Should we play in a bar?

[hdracer]

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

Blue, I am from "your" generation.
American Bandstand was around long before that "boy band" showed up on the Ed Sullivan show.
Everybody saw a guy playing a electric guitar and electric bass before they came along.

Some of us were into Rock and left the boy bands for the girls.

 

[Steve]

he claims that he has done research that proves that it is bad for a band to play at a bar.

PUH-Leeeze

 

[bluewine]

Blue, I am from "your" generation.
American Bandstand was around long before that "boy band" showed up on the Ed Sullivan show.
Everybody saw a guy playing a electric guitar and electric bass before they came along.


Some of us were into Rock and left the boy bands for the girls.

No, Everybody did not see those bands on American Bandstand, only a few in comparison to the audience The Beatles drew on the historic the back to back apearances on The Ed Sullivan show February 9'th and the 16th 1964.


American Bandstand was a local TV show out of Philly at that time.

American bandstand never had 70 million people watching their show. AB only aired to a small regional market.It came on at 4:30 week days only. I remember because and I wanted to watch Popeye and my Mom wanted to watch Band Stand.

The masses did not see those groups you reference ( the masses saw The Beatles). And many of those bands you reference were still using Upright basses.

My position / opinion remains.

Regards and Respect

Blue

PS; I'm a hardcore fan, I don't have to "google" any of my facts

 

[bluewine]

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.

+1

Sounds like the type of guy that will have you at his house, rehearsing multiple times per week for 9 gigs a year and wait for that big break that happens for less than 1% of bands out there looking to "make it".

blue

 

[Marko 1]

Maybe his “research” showed him that their music isn’t a good fit for a bar.

It’s possible he’s right, as originals, especially if they’re not danceable, probably wouldn’t work too well.

He also might not want to learn enough songs to do bars, either.

It's also possible he’s afraid that if he leaves his little bubble, he might find out that they’re not as good as he’d like to think they are.

 

[hdracer]

American Bandstand was a local TV show out of Philly at that time.

American bandstand never had 70 million people watching their show. I remember because AB came on at 4:30 and I wanted to watch Popeye and my Mom wanted to watch Band Stand.

The masses did not see those groups you reference ( the masses saw The Beatles). And many of those bands you reference were still using Upright basses.

My position / opinion remains.

Regards and Respect

Blue

Blue,
ABC brought Bandstand national on August 5, 1957.
May be YOU were not that much into music before 1964 but some of us had older brothers and sisters and we watched it every day after school.

 

[bluewine]

Maybe his “research” showed him that their music isn’t a good fit for a bar.

It’s possible he’s right, as originals, especially if they’re not danceable, probably wouldn’t work too well.

He also might not want to learn enough songs to do bars, either.

It's also possible he’s afraid that if he leaves his little bubble, he might find out that they’re not as good as he’d like to think they are.

Excellent points!

Blue

 

[rtslinger]

Bar gig = more people to your fan base why wouldn't you want more people to hear your music? he has his head up his butt.

 

[bluewine]

Blue,
ABC brought Bandstand national on August 5, 1957.
May be YOU were not that much into music before 1964 but some of us had older brothers and sisters and we watched it every day after school.

I was 4 years old in 1957, however and regardless AB never had 70 million people watching those bands you referenced. And again some of those bands were still employing acoustic up right basses.

Further, none of those artists seen on those early Amercan Bandstand shows had the impact on popular music or culture the Beatles had.

My dad purchased "Something New" & "Meet The Beatles" for me in 1964. The Beatles looked different,and had a new sound that none of the bands Dick Clark featured had.

My position/ opinion remains.

The only thing I will concede is, artists like Elvis, Buddy, Little Richard and Chuck Berry ( solo artist not a band) did have a big influence on The Beatles.

Regards and respect

blue

 

[intheory]

And bars gigs traditionally are not configured for multi band line ups.

blue

Agreed. I've actually only ever seen this at festivals, but I'm sure there are exceptions.

 

[intheory]

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.

