Des Moines gigging rant

bassman1185 · #1 03-30-2007, 08:45 AM

OK, so, in case you are not aware (and you probably aren't) Des Moines has a 9:00 curfew for all-ages shows in bars. This means that if an establishment is deemed a bar, any and all minors HAVE to be kicked out of the place by 9:00pm, or the venue will face fines, and possibly the loss of their liquer license.

How this translates to gigging bands with followings that are primarily under 21 (like mine):

The shows have to start at 5. You work till 6? Well, too bad, because the show has to start.

The fans can't always get there. It's football/volleyball/whateverball season and most of your fans can't make it till 7:00? Too bad, you'll just have to play for an empty room.

Set lists get cut short. You were planning on playing eight songs? Oh, well, sorry, the band before you went long on their set change, so you're going to have to drop it to five.

Bands that are acting professionally and are there on time have to play, regardless of status or draw. Oh, you were supposed to play next to last because you're the only local band at this show that has a draw? Well, you're going to have to take it up the butt and play second, to a crowd of seven, because the other local bands are waiting for their members to show up.

I hate this town.

lonote · #2 03-30-2007, 08:54 AM

Thankfully, we are old enough (

) that that isn't a problem for us. We play Blues on Grand and played the Winter Blues Festival in the Hotel Ft. Des Moines this winter. We have always had a great time in Des Moines. What you're facing is called "paying your dues." It is a drag, no doubt, but it's the nature of the beast. Keep your chin up, things will get better if you can weather the storm.

bassman1185 · #3 03-30-2007, 09:05 AM

Yeah, I realize that there are plenty of trials to gigging, but at the same time, when the city is passing laws that prevent you from playing your music, it gets pretty frustrating.

On a side note, does the Hotel Fort Des Moines remind you of the hotel from the Shining? I work for an A/V company here in town and we do a lot of work with that hotel. The main ballroom really creeps me out.

SuperDuck · #4 03-30-2007, 09:16 AM

When we played a show in Des Moines it was at some Union Hall - that seemed to work out well enough. I suppose you can't play all your shows at non-bar venues, but them's the breaks I guess.

HomeBrewTJ · #5 03-30-2007, 09:16 AM

Are there any other places to play in that town other than bars?

Kenny Allyn · #6 03-30-2007, 09:16 AM

Wow ... things go until 5am here ... and drinks sold and consumed on the street are the norm (on Beale anyway)

But after 10pm it's adults only.

What's it like when it's NOT an all ages show?

... Some venues here have two and sometimes three bands with full three hour sets each.

lonote · #7 03-30-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Wow ... things go until 5am here ... and drinks sold and consumed on the street are the norm (on Beale anyway)

But after 10pm it's adults only.

What's it like when it's NOT an all ages show?

... Some venues here have two and sometimes three bands with full three hour sets each.

We had a hell of a time at the IBC a couple of months ago. I was astounded that they allow drinking on the street like that...not that therre's anything wrong with it.

bassman1185 · #8 03-30-2007, 09:27 AM

Honestly, I have never played a show that wasn't an all ages show. There are 21 and over shows, but bands like mine (hardcore with a predominantly younger following) usually don't get booked for that kind of stuff. That tends to be more widely-accepted stuff like bar rock, blues and covers.

There are places to play around here that aren't bars (community centers, VFW halls), but not many. Finding the right sized place for a show can be hard, plus we have to track down a PA system that will actually keep up with the bands. These end up getting to be pretty expensive to rent, as well.

lonote · #9 03-30-2007, 09:41 AM

Have you considered promoting your own shows? Rent a hall and a PA, split the rent with a few other bands, charge a fair cover, sell pop and chips, spread the word and hope for the best! In my younger days (mid-60's) we did that and did just fine.

bassman1185 · #10 03-30-2007, 09:48 AM

Yeah, we do promote shows from time to time, but that can have its own set of problems. If nobody shows up, then the bands can be out a lot of money. Granted, it is a risk that can pay off (by FAR the best paying show we ever played was one that we put on ourselves), but it is enough of a risk that a lot of younger bands like mine don't always want to take. Right now my band is actually getting ready to purchase a gig-ready PA system, which we're hoping to use for putting on our own shows.

lonote · #11 03-30-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Yeah, we do promote shows from time to time, but that can have its own set of problems. If nobody shows up, then the bands can be out a lot of money. Granted, it is a risk that can pay off (by FAR the best paying show we ever played was one that we put on ourselves), but it is enough of a risk that a lot of younger bands like mine don't always want to take. Right now my band is actually getting ready to purchase a gig-ready PA system, which we're hoping to use for putting on our own shows.

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