Is Blair County "Musical Groundhog Day"?????

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Sunday Jun 26, 2011

In my anecdotal experience, nepotism runs pretty rampant in Central Pa. Luckily, I haven't had to hit the streets for a day gig in the past six years or so. But I remember my early 20s and learning the way to get hired around here was to be somebody's nephew or sister-in-law or whatever.

As far as the status quo concerning bands, I really don't have an opinion on that. However, I do find it funny that when out-of-state bands come through the area, people automatically assume that they must be totally awesome; because, hey, crappy bands don't exist anywhere but Pennsylvania. I mean nothing against bands from out of the state, but the hype and mentality concerning that always makes me kind of chuckle.

tom · Post by **tom** » Sunday Jun 26, 2011

Jeff,
First off.. Apologies for the crybaby bs......you are a stand up guy...
I interpreted your post differently than you intended. I just hate to see badmouthing of any bands in the area.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Sunday Jun 26, 2011

tom wrote:Jeff,
First off.. Apologies for the crybaby bs......you are a stand up guy...
I interpreted your post differently than you intended. I just hate to see badmouthing of any bands in the area.

dats OK Tom. Posts (as opposed to real life conversation) are often taken the wrong way. No badmouthing of bands was intended.

CHICKSINGA · Post by **CHICKSINGA** » Tuesday Jun 28, 2011

A recent development brought this very subject very clear to my band in the works.

if you are playing covers you need to realize specifically that the gig is for the purpose of entertaining the club crowd. So that generally means play what they want to hear and dance to and you will get booked. If there is any other agenda than that I think its best to not play covers and get thee to LA, NY or on the road.

Club owners have one agenda. Bring in people and sell drinks. So that means be accessible and play for the crowd most of the time. Be honest and ask yourself if that is your goal. The bands that are sucessful in playing clubs here are the ones that play good dance music, get out there and network and make their fans feel appreciated and happy. it's not rocket science, just hard work.

Hope to see y'all soon!!

T

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Tuesday Jun 28, 2011

CHICKSINGA wrote:A recent development brought this very subject very clear to my band in the works.

if you are playing covers you need to realize specifically that the gig is for the purpose of entertaining the club crowd. So that generally means play what they want to hear and dance to and you will get booked. If there is any other agenda than that I think its best to not play covers and get thee to LA, NY or on the road.

Club owners have one agenda. Bring in people and sell drinks. So that means be accessible and play for the crowd most of the time. Be honest and ask yourself if that is your goal. The bands that are sucessful in playing clubs here are the ones that play good dance music, get out there and network and make their fans feel appreciated and happy. it's not rocket science, just hard work.

Hope to see y'all soon!!

T

That's good advice Trace.

We realized that when we started almost 6 years ago. We play rock dance music and very little else. Getting bookings isn't a problem.

All I want is a little slice of the summer outdoor shows. I don't think that's not too much to ask for a band of our caliber.

I also don't want my tax dollars supporting cronyism.

Jasaoke · Post by **Jasaoke** » Tuesday Jun 28, 2011

I apologize if this is too far off subject, but what is good "dance" music. Dancing definition vary as much as musical styles, so what gets/keeps people dancing?

kayla · Post by **kayla** » Wednesday Jun 29, 2011

Jasaoke wrote: so what gets/keeps people dancing?

alcohol.

- kayla.

Merge · Post by **Merge** » Wednesday Jun 29, 2011

bassist_25 wrote:
As far as the status quo concerning bands, I really don't have an opinion on that. However, I do find it funny that when out-of-state bands come through the area, people automatically assume that they must be totally awesome; because, hey, crappy bands don't exist anywhere but Pennsylvania. I mean nothing against bands from out of the state, but the hype and mentality concerning that always makes me kind of chuckle.

We have the same issue in western MD. "Out of town" equals "better" in the eyes of 90% of the "music" fans in our area.

sstuckey · Post by **sstuckey** » Wednesday Jun 29, 2011

kayla wrote:
Jasaoke wrote: so what gets/keeps people dancing?
alcohol.

