Playing for nobody?

Spinal Tapper · #1 05-27-2009, 03:18 PM

We're an all-original band. What do you guys think about driving an hour or more away to play shows for nobody? Especially not getting paid, etc.

I'm not talking about touring out of state, because that's a given that there might not be anyone there to see you when you venture to a new land.

Our band plays out in the city of Chicago (where we're located) and hang fliers, do promo, and can get great crowds to come out - but in the suburbs, if feels to me like no one comes...ever...or they won't stay for us to play...

Why do my band mates continue to insist on playing out there? We're trying to build up our "all-ages" crowd, but they don't come in the first place, so are we just being redundant and wasting gas? Or are these necessary steps to getting a good fan base?

I'm kinda frustrated, we just keep booking these shows hoping the other local bands will bring people, and I love our music and don't want to be the naysayer of the group, but...damn...

BigOldHarry · #2 05-27-2009, 03:20 PM

Been There, done that.

Do the gig once, no one shows - don't do it again. Simple.

m0nst3r · #3 05-27-2009, 03:22 PM

Well a majority of the people that play for free do it because they feel it will get them exposure, but if there's no one at the show, how will you get any exposure?

dmusic148 · #4 05-27-2009, 03:22 PM

What Harry said, and what you already suspect-complete waste of time. It will NEVER pick up, beentheredonethat. Stay local.

Spinal Tapper · #5 05-27-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Been There, done that.

Do the gig once, no one shows - don't do it again. Simple.

I hear you, but we don't necessarily go to the same bar twice.

Okay, this weekend we're in bumblefrick, IL, then next weekend, we drive out to hellsbent, IL - so, same situation, different locations...how long until my mates see that this isn't working and we need a new battle plan?

two fingers · #6 05-27-2009, 03:29 PM

You guys should really stay focused on the age group that your music is good to. If that's inner-city twenty somethings, fine. Build a huge following of those crowds. Once you have a HUGE following, others outside that crowd will take notice. Going "outside the box" before you are well known is a simple waste of time, effort, and money. Period. If noone is there, you may as well practice in your own neighborhood.

dmusic148 · #7 05-27-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two fingers

You guys should really stay focused on the age group that your music is good to. If that's inner-city twenty somethings, fine. Build a huge following of those crowds. Once you have a HUGE following, others outside that crowd will take notice. Going "outside the box" before you are well known is a simple waste of time, effort, and money. Period. If noone is there, you may as well practice in your own neighborhood.

Plus one katrillion gazillion bishillion.

CrispyDelicious · #8 05-27-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

We're an all-original band. What do you guys think about driving an hour or more away to play shows for nobody?

This is why I stopped playing in all-original metal bands.

bassplayer8953 · #9 05-27-2009, 03:48 PM

Music scene in Chicago (and surrounding) is really dire, IMO...sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but lately the effort has hardly been worth the hassle.

Cover bands, even tribute bands, all are hurting. I would imagine original bands have it just as bad, if not worse.

Promotion seems to be non-existant, club owners have left it up to bands to bring the crowd & are content with the small turnout that the bands themselves produce. Even places like Penny Road Pub (Barrington), which has been in business forever, seems to have zero draw without the fans the bands themselves bring. I have experienced this myself...firsthand.

As others have pointed out, if you can build up a following at your local Dew-Drop-Inn, do so, expand away from there with due caution, as nobody...nobody...is going to help you.

ErebusBass · #10 05-27-2009, 03:53 PM

I did it once. We still got paid enough for gas/beer. Wasn't THAT bad. Definitely never played there again though.

Spinal Tapper · #11 05-27-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer8953

Music scene in Chicago (and surrounding) is really dire, IMO...sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but lately the effort has hardly been worth the hassle.

Cover bands, even tribute bands, all are hurting. I would imagine original bands have it just as bad, if not worse.

Promotion seems to be non-existant, club owners have left it up to bands to bring the crowd & are content with the small turnout that the bands themselves produce. Even places like Penny Road Pub (Barrington), which has been in business forever, seems to have zero draw without the fans the bands themselves bring. I have experienced this myself...firsthand.

As others have pointed out, if you can build up a following at your local Dew-Drop-Inn, do so, expand away from there with due caution, as nobody...nobody...is going to help you.

LOL dude, this thread was started because of Penny Road Pub - my band was asked to play there and we're talking over that decision now - maybe I'll just link them to this thread LOL

lindseyp · #12 05-27-2009, 04:30 PM

Dude, I just looked up Bumblefrick, Illinois on Google Earth and couldn't find it. That would be the only red flag I needed. Then I looked for Hellsbent and Google Earth asked if I wanted Hillsbro--major hints right there. Are you sure YOU'RE in the right band for you?

Spinal Tapper · #13 05-27-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindseyp

Dude, I just looked up Bumblefrick, Illinois on Google Earth and couldn't find it. That would be the only red flag I needed. Then I looked for Hellsbent and Google Earth asked if I wanted Hillsbro--major hints right there. Are you sure YOU'RE in the right band for you?

LOL - very funny.

Anyways, I talked to the guys and we're not taking the gig. The main reason being I guess it's more of a metal bar/biker crowd - not really our scene - my singer's jeans are too tight.

