View Full Version : how often does your band gig?
machinegun78_2
07-26-2005, 02:00 PM
we do one major show a month on this side of town(westside Detroit-Metro), and that seems to keep the "fans" comming back. NOBODY from our "clique" wants to come Downtown or to the Eastside, get drunk, and drive home. we'll do the oddball show on another side of town in between, and we find that the more we do this, the more people come to our side of town to see us.
case in point: our next "show" is Aug. 26th @ The Token Lounge. BUT--we are playing a house party on the 13th way out in the STIIIIICKS and hope that this will put more asses in the seats on the 26th.
what about you?
:confused:
Lee Flier
07-26-2005, 02:05 PM
Yeah we have pretty much the same attitude. We'll play in intown show about once a month, any more often than that and you won't get the same crowd to come out twice.
Any other gigs we do in between are either out of town, or private parties, etc. We've actually really gotten to like house parties. A lot of people who don't like going to clubs will go to a house party, and/or like you say, if they're out in the 'burbs and don't want to go downtown, they'll go to a house party. We mostly stay away from the actual clubs that are out in the 'burbs, as those only feature cover bands who play Freebird.
Shovelhead
07-26-2005, 02:06 PM
2 to 3 times a month.
machinegun78_2
07-26-2005, 02:11 PM
Originally posted by Lee Flier
Yeah we have pretty much the same attitude. We'll play in intown show about once a month, any more often than that and you won't get the same crowd to come out twice.
Any other gigs we do in between are either out of town, or private parties, etc. We've actually really gotten to like house parties. A lot of people who don't like going to clubs will go to a house party, and/or like you say, if they're out in the 'burbs and don't want to go downtown, they'll go to a house party. We mostly stay away from the actual clubs that are out in the 'burbs, as those only feature cover bands who play Freebird.
when I lived and played in Atlanta....EVERYONE played Freebird...:D
I have't been there in years, but I don't remember too many clubs in the burbs like you'd find in Buckhead or Five Points...but that was the 90's, so....
:o
Lee Flier
07-26-2005, 02:19 PM
Originally posted by machinegun78_2
I have't been there in years, but I don't remember too many clubs in the burbs like you'd find in Buckhead or Five Points...
No, there aren't. It's mostly sports bars and biker bars and that sort of thing... like I said, cover bands that play Freebird. :D
machinegun78_2
07-26-2005, 02:32 PM
Originally posted by Lee Flier
No, there aren't. It's mostly sports bars and biker bars and that sort of thing... like I said, cover bands that play Freebird. :D
what a bummer....yeah, I played QUITE a few dives in the Austell/Mableton area. if you couldn't play slide, you better be able to fake it!(Freebird)
:D
Lee Flier
07-26-2005, 02:41 PM
Thing is I DO play slide, and any time I take out the slide anywhere outside the perimeter... you KNOW what happens. :D
Not that we ever actually play it, mind you, but... yeah, we stick to intown clubs and house parties. :D
machinegun78_2
07-26-2005, 02:44 PM
Originally posted by Lee Flier
Thing is I DO play slide, and any time I take out the slide anywhere outside the perimeter... you KNOW what happens. :D
Not that we ever actually play it, mind you, but... yeah, we stick to intown clubs and house parties. :D
funny.....:D
:cool:
THX1138
07-26-2005, 03:08 PM
Originally posted by machinegun78_2
when I lived and played in Atlanta....EVERYONE played Freebird...:D
I have't been there in years, but I don't remember too many clubs in the burbs like you'd find in Buckhead or Five Points...but that was the 90's, so....
:o
Speaking of Atlanta, what are the decent rock venues there now? I played MacGruders in Atlanta & Jimmy Macs in Marietta back in the mid 90's. I'd love to get back down there eventually with my current band.
guitarmook
07-26-2005, 03:10 PM
we try to play 2 per month, one in town, and one outta town... it's been going that way pretty well lately.
ned911
07-26-2005, 03:18 PM
When your playing house parties is this private functions at a rental hall, frats or actually someone's house?
machinegun78_2
07-26-2005, 03:22 PM
Originally posted by ned911
When your playing house parties is this private functions at a rental hall, frats or actually someone's house?