- kayla.

Buck Cherry.....which is why I'm glad I retired!!

P MAC · Post by **P MAC** » Thursday Jun 30, 2011

Build it and they will come! Just sayin'.

MistValkyrie · Post by **MistValkyrie** » Sunday Jul 24, 2011

this is especially true when it comes to AC/DC

todddale · Post by **todddale** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

I think that really the bigger issue hear is the size of the area, more people=more openness cultural and artistic (hate to even use the term but it does apply ) diversity. Don't get me wrong I love this place but it is what it is. Anything else that gets blah blah. Blahed about it is just that.

todddale · Post by **todddale** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

Now if ur a band in this "groundhog day" u put ur self there, nobody else did.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

todddale wrote:Now if ur a band in this "groundhog day" u put ur self there, nobody else did.

Yes, after about 20 years of playing with the same band name, they finally get to be on the "inner circle".

It takes that long for people around here to accept a band as legitimate--or maybe it just takes them that long to remember a band name. Then, just like Heinz ketchup, they don't listen to anybody else. Hunt's doesn't stand a chance, no matter what they do or how good they sound.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

Now that picture will scare a groundhog.

The_Underground · Post by **The_Underground** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

Buck Cherry.....which is why I'm glad I retired!!

Cheers to that! lol

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Jul 25, 2011

"Curses! They're on to my secret plot!"

Blah · Post by **Blah** » Wednesday Jul 27, 2011

Just a quick idea. Maybe some of the more popular bands could start allowing lesser bands / start up bands to open the show for them. by the way is any one looking for an opener for somthing coming up.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Wednesday Jul 27, 2011

Hurricane wrote:

Awww...that's awfully nice of you to shed a virtual tear for the less fortunate Bobby.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Wednesday Jul 27, 2011

lonewolf wrote:
Hurricane wrote:
Awww...that's awfully nice of you to shed a virtual tear for the less fortunate Bobby.

Yes, We do alot of benefits for the less fortunate.

I respect a little hard work, bands and musicians that make it happen and don't take no for an answer, its not the area, its what you make of it. Like Mysterytrain, The Hawks and the Houseband and Bodaciuos B, they seem to be playing alot and made venues for themselves. Its out there, go fucking get it.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Wednesday Jul 27, 2011

Bobby! You don't think I want more gigs, do you? I didn't work hard as an entrepreneur and retire a millionaire at 47 so I could spend all my weekends playing gigs in Altoona. This thread isn't about more gigs. We don't even want more than 2 or 3 band gigs per month, so we are getting all the gigs we want.

If you look at the beginning of the thread, this has to do with the establishment gigs like the wingoffs and the municipal concerts. You basically only get one shot to promo those each year. A few bands have two performances at the wing offs...like the two hundred or so bands around here aren't enough to fill all the slots.

Its also important to note that I didn't start this thread just from a musician's point of view. I was also disgruntled that as a tax paying resident of Hollidaysburg, my taxes paid for the same bands as last year with one exception. Even though I like the bands and the people in them very much, I don't believe that they should hire the same bands every year.

shredder138 · Post by **shredder138** » Wednesday Jul 27, 2011

So you guys aren't buddies? I smell tension.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Thursday Jul 28, 2011

Ok Jeff
Here's what ive got so far.
1.Your a millionaire.
2.You dont want to play alot around Altoona or alot of weekends
3.Quote from you "All I want is a little slice of the summer outdoor shows."

You dont want to work hard but you want the big shows,
typical millionaire

I love Jeff, he knows im an asshole, no tension! I mentioned you guys to Amy for next year at the Diamond show.

/thread

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Thursday Jul 28, 2011

Thanks for the plug Bobby. You aren't an asshole, just ornery. There are a few people around that might say the same about me. Things get boring so I gotta stir them up once in awhile, lol.

OK, next question...how many here on Rockpage literally paid their dues to the AFM?

I first paid mine 36 years ago.