Really Weak Turnout??

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Sunday Apr 10, 2005

I'm curious.. Is it just us, or is anybody else experiencing really poor turnout at your gigs recently?

We played at Peter C's on Friday, and if it weren't for DMFJ and Esa and Brian and his crew, the place would have been empty.

Then on Saturday at the Country Inn, although the numbers were better, the only thing that got a rise out of anybody was anything "Skynyrd" or any "Old Time Rock and Roll" sound-a-likes. Of course, anyone who had any appreciation for good music seemed to have a good time. But, all in all, it just felt like a "long hard ride".

John

red · Post by **red** » Sunday Apr 10, 2005

Although we have had good crowd's, (except for Altoona, don't know what's up with that town) it has been a little slow. Blame it on the great weather! If I wasn't playing every night I sure wouldn't be in a smokey bar!

Post by **Jim Price** » Sunday Apr 10, 2005

I saw mixed crowds this week/weekend. Midnight Flyer at Hitching Post on Wednesday was slow, Felix & the Hurricanes at Peter C's Thursday was slower than usual. But Fayted at the Warehouse in Bedford had a good crowd Friday, and Flight 19 had wall-to-wall people at Burgi's Roundhouse Saturday night.

I suspect Backstreet Law should do well at Pelly's tonight, since they haven't been there in the better part of 2 months...

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Sunday Apr 10, 2005

I'd definatly chalk this weekend up to spring fever, Everyone was out riding bikes , playing ball and enjoying the weather.Afterwards they were probably too tired to go out from being more active than normal. I'm kinda glad this was one of our off weekends............ I always like to see a rainy forcast on the nights we play when it gets into the summer months.

Victor Synn · Post by **Victor Synn** » Sunday Apr 10, 2005

homerski wrote: Of course, anyone who had any appreciation for good music seemed to have a good time.

I'd watch saying things like this. How do you know the people at your shows didn't appreciate it? If they all got up and left, then I'd say you're probably right, but people can appreciate the music you do and not be up on chairs raising hell either. It happens to us as well. We'll think the crowd might not like a song we do because the dance floor isn't jam packed, but when we're on break, people will come up to us and say "I can't believe you guys play that song. It's awesome." There is different types of appreciation. When I go to check out a band, I'm not up dancing my ass off. In fact, even if I love the song to death, I'm usually just sitting at my seat singing along.

That being said, we did alright at our shows. Friday at Glenn's we and CuCuPlex had roughly 170 through the door and we had around 200 through the door at Electric Avenue. Our Glenn's turnout was low compared to some of the other back room shows we did there (We had over 500 there for one show), but not a bad crowd none-the-less. Friday isn't their regular band night, so that probably hurt us some.

I'm sure the turnout will get better. Perhaps there was something else going on in the area? Not sure if the Curve played over the weekend, but that has hurt us at times when we played Altoona. Especially if there are fireworks or other post-game activities going on.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

I don’t know what it is, but we play north, south and west of Altoona and always pack in good crowds (depending on room size, I’m talking between 125-250 a show, this past weekend was no different) ...

... but in Altoona ... it’s crickets. Now, we haven’t worked Altoona all that hard to be honest, but the only really good crowds we’ve ever had in that town were at the 2003 Halloween Bash at the Club Car Cafe which, by the way, WE STILL HAVEN’T BEEN PAID A DIME FOR, and the Leeper Show at City Limits. For the latter show, we invited our friends from HAIR FORCE ONE along and I attribute most of that crowd to their presence.

In Altoona, the rule is simple: If they don’t know you, they will not come out to see you. Solution: Keep playing, stay patient and cross your fingers. Once you’re established and as long as the product you provide is top notch, they come around. A wise man (Jim Price) once told me, “longevity of a band” is the secret to making a dent in Altoona crowds. The bands that keep playing to mostly empty rooms and don’t give up are the ones who eventually earn acceptance.

Oh yeah, I agree with Vic, we've had our nights where we felt like monkeys in a cage. A good crowd, but they're all just standing there. The thing is, they're all standing there looking directly at the band, and between breaks, the kudos come. If anything, when we have a crowd like that, I try to encourage them to stand closer to the front.

r:>)

Post by **Jim Price** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

BadDazeRob said:

A wise man (Jim Price) once told me, “longevity of a band” is the secret to making a dent in Altoona crowds. The bands that keep playing to mostly empty rooms and don’t give up are the ones who eventually earn acceptance.

