Possible Issue Down The Road

[KingRazor]

Alright, so me and my brother have wanted to put a band together for a long time but let me make this disclaimer before I continue.

Disclaimer: This is a band that has not yet been formed and it is entirely possible that it never will be.

Me and my brother want to form a Christian rock band. We have two other possible members, one of them is definitely interested in being a part.

However, one challenge I see down the road for this is that we won't be playing in bars. We're not excluding all establishments that serve alcohol, just bars specifically.

Unfortunately, that's where most of the jams are in our area. I also assume that's where the majority of the paying gigs would be. So, I'm not exactly sure where we'd be able to get gigs.

What do you guys think? What would you do if you weren't going to play in any bars? Where would you look for gigs or even just jams?

 

[MNAirHead]

I'm deep into the scene

Couple of notes...
1-Why not bars... some of the best leadership spots are hidden in overlooked places... I'm sure you're well aware that many of the well known acts are bar bands...

2-Think parties, summer camps, church services, etc... bars are the worst places to get paid.

3-Consider your story.. the issue is that most folks don't want to be a soap-box victim.

4-IF you're talking Pantera type stuff, you've just shut a ton of doors... study what's selling (Chris Tomlin etc).


Some of the best playing expiences I've had were from being available to folks in life transition points.. we didn't bible bang.. just listen.

 

[MNAirHead]

IF interested in marketing ideas, please pm me -- I've worked through this topic over the last few years.. Haven't had time to act on it being a Music Minister with a sinful FunBand on Saturday nights.

----
You are aware that one of the hippest growing ministries is in bars..

Tim

 

[KingRazor]

I'm deep into the scene

Couple of notes...
1-Why not bars... some of the best leadership spots are hidden in overlooked places... I'm sure you're well aware that many of the well known acts are bar bands...

2-Think parties, summer camps, church services, etc... bars are the worst places to get paid.

3-Consider your story.. the issue is that most folks don't want to be a soap-box victim.

4-IF you're talking Pantera type stuff, you've just shut a ton of doors... study what's selling (Chris Tomlin etc).


Some of the best playing expiences I've had were from being available to folks in life transition points.. we didn't bible bang.. just listen.

At our church drinking is discouraged (for leaders in the church it isn't allowed period) so it'll be a lot simpler for us to avoid bars altogether. Besides, as you mention in your second point, not so great pay.

Can you elaborate a bit on your third point?

We're considering a lot of different options for the style of our music. We don't really plan on sticking to any single genre. I'd love to do some Tomlin stuff.

 

[tangentmusic]

Christian rock may not go over too well in bars.

Jimi Hendrix didn't go over too well when he opened for the Monkees

You need to play for an audience that wants to hear your music

 

[KingRazor]

Christian rock may not go over too well in bars.

Jimi Hendrix didn't go over too well when he opened for the Monkees

You need to play for your type of audience

Exactly, which is why we're not going to play at any bars...

 

[tangentmusic]

Exactly, which is why we're not going to play at any bars...

Are there many (or any) all ages venues in Beaverton?
I havent been to OR other than visiting relatives in years.
Church halls? Rec rooms that put on these type shows?

 

[KingRazor]

Are there many (or any) all ages venues in Beaverton?
I havent been to OR other than visiting relatives in years.
Church halls? Rec rooms that put on these type shows?

Not any that I know of, but I haven't looked very hard yet. I'll keep looking.

 

[Marko 1]

Exactly, which is why we're not going to play at any bars...

Thank God for bars.

 

[MNAirHead]

3-You'd asked about soap-boxing. I get tons and tons of packages that are preaching to the choir or not respectful to folks at life transition points. It's a rare talent that someone can be a leader without being condemning.

Folks forget there are many bands in current rotation that are of the positive message realm who play in clubs.

Tim

 

[MNAirHead]

Christian rock may not go over too well in bars.

You need to play for an audience that wants to hear your music

There are tons of them that have done well in bars.