We have one more out of town gig at a youth center (ages 12-18 only)

so maybe it will have a built in crowd, but I wouldn't be surprised if no one shows up to that either...

jnuts1 · #14 05-27-2009, 04:42 PM

i am in a chicago band that is trying the same thing but we also double as a cover band. so when we go out to the burbs we go as a coverband. you can't draw anyone if no one has heard of you so we go as entertainment to places that already gets people in the door (plus you get paid) & we try to build our fans like that. it has been going really well that way. heck we even did this at great america (worked great too)

megadan · #15 05-27-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer8953

Music scene in Chicago (and surrounding) is really dire, IMO...sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but lately the effort has hardly been worth the hassle.

Cover bands, even tribute bands, all are hurting. I would imagine original bands have it just as bad, if not worse.

There's a pretty serious music scene in Chicago. Shellac (!), Tortoise, Cap'n Jazz (and Owls, and Owen), Ghosts and Vodka, Chin Up Chin Up, Maps & Atlases, Dianogah, Jesus Lizard, Joan of Arc, Pelican, Rise Against... tons of amazing bands. I'm sure there's a pretty devoted scene there.

bassplayer8953 · #16 05-27-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

There's a pretty serious music scene in Chicago. Shellac (!), Tortoise, Cap'n Jazz (and Owls, and Owen), Ghosts and Vodka, Chin Up Chin Up, Maps & Atlases, Dianogah, Jesus Lizard, Joan of Arc, Pelican, Rise Against... tons of amazing bands. I'm sure there's a pretty devoted scene there.

...Just for S&G, I looked up one of the bands you mentioned: Ghosts & Vodka. Myspace reports they disbanded in 2003.

It was a different world 5-6 years ago. Not as good as in the 70's-80's, but better than now...by a mile.

...and I was referring to the clubs that book bands, not the bands themselves. There has always been plenty of bands in Chicago & the 'burbs. The trick is finding legitimate places to play. Most of the (suburban) larger clubs have shut down, for various reasons, and what's left, well, let's say: ain't what it used to be... ...even places like the aforementioned PRP guarantee nothing, & play shell games with paying for the people you do bring.

alapantera · #17 05-27-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

LOL dude, this thread was started because of Penny Road Pub - my band was asked to play there and we're talking over that decision now - maybe I'll just link them to this thread LOL

Yeah, don't do it... Penny Road Pub is a hole... since you're an originals band you'll most likely get stuck in the basement unless you can draw a massive crowd. From the sounds of it you wont be able to do that. So you'll be stuck in the basement playing to the other bands (assuming they stick around to watch you).

Been there, done that, waste of time.

Don't get me wrong, I think the place has the potential to be a great venue... they've got nice stages and sound system, but I think they manage the entertainment poorly.

Elmo Oxygen · #18 05-27-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindseyp

Dude, I just looked up Bumblefrick, Illinois on Google Earth and couldn't find it. That would be the only red flag I needed. Then I looked for Hellsbent and Google Earth asked if I wanted Hillsbro--major hints right there. Are you sure YOU'RE in the right band for you?

You don't want to play in Hillsboro either, trust me.

bassplayer8953 · #19 05-27-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alapantera

Yeah, don't do it... Penny Road Pub is a hole... since you're an originals band you'll most likely get stuck in the basement unless you can draw a massive crowd. From the sounds of it you wont be able to do that. So you'll be stuck in the basement playing to the other bands (assuming they stick around to watch you).

Been there, done that, waste of time.

Don't get me wrong, I think the place has the potential to be a great venue... they've got nice stages and sound system, but I think they manage the entertainment poorly.

I used PRP as an example because it used to be a decent, legitimate, place to play. Others: Chances R, Club Extremz, Interactions, & the venerable Thirsty Whale...have all closed their doors, mostly to turn their land into strip malls, fast food joints, etc. And what has replaced them is venues with owners & so-called "promoters" who do nothing to promote their businesses, much less the bands. They're doing nothing...making nothing...and the mortality rate is quite high. What does that leave, in venues for the bands to play??? Not much...

I hate to paint such a bleak picture of the Chicago live music scene, but that's my view...and I've been playing rock in bars for decades. Just my hobby...but seeing the situation get worse & worse, I feel sorry for 20-somethings trying to put something together, then run across what we veterans are seeing.

GearHeadBassMan · #20 05-27-2009, 06:59 PM

there definitely is some footwork you might have to suffer through in an original band to get you on your feet. the first thing you need to do is find the age group that your music relates to the most. second find a band in the area which attracts a similar age group that your band is that plays the same kind of music and befriend them (shouldn't be that hard, since you guys play similar music and therefor probably have alot in common)

Get on a show with them and play before them. With luck, there crowd will see you guys and like you guys and tell their friends. All of a sudden you'll start to see better turnouts and your rep will start to build.

Original bands need to stick together. We have a pretty good scene around here, lots of good talented musicians that are easy to get along with and a promotion company has a solid grab bag of 10 or so bands including ours that they can expect people to come out and see. But without making nice with the other bands and working together with them on promoting we'd still probably be playing to no one.

Of course, maybe your band just sucks

. Make sure you aren't trying to write music for a specific age group and just write music that makes you happy. that way at least you'll be enjoying yourself.