General Music Chat

That's an interesting question.

Sometimes you feel that these are two different worlds. There are the bands working clubs (which we discussed in other threads, usually pays little or nothing unless you are well known) and then there are the guys that accept nothing less than union scale for weddings and special events. In the latter group, sometimes they are musical "weekend warriors", with non-musical "regular" careers, just making extra bread playing music on weekend gigs, and there are others that make it a career, like larger show bands that can get fairly steady work year round.

I do know bands that do both. Play clubs and also special events. So, the question really, is do event planners look down on bands that play bars. I think it would have to do with the rep of the band. A band with a strong local following shouldn't have an issue with that.

I mean, if you think about it, there are very famous artists that still do private events, weddings and even bat mitzvahs. Of course, they may make 20 to 50 grand or even much more for those few hours, but you would think these artists are too big for something like that, and wonder if it could hurt their career somehow, but it doesn't seem to. Money is money it seems, no matter how big you are.

I think the bar/club scene is the first direction a "new" band should travel in.... but... IMO ... bands get too dependant on the bar/club scene and ease off on the stepping stone idea. Bars and clubs should be used to get your feet wet ... earn some equipment money.. some exposure ... and then... you should be looking to move on.

Some areas where a new band can consider as ... the "next" stepping stone above the bars scene is perhaps those examples I mentioned in another thread .... those being .... Sporting events (such as NHL farm teams... university parties .... etc.

When considering the bar/club plan .... you need to realize that the fan count at your average bar usually won't exceed 100 people. This limitation to the fan count places a limitation on the bands revenue.... and ultimately.... their advancement.

I don't think there is a problem with band being accepted by other venues because they are bar bands .... I think the problem is in the "application" of the band ... not the "request forms" of the venues. IMO bands are failing to get themselves out there ... and make an honest effort to leave behind the current stepping stone they are now using.

If you are going to play bars gear your material to suit the "customers" you will serve. The same can be said for wedding bands.

I played in a bar band for years that drew good crowds but we had kind of a rowdy reputation. A guy and girl who always came to see us got married and hired another band to play their wedding paying them about twice our normal rate. Man I was pissed, when I asked about it they said they were scared to get our band out to the local country club. After that we kind of started a second "quieter" band to play those events, same guys just a different name and approach.

Once again if you are going into the cover band arena pick material that will get you work "not the stuff you want to play."

The singer in our band could make up words on the fly to songs. We had around 400 songs we could pull off of if we needed them.

This singer and the bass player are now with a group called Chemical Zoo. Go to myspace and look them up. They have a song on their player called Can You Hear Me Now that should be on the radio. They are a killer live group. I think this song was number one for a day over on garageband.com

Anyway if you have time check them out.

JW 123

Number one rule in playing bars:

Be able to draw more sustained attention than the pool table or the game on the big screen TV.

One of the things I learned cutting my teeth playing the bar scene is that the audience usually will give you the benefit of the doubt. They will give you their attention for a tune or two. It's up to you at that point if you can hold it or not.