17 Things Local Bands Just Don’t Get

[-Asdfgh-]

And when we had lesser drummers, we put a shield around them.

Was that for their own protection? Tough crowd?

A disadvantage of electronic drums can be the time when the brain decides not to light up. When I played in a band where the drummer had triggers it saved on putting a mic on the kick drum, but at least that was still an option. But then these days there is so much gear there is always the chance of something failing.

When you are controlling lights, video and additional audio samples from a laptop it's wise to take a second, but even there is the risk that it will decide to install an update and giving you ten minutes before it reboots (hint: turn it off before a gig if you are using Windows).

Technology is wonderful when it works.

 

[danosix]

So dont dress as a rock star, But no cargo shorts either. So what should I wear on stage a 3 piece suit ?

Also, at least around here there are plenty of bands supporting each other. It seems the non-musician fans are the ones not going out to the shows.

Another good point - if all of the support for bands is other bands, this is not a sustainable economy. If I make $100 this week then for the next 10 weeks have to go see other bands and spend $10 (not hard - barely 2 drinks) then I have made NO money - same with all the other guys in all the other bands. If the local scene can't support a music community, the music community won't. It's like if Ford only sold to Ford employees - they'd either have to lose money on cars for the employees to afford them and they'd go under or they'd have to charge more for the cars than the employees are making and the employees would stop buying and they'd go under. Every time I play or go see someone play at least half the audience is other musicians. That's bad. Society has moved away from live music as a default - they want spectacles and big time production and bands to be famous even before they show up. This is the vicious cycle of bars - people don't come, bars stop hiring bands - no bands, people don't come, etc.

 

[danosix]

You mean like this. Actually, they are not wearing 3 piece suits; but, they are wearing double breasted suit coats. This band happens to be friends of mine.

Well the article didn't mention it but it meant don't dress like opera stars either.
I think the author just wants to see us all naked.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Another good point - if all of the support for bands is other bands, this is not a sustainable economy. If I make $100 this week then for the next 10 weeks have to go see other bands and spend $10 (not hard - barely 2 drinks) then I have made NO money - same with all the other guys in all the other bands. If the local scene can't support a music community, the music community won't.

If the aim is to enjoy yourself that's 10 weeks of seeing bands that have cost you a net $0.

 

[bassboysam]

anyone trying to make money as an original band is doing it wrong.

 

[Fat Steve]

anyone trying to make money as an original band is doing it wrong.

Huh.

So, considering that we get paid for nearly every show we play, and have been for some time; should we give it back and say thanks but no thanks? I'm just trying to figure out the intent of your statement. Is it an edgy little jab at people selling out? Do you not get paid, and therefor believe that others shouldn't either?

I mean, I get it. Most originals bands probably don't generate much revenue from the venue, and any funds generated come from merch sales. So, is that doing it wrong also?

Not trying to be an ass here. It's just that such declarative statements that are so negative and condescending tend to get my hackles up is all.

Edit: By the way, "Ancient Arctic Wanderer" from Big Sky, Black Horse is freakin' bad ass man! Well done.

 

[bassboysam]

Sorry, I guess I meant if you are in a band with the sole puropose of making a profit, there are a lot easier ways to make money.

 

[fdeck]

Anybody can tell the rest of us what we're doing wrong.

 

[danosix]

If the aim is to enjoy yourself that's 10 weeks of seeing bands that have cost you a net $0.

Fair enough, but the thread is about being serious, which to me means MAKING either: MONEY or IT. In that case I am not making money (which is essential if you want to make it as you can't keep at it if you aren't paying your bills) and I've just spent 10 nights not practicing, not making money and not promoting my self, my band or my career.
More to my point - if live music is now dependent on people who make live music, then it is dead as a business you can't exist selling a product to the people that make it - you need money from outside the community to make it a viable industry (so we all can do things like buy the stuff those other people are selling to live).

