hyped as a cheetah on speed

joebingo · #1 10-26-2006, 05:42 AM

OK, so as some of you know (I made a topic about it a coupla weeks back), last night was my bands first gig - we're instrumental so we were really worried about that, and the tunes not going down well because of it being harder for the audience to connect without a singer...

anyway, we opened the night but somehow managed to pull the biggest crowd. got everyone dancing, massive chant of the band name at the end... I seriously think that nothing beats gigging!

The best part of it is, an A&R guy came up to me and said that he really liked our set, and that as soon as we get a singer we should give him a call! First gig and we're getting interest from labels! really excited as to what interest we could gain one or two years from now. (nedless to say though, we havent acted on the a&r yet, cant run before you can walk, rush anything in the music industry, you'll end up in the gutter dropped because you weren't selling, or your live performance wasn't up to scratch and there'll be a sacked A&R guy on your hands as well)

I also managed to snap a string in the 3rd song of our set, but luckilly the band who put the night on are awesome guys and their bassist lent me his marcus miller jazz. plays like a dream. GASing really badly now.

anyway, I'm getting some photos through soon, I'll post em up here when i have em.

Lower-Than-Low · #2 10-26-2006, 06:20 PM

Rock on man! good job.

As for the A&R dude, do you want to remain an instumental band? and I'd do the same thing if I were you. signing or close to it after one gig is not a good idea, nothing ever comes easy.

joebingo · #3 10-27-2006, 09:17 AM

I guess we really want a singer - 2 years without one gets you used to not having one, it'll be wierd.

It was so nice to hear that the industry is already interested in us. I was pretty amazed.

some pics:

Band

me rocking out (or messing up, cant actually tell)

me and my jazz (gurning like a bell end)

BassChuck · #4 10-27-2006, 09:20 AM

Do search on this forum for A+R guys and record contracts. I think there's some good information in the stickies to. Understand what you are getting into before you sign. Don't be like lambs to slaughter. Do your homework.

joebingo · #5 10-27-2006, 09:30 AM

definately, I'm doing a course at the moment which is aimed at people who wish to make their lives in the industry, different ways in which you can be stung etc.

The amazing thing about A&R is that they're like your peers. it's really sly. TBH, I dont want to even be anywhere near signing to a label for another year or 2 yet. It could be completely disastrous.

cheers for the advice

chaosMK · #6 10-27-2006, 11:41 AM

There are awful contracts out there, that they try to prey on the unsuspecting with. I dont want to go into detail, but just imagine never making any money no matter how well you do. Also, there are quite a few fake A&R reps and wannabe promoters out there.

Try and get your band to a self sufficient level (say- self supported tour, a great sounding independantly produced album, a great track record selling CD's and merch, professional web site, a well-known name regionally, the extensive amount of stuff on the business end all take care of) and you'll have something to bargain with.

I wouldnt even be excited if I were you, about the A&R thing. If you guys have a great sound and feel like it will hold together long enough to get somewhere, that's exciting.

tplyons · #7 10-27-2006, 03:26 PM

The A&R guy felt you were gullable because you're using a Gibson strap with a Fender bass.

Lower-Than-Low · #8 10-27-2006, 07:42 PM

Dang, its a niiice bass tho.

joebingo · #9 10-28-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

The A&R guy felt you were gullable because you're using a Gibson strap with a Fender bass.

fair enough, hadnt thought of it like that before - you've opened my eyes!

i like my strap though, got it discount cos my mate works at a guitar shop!