I have played both.....but I call "house parties" parties @ a house....and a hall gig a "private paty"...
;)
Lee Flier
07-26-2005, 04:18 PM
Originally posted by THX1138
Speaking of Atlanta, what are the decent rock venues there now? I played MacGruders in Atlanta & Jimmy Macs in Marietta back in the mid 90's. I'd love to get back down there eventually with my current band.
I dunno, the one place that would've been perfect for your band shut down not too long ago. The scene is kinda sucking wind right now.
You might try the Star Bar, they used to be my favorite club and our favorite place to play but it's kinda gone downhill. The 10 High (formerly the Dark Horse Tavern) is another possibility.
riffdaddy
07-26-2005, 06:00 PM
Our goal is 7 to 12 shows a month, though we fell short significantly this month. The most we've done in a month is 13.
Retrospex
07-26-2005, 06:14 PM
With my band I do 8-12 shows a month. I fill in with other bands 2-4 times a month.
Cortfan
07-26-2005, 06:22 PM
We average 1-2 times a month. Thats about all we want, considering our "real jobs", and family obligations. We have an open invitation to play at our local O'Charley's anytime we want. We did an every Thursday night gig there for about 3 months, and increased their bar business so much, the manager won a free trip to Las Vegas. She didn't even bring us back a T-shirt. www.735band.com or www.studio735.com.
machinegun78_2
07-26-2005, 07:31 PM
I failed to mention the open jam I host with our bass player. it's every Tues(exept tonight...we are in the studio tomorrow, and need the rest) at this dive called the Double "OO" Pub. we do this under another moniker and with a different drummer. Will, Push Off's frontman, has been participating lately but our other guitar player usually bows out. this gives us an oppurtunity to let others jam. I've been doing this gig for over 3 years now.
I look at it as practice, and a good way to cut my chops more. we have been working on harmonies together, and that's always a good thing. it also helps me promote Push Off, who I talk about EVERYWHERE..
:o
xonetruedesirex
07-26-2005, 07:49 PM
We've played 24 shows this year, so 3 or 4 a month, sometimes more.
LosBoleros
07-26-2005, 07:52 PM
We usually book one or two Club gigs a month to leave the other week-end nites available for private events. All in all we play out about 4 times a month.
BTW Getting the private gigs takes alot of hard work and publicity. You have to put out some cash if you want your name put out there. It's worth it thought cause wedding gigs pay about four times what we get for club gigs. I spend about $500.00 a year just on advertising not to mention web server, domain, and sponsored adds online.
Brian Krashpad
07-26-2005, 09:29 PM
About once a month for the punk rock band and once a month for the roots rock band. Maybe twice max. When they're up and running anyhow, The punk rock band is going through new member changes right now.
BK
XamendedX
07-26-2005, 10:02 PM
we used to play 2-3 times a month, but lately the big venues have been running the smaller clubs out of buisness here:(
looks like we're gonna have to sell out and start playing shows at the big money hungry asshole places:mad:
We average about 5 or 6 a month.
But we had 5 in the first week af July. :eek:
I"VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!! :mad:
:D
xonetruedesirex
07-26-2005, 10:13 PM
Originally posted by XamendedX
we used to play 2-3 times a month, but lately the big venues have been running the smaller clubs out of buisness here:(
looks like we're gonna have to sell out and start playing shows at the big money hungry asshole places:mad:
or start touring outside of CA...
Lee Flier
07-26-2005, 10:16 PM
Oh Khan, call the WAAAAHHHm-bulance!
Where's that giant green crying smiley when you need it? :D
defense
07-26-2005, 10:38 PM
It depends. While not on tour I will play anywhere from twice a month to four times a week. While on tour I play 5 or 6 days a week.
machinegun78_2
07-27-2005, 06:48 AM
Originally posted by defense
It depends. While not on tour I will play anywhere from twice a month to four times a week. While on tour I play 5 or 6 days a week.
