clubs that hosted to under-21 had such.

Oh, and coffee houses. Played a number of them. One of 'em founded a 4 year scene in my area.

News y'can lose,

dvnc

p.s. red's alright. really. he's just a spikey ole limey. honest.

 

[bass]

well first of all thank you for all your input

we do play at clubs that serve alcohol, our last 3 shows have been at those kind of clubs. our next show is at a place called Will's Pub, so it's not that many places have a problem letting us play there. It's just that we have a bigger problem getting gigs for ourselves because we have no demo, we are in the process of finishing it right now (finished two songs up yesterday), so we always have to play with other bands, rather than book the shows ourselves and play with who we want to. but the 21+ issue isn't really an issue. i agree that its a big legality for places to let us play where they serve alcohol, but they do. and usually there is NEVER just one band playing around here. all of our shows have from 2-8 bands play. i've never even heard of a one band show here haha 😀

and red, i guess i just don't understand your humor, and i took it as a personal attack, sorry

 

[dvnc]

Ohhhhh... Gettin' your demo done is an easier way to show yourself off, and gettin' a video reel of a performance or two is also an faster way in. The video reel doesn't event have to be too slick. It just has to show you playin', preferably where the audience is excited. Short 5 second cuts, fade to black, and another cut, and it's all good.

Sounds like you're already doin' the right thing.

Next step, figurin' out where to play for the summer gigs. Line up as much as you can, ahead of time. Get a local paper to review a gig. Havin' reviews as part of a portfolio for a club is a fine addition. (Portfolios contain a description of the band, their music, reviews, and, these days, a cd of performances. Fancy bands include QuickTime clips on the CD. Famous bands don't have t'do these).

I figure you're already paperin' local haunts wit' flyers, the week before your gig. If not, do. Find an artist you know that will lay out an interesting flyer, and get some friends to go wit' you and glue 'em anywhere that's legal (the illegal ones can cost ya).

As for red, he's tough. Musicians have t'be. Where I remember this stuff, he's still gigging. Gotta respect that.

Just keep giggin' for as long as you can draw a crowd.

 

[red indian]

Yep I,m tough, thats for sure............

Being a jazz musician (playing,writing and arranging) in the UK you dam well have to be!!! many of my gigs involve audiences who are quite often at best indifferent and at worst openly hostile. To bring you up to date DVNC I am still gigging but becuase of my recent hand surgery I am not bashing the ivory at the moment but I have switched to being a musical director (conductor) for a Brass group, so it keeps me of streets i suppose!

Thanks for the appology Bass, its not the first time I have come unstuck with my "humour" it tends to get me in trouble from time to time, Brit humour tends to be a bit more hairy arsed than the American brand!