Music and Gas prices...
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bassist4life2004
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Music and Gas prices...
So heres a question that I don't believe has been raised yet. How has the price of gas influenced your practice schedules for your bands (I know a lot of people normally have to commute for practice)? Also, how has it effected the frequency of your band playing out? What other effects has it had on your band overall?
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DrumAndDestroy
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bassist_25
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- Location: Indiana
We really haven't seen decreased attendance. I'm always scared walking into a venue a few days after another price hike, but it's been pretty good so far. I imagine venue location and demographic have a lot to do with things. A bar in walking distance in town which is frequented by college students probably won't see quite the difference in turn out as a bar out in the middle of nowhere. At least that's my theory. I could be wrong.
There's no way I'd want to be in a brand new band right now, though, trying to build a following.
There's no way I'd want to be in a brand new band right now, though, trying to build a following.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
/agree Its not easy Colleges are getting out now too. We will keep on keepin on...I can promise you that. It scares the be-jezus out of me knowing if I want to fill up my truck it will cost $148ish dollars. Thank God I work 4 blocks away from my house....bassist_25 wrote: There's no way I'd want to be in a brand new band right now, though, trying to build a following.
bassist_25 wrote: There's no way I'd want to be in a brand new band right now, though, trying to build a following.
Yeah, I'm there, and that's a good point because Scathe has been around for about 2 years, but only has played maybe 20 shows due to my schedule, primarily, because I was taking care of my dad who was sick from cancer and has recently passed. Not to mention a lot of adversity thrown in our direction within the band. Those 2 together, especially in economic times like this has big potential to kill newbie bands like us.
Also, a big factor is venues' kickin' the bucket.
There is no doubt that the gas prices are affecting the clubs. I hear it from the owners and managers that business all week is down and I have seen the crowds on band nights decrease as well. People are staying home more and if they go out, it is one night a week instead of two or more. I agree that the places that are away from large population centers are being hardest hit. Hopefully, we can all weather the storm and things may turn around. I was saying the same thing about not wanting to start a new band right now with the way things are because the clubs are having a hard time and are staying away from newer bands that don't have a track record and are even reluctant to work with well established bands that are new to their club to help build a following.
Gas prices are not bothering my friend who wants to drive to Pittsburgh today for an all day outdoor all age show to see skell...She wants to go cuz of her birthday....When I said gas was too much SHE gave me the money for gas...I think shes crazy but I guess when you want to see a band you want to see a band high gas prices or not.... LOL
Maybe all the bands will be lucky enough to have fans like her hehe
Maybe all the bands will be lucky enough to have fans like her hehe
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ChaosRisingRice
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To and from practice is over 200 miles for me. From frederick, md to martinsburg, pa back and forth in the same day. And even though thats is nuts. I feel that it is worth it. Alot of fun to play music. Especially when i was doing the Condemned existence thing. When we first started the band 2 years ago i made it to every other practice because i thought gas prices then were crazy.
Of course even the gas prices are effecting my new job where i drive at UPS as a driver. Nobody is shipping and drivers getting laid off. Which then effects me making it to practice.
Of course even the gas prices are effecting my new job where i drive at UPS as a driver. Nobody is shipping and drivers getting laid off. Which then effects me making it to practice.
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bassist4life2004
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RobTheDrummer
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Wow, someone gets $8 for a mixed drink!!!RobTheDrummer wrote:Gas prices? What about $8 mixed drinks I hear people bitching about all the time?
*picking herself up off of the floor*
with us, we've seen a great increase in business overall. However, we haven't seen the increase too much on band nights....people complain about the cover charge. But, that's how we pay the band. But I don't think that its because of the gas prices...they complained about that two years ago too.
We are trying hard to keep our drink prices at the same price but our costs are going up. We will probably have to raise our prices soon...right now we are holding steady at $2 for a domestic bottle and anywhere from $2.50 to $3.00 for a regular one shot mixed drink and $4.50 for a bomb.
Its more the pay increases that are getting the business as far as our bottom line goes....as a small business, we see another increase in July and its not just the min. wage that we need to increase...its not fair to the people that have been with us for a long time for the newer employees to get a pay increase without them getting one too. That's going to hit us hard when we have so many labor hours to consider.
Similar thing happened to me. I had to leave MTP in large part due to high gas prices. I was incrementally losing money. It sucks too cause the scene up that way is way better than the scene in my area!ChaosRisingRice wrote:To and from practice is over 200 miles for me. From frederick, md to martinsburg, pa back and forth in the same day. And even though thats is nuts. I feel that it is worth it. Alot of fun to play music. Especially when i was doing the Condemned existence thing. When we first started the band 2 years ago i made it to every other practice because i thought gas prices then were crazy.
Of course even the gas prices are effecting my new job where i drive at UPS as a driver. Nobody is shipping and drivers getting laid off. Which then effects me making it to practice.
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ChaosRisingRice
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Sapo - It was always about bad timing. When i wasn't with the band and looking for a band to play bass for. Couldn't find one down here. Then we did a reunion and started playing and a bunch of metal bands needed bass players. I did find a band here in frederick that needs a bass player to. But i am gonna have two. So just in case one of them falls thru i will always be able to jam with people.
I hear you and I feel your pain. I can't find a situation down here that suits my tastes. I hated leaving MTP cause the guys were awesome and the band was originals minded, but at $4 a gallon I'd be losing way too much money! My timing has always sucked too (but not in a bass playing kind of wayChaosRisingRice wrote:Sapo - It was always about bad timing. When i wasn't with the band and looking for a band to play bass for. Couldn't find one down here. Then we did a reunion and started playing and a bunch of metal bands needed bass players. I did find a band here in frederick that needs a bass player to. But i am gonna have two. So just in case one of them falls thru i will always be able to jam with people.
).