I wish I was on tour.....:(
I'm drinking milk, though....:D
THX1138
07-27-2005, 07:02 AM
We've gotten to a point where we play about three weekends a month most times. But, we're taking about the next month off for vacations and to finish up mixdowns on our second release. Hopefully when that pig is out of the way finally, we'll take the gigging up a notch.
CloseEnoughRocks
07-27-2005, 07:19 AM
We play every Friday and Saturday and most Thursdays.
And now the band is discussing adding some Wednesdays. The guy I replaced will probably do the Wednesday gigs.
And I'm training another guy to take a weekend for me now and again. This hobby is turning into a job.
Terry Allan Hall
07-27-2005, 07:21 AM
With my trio "Too Hot For Snakes" a couple times a month, on the average.
Solo, several times a week (mostly nursing homes, hospitals, restaurants, coffeehouse, etc.)
And a few times a month I sub on lead or bass with various bands.
cherri
07-27-2005, 10:06 AM
3 - 4 weekends per month, and an occasional Thursday or Sunday acoustic show. I keep promising the guys one weekend off per month and I keep booking shows... they don't seem to mind.
B Money
07-27-2005, 11:50 AM
usually twice a month. Every other weekend is great for a bunch of 30-something weekend warriors with full time day jobs and families. Last summer we played too much and it started to take the fun out of it, so this year we resolved to play less and to overhaul our set list.
wheresgrant3
07-27-2005, 07:35 PM
4-6 times a month. Always a weekend off every six weeks or so.
tucktronix
07-27-2005, 09:17 PM
With the blues band, about 5 - 6 times each month or so. It's hard to get steady work with the prog band, tho. Normally, we would double bill with Gamalon or a more nationally known band.
Blackwatch
07-27-2005, 10:49 PM
I'd been playing pretty close to weekly but I've decided to cut back and have more of a life on the weekends.
XamendedX
07-28-2005, 10:15 AM
Originally posted by xonetruedesirex
or start touring outside of CA...
next summer we plan on it:cool: , and we're playng in phoenix at the end of augast...
xonetruedesirex
07-28-2005, 10:17 AM
Originally posted by XamendedX
next summer we plan on it:cool: , and we're playng in phoenix at the end of augast...
good.
whenever you guys decide to come to the midwest, let me know, we'll hook up some shows...
Greazygeo
07-28-2005, 10:28 AM
We play mostly right now every sat. A few fri-sat's here and there....most clubs around here have bands one nite a week :(
PBBPaul
07-28-2005, 12:18 PM
Nowadays we play about 2 or 3 times per month. We used to play 10 - 12 shows but it gat to be too much with families, day jobs and the like so we cut back to our current schedule. It's enough to keep our chops up and get a little pocket change.
Although we're only doing one in August since My wife is 8 1/2 months pregnant. :)
shredhead666
07-28-2005, 12:48 PM
About 2-3 times a month.
srsfallriver
07-28-2005, 10:20 PM
From May to October we gig at least once a week. We probably have fewer than five gigs between October and May.
machinegun78_2
07-29-2005, 07:16 AM
Originally posted by THX1138
We've gotten to a point where we play about three weekends a month most times. But, we're taking about the next month off for vacations and to finish up mixdowns on our second release. Hopefully when that pig is out of the way finally, we'll take the gigging up a notch.
I hear ya....we are in full "record mode" right now, and will be mixing (we are done with the recording save for one track, most vocals, punches and solos...that sort of shit) till this house party we are playing on the 13th of Aug.
we hope to have the money to have it mastered and packaged by Sept. for a release party. now that we are done with line up changes, we need to do at least two shows a month to pay for this CD....and merch. we had taken a month or so off as well to rehearse with our new bass player.
LateGreats
07-29-2005, 03:10 PM
If my band was able to keep a goddamn guitarist, we'd be playing out right now!
But usually, 2-3X a month.
machinegun78_2
08-01-2005, 11:01 AM
yeah....we JUST decided to step it up a bit.....we have three booked this month, and we are working on three for next month. we need the money for the CD, as this shit is NOT cheap.....
by Nov, we should be at a place where we can go back to once a month. that seems to keep them coming back.
;)