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Should we play in a bar?

#41
Manuel101 said:
The issue is that he is an incredible drummer, we rehearse in his house and he started the band. But he is one of those people who thinks they have all the answers. He can be difficult to deal with because he is very assertive with his point of view.
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This really sounds like a train wreck. Sounds like you don't have a book of material large enough to play bar gigs. So is it really an issue?

He has all the answers = Band is doomed to fall apart.

By the way, how old are you guys?

Blue
 
#47
Has your drummer played in other bands (bands that played a lot of gigs)? If not, he could just be nervous; old fashioned stage fright. I've seen it lots of times where guys keep making excuses not to play, and it has nothing to do with how talented they are either. I'm not having a go at the guy - it's just a thought.
 
#48
Every band starts out playing in bars. You should gig as much as possible regardless of the venue. In doing so, you will gain experience, become tighter as a band and develop a following.
 
#52
10 songs might make a 45 minute set if you stretch it. you guys don't have enough material. if you did, you should play original music whenever, whereever you get the chance.

otoh maybe you have 10 "green grass and high tides"? if that's the case you should def not play out. please?
 
#53
Manuel101 said:
we have been playing since january we play mostly rock. We released our EP this september, i didnt want to include the website because you guys would then be able to identify the drummer and i wanted to keep protect his privacy. We have a good number of likes in facebook (whatever that is worth).our goal is to eventually gain enough following that we can live of our music (highly unlikely but it doesnt hurt to try)
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I disagree with those stating you should be playing covers if you play in a bar. We play in bars all the time and do not play any covers. And I agree with your original thoughts, Manuel - you should play in bars to build your fan base. Which is exactly what we're doing. I'm guessing our music is similar too (Link Removed).

My $.02 (assuming you can stand up to the drummer and get the rest of the guys on board) - contact some bars and set up some shows. If they can add you to an existing lineup of original bands, great. If not, find some other great bands in your area and set up the shows yourself. It can be a pain to coordinate sometimes, but you'll develop a great reputation with venue owners, promoters and the bands you book to play with you, and it'll pay off down the road as some of them will start offering you shows, or recommending you when a venue needs an additional band.

Plus, by going this route, if/when you decide to leave or your drummer implodes the band, you'll have a bunch of contacts to take to your next band. And those contacts might even be able to help you find your next band.

Good luck!
 
#55
I recently joined a band that plays all originals. We play in bars, festivals, out door events, wherever. We have a standing gig at a local bar for the second Saturday of every month (just renewed for another year). We headline, we share the bill with other bands, whatever we can do to get people to hear the music.

Sharing the bill is a great way to get more fans b/c all the bands are drawing their fans to the event so there's cross pollination.

As has been posted by others, The Beatles, Stones, Aerosmith, Springsteen, etc. all started out as bar bands.
 
#57
Like JMatt said - I'd like to see this "research" of his. Ask him to share it with the rest of you.

Does he have an idea of a string of non-bar venues that you guys are going to play in to build up your fan base and make the big time? If he can keep you in steady bookings - as in every weekend, not nine times in ten months - without booking you in a bar, more power to him. If not, forget it.
 
#58
I think your drummer suffers from a case of LSD... Lead Singer Disease. Play the bars. Develop a fan base. If you don't, who is going to PAY to go see someone at a "music venue"

Your drummer is in a dreamland if he thinks you go from the garage to House of Blues wioth pitstops in between

My band has been playing about 4 years...in bars and other festivals an venues.. Its FUN to play in a BAR with 300 people packed in it to see YOU!!! Its certainly beats playing a VENUE for the people who got there early to see the band the paid for wondering when you'll be done playing...

Good luck to yah
 
#60
There have been a lot of insightful comments here so far, but the whole bar issue is moot. As others have pointed out, you're not going to play any bars with nine songs under your belt. People go to bars to dance to music they know and love (covers). I wouldn't do a bar gig without 50 songs ready to go.

Your drummer has some kind of vision in his head as to where the band is going, but it's vapor. Do you want to play in a vapor band?
 

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