 

[MattyH]

Christian rock may not go over too well in bars.

Jimi Hendrix didn't go over too well when he opened for the Monkees

You need to play for an audience that wants to hear your music

My mom was at one of the NY concerts where Jimi opened for The Monkees when she was a kid. She said everyone just stared with their mouths wide open. The mothers didn't know what to do when his guitar went up in flames. I believe her 3rd row center ticket at (MSG?) was $7.00. She still has it.

So, what I'm saying is, good point haha.

 

[Marko 1]

3-You'd asked about soap-boxing. I get tons and tons of packages that are preaching to the choir or not respectful to folks at life transition points. It's a rare talent that someone can be a leader without being condemning.

Folks forget there are many bands in current rotation that are of the positive message realm who play in clubs.

Tim

+1

 

[coreyfyfe]

I've known a few people who played in christian rock bands there seems to be, at least from an outsiders perspective, a decent church-circuit for preachy bands to play teen-focused events. One such band played a few "battle of the bands" type events organized by local churches/youth groups as well as local all ages shows at vfw-type places.

3-You'd asked about soap-boxing. I get tons and tons of packages that are preaching to the choir or not respectful to folks at life transition points. It's a rare talent that someone can be a leader without being condemning.

Worked for underoath, at least for a little while. Last time I saw them, admittedly probably about 2007ish, they used to give the usual "we lift our set up to jesus even if you don't" without being overly preachy.

 

[KingRazor]

We're not into preaching condemnation. We just want to make music and love Jesus.

 

[Marko 1]

We're not into preaching condemnation. We just want to make music and love Jesus.

Yeah, besides, ya wouldn’t want to run into a gluttonous winebibbing friend of publicans and sinners…

Wait...

 

[Nagrom]

If Jesus was alive today & gigging, he'd be all over them bars, spreading His word to the thieves, prostitutes, and going-straight-to-hell types that hang there. Isn't that what its' all about? If I was you, I'd be checking it right now....

 

[KingRazor]

If Jesus was alive today & gigging, he'd be all over them bars, spreading His word to the thieves, prostitutes, and going-straight-to-hell types that hang there. Isn't that what its' all about? If I was you, I'd be checking it right now....

I'm not Jesus.

I don't want this to become a religious debate or something. I don't want to offend anyone or break any TB rules.

I started this thread because I wanted advice on what a band should do to get gigs and recognition without having to go to bars.

 

[stratovani]

Is there a coffeehouse circuit in your area? I'm in a Contemporary Christian band, and that's what we're looking to do here in the New England area. We're not into bars either, not because we don't think our music will go over well, but rather because our drummer is a recovering alcoholic, and he understandingly avoids bars like the plague.

 

[throughthefire]

We never do jams - just gigs.

My wife and I have a P&W band with varying numbers of children playing instruments (all pro, no kiddies messing around). Our daughter plays with us and solo (just finished her first CD), and another son is in a youth P&W band with some friends.

We all have enough places to play!

First of all, contact churches. Doesn't have to be *your* church - in fact, we've *never* played as a group at our home church. Churches are always looking out for something different - especially young and edgy, that could bring young people in on a Friday evening.

Talk to your pastor and see if he'll let you use the church for an event of your own - then set it up yourself. Depends on the leadership, of course.

Play in local coffee bars. Don't give a testimony, just play your music. You may need a cut-down setup, e.g a cahon instead of a drum kit, but it's lots of fun - and free coffee! If someone there needs you, they'll hear the right song and come up to talk during a break.

Local homeless shelters are good; a tough audience, but (we find) very receptive.

BBQ's work well in the summer; offer your services as a BBQ Band for Christian meetings - you'll get plenty.

Don't think in terms of what *you* need for a concert; think about where someone could use music, and offer yourself. Your name will start to get around, and you'll get phone calls. Once you arrange a paying gig (even if you do it yourself at your church for a love offering), make calls to everyone you helped, and get them to publicize your event. The work is out there...

HTH

Pete.