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Maybe I'll wait to snag one when it's a bit less pricey, but that looks promising!
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Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out
- Thread starter Korladis
- Start date
So, question.... I’m reading an article about band image right now:
How to create an image for your band
Wondering if anyone has put effort into the band in this way...?
How to create an image for your band
Wondering if anyone has put effort into the band in this way...?
0 effort, which i guess in itself is an image?
we're all on the introverted side, and shy away from attention.
I use those two amps. They sound very different but I dig both. I used the rb800 last night with it raining, much easier to carry. I actually scoop the GK head I think it sounds better that way. It sounds much better than the LH1000 I use to have. 300 watts thru an 810 cab is more than enough.
Not intentionally, but some of what the article mentions is common sense or stuff you kind of end up doing as you go. To me, much of what I read in the article really amounts to not handicapping yourself to or for an audience. For instance, if you look like Greta Van Winkle or whatever, you're probably not going to attract a lot of doom guys to the show on your picture alone. Also you may alienate some of the audience because they cant relate to someone in candy-cane striped bell bottoms and feather earrings. If you have a big bubble letter logo and you're playing death metal, you might miss out on some potential fans who cruise over you thinking you're a stoner rock band or something. Beyond the common sense stuff in there, the rest is kind of crap and I'd actually warn against it. If you have to try to make your "image" feel authentic, its is, by definition, not. Brand building is decidedly un-metal, and if you cross that line, you're bound to do more harm than good. (yes yes im aware of the exceptions, Im talking about the rule).
In the world of un-popular music, your image isn't going to take you to the glass ceiling much faster than a equal band with no or little thought to image. Just write quality songs, make good recordings of those songs, play them tight as hell, and perform with conviction... then cross your fingers and hope the ride is a good one. wearing black everything can never hurt
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I think kind of like everyone else that in this particular genre people are looking more for authenticity and integrity and that trying to force an image for your band isnt going to work too well.
At the same time though i think making sure you present a unified image can do alot for making your band look professional. I try to make sure that all of our visual materials kind of match a theme and all look planned rather than just an eclectic mash of things. But otherwise weve always been a sort of come as you are band. Not alot of thought put into outfits. Just dont show up in a tux while im in my overalls nahmean.
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Just basics: look like you are a metal musician. So no fedora, tommy bahama shirts, or birkenstocks with socks. Common sense stuff.
I also think a band's name needs to at least point a potential fan in the right musical direction. The Fluffy Bunnies doesn't scream grindcore. That said, there has to be a moratorium put on at least witch/witches (and I could add a helluva lot more) in a doom name.
I also think a band's name needs to at least point a potential fan in the right musical direction. The Fluffy Bunnies doesn't scream grindcore. That said, there has to be a moratorium put on at least witch/witches (and I could add a helluva lot more) in a doom name.
Thanks for your replies! I’m just trying to think of what can separate band from audience. Since the genre is more, for musicians, by musicians, it isn’t easy. I was looking at some different “stage” gear and my guitar player asked me if we are about to start static X, lol. But seriously, just trying to separate ourselves from everyone else.
Yeah we decided to try and do some fancier lights instead of like outfits as a way to be different.
I think Jolagh really summed it up: If you wanna rise above the rest, just be professional. Respond to emails, when you communicate with industry people try to sound smart; don't call them "bro", show up on time, get off stage on time (i.e. play your allotted time and no more), have your stage volumes balanced, treat venue staff with kindness and courtesy (especially FOH), have reliable equipment, have tight, rehearsed performances (INCLUDING what you do between songs), don't play drunk or stoned, don't dress like a slob on stage, if you're a support band, DON'T PACK UP YOUR SH!T ON STAGE, have a nice genre appropriate logo designed by a professional, spend money on real art designed to fit your aesthetic for shirts and other merchandise, don't name your band after an inside joke, have a nice merch display and organized inventory, have a social media presence but don't over do it: show announcements and music releases-dont quibble on twitter, you can only succeed in alienating fans, be smart about the shows you take and dont play too much, promoters want an audience... etc. etc. etc. etc. So much of this seems like common sense, but, honestly, so many bands do none of this and they wonder why they cant get a gig. Most bands do only a few of these things, and wonder why they cant get anyone to come to their shows or listen to their record. It all adds up. Good songs, good recordings, good performances, good aesthetic, act like a pro. And then hope for some luck...
This is really the stuff they should be teaching in music school. Scales and theory is great, but maybe there should be a "How not to be a D Bag" class.
This is the one place I run into trouble. I never give the venue staff trouble, but Budda T Christ am I tired of getting treated like $#!+ by the venues. Musicians playing music are the only reason anyone is in these places, but I am constantly made to feel like an inconvenience or a piggy bank. I'm not expecting much, but given that I'm not getting paid, or I'm having to cough up "ticket money", or pay for my parking and drinks and give the venue a cut of my merch, it would be nice if it wasn't crystal clear that the staff and sound guy doesn't care if any of us are there.
Sandals+socks+mullets and rename the band "the German Tourists" |m/
Ive never had a venue ask for a cut of my merch. Id be telling them to pound sand. I love playing music but not enough to do that just to play. I like our basement just fine.
Re: Image - One of the nice things about metal is that you know going in that there's a certain limited appeal and the whole deal doesn't take itself too seriously. I've dabbled in the roots/americana/folksy world and there's some trading on a "being part of a rich tradition" that can be sickeningly twee.
Oh F^c%... I flipped when I found out about merch cuts. Its unbelievable, especially when you're getting low-balled on the guarantee! We won't take that sh!t locally, but it's par for the course for most theaters/medium venue shows. When we go on the road, the merch cut % is written into the contract. It's the most disgusting thing you can do to band in the modern era, as we've been basically been reduced to traveling t-shirt salesmen as it is. There are a bunch of strategies for getting away with giving reduced cuts, but places like Live Nation venues make you give them an inventory before and after the show or count you in and out themselves! ***! I can live with a merch cut if the venue sells for you, which sometimes we're forced to do... but once, Live Nation sent the band a tax form claiming they paid us for the merch of ours that they sold. Can you believe that sh|t?!?! They took 20% of our money and then told the IRS they paid us so they wouldn't have to pay taxes on it... but the band who just got paid $100 guarantee, does? Its a f^(king disgusting part of this already fairly repulsive industry and I don't think Ill ever get used to it.
yeah, sometimes you get some crap people. I try to kill them with kindness and manners. It often doesnt work.
