What Happened To all The Local Bands !!!!

[JayBird]

Well Big John - I think that you can fill July and August and maybe some of September with all the bands who responded to your post. Everyone who replied to your post is from a great local band.

www.lostledny.com
www.jagermusic.com
f_m_management@hotmail.com

There's what you need to get ahold of me...thanks...Jason

[Skate Toad]

I think the talent is still around it's just that alot of bands are looking outside of town. I know i am, it gets real old busting your hump putting flyers out and doing all the advertising my meager budget will allow to only have 5-10 people show up. Then the club thinks it's your fault for not bringing in a crowd. There was one club that we played and i had flyers up all over his club and all over psu campus and in the record shops etc etc. And on top of that we had a local radio jock pluggin the hell out of the show for free. Then he has the nerve to bitch me out instead of thanking me for all the free radio adverts he just got. Of course he then drives off that night in his brand new car meanwhile i'm splitting the 100 buck 5 ways after 6-7 hours of work. So i understand clubs have bills to pay too but so do hard working musicians.
All i know is clubs need to do some work also to attract the crowds. Drink and food specials, product give aways, clean bathrooms, and anything else that might help bring in customers. lower covers help as long as you hook the band up too....we have bills and expenses too.
We are there to entertain the crowd not necessarily bring the club all of the crowd. Alot of club owners rely soley on the band to draw the crowd and i feel thats not fair to newer bands trying their asses off. Now don't get me wrong it's not exactly all the clubs faults the bands need to do their part too. Flyers,promote anyway possible,giveouts, and have a good sound and show are all things bands should try to do. I think alot of bands like ourselves have moved to places where there are bigger crowds that are there to have fun and hear good music. That just so happens to be outside of the area in places like state college, pittsburgh, maryland, harrisburg, etc etc.
I'm done with my rant. Good luck to all the clubs and bands hope it gets better for both sides of the fence real soon.
Todd

[DMFJ03]

We are trying to go where the money is hiding. Sometimes it is a hit, sometimes it is a miss. Some places will make you grab your ankles, some won't. I mean, it's not that hard to understand why some places get more business than others.

[J Michaels]

....IF YOU BRING A CROWD WITH YOU YOU WILL MAKE MONEY !!!

Well, that's true. But I could say in reply, "If you sell all the beer you have in the bar, YOU will make money, too." It's kind of a tautology - it's true because it's a circular argument.

It's sort of like not being able to get a job because you don't have enough experience, but you can't get any experience because you can't get a job.

Are there any places with their own crowd? Where can bands that are just starting out get in front of people? Is the only way to open for bands that have a following a couple of times? How many times do you do that before booking a full night?

BTW - I dropped off a promo kit in person, right into John's hands, but we never got a call. Maybe he didn't like the Demo CD (of covers) that was included, or at that point he didn't need anyone - who knows. But I am sure he has LOTS of promo kits of bands, and phone numbers, etc. Just grab the horn, big man!

BTW #2 - anyone (with a good following) want an opener?

[Victor Synn]

BTW #2 - anyone (with a good following) want an opener?

Hey J....we'll have to talk sometime soon.

[J Michaels]

YEAH BABY!

[Banned]

Are there any places with their own crowd? Where can bands that are just starting out get in front of people? Is the only way to open for bands that have a following a couple of times? How many times do you do that before booking a full night?

Here's what you do. Relocate in an easterly and northernly direction. Go to the mall, and study how the kids look. Make yourself look as much like that as possible. Get a band together and learn some tunes (NOTE: this is the least important step). Hook up with a booking agent. Come back to central PA, and play for packed rooms and four-digit paychecks without anyone really knowing who you are.

Nothing against the agency bands, mind you. Some of those bands are so good they'll make you want to go sit in a corner and cry, and they aren't intentionally plotting to keep central PA bands down. They just happen to have better professional resources at their disposal.

As far as Peter C's goes, it'd be cool to see Big John pursue some bigger acts to help build a more regular crowd. People are creatures of habit. Once they start going there to see a few blockbuster acts, they'll come back to see everyone else, assuming that the bar puts its best foot forward. Maybe dedicate one night to dancier stuff, and one night to heavy acts. The blues night already seems to be working out pretty well!

[byndrsn]

Ya know what?!?

I saw one consistent comment on this thread. Many people tried to contact you John and never got a response. I know that we had a similar situation - John raved up and down that he wanted us back, but we never heard another word.

Sorry man, I'm not trying to piss you off, but I noticed no one responed to your plea to get a band this past Saturday. I don't know if I would have responded or not if we had not already had 3 jobs lined up for the weekend.

And, I really don't think there is anything wrong with the talent in this area (IT IS ABUNDANT!!).

And, I remember other threads where different people were trying to "constructively" give your place critisism. Well.....

Maybe the local bands aren't the problem??

Urbs

[DMFJ03]

What he said.

[ASB10]

There are a lot of ways that this situation can be looked at....first, there are places to go to find crowds and money. North and east are the directions, south central PA is not a hot spot for live music, although there are more than enough bands!!! Also, I disagree with the idea of going with a talent agency, all that does is limit the places that you can play. I have had many bar owners tell me that we shouldn't go agency, because we are drawing well and getting paid good, and we have no problems booking shows ourselves in any town we wish. I have never played at Peter C's, and honestly was advised not to. We are entering Altoona for the first time this weekend at City Limits and I am pumped, and I hope that crowd is around, because we advertised the hell out of it, so here's hoping.....but there are more than enough bands, but noone wants to play for little money and small crowds, that's what it boils down to.....that's why noone is playing....who knows where the problem is....but everyone better take a look at thier own situation before claiming that it's someone else's fault

[FiddlePicker]

I don't know John. You have to look at your business. Like the rest of them said, you don't call or email people back. You also d**k around people alot. Bump new bands for the big name bands that are your regulars. I see alot that bands like The Grimm and Felix (and the Hurricanes) are alwas sticking up for you. That's great. Some alliances are worked hard for. But there are also more bands than not that have gotten screwed in the process of making it big.

Yes, lots of places do this too. But since you brouth the thread up, we'll focus on your bar. I could easily say that of (example) Magoo's. I've heard several stories of them d**king over bands there. Guess I've been lucky to not have that experience? Both bars can be great on their own. But depending on what band name you have or whose solo act your in, you could be graced or screwed. Places depend. But like I said, this is your thread, we'll stick to your bar. (and please don't think I'm attacking Magoo's or you. Just an opinion.)

I said it before and I'll repeat myself. Your place needs cleaned up. People want to come to a place where they're comfortable. Bands are getting d**ked on your sound system. If they use it, then sure! Charge. If they don't, don't make them pay. And make sure if they use it, then your sound guy is paying attention and giving it his all. I've been there for shows where the one kid will set it for sound check, leave after the first song and not come back to check on it until several songs played through. If we're paying that much for a sound guy, at least try to do a decent job. Don't screw us over like that. We're already paying out the ass for the system.
Cover at the door is okay. People will pay it. They want to hear music and they want alcohol. They will pay it. Watch your door guy though. (Not just Dave, he's a very nice guy.)

That's it. Treat your bands with respect and they will bring you in the crowds you want. F**k them over and it's like money up your nose. Good for a night and then gone.