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Should we play in a bar?

#61
Downunderwonder said:
Playing a single set at a multiband gig isn't everyone's idea of fun. It should be.
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Why, I've done it many times, wasn't fun at all. It just left me wantings to play more. Plus not getting paid for my work is not fun either.

I'm very happy now, playing for 4 hour shows. That's fun for me.

Blue
 
#64
Munjibunga said:
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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Lots of wisdom here. I've been in the bands that knew 38 songs at best, and when you're in the last set of the night and you've already started repeating songs from the first set...it's just not pretty.

And again...9 songs...not enough unless you're in a multi ban lineup.
 
#65
Manuel101 said:
god forbid i mention the beatles, he hates them (except george, he likes george). he is always complaining that they suck. there are also some strick regulations in terms of what we write, he is always saying things like "we cant do that, that is played out already" lol
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whoa. a dude in your band HATES the Beatles? get a new band.

it's my opinion that a band should take every opportunity to play in front of people. that's how you get good. you're talking 9 shows since January? how can you develop any kind of stage presence with each other only playing 9 shows a year?

unless the 9 shows you have played have paid you a couple grand and been in front of thousands of ppl, your drummer is leading you away from success.
 
#66
Manuel, if you didn't already know it, this thread proves it, your drummer is a dumba$$. He's not the first, there ARE other dumba$$ drummers in the world....

He also has a huge ego (in case you didn't know). He may also have crippling stagefright.

I guess the next thing for you to contemplate is "Should I stay or should I go now"? Or do you want to try to change him BWAHAHAHA. Heck, just FIRE HIM!!

Sorry. Good luck.
 
#67
We got this in the mail today. It's for an August 2013 event. It's an an example of how bar gigs lead to other opportunities. Granted, we are locally established, but I don't think that makes a difference.


Which night would you prefer Friday or Sat.? and what mailing address should I use for the contract? Since we saw you at Rascals and you were the first to respond you get your choice of either evening. Thanks, Ken & Susan Patton

I really don't understand your drummer or what makes him so incredible.

"Incredible" is so subjective Manuel. We all have incredible drummers.

Blue
 
#69
capncal said:
whoa. a dude in your band HATES the Beatles? get a new band..
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I am not sure you can hate something you don't understand. The band is to young to understand The Beatles. You really can't understand a history from listening to a song or 2.

For example, I'm 59, I don't hate metal, I don't hate hip hop. I don't understand it. Big difference there.

I would tell Manuel that if there were no Beatles he would not have an electric bass guitar in his hands today. Just my opinion, nobody has to agree with it.

blue
 
#70
you need to specifically identify why the drummer doesn't want to play bars.
Have a brainstorming session and get all the reasons written down on paper of why the drummer doesn't want to play them and then review those reasons with everyone else in the band. Then outline what you agree with and what you don't agree with.

It's time to identify and set expectations for your band and band members.

Hopefully you can all get on the same page and stay on the same stage.

good luck
 
#71
You're a young band, so if you want to accomplish anything with it, you need to play often and EVERYWHERE possible. You can start being selective about the places you play after some experience, which might include some really bad shows. If you are a band that aspires to do anything with it, you need to earn your salt and sometimes play in some really uncomfortable or weird settings. That's how you grow, that's how you improve, and that's how you find what is appealing about your music to an audience. Additionally, you need to try and make friends with other local bands you like. Trade shows with those guys, promote constantly and always be incredibly nice to the people that give you the time of day.

If you guys are not really aspiring to be more than what you are, that's fine too - but EVERYONE needs to be on the same page - so that needs to be discussed with your drummer.
 
#73
I see both sides of this. However, the band needs to realize there are positives on both sides. Money is a good one. Bars tend to pay.. Money helps with gear, merch, posters, and everything else. Pride can sink the band as much as being stuck as a bar band. Van Halen was a bar band. The Beatles were a bar band. Unless your drummer can come up with stadium gigs for 30,000 people, playing a bar gig might not be that bad of an option. Also, playing 9 gigs in a year will not build your stage chops. A band only becomes great on stage..
 
#74
A bar can be a club and a club can be a bar. As long as the fans show up and have a good time it doesn't matter. If its a cool bar, there might be a ton a new people to get exposed to. Yes, you don't want to play a crappy dive so far away your friends won't make the trip, and two toothless barflies are the only audience, but I've played many bars that have had a promoter bring in 5 bands for the night, got payed well and everyone had a blast. Unless your in LA, and your EP is so amazing you get signed sight unseen, your not going to have the luxury of being the band that gets to go from the rehearsal space to a national tour.
 
#75
StuartV said:
If you don't have 40 (at least!) songs ready to play, you are not ready for "bar gigs". A normal "bar gig" is one band playing for 4 hours. Most bands play 3 sets with 2 15 - 20 minute breaks thrown in between.
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Nope, not here in Seattle "most" aren't. Cover bands yes, but most of the clubs here hire original bands and book 3 to 4 bands per night. This area is still a mecca for original bands. Each band gets 45 mintes, and 15 minute teardown/setup times.
 
#76
lokikallas said:
Yes, you don't want to play a crappy dive .
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We play up scale festivals and fairs, but for me, it's those crappy dives we play where things come together.

I say, if anyone is to scared or uncomfortable playing in the seedy little bars or think it's beneath you, your in the wrong business.

Don't get me wrong, I know that Alternate/ Originals bands traditionaly are not welcome in or a fit for what I will call the "crappy dive circuit".

Blue
 
#78
Caca de Kick said:
Nope, not here in Seattle "most" aren't. Cover bands yes, but most of the clubs here hire original bands and book 3 to 4 bands per night. This area is still a mecca for original bands. Each band gets 45 mintes, and 15 minute teardown/setup times.
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Stuart specifically referenced "bar gigs" a term most associate with cover bands.

Your talking about what I call Originals Clubs.

As you said, and I understand Seattle is one of the few areas that has a lot of places for young originals artists to play. However in many Cities, like Milwaukee, places for originals bands to play is very limited.

blue
 
#79
hdracer said:
You have to be joking!!
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Not at all. But if your not from the that generation ( my generation) I would not expect you to understand my statement or I should say my opinion.

Overall, nobody or the masses had never scene 4 guys on stage singing with drums and electric guitars until we saw The Beatles for the first time early 1964. In one way or another everything that has happened since evolved from The Beatles.

Buddy & Elvis don't count, but thats another topic.

At times I wish all younger rock musicians would take a course in Rock & Roll history.

Respect & Regards

blue
 
#80
This drummer sounds like the same type of controlling hole that would desert your band in an instant if a bigger and better opportunity came along. Don't beleive the hype. Man I hate people with hidden agendas. He's obviously working his. Fire him and hire a drummer who wants to jam. I'm semi retired and can play one gig a month LOL!!!! A fully gigging bar band is making more money than your band is. Prolly having more fun too.
 

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