Promo Paks

[REDillon]

Are they necessary any more or have they been replaced with Myspace and online sites? When you play in a cover band ("groans" yeah, I don't want to hear it), is it necesary to put out a demo of you doing other people's crap?

I'm asking because since I play in a cover band, a very sexy cover band mind youz, to get gigs, what is the consensus anymore. I know what used to be expected, has it changed much? And "no", a demo of slurping sounds and porno moans isn't on the menu. Maybe next week.

[DirtySanchez]

PP's are over rated Umm, you know what I mean.

But yeah, Myspace is really all you need. But about that other demo, prolly wouldn't hurt your chances.

[Lisa]

For the most part, the music I find on myspace isn't a good source of how a band would really sound. I would much rather get a cd in a promo kit.

I'm also starting to look at where else the band plays so a copy of the recent past schedule would be a plus (and even contact information of the club). This tells me good information such as what type of crowds you get based on the type of venue, and if I want, I can contact the venue for a reference on how the members are to work with.

[Banned]

Are they necessary any more or have they been replaced with Myspace and online sites? When you play in a cover band ("groans" yeah, I don't want to hear it), is it necesary to put out a demo of you doing other people's crap?

I'm asking because since I play in a cover band, a very sexy cover band mind youz, to get gigs, what is the consensus anymore. I know what used to be expected, has it changed much? And "no", a demo of slurping sounds and porno moans isn't on the menu. Maybe next week.

I agree witha ya on the SEXY!!!

What would I put in a promo pack these day's? My old head shots with my Aqua Net hair? LOL!!!

[DirtySanchez]

For the most part, the music I find on myspace isn't a good source of how a band would really sound. I would much rather get a cd in a promo kit.

I'm also starting to look at where else the band plays so a copy of the recent past schedule would be a plus (and even contact information of the club). This tells me good information such as what type of crowds you get based on the type of venue, and if I want, I can contact the venue for a reference on how the members are to work with.

If the myspace music is shit, Then every recording they have is probably shit. Every promoter I 've talked to said if someone is asking for a promo kit, you're getting jerked off.

[JackANSI]

No offense or sexism implied or intended

But I think all you gals have to do is just have an 8.5x11 piece of paper with "All female rock band" in like 36 or 48pt bold font and you'd have a gig.

There isn't much competition for that type of a band, and its almost always going to draw a big crowd of big-drinking men.

[Banned]

the only drawback with using recorded music is......alot of the times, the band doesnt sound nearly as good when they play live. seen it many times.
In the studio, you have all the time in the world to sound good. During a live performance, you get one shot.

YOU CAN NOT put a demo out of you doing other people's songs unfortunately. Write some songs and toss them on a demo if youre going the demo route. Even covers on posted myspace are "illegal". the music agreement that you e-sign states that you own the copywrite to the music you are posting.

For coverbands, id say word of mouth is a good way to go.

[REDillon]

You'd think we'd have no trouble getting gigs...but clubs still want to hear what we sound like. Actually, most people natually think we suck because we're females. Once they hear we do some heavy male crap, I get the snicker.

I tell them we sound friggin great and kick ass but they just won't take my word for it. Besides blowing a club owner for a job, which I don't do any longer because it's bad on the vocal chords, (healing lotion my ass!), what's the best way to promote?

I need your love Rockpage! I'll just shower afterwards.

[Banned]

open for a band at the club you want to play at. they will get to see you then, and you wont have to do the demo thing.

[Banned]

the only drawback with using recorded music is......alot of the times, the band doesnt sound nearly as good when they play live. seen it many times.
In the studio, you have all the time in the world to sound good. During a live performance, you get one shot.

YOU CAN NOT put a demo out of you doing other people's songs unfortunately. Write some songs and toss them on a demo if youre going the demo route. Even covers on posted myspace are "illegal". the music agreement that you e-sign states that you own the copywrite to the music you are posting.

For coverbands, id say word of mouth is a good way to go.

I agree here with you. I tried putting covers up to promote myself a long time ago and they were refused. I haven't looked lately if anyone else has been putting covers up, but if they are, I might try again.

[Banned]

im sure people still do it....i dont know why...but they do.

i just cant wrap my head around originals being too hard to write. if its recording thats the problem, theres more than enough members on Rockpage that record music and would be willing to help. i know i would offer.

