here's a new one (promoter gripe)

[GearHeadBassMan]

so we're playing at some BOTB to finish off a little weekend tour we're doing with a buddy band to get ready for a longer two and a half week stint in july.

we booked the BOTB show because we couldn't find anything better in the area.

so we get an email from the promoter telling us he pays bands differently than any other company: each audience member who shows up with a flyer with your band on it earns your band $2.

here's the catch though: you have to make the flyers yourself, there's no mold or anything to base it off of and the gig is about 80 miles away.

I know that i've heard about the flyer thing before, but really, I think it's a little rediculous, especially when we only asked the promoter to cover our gas cost (which is like $20!)

oh, and another thing, if he catches any band handing out flyers right outside the show, then NONE of the bands get paid.

horsepoopie!

[dmusic148]

Waste of time/gas. I'd bail if it were me.

[Stinsok]

Don't do it. Promotor= sex - lubricant.

[Stumbo]

If you don't pass out fliers, you won't get paid. Since the gig is 80 miles away, it's not really worth spending any time/money passing out fliers in the area.

Since you were willing to play for $20 gas money, I guess if you're willing to cover the gas money yourselves and play in a phony BOTB since you'll be in the area anyways, it's okay with me if it's okay with you.

Hope you win the BOTB.

[Zooberwerx]

I was gonna say "consider it a rehearsal" but then I realized I don't drive 80-odd miles to my buddy's house. Its a money-losing proposition and the promise of exposure and future gig potential is a crock of poop.

Riis

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I was gonna say "consider it a rehearsal" but then I realized I don't drive 80-odd miles to my buddy's house. Its a money-losing proposition and the promise of exposure and future gig potential is a crock of poop.

Riis

Naw... at least poop is a sure thing...
Randy

[Joe.shaffer]

Your going to get screwed on this deal. I'd bail unless your willing to take the hit on the whole deal.

[GearHeadBassMan]

well, we're 80 miles from home, not 80 miles from our gig the previous night, the route actually takes us in a nice loop around our surrounding area.

that, plus, I have a good feeling that either our band or the band we're traveling with will win the BOTB, so it might be worth our time.

not being arrogant, judging from most BOTB i've seen, we're far more organized and professional than the average band that participates, and our buddy band has vocal harmonies like WOW over catchy choruses.

figure the worst that happens is we don't win, and head home off the previous night's bounty. Maybe i'll make a cheapo word document flyer and just head to town early and hand them out everywhere haha.

EDIT: yeah, I'm not sure if it's a scam insomuch as a free show, we definetly aren't paying to get in or anything, the prize money I believe comes off the door, otherwise we would NOT be playing.

[modulusman]

Chances are a local band will win since they will bring the most people. Why any band would want to risk losing to a bunch of high school kids right out of the garage is beyond me.

[stflbn]

I think the band who gives out the most flyers will likely win the BoTB, and then get screwed on the money they're due.

And then their bass player will show up here the next day whining about being screwed in a BoTB even though 'they were the best band because they won'

[QORC]

Battles of the Bands, and "Open Mic Night" are scams by club owners and promoters to get free entertainment.

BOTB will not open doors for you.

[jaywa]

Best thing you can do for your musical career, your finances and your sanity is to avoid promoters as much as possible. There are a few decent ones out there, but I have about 20 words to describe the ones I've dealt with, any of which would get me reprimanded if I posted them here.

[ErebusBass]

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

well, we're 80 miles from home, not 80 miles from our gig the previous night, the route actually takes us in a nice loop around our surrounding area.

that, plus, I have a good feeling that either our band or the band we're traveling with will win the BOTB, so it might be worth our time.

not being arrogant, judging from most BOTB i've seen, we're far more organized and professional than the average band that participates, and our buddy band has vocal harmonies like WOW over catchy choruses.

figure the worst that happens is we don't win, and head home off the previous night's bounty. Maybe i'll make a cheapo word document flyer and just head to town early and hand them out everywhere haha.

EDIT: yeah, I'm not sure if it's a scam insomuch as a free show, we definetly aren't paying to get in or anything, the prize money I believe comes off the door, otherwise we would NOT be playing.

BOTB + fliers = band that sells the most fliers "wins"

[dhomer]

Whatever happened to the days when promoters did the promoting?