|
|
Post by DonaldDemon on Jan 18, 2006 10:33:32 GMT -5
Good points there by everyone. Being in an original band unfortunately taking it dry in the dumper as well. If I was to present a contract to the places we play they would laugh in my face. Contracts, sponsorships, promotions work for cover bands in bars where they have the time on stage to advertise. In original bands its just set-up in 15 minutes play your 30-45 min set and hurry up and get the hell off for the next band. There isn't time to introduce the band half the time!
Unless you are a well known band pulling in at least 50 people EVERY time you don't get privelages.
We are actually going to set up an original/cover gig at some local bars so we can pull in some dough for recording because the process has stopped short due to fund shortage. We can make maybe $300-$400 a night if we're lucky because we have no rep as a popular cover band. its cool because we still get to do mostly originals as well as some covers.
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 10:33:41 GMT -5
vom was right when he talked about draw...and you make alotta good points too.. case in point, we almost had an audition at Bar A down the jersey shore...REAL big deal...all the big area cover bands play there, even some nationals (the Nerds being one)... anywho, the audition was on a Wednesday..no pay of course..just to see how many people you bring in..on a wednesday it's friggin' tough to get people to drive all the way hell down teh shore...so until we get a bigger following, we've decided to postpone it...don't wanna go there and screw the pooch cause you will NOT be asked back..I have no doubt that we'd kill the gig, but that doesn't matter if nobody's there to see it... i'm supposed to be playing with the nerds on friday...i had to turn it down.... IN the band or your band AND them? |
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 10:34:41 GMT -5
vom was right when he talked about draw...and you make alotta good points too.. case in point, we almost had an audition at Bar A down the jersey shore...REAL big deal...all the big area cover bands play there, even some nationals (the Nerds being one)... anywho, the audition was on a Wednesday..no pay of course..just to see how many people you bring in..on a wednesday it's friggin' tough to get people to drive all the way hell down teh shore...so until we get a bigger following, we've decided to postpone it...don't wanna go there and screw the pooch cause you will NOT be asked back..I have no doubt that we'd kill the gig, but that doesn't matter if nobody's there to see it... good job dude...i was reading an interview once with jon bon jovi...they asked him why it took so long for them to headline arenas...he told them that you only get one shot to headline so you better make sure your fan base is there...i used the same strategy when i got us into toad's place in new haven...we picked our spot/worked real hard on promotion/ and did well... you have to pick your spot absolutely right..only get one chance to make a first impression as they say..if you eat a choke sandwich or there's nobody there to see you, you're gonna have to hit the bricks and look elsewhere..lol |
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 10:36:21 GMT -5
Good points there by everyone. Being in an original band unfortunately taking it dry in the dumper as well. If I was to present a contract to the places we play they would laugh in my face. Contracts, sponsorships, promotions work for cover bands in bars where they have the time on stage to advertise. In original bands its just set-up in 15 minutes play your 30-45 min set and hurry up and get the hell off for the next band. There isn't time to introduce the band half the time! Unless you are a well known band pulling in at least 50 people EVERY time you don't get privelages. We are actually going to set up an original/cover gig at some local bars so we can pull in some dough for recording because the process has stopped short due to fund shortage. We can make maybe $300-$400 a night if we're lucky because we have no rep as a popular cover band. its cool because we still get to do mostly originals as well as some covers. being in an original band is even harder...my bass player used to be in one...and our drummer is kinda in one...and it's as you said....you get up, play a quick set then bam, you're done..for free more often than not....hard to get that goin', so I give you alotta credit man... |
|
|
|
Post by VomHalen on Jan 18, 2006 10:43:22 GMT -5
i'm supposed to be playing with the nerds on friday...i had to turn it down.... IN the band or your band AND them? my band and them...we played with them before, a few months ago...   |
|
|
|
Post by DonaldDemon on Jan 18, 2006 10:47:28 GMT -5
We've got a pretty nice promo pack and some corporate sponsorship with Guitar Center and some other local businesses, we had a Budweiser artist deal and lost it.. too funny. We would drink like 2 cases of Bud on stage sell the crap out of their products and they dumped us because of our website. The old site had some naked porn girls but they were partially covered,, and the stuff on our message board is way over the top.. So they dumped us... too funny. So I had to pass-protect the board so as not to scare off any more potential sponsors,, LMAO.. We also use an agent for big gigs, anything opening for Nationals and the upcoming bike week in Daytona which is next to impossible to get into unless you know someone. We used to get that whole "your too heavy" thing too, until they gave us a Tuesday or Thursday and we broke the bar sales records. Then their begging us to do Fri/Sat and commit to a years worth of rotation. That was our first year,, this is now our 3rd year and we have to turn down gigs these days. We only play 4-8 shows per month now, but in 2004 we did 47 weekends. 2 of us want to play all the time and 2 of us want to play only 2-3 weekends a month so its a compromise. Its hard getting those gigs when like DonDemon said you can only get 20 of your friends to commit to making it out or buy tickets. We have about 150 (regulars) people that come to all of our shows, so if even a 3rd of those people make it 2 nights, thats a good turn out for us. Having a good website and interactive mailing list and message board helps alot too. Look at my site, theres 20,000 posts on it and over 300 members. Very good for keeping your people interested in whats happening with he band and upcoming gigs. Just my 2 cents.. vom was right when he talked about draw...and you make alotta good points too.. case in point, we almost had an audition at Bar A down the jersey shore...REAL big deal...all the big area cover bands play there, even some nationals (the Nerds being one)... anywho, the audition was on a Wednesday..no pay of course..just to see how many people you bring in..on a wednesday it's friggin' tough to get people to drive all the way hell down teh shore...so until we get a bigger following, we've decided to postpone it...don't wanna go there and screw the pooch cause you will NOT be asked back..I have no doubt that we'd kill the gig, but that doesn't matter if nobody's there to see it... Good ol Bar A. I work about 15 minutes from there and live about 30 mins from it. It is a good place for cover bands in the summer when the outside bars are open. during the winter is a much smaller local crowd. Some d*mn hotties there though whooooooooo! |
|
|
|
Post by DonaldDemon on Jan 18, 2006 10:52:17 GMT -5
I gotta say Vom, I really hate cover bands because despite what craig and shredder think, I hate pop music! I really just can't stomach the music (no offense to you guys, just my tastes).