[moxham123]

What I have found recently is that most club owners will never go check out a website or myspace page and they tell me that. There are a few who do but not many. They want a promo kit even though we are a well established band but they may not know us. If they ask for a CD or video, I provide one of us playing live so they can hear and/or see us doing an actual performance and not a "doctored" up studio CD. This way, they know exactly what we do live and that we are a good band and they can decide if we are suitable for their venue.

[DirtySanchez]

I guess it all varies on the types of clubs you play too.

Most of the places we play actually have a myspace themselves.

[moxham123]

I guess it all varies on the types of clubs you play too.

Most of the places we play actually have a myspace themselves.

Yes, that is very true. The more computer savvy somebody is, the more likely they will use those Internet resources.

Some of the people I deal with do not even own a computer or know how to use the Internet let alone have websites or myspace pages for their venues.

[RobTheDrummer]

I think the best way to get into a place is to open for another band. All you gotta do is throw the goods out there, and if they dig it, then you're in.

[Bag]

But I think all you gals have to do is just have an 8.5x11 piece of paper with "All female rock band" in like 36 or 48pt bold font and you'd have a gig.

All they need is a picture!

[BloodyFingers]

the only drawback with using recorded music is......alot of the times, the band doesnt sound nearly as good when they play live. seen it many times.
In the studio, you have all the time in the world to sound good. During a live performance, you get one shot.

YOU CAN NOT put a demo out of you doing other people's songs unfortunately. Write some songs and toss them on a demo if youre going the demo route. Even covers on posted myspace are "illegal". the music agreement that you e-sign states that you own the copywrite to the music you are posting.

For coverbands, id say word of mouth is a good way to go.

I agree here with you. I tried putting covers up to promote myself a long time ago and they were refused. I haven't looked lately if anyone else has been putting covers up, but if they are, I might try again.

You can post covers on Soundclick.com, but you will pay to post them.

[songsmith]

Besides blowing a club owner for a job, which I don't do any longer because it's bad on the vocal chords, (healing lotion my ass!), what's the best way to promote?

I need your love Rockpage! I'll just shower afterwards.

REDillon, you kill me every time. I bet my wife and you would get along really well. She has a similar personality, except she's a bit more shy upfront.--->JMS

[RFBuck]

In my last band, we handed out demos of our own material, and all we got asked was "What covers do you play?" We'd tell them, and they'd say "well, why aren't they on here...we'd like to hear THAT." You try to explain the copyright thing, but some don't seem to get it. I'd tell them "The best offer I can make is listen to these...ignore the fact they're not covers and just listen to how it sounds...you should get a general idea." That never seemed to go well, either.
With Rapid Fire, we've had pretty good luck scoring gigs based on the description of what we play cover-wise...I don't know why it's different this time. We've also scored a few gigs with the help of opening for Lies, Inc. so I'd say if that's a route you can explore, I'd go with it.

[slackin@dabass]

get a friend with a nice video camera to record a few covers during a show... make sure it's a big show that you sound good on with alot of people up front. make a up a promo pack with that, a few nice pics, and a list of all the covers you do. go to staples and print it out on real nice, good quality photo paper. you should spare no expense under a buck fity.

i dunno. don't listen to me. i've never booked a band... it's just what i'd want if i owned a bar and haven't heard of you before.

[BloodyFingers]

Here's the answer. Record a couple covers at your show and play them for the person thst does the hiring but keep the cd. Do not leave it there. That way it will never fall into the wrong hands. I have a digital recorder and some good mics. I'll make a decent recording for you. Let me know. GARY

[songsmith]

Promo packs are sort of a grey area for copyright, in a way. Legally, it's a no-no for any reason. In reality, I've never heard of anyone following up on a recording of a cover, unless it was for sale, or unless it was on a Myspace or similar site, which would constitute publishing, since it enters the song into a public forum. You'd likely get a cease-and-desist letter first, in which case you send them a letter back saying that you will comply immediately and mention that you only did it out of love for the band you covered. That's usually good enough for anybody but the Mariah Carey-types, but nobody here is covering her anyway.
I've done a few "club-demo" covers, but let's face it, the gigs I play aren't doing much to hurt the original artists, most of whom are long dead. The live ones need cover bands to keep their songs in the public eye. No doubt Rick Springfield would be homeless now without a million bands covering "Jesse's Girl." Besides, someone playing one of my songs would be the ultimate compliment to me.--->JMS

[slackin@dabass]

Besides, someone playing one of my songs would be the ultimate compliment to me.--->JMS

it's a shame eddie van halen dosn't feel that way. i read in an interview once that he said people that cover his music "don't do it justice"



what an asshat.