General Music Chat

Hey I never thought of approaching AMerican Legions, VFW, Eagle Clubs. That's not a bad idea. I've done a few gigs over the years at a few of those places. Thanks for the tip (and we're NOT playing polkas, sorry!).

Hey I never thought of approaching AMerican Legions, VFW, Eagle Clubs. That's not a bad idea. I've done a few gigs over the years at a few of those places. Thanks for the tip (and we're NOT playing polkas, sorry!).

We scored a great deal with our local American Legion to do rehearsals there. $25 a week and we get the space for as long as we want in the evenings. Works out great.

I know a local country band that a friend of mine plays in, and they started out by playing the local Eagles. Last summer they played the county fair and now they're a pretty big draw around here and are regularly getting $600 a night and have played for as much as $3,000.

So, yeah... I'd look into it if I were you.

What have you ppl got against the polkas, anyway?

I think the number 1 reason bar-owners don't listen to your Cd and/or don't make you an immediate offer is to see how desperate you are to play there. There's so many bands trying to get in that they know they can hire a really good band who is desperate and then they guarantee them nothing or next to nothing or they make you play for the door (see my other thread "dangerous trend"). It's a big game they are playing because the cards right now are stacked in their favor. In the 80's and early 90's I used to try and get us inclubs and the owners would tell me immediately "when do you want to play?" I even had owners call me up right before a Friday or Saturday and tell me they need me THAT week. Not happening today...

I agree, I have been trying get my band on the scene, but the places that talk like they may hire us, don't want to pay anything, and on top of that a lot of bands will under cut you or will play for damn near nothing just to get the gig. Then the club owners will say I can get this band or that band for this or that

I think the number 1 reason bar-owners don't listen to your Cd and/or don't make you an immediate offer is to see how desperate you are to play there. There's so many bands trying to get in that they know they can hire a really good band who is desperate and then they guarantee them nothing or next to nothing or they make you play for the door (see my other thread "dangerous trend"). It's a big game they are playing because the cards right now are stacked in their favor. In the 80's and early 90's I used to try and get us inclubs and the owners would tell me immediately "when do you want to play?" I even had owners call me up right before a Friday or Saturday and tell me they need me THAT week. Not happening today...

I agree, I have been trying get my band on the scene, but the places that talk like they may hire us, don't want to pay anything, and on top of that a lot of bands will under cut you or will play for damn near nothing just to get the gig. Then the club owners will say I can get this band or that band for this or that

Bingo. First input to the Bandmix forum? Welcome. Sounds like we are kindred spirits on this topic...

We've gotten all our gigs so far this year based on the demo CD. Like Jimmy Danger said, its only half a buck for blank CDs, so why not?

This summer I was doing a house gig at a local hotel, but the drummer we were using played with another band and they came in with a larger band (they sound good mind you) for the same money we were getting. I understand it is biz, but i had a bad taste from that. they were not a better band not by a long shot, but they had a fuller sound with a 5 piece band and three singers, where as we were a three piece with one singer, sometimes we had a extra person on keys sitting in. It's hard to compete with that.

This summer I was doing a house gig at a local hotel, but the drummer we were using played with another band and they came in with a larger band (they sound good mind you) for the same money we were getting. I understand it is biz, but i had a bad taste from that. they were not a better band not by a long shot, but they had a fuller sound with a 5 piece band and three singers, where as we were a three piece with one singer, sometimes we had a extra person on keys sitting in. It's hard to compete with that.

Sounds like the drummer used your gig to get him another gig at the same venue. That happened to us with a guitar player. That's what I call a snake. I don't use people like that. I wouldn't ever play with that drummer again. I wouldn't trust him. People do shameful things sometimes...

I have to ask, the demos that some of you are posting did you do them in the studio, or tape them from a gig., also if from a gig did you do it through the pa or external. My demos were done with my phone, hahhhaha i know not the best way to go but you can check out some of the stuff we did live if you go to my profile page. If anyone does check it out tell me what you think, and don't pull your punches.