BUT...The Nerds play around here all the time and they came to my college twice and I went to both shows. Those guys were great!! A sense of humor and fun songs. the only cover band I like so far, except for a few blues/blues rock bands in the area.
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 10:56:43 GMT -5
nice job Vom..playin' with the nerds is a big deal!!
|
|
|
|
Post by VomHalen on Jan 18, 2006 10:57:31 GMT -5
I gotta say Vom, I really hate cover bands because despite what craig and shredder think, I hate pop music! I really just can't stomach the music (no offense to you guys, just my tastes). BUT...The Nerds play around here all the time and they came to my college twice and I went to both shows. Those guys were great!! A sense of humor and fun songs. the only cover band I like so far, except for a few blues/blues rock bands in the area. no sweat bro...ever since i was a kid i was always into trying to play riffs/solos/etc like my heros...hence, i'm in a cover band because i take great enjoyment in playing the stuff like the album... if it wasn't for people in originals bands i wouldn't have anything to copy...kudos to you guys! |
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 10:58:49 GMT -5
I gotta say Vom, I really hate cover bands because despite what craig and shredder think, I hate pop music! I really just can't stomach the music (no offense to you guys, just my tastes). BUT...The Nerds play around here all the time and they came to my college twice and I went to both shows. Those guys were great!! A sense of humor and fun songs. the only cover band I like so far, except for a few blues/blues rock bands in the area. none taken....I was never really too hot on them either..unless you see a REALLY good one.... I'm not the biggest fan of some of the stuff we play but we tailor the songs to OUR style while still representing the material as closely as possibly... besides, I'm a realist..I know for fact that I'd never make a living out of originals, I realized that a LONG time ago..you have to LIVE your music....this is something I do on the side for fun and for a little extra cash.. |
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 11:00:13 GMT -5
vom was right when he talked about draw...and you make alotta good points too.. case in point, we almost had an audition at Bar A down the jersey shore...REAL big deal...all the big area cover bands play there, even some nationals (the Nerds being one)... anywho, the audition was on a Wednesday..no pay of course..just to see how many people you bring in..on a wednesday it's friggin' tough to get people to drive all the way hell down teh shore...so until we get a bigger following, we've decided to postpone it...don't wanna go there and screw the pooch cause you will NOT be asked back..I have no doubt that we'd kill the gig, but that doesn't matter if nobody's there to see it... Good ol Bar A. I work about 15 minutes from there and live about 30 mins from it. It is a good place for cover bands in the summer when the outside bars are open. during the winter is a much smaller local crowd. Some d*mn hotties there though whooooooooo! we used to hang out there religiously about 7-8 years ago..EVERY friggin' w eekend...lol..of course we'd never go there when they had bands..I didn't even know they had bands until the drummer told me he was tyin' to get us an audition there...but I always said the place was tailor made for them... I'm lookin' forward to playin' there sometime, but we gotta get the following first.... and yes, hotties o' plenty there..lmao |
|
|
|
Post by Dirrty Craig on Jan 18, 2006 11:10:50 GMT -5
I gotta say Vom, I really hate cover bands because despite what craig and shredder think, I hate pop music! I really just can't stomach the music (no offense to you guys, just my tastes). I hate pop music too, and would never dream of playing pop covers anymore even though I have in the past. But, don't think your taking the musical high-ground by doing originals exclusively, cause unless you get that big break you'll find yourself in your mid-30's with $2.00 in your pocket wondering what happened with your musical career. My advice to any musician who is serious, is get out and play ANYTHING, make some cash and do it for a living. You have PLENTY of time to do originals on the side and in-between paying gigs. Plenty of time. I've managed to do both for 15 years, now I own a beautiful house, nice cars, swimming pool and have no money worries because of cover bands and teaching guitar lessons paying my bills all those years. Think about it.  |
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 11:16:28 GMT -5
bragger  |
|
|
|
Post by VomHalen on Jan 18, 2006 11:25:00 GMT -5
call me ghey, but i love 80s pop music...even culture club...
i'm serious
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Jan 18, 2006 11:29:41 GMT -5
call me ghey, but i love 80s pop music...even culture club... i'm serious there's alotta 80's pop I like as well....8675309, summer of 69, stuff like that..all can be easily balled up into rocking juggernauts =D it's some of the newer stuff that I don't like to listen to..but enjoy playing and still have fun with |
|
