New bands first gig, already talking about moving

[MusicMan810]

This friday was my new bands first gig. I got a call the day before by a guy that books shows in the local area. He had a couple bands that dropped from the lineup and wanted us to fill in. We got real excited since we havnt yet got on stage. So we scurried to get things ready in time to play the show the next night. We get there to find out that all the bands on the bill are pretty metal when we are an alternative band. So since we are a new band and were asked to play just the day before, we wernt able to draw anyone to the show. So we get on stage and no one is anywhere near the stage, not even moving, and theres dead sillence after any song ends. Except the applause from the two people we did get to come with us along with some people clapping because they felt like they had to. So after the show ends we all were in like the worst mood ever since there was no reaction from the crowd. We thought that we must have sucked big time. We had the show videotaped and after watching it, we found out that we did play pretty well. Especially for being our first show and short notice to play. We live in Saint Petersburg FL and we now have little hope for music scene here. Everyone seems to be either into radio rock n roll or hardcore music. So now we either have to stick with the scene here, plan on moving, or give up all together. Argh! How do you get anyone to care?

[locolobo85]

Try the college scene.

What's happening at USF, UCF, UF etc.? They're not too far away are they?

[CapnSev]

Try playing another gig first. You can't be at a last second metal show, and judge the whole city and the rest of your music career on that one sucky gig.

[Chickencha]

I agree with the others. It's pretty ridiculous to consider moving at this point.

I'd also add that, from the sounds of things, you probably haven't even played with these guys long enough to know that you'll be able to stick it out as a band. How can you even consider moving -- a pretty big deal -- when you aren't really even in a position to judge whether it's worth such a big change just to be able to play with this band?

There are probably more than enough people around to support your band if you're reasonably good. If you're going to play with other bands, try to play with bands that are closer in genre to yours. Likewise, try to find venues that similar bands play at and you should be well received. Plan your shows more in advance so you can get word out and at least have some people you know show up to support you. (Ever heard of social proof?) There are plenty more things you can do that are a lot easier and probably more productive than moving.

[Juniorkimbrough]

one sucky gig isn't the end of the world it's part of "gigging"...........there will be more gigs like that, there isn't anything you can do about it.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Try playing another gig first. You can't be at a last second metal show, and judge the whole city and the rest of your music career on that one sucky gig.

+1

shows are shows. If the people in the audience aren't into your stuff but the venue was nice, you just scored a practice session on a really expensive PA.

I can definitely feel where you're coming from. I play in an alt/rock 3-piece in a town that's spent the last 4 years dominated by metalcore kids and tight-pantsed wanna-be emos. I've received more dirty looks for not being "metal" enough on shows where we were booked with two or three metal bands that drew bigger audiences, and I've definitely gotten frustrated at how self-absorbed the folks in these scenes can be, but what the heck, I like to play shows. Getting a good crowd reaction is great, but sometimes you just have to be just as self-absorbed as the non-reacting people you're playing for. Play for yourself, enjoy your playing and your bands music, and ride the music as long as you can. Eventually I'm sure your fan base will grow and people will figure out that you've got something going on.

[Joel S.]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Try playing another gig first. You can't be at a last second metal show, and judge the whole city and the rest of your music career on that one sucky gig.

+1

Metal and pop rock are pretty big around here, but it's not the only thing. It is kinda depressing actually because this city has a rich blues and jazz history, and none of the "kids" appreciate it really. Shame...

Play a few more shows, get some promo material ready, and work on building a following.

[MusicMan810]

Yeah, you are right im a little trigger happy on giving up on the scene here. But have I played with all the guys for about a year in a previous band that broke up and we created a new band (6 peice band into a 4 peice). I live with two of the guys so we all are pretty close. So we can deffenately pull off a move but we'd have to look for a drummer after that (if it ever comes to that). The people from the club seemed impressed and said they wanted to book us again. Hopefully it will be with other bands that match our genre more. But overall the local music scene here is pretty bad. It seems like people only like music that mainstream and dont even want to try to like any music they havnt heard before. We cant continue to play shows like these because we really beat ourself up over it when we played good.

If anyone wants to give any feedback you can check out the band at myspace.com/ex17music. And post what you think of our style ( we are still figuring that out ourselves )

We do have more work to do with photos, making a press kit, and re-recording a demo. Once thats done we can try to get some more appropriate gigs.

[scrotimusprime]

uh, you played one show.

a.) It takes time to build a following
b.) People get into your stuff more when they know it
c.) If you play to the wrong crowd, people probably won't be that into you.
d.) Seriously - considering moving after one show? Maybe you should consider cross promoting to another area first to see if you can get a better response first.

I mean, you brought two people - that's your crowd. 100% of your crowd clapped for you so you are doing alright for just starting.

[Massenburg]

When you play a gig, give it your all. It doesn't matter if there's 500 people in the crowd or 2. Play with everything you got, since you never know who those 2 people could potentially be. There wasn't much you could do in that case fro bringing people because of the short notice that you guys got, so don't worry about it. But, band promotion is one of the biggest things that will decide how popular the band is; most of the time it's even more important than the talent of the musicians themselves.

[MattMcCue]

I've never been to a show where the audience went totaly nuts for the opening act, so I say don't worry about it.

Get more of your friends to come and you'll feel more comfortable.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by MusicMan810

This friday was my new bands first gig............We got real excited since we havnt yet got on stage. ............. we wernt able to draw anyone to the show. So we get on stage and no one is anywhere near the stage, not even moving, and theres dead sillence after any song ends. ...............Especially for being our first show and short notice to play.................we now have little hope for music scene here. .............................. So now we either have to stick with the scene here, plan on moving, or give up all together. Argh! How do you get anyone to care?

This is called, paying your dues as a band.......get it?

Please tell me that you didn't actually think over the "worst case scenario", especially still being a "New band" that has not even done a single show? Please.

Any band, famous or not has dealt with this kind of generalized situation, you are not alone, don't give up.

[BluezBassist]

I'm onboard with everyone else..Don't base anything on one show...Crowds are so unpredictable. If you have the exact same crowd listening to the same songs on 2 different nights you'll probably have a different response each night...

I've learned that if the gig doesn't go well, try to figure out what could have been better, if you did your part don't sweat it and consider that as odd as it sounds maybe the crowd had an off night...

[CapnSev]

On the bright side, if you moved every time you had a crappy gig, you would see the world in no time!

[Lefty Geek]

Originally Posted by MusicMan810

we wernt able to draw anyone to the show.

No one? On a Friday night? What about the girlfriends?!? Those always show up!

[Freddels]

Stick it out. If all the other bands in the area are playing other types of music, being different may be beneficial and actually get you some work.

+1 on the colleges.