New Jersey Bassist Club v2.0 - Page 6

ShoeManiac · #**101** 12-15-2011, 07:49 PM

It's a much more common sort of story than most would be willing to admit. And I think that's because people don't want to be seen as foolish for having been taken advantage of, or they don't want to get blacklisted for "being difficult". I can think of one place just north of the NJ/NY border that has been infamous for ripping off musicians for the past 20 odd years. They manage to book bands by virtue of their location, but because of the bait and switch nature of their financial dealings with bands they don't get a lot of repeat bookings.

rtslinger · #**102** 12-16-2011, 05:38 AM

I have run across this many times playing clubs since I was 13 (53 now) I just do not book with them after they screw us not worth the hassle. I also try never to burn bridges as this guy did but, he was burned enough I guess to step up after doing his homework go on the NJ Craigslist this one I shared isn't the half of this guys story lol. My guess a young band not used to the game that has been around since the day I strapped this bass on! My guess is you will see more of this bridge burning in the future the young people are fed up with everything that is wrong with this economic situation and willing to voice their opinions more freely next it will be peace signs and a new love generation.

pointbass · #**103** 12-16-2011, 06:22 AM

I don't know the circumstances of the CL posters situation, but it is not an uncommon theme for CL in this area. Problem is that most of these "misunderstandings" are generally between, ummm, less-than-desirable club owners and very inexperienced bands that lack basic business skills. I have received many emails, PM's and calls over the years from younger guys who feel they have been ripped off in one way or another and in most cases (but not all) it's more the bands fault than the venue.

I'm not a fan of the CL bashing posts, especially when they get into the "monkey boy" type of taunting in the subject post. If people think that posts of that type will somehow hurt the venue, they should also consider that the reputable venues will have no desire to hire a band that would post such a childish rant.

Finding joints to play here in Jersey is tough if you're a professional band, so the low hanging fruit is the only thing a younger start-up can find. IMO, posting a bash-rant like the subject CL topic only serves to reflect poorly on the band ....

rtslinger · #**104** 12-16-2011, 06:37 AM

I agree with you Point, as I had mention young guns that do not know the game they think it is about music and they soon find out is about business. They will learn as everyone else though the history of the music scene does. Like everything else in life it is about the mighty dollar and if you can make them money than word hits the streets and you are in. If you can't you just become another name on some dusty poster in someones basement.RTS

TRichardsbass · #**105** 12-16-2011, 11:47 AM

I agree with Ed and others, but we all need to know which clubs do things like this.

For the young guns, post here the club name, the promoter/manager/owner or whoever did the naughty deed, and what they did. No ranting, name calling or the like. That way the NJ Bassists here can be aware.

For example, post here something like:

"Club XYZ. Agreed to play the night for $450. At the end of the night was only offered $300 by Manager Bob. Showed him the email confirming the price, he refused to pay and told us to sue him."

Then, I know, in the future, if I am booked at the club I will get an actual contract or will confirm in an email the date, price, and that payment in full will be provided upon arrival. If they don't comply I can then either cancel on the spot, or if shorted, immediately file in small claims court the next day for the diffference.

TRichardsbass · #**106** 12-16-2011, 11:50 AM

Hello all!

I am proud to say that as of today I am officially endorsing Brubaker Brute Series Basses. I will be glad to answer any questions you have, but will obviously need to adhere to the rules here.

Lady Kayri · #**107** 12-16-2011, 11:52 AM

Congratulations Tom!

rtslinger · #**108** 12-16-2011, 03:12 PM

Congrats Tom good luck with your endorsement. Tom I would love to help you out but you never know if club owners are lurking (trolling these pages) Sadly you will have to find out for yourself as the rest of us have. know one thing there are some great club owners in NJ and there are some that will do you dirty in a heartbeat. Some try the double talk bull/s. and others are nice to your face and try to screw you. Part of my day job is to negotiate prices with major oil companies who play hardball! So the small club owners have little on me when it comes to me seeing right through the BS. Again good luck Tom

TRichardsbass · #**109** 12-16-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtslinger

Congrats Tom good luck with your endorsement. Tom I would love to help you out but you never know if club owners are lurking (trolling these pages) Sadly you will have to find out for yourself as the rest of us have. know one thing there are some great club owners in NJ and there are some that will do you dirty in a heartbeat. Some try the double talk bull/s. and others are nice to your face and try to screw you. Part of my day job is to negotiate prices with major oil companies who play hardball! So the small club owners have little on me when it comes to me seeing right through the BS. Again good luck Tom

Thanks RT!

As for knowing, I've been around so I know. I was just trying to offer the young'uns a way to not do the Craigs flame but instead just describe their experience. Even a club owner trolling wouldn't know who we are, with the exception of me, as its my name. But then, I wouldn't care. Most of the club owners and promoters would have a hard time not being honest with me. for the rest, it just forewarns everyone.

rtslinger · #**110** 12-20-2011, 06:05 AM

Tom trollers can find out our band affiliations because most have their website connections so it would not be difficult for any one to either hunt us on our profiles or Google some of us to make the connection. Most of us who have been around a long time and have worked hard to build a good rep with clubs know that the internet can work both ways to think club owners are not networking to get bands with a good rep in their places would be naive at best. Young guns and Craigs flames I am sure will continue no matter what advise we can offer. Now if some one started a secret society maybe I could open up and burn a ton of bridges h3ll more than half of NJ would lay in ruins lol.