This is true. Altoona has always been a tough town to sell your band in, and it's been that way for as long as I have been writing about the area music scene. This town makes you EARN your crowd. Very few bands see instant gratification playing in Altoona.

Over the years, the bands that have stuck together and kept trying eventually won their fan base here. I could rattle off many names, both local and out-of-town, who have had to "scrap in the trenches" to earn their fan base through slow nights, but stuck together, kept battling, and were eventually rewarded with large crowds in Altoona. Ask Flight 19, Backstreet Law, Felix & the Hurricanes, Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys, Third Standard, Nevermoure/Vs. the Earth, and Green Eggs to name a few - these bands all "paid their dues" in this town before they finally earned a decent following. It takes time and patience to make it happen in Altoona. But look at it this way - it builds toughness and character!

esa · Post by **esa** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

Yeah, I didn't get to mention the helluva good time we had seeing ya at Petey C's place. Anyone that hasn't had the opportunity to check these guys out, should! When you can go from Moon Dance to U2 to Polkas (YEY POLKAS!!!!!!!!!!!) to Disco to AC/DC to Oldies.... ::just shakes head:: It was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They even got the Death Master to dance with me. Hell hath froze over!

That not so great part was holding our breath as we waited to get through the DUI checkpoint. Luckily, he and I were both okay...but still... arrrrrgh.

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

I don't know if this will bring much comfort but it ain't just Altoona, we palyed in Harrisburg at place where we always pack em in and the crowd was light saturday,

it wasn't bad, there were bar regulars and a few of the Fat Vinny Faithful (God Bless 'em) but it wasn't what it usually is at that place

Yea good weather gets ya too

I just hope the Crowds come out to see us

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AT BURGI'S!!

hint hint

DMFJ03 · Post by **DMFJ03** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

Just be thankful for the people you do get!

I remember a time when the only people in the room was that band!

For me, if more than 10 -15 are paying attention...that is good enough for me.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

The truth is that any musician who has been in this business for any lenght of time has played to the chairs more than once during his or her career.

"That which derserves to succeed, will succeed" - Cadillac car ad.

DMFJ03 · Post by **DMFJ03** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

bassist_25 wrote:The truth is that any musician who has been in this business for any lenght of time has played to the chairs more than once during his or her career.

You just ain't a-kidding.

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

Bassist_25 wrote:

The truth is that any musician who has been in this business for any lenght of time has played to the chairs more than once during his or her career.

Amen, Amen and Amen

We call it playin a stop on "the Ethan Allen Tour" cause you're playin for furniture

It's an occupational hazzard.

The truth is, Nobody's quite as good as when they've got a crowd.

I know people will try to dispute that and say "Aw bullshit, we play our aases off even if there's nobody there."

I'm not saying you don't play your asses off everytime,

I'm sayin you're not as good without the response, nobody is.

That crowd response is what sends you to 11, a good musican can get up to 10 on his own but you need an audience to get to 11,

that's as true for Metallica or whoever as it is for Fat Vinny and the Wiseguys or your band

So Come help us get to 11 by showing up at

BURGI'S This Friday night!!!

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

We have 3 levels of engagements

1. A Gig - Fun to play no matter if there is a big crowd or a small appreciative crowd.

2. A Job - Just like going to work. Go and do your thing, get paid, and go home.

3. A Turd - No matter what you do, it just plain stinks.

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Monday Apr 11, 2005

Moxham wrote:

1. A Gig - Fun to play no matter if there is a big crowd or a small appreciative crowd

I didn't say it wasn't

What I am sayin is that it's MORE fun with a crowd, especially one that is into what you are doing.

Gigs are like gettin Blowjobs,

even a relativley bad one is a lot better than none at all.

But some ARE better than others. and you think they are ALL equal you haven't had enough of them to know the difference.

the herald · Post by **the herald** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005

Its near impossible to predict but one theory is technology......(cell phones) one thing i noticed is people have a natural instinct to go where the biggest crowd is , especially if they are single.i always see people walk in the door, cell phone in hand , look around and report the scene to their friends. also, Altoona must have more bars than any city in P.A. so that doesnt help either, when we play in a rural area or a town that only has 10 or so bars its a whole different story.Lets face it....when they made the show Twilight zone, it was based on Altoona!

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005

You know, a general observation of mine is that Altoona is usually DEAD on Fridays. Saturday is the night to play, and of course, Sundays at Pellies are always good. I don't know why, but Fridays just aren't kickin in Toona Town. I was at Aldo's, Peter C's, and City Limits....I bet I didn't even see 50 people total in all three bars. That sucks. 4 D's on Saturday was pretty good. I didn't get out to see Backstreet Law on Sunday, but I heard it was an average crowd. Just keep playing and being good to your fans, they'll appreciate you in the end!