I'd like to experience that...sounds like a fun scene!!

 

[AMp'D.2play]

I haven't read this entire thread, but isn't your drummer the guy from a previous thread who wanted you to bring on board the male screamer vocalist instead of the cute, strawberry blonde-ish female singer that you apparently ended up with?

It seems like his goals are often at odds with the rest of the band, and not in a good way.

 

[BELLATOR]

I don't think playing in bars is much different than playing other live gigs where alcohol is served. Most bands, past and present, played/play in bars, etc. Every local band here plays bars or establishments specifically set up for live music. They all serve alcohol (depending on the age limit for the show). My advice is have a serious conversation with your drummer; explain to him that the only way to obtain a following is playing live gigs, including bars. I would take almost any live gig available. One can avoid the really seedy bars, if that is an issue. If things don't improve with your current drummer, you might want to consider looking for a new drummer or a new band.

 

[SirMjac28]

Dump this guy so he can follow his true calling making folks great sandwiches at Subway ( which by the way is very delicious) "The Beatles Suck" I really,really,really want to hear this incredible music OP give me a link so I can buy this incredible EP your band put out if it's good I will say so I love new bands I wish you would close this thread because every time I see it my fur starts to fly .

 

[mikeswals]

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

In a sense true...but here, all the "clubs" are 21+ Bars, save for a couple of restraunts that also have a big stage in back and a 21+ bar section.
I understand completely, I used to live in Cal where it was nearly the opposite mentality, no one seemed to want to hear original material and only cover bands got hired.

I'd like to experience that...sounds like a fun scene!

It is, even though it can sound chaotic because you do have alot of gear stacked in the corner and the olympic band shuffle game happens between sets (nobody shares gear).

 

[fourstringdrums]

A gig is a gig. Unless you know that the venue is a bad place to play either from word of mouth or from past experience, you can't put a blanket statement. To me, "bar" is not as black and white as some people might think. Some may think that any place that serves alcohol as their primary source of income is a bar, even if they serve food. I've played plenty of "bars" that were great places to play. Decent decor, good sound on stage and a decent crowd.

His type of close mindedness will only hold you back so don't take it lightly.

 

[delta7fred]

If you want to keep your options open either join a gigging band or start a side project with selected members of the current band (not including the drummer). You are not married to the band and can be in 2 if you want.

A few years ago we (guitarist and I) started a side project because our drummer wouldn't play bar gigs*, he preferred the much better paying weddings and corporate functions. We also preferred them for the same reason but they were few and far between so if we wanted to play regularly we had to play bars. That side project is now my main band and the original main band is no more.

*There were other reasons but that was very high on the list.

 

[bluewine]

If you want to keep your options open either join a gigging band or start a side project with selected members of the current band (not including the drummer). You are not married to the band and can be in 2 if you want.

A few years ago we (guitarist and I) started a side project because our drummer wouldn't play bar gigs*, he preferred the much better paying weddings and corporate functions. We also preferred them for the same reason but they were few and far between so if we wanted to play regularly we had to play bars. That side project is now my main band and the original main band is no more.

*There were other reasons but that was very high on the list.

Smart thinking!

Blue

 

[deepBassie]

A little snippet from something I read a while back...

In 1976, before playing their first show in Britain, the Ramones’ guitarist Johnny Ramone was talking with Paul Simonon, the Clash’s bassist. Johnny asked Simonon if he was in a band, and Simonon said he is, but they just rehearse, they’re not good enough. Here’s Johnny’s reply:

“Johnny asked him, ‘What do you do? Are you in a band?’ Paul said, ‘Well, we just rehearse. We call ourselves the Clash but we’re not good enough.’ Johnny said, ‘Wait till you see us—we stink, we’re lousy, we can’t play. Just get out there and do it.’”

That’s Johnny Ramone, the guitarist for one of the greatest bands of all time. And he thought they were trash.

 

[BradCarroll]

If you're 29 and seriously contemplating your drummer's advice to not play in bars, you should probably quit asking our advice and go ahead and do whatever your drummer says.