 

[bassboysam]

Fair enough, but the thread is about being serious, which to me means MAKING either: MONEY or IT. In that case I am not making money (which is essential if you want to make it as you can't keep at it if you aren't paying your bills) and I've just spent 10 nights not practicing, not making money and not promoting my self, my band or my career.
More to my point - if live music is now dependent on people who make live music, then it is dead as a business you can't exist selling a product to the people that make it - you need money from outside the community to make it a viable industry (so we all can do things like buy the stuff those other people are selling to live).

live music in most cities/towns has been dead for 15-20 years now. Nothing new here. only arena shows do well, othewise our suburban lives have all but destroyed the local scenes. Netflix is a lot more convenient than going to a club and seeing an original band that you never head of just for the fun of it. times change and people don't consider that entertaiment anymore.

 

[danosix]

live music in most cities/towns has been dead for 15-20 years now. Nothing new here. only arena shows do well, othewise our suburban lives have all but destroyed the local scenes. Netflix is a lot more convenient than going to a club and seeing an original band that you never head of just for the fun of it. times change and people don't consider that entertaiment anymoe.

Unfortunately I totally agree with you, very few people want to go to live music anymore (I think I even said that earlier in this thread). I don't know what to do about that, but spending my time and money hanging out in bars to support all the other bands that are also making nothing doesn't seem to me to be the solution. If I'm going too play for nothing and exclusively for the entertainment of other musicians I'll go to/lead jam sessions and have a lot less work and stress in my life.

 

[Altitude]

spending my time and money hanging out in bars to support all the other bands that are also making nothing doesn't seem to me to be the solution.

I think this is where jazz has been for about 15 years in most cities. I go into a jazz club and the audience is other jazz musicians and a few old people. It is keeping the genre alive as a live medium but it is not growing or thriving.

Personally I've seen the live scene in Denver degrade over the past 10 years. There is a certain small demographic that attends live shows regularly but it is nothing like a cross-section of the entertainment-seeking public. Now, to get 20 people in and out of a club who aren't your crew is a lucky night.

I thought it was about Denver, having so many other entertainment options that aren't late-night focused (outdoor stuff), but I see that this appears to be happening nationwide, and surely the convenience of at-home entertainment and YouTube is part of the change. I wonder if streaming concerts or performances from a well-designed rehearsal space would have any legs as a concept - kind of like the Foo Fighters playing all of Wasting Light front to back in Grohl's garage and putting it out there.

 

[fdeck]

I think this is where jazz has been for about 15 years in most cities. I go into a jazz club and the audience is other jazz musicians and a few old people. It is keeping the genre alive as a live medium but it is not growing or thriving.

I certainly won't claim that the jazz scene is thriving. But I think that the age of the audience gives a misleading impression. Folks who were teenagers during the jazz era are now in their 80s. Today's jazz audience grew up on rock and roll, and constantly replenishes itself. Reasons for the declining popularity of jazz and rock may be different.

In my locale, Classical is the team to beat. The symphony, chamber orchestra, opera, and numerous smaller groups fill their venues to near capacity with paying audiences. The chamber orchestra and opera have free outdoor concerts during the summer, that attract thousands. There is an outdoor jazz concert series with a smaller that draws capacity crowds. More kids probably learn to play the violin than the electric guitar.

It is actually possible that jazz draws its audience from the classical crowd, by providing a more informal atmosphere where people can have drinks, food, and conversation during the show. You can bring your friends to a jazz gig, even if they don't love jazz.

If there are still a few people who enjoy live jazz, or even just want to have a nice evening on the town without going deaf, I'll be happy to perform for them.

 

[wolfkeller]

Well, as a fan of live music I will say I like to see bands cool gear on stage. I like to see a large drum kit and a stack or 2. I like something to look at just like I did as a kid. I dig the theory behind the no amp/electronic kits but to me its really lame. Bands have been using real drums and real amps since they've been around, it somehow worked for all these countless bands, it don't have to magically chance now. I'd never take my hard rock/metal bands to play at a restaurant or coffee shop or whatever. It might be just me but I play a actual venues with a stage, where people are there to see bands. Ehh, rock and roll us saposed to be loud, rude and in your face. I'm not playing rest homes. Just how I see it. Then again, I care less about some dudes list or what he says. Might as well listen to the clowns at rolling stone and play whatever ******** crap is popular today. Yeah right.