TRichardsbass · #**111** 12-22-2011, 05:51 AM

The one thing I've found RT, is that most club owners or bookers don't spend more then about a second trying to figure out anything. They want a website or samples of music and maybe look at your facebook page or reverb nation.

The ones who screw you don't care. it would be cool to come up with a code for it here. Something like:

"Played a wingy dingy gig. Got paid $300. Totally would have played for $200 less. Bob Smith was cool."

Wingy dingy means got screwed. The would have played is how much you got screwed.

I don't know. I'm getting very disappointed with club owners in NJ lately. Trying to continually lowball everyone.

My favorite cover band, Undisputed, may lose their regular Sunday night gig after having it for nearly a decade and making the club tons for Sunday nights. No bar on the shore, save this one, draws anyone on a Sunday night. The pay they get is good, but clearly the bar makes it in the first set. The bar is a local bar and is not the best or most popular. But I've seen it packed every Sunday night for that decade. I've seen the bar totally empty on a Saturday night many times.

One thing that sets clubs apart is the entertainment. Good bands draw. Some DJ's draw. Clubs that just have background music usually close early and make no money.

rtslinger · #**112** 12-22-2011, 02:18 PM

Oh I see what you are saying if they are trolling they think it is a good tread about them but it is about turning them to dust cool idea. We only play certain places ones that book us all the time. We have about 10 that we are in rotation with so we rarely seek out new places. We get offers and sometimes we take them sometimes we don't bother after a visit and find the place completing empty when there is a band in the house. We have a decent following but we aren't ever going give them any promise we are going to pack there place every time we play there in today's market and with money tight like it is.People just aren't making it to them all anymore. So like I said we play in places there are very local to us and our fans make it out to most of the shows but not all and these clubs understand it and work with us. Others with there heads up there a$$es who can't tell it is the band that keeps the people coming back and staying to party all night soon are up for sale I have seen it year after year and with some really big rep places. Yeah we all know they need to make money bla bla bla and we also know what they are charging for booze and food has gone up and we also know they are charging people a lot more than what they are paying for it some times 4x more and the bands are still getting the same bullsh*t money since the 1980's. I feel for the people who have to play to supplement their income playing clubs to make ends meet they are the ones really getting screwed. I am lucking we play because we love to not need to, however because we know others need the $ we work it like we are in the same boat as the rest.We don't let the owners get over on us and we never pay to play! And I am sure that some owners on here are going to hit back but I have been dealing with them since my first ever gig at 13 and I am 53 so before you start to tell me otherwise do the math

pointbass · #**113** 12-22-2011, 02:41 PM

Unfortunately, there are many, many factors that have resulted in the current lousy club situation. Even though I favor it, the ban on smoking has taken a toll. And increased enforcement of drunk driving laws (another thing I'm in favor of) has people far more leary of routinely going out for an evening.

End result is that a lot of restaurants are looking for entertainment as a supplement to their food business ... since they are in the food business they aren't willing to lay out large coin for music. Therefore, the singles and duos have sort of captured the restaurant biz.

The bars, as Tom said above, don't put any real thought into the music (generally speaking of course ... there are some that are more professional) and have this expectation that the band will fill the voids created by the smoking bans and drunk driving enforcement. Good example of that is the joints along Rt 36 from Long Branch to Atl Highlands .... used to be one of the most active places along the shore, but no more. And, of course, the DJ biz has really hit all musicians in our collective wallets.

Tough road today for musicians. I'm personally thrilled that I don't need the money to support my family anymore, and that I have the luxury of taking only gigs I want. Props go out to all who are trying to make this a full-time living .... I did it for a very long time and honestly, I'm glad that's not the case any more

TRichardsbass · #**114** 12-24-2011, 08:02 AM

Happy Belated Festivus, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all my NJ Bass buds! May you find something with at least 4 strings or something nice and tubey under your tree this year!

Lady Kayri · #**115** 12-25-2011, 12:37 PM

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

sxride · #**116** 12-25-2011, 04:33 PM

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all !! .. from My Band, to you and yours.

rtslinger · #**117** 12-27-2011, 07:09 AM

Happy Holidays NJ Bassist hope Santa was good to you all! And that everyone has a very prosperous 2012!

slick_tu · #**118** 12-30-2011, 11:39 AM

Hi all; please sign me up (#170?). Born and raised in Clark (well, actually born in Rahway Hospital). Now living in Egg Harbor Township (GSP Exit 36), Atlantic County.

My son's been living in San Diego (I have to send him TastyKakes; poor lad.); the first thing he wanted when he came for a visit last year was Taylor Pork Roll. The second thing was a White House sub.

natw42 · #**119** 12-30-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick_tu

Hi all; please sign me up (#170?). Born and raised in Clark (well, actually born in Rahway Hospital). Now living in Egg Harbor Township (Exit 136), Atlantic County.

My son's been living in San Diego (I have to send him TastyKakes; poor lad.); the first thing he wanted when he came for a visit last year was Taylor Pork Roll. The second thing was a White House sub.

Welcome! I don't give out numbers, but I wanted to say Hi because I lived in Cranford from the age of one. So we were practically neighbors at one point!

I migrated to South Jers to live with my (now ex) wife. I'm on the other side of the state though, closer to Philly (exit 2 off the NJ Tpk).

Oh, and uh, happy belated holidays to my NJ brothers and sisters

paradog · #**120** 12-30-2011, 12:20 PM

I guess I'll claim # 171...Metuchen, NJ here!