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Black Sheep on the Gig Lineup

Should we play?

  • Total voters
    86
#44
Crowds aren't usually one dimensional. Metal heads will listen to other things, they may not admit to it, but they do. I listen to just about anything other than polka. There are even Justin Bieber songs that I like.
 
#45
My first band outta high school was sort of bluesy, indie rock. Like rockabilly but not tough.

We got offered a gig at a venue in a Suburb none of us had ever been to which turned out to be a guys house.

Every other band was heavy punk.

We played and literally everyone left the room, including the person that booked us.

Never happened again after that, though...
 
#46
My original band played with a couple of death metal bands last winter and had a blast. We're more of a Radiohead vibe so definitely not metal. Those guys were super cool liked our band. I appreciated the playing ability of those guys and they threw down a helluva set. Play it and have a blast.
 
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#47
Play it, you'll have fun and there's bound to be at least one person there that digs it. Play hard and just give it your all if most metalheads respect musicianship above anything so even if you aren't their cup of tea you'll have their respect and possibly new fans if you just go out and kill it doing what you do.
 
#48
Dougflores said:
Hey all! Wanted to get some input.

So my band landed a gig in Hollywood. The thing is, we will DEFINITELY stick out compared to the other bands. As in we will not fit in. We play mellow indie rock (think Tame Impala) and are on the same bill as a grunge band with guttering vocals, a tech death band that probably plays 8 string guitars, a punk band (although they said they're playing an "acoustic" performance), and a metalcore band. There are like 2 artists that I'm not sure of the genre, and a stand up comedian. Should we just suck it up and play? Or do we pull out to avoid any potential negativity or unwelcoming crowds?
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Well, it kinda seems like a "something for everyone" kind of show to me. With none of the bands fitting into any of the same categories besides all being a type of rock music, and then a comedian thrown in the mix. Go for it. They booked you for a reason.
 
#49
My experience is very different and usually my band don't do these kind of mixed gigs...

Long time ago (late 90's) we were the only metal band in the gig and the rest of the bands didn't want us there.. too much tension on backstage ... and part of the audience didn't want us there too..

In 2010 we were asked to play in an open air festival in a big stage (and I mean really BIG) as part of a band contest... Once again we were the only metal band out there...Some others bands looked us as some kind of outsiders.. We played our show and have fun playing in the biggest stage we've played in our whole life..

We try to book gigs with other metal bands and we try not to book more than 3 bands for the gig...
 
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#50
AlexBassMP said:
My experience is very different and usually my band don't do these kind of mixed gigs...

Long time ago (late 90's) we were the only metal band in the gig and the rest of the bands didn't want us there.. too much tension on backstage ... and part of the audience didn't want us there too..

In 2010 we were asked to play in an open air festival in a big stage (and I mean really BIG) as part of a band contest... Once again we were the only metal band out there...Some others bands looked us as some kind of outsiders.. We played our show and have fun playing in the biggest stage we've played in our whole life..

We try to book gigs with other metal bands and we try not to book more than 3 bands for the gig...
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See there's the difference!! I play in metal bands as well and that's always been my experience, if we're the odd band out on the bill we aren't well received often. If it's a metal show with a band or two that are odd ducks on the bill they aren't made to feel unwelcome. Just in my own experiences.
 
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#52
sort of reminds me of one of my very first concerts when I was in high school. it was 1980, and it was the Ramones, playing in a very small sort of student union center outside Chicago. My friend urged me to go because he loved them, but I had never heard of them.

Well, I was blown away and have been a fan every since. but that's not the story here.

I remember this very clearly. The opening band was some local group called "Tiger Tiger". Definitely not a punk band. more like the standard rock of the time. Now remember this was a small place. fairly low, small portable stage. So the people in the front were virtually 1 foot from band members.

So this band starts doing it's thing. And it's a punk crowd. Well, people started cursing at them, yelling. Throwing small wadded up paper cups. The singer and bassist looked absolutely frightened and it was like they couldn't wait to get off stage!!

I doubt they won over any new fans.

What's also weird about that show? A couple of years ago, someone popped up that was doing a photo exhibit from that very show. I wish I could see all the pics. but the one on the front shows you how low the stage was and how close the people were (I was in the back)

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sometimes the bills have the wrong kinda groups. I'd skip that sort of show unless it paid well.
 
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#54
but on the other hand...everyone knows Dwight Yoakam. He went to LA with nothing. no band. no money. and played clubs like the Whiskey (eventually) in his hat, in his boots, playing country, originals and covers, and slowly won over enough people to land a record deal in LA. I'm sure he incurred a lot of abuse at these rock clubs along the way. Perseverance, and talent, and belief in what you're doing CAN win over what would generally not be considered "your crowd"
 
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#55
I think only a few folks have called this gig out for it is. The only people who will be benefiting from this gig will be the promoter and the venue. This is a classic pay to play or play for free type of gig. I hope i'm wrong, but the OP did say there was no pay for the gig.
 
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#57
sean_on_bass said:
I've seen friends groups be suckered into this sort of shows to get entry level exposure, but they just end up playing to their established friends and family members.
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This quote hits home. As a rule, people who attend such shows are the friends and family of the band, then they split.
If you don't bring your own crowd, chances are there will be crickets.

"Promoters" do nothing more than fill space, and don't promote a thing. If it is pay to play, all you're doing is filling their pockets.

Just know what you're in for and you won't be disappointed.

Have fun!
 
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#59
sean_on_bass said:
I think only a few folks have called this gig out for it is. The only people who will be benefiting from this gig will be the promoter and the venue. This is a classic pay to play or play for free type of gig. I hope i'm wrong, but the OP did say there was no pay for the gig.
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Yeah, it sounded like a showcase type of situation. I missed where he said no pay, so I change my vote to "No". Not because of the variety, but because it's a pay to play gig.
 
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#60
Based on your description, this gig is of a type that I wouldn't, and haven't played. Not for the mismatch reasons - I have no problem with that. But it sounds like you're going to have to sell X number of $12-$20 tickets to break even, or something like that, to be able to play your 30-45 minute set. I'm inferring a lot, but based on those inferences, I answered NO.
 

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