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005

We (SeVeR) Played City Limits Friday with 3 Broken Dolls. At a guess I'd say there was probably around 50 people there when we played. The only crowd reaction we got, other than the band wives and the guys from 3BD, was by a guy that upon finding out that the songs we were playing were originals and didn't play any Slayer, went back to his seat at the bar. Most of the people there stayed back at the bar/pool table area. People did come up to me and tell me they enjoyed our set after we finished, but probly half the people there left between the time we finished and 3 Boken Dolls started. At least of the people there, a few did find their way to the dance floor for 3BD.

esa · Post by **esa** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005

And it's never easy... being a groupie...being the only one there... or one of less than five people...and the only one on the dance floor...trying to support your guys....so that they don't feel like total schmucks and think that they suck because the crowds weren't there...
I've done my share of that... And believe you me, I can't dance very well, but I did my damndest to shake my groove thing to get a few people to come out and dance or head bob with me....

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Wednesday Apr 13, 2005

This is a universal form of dues that you can end up paying over and over and over again. Just when you think you've paid up, there's more to pay.

The Who sums it up in the Punk vs. the Godfather (Quadrophenia, 1973):

I have to be careful not to preach
I can't pretend that I can teach,
And yet I've lived your future out
By pounding stages like a clown.
And on the dance floor broken glass,
The bloody faces slowly pass,
The broken seats in empty rows,
It all belongs to me...you know.

esa · Post by **esa** » Wednesday Apr 13, 2005

Oh, and John... I'll have you know... I've had that Cripple (cribble?) Creak song in my head all week. ALL WEEK! Stuck! In My Head!

::hums:: she saves me when I spring a leak...

PastorofMuppets · Post by **PastorofMuppets** » Wednesday Apr 13, 2005

FatVin wrote:Bassist_25 wrote:

The truth is that any musician who has been in this business for any lenght of time has played to the chairs more than once during his or her career.
Amen, Amen and Amen

We call it playin a stop on "the Ethan Allen Tour" cause you're playin for furniture

that has to be one of the funniest things i have ever heard of

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Wednesday Apr 13, 2005

esa wrote:Oh, and John... I'll have you know... I've had that Cripple (cribble?) Creak song in my head all week. ALL WEEK! Stuck! In My Head!

::hums:: she saves me when I spring a leak...

Sorry Esa, It is "Cripple Creek" and here's the "refrain" so that you can sing the words while it's bouncing around in your head:

Up on Cripple Creek, she sends me
If I spring a leak, she mends me
I don't have to speak, she defends me
A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one

And my favorite line from verse 3 of 5 is:

"That's when that little love of mine, Dips her doughnut in my tea"

The song that I have trouble gettin' out of my head is "Cinnamon Girl".

Once again, Sorry

John

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Wednesday Apr 13, 2005

lonewolf wrote:This is a universal form of dues that you can end up paying over and over and over again. Just when you think you've paid up, there's more to pay.

The Who sums it up in the Punk vs. the Godfather (Quadrophenia, 1973):

I have to be careful not to preach
I can't pretend that I can teach,
And yet I've lived your future out
By pounding stages like a clown.
And on the dance floor broken glass,
The bloody faces slowly pass,
The broken seats in empty rows,
It all belongs to me...you know.

Jeff, this is so true..

Sometimes it feels like I've paid my dues hundreds of times over the past 40 years of performing. One would think that I would have learned my lesson by now... Oh well, That's Show Bidness!!

John

ASB10 · Post by **ASB10** » Wednesday Apr 13, 2005

I would just like to thank JP for officially jinxing Third Standard for our next appearance in Altoona. We can expect to rock out for the crickets now!!!!

But seriously, we have played quite a few shows in Altoona to pretty empty rooms, which we, much like other bands who come into town, weren't really accustomed to.

I remember two or three nights at City Limits when the only people in the crowd were girlfriends and bar employees (this includes Big Vinny the bouncer, who by the way was actually a founding member of this band, as a bass player for about three months, back when it was known as American Standard...some useless knowledge to impart there). We opened for every big name band there, did every benefit, and still we were left scratching our asses wondering where the crowd was and getting pretty pissed off and jaded towards the whole town. But it really came around for us, and came around well.....well, at least until JP jinxed us back to square one that is......

ROCKPAGE

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