Supporting Live Music.
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| A good soldier always makes time for breakfast |
I've had my poached eggs,my cup of tea,I've got my tin hat and I'm now ready to speak my mind and prepared for any barrage of flak that gets thrown back at me.Here goes.
Being in a band
Choosing to be in a band with the intention of taking it at far as you can is an emotional,political roller coaster that takes a lot of hard work and effort.I'm not talking about the bands that get together once in a while to play covers of their favourite songs (although this is usually how it all starts) or those bands that use it as an excuse to get pissed once a year,I'm talking about the bands that put their heart and soul into what they do.The band members that are constantly trying to up their game and be the best they can be and bring their own songs and live show to as many people as they possibly can.This is hard work.You are constantly up against it.However much we don't want to admit it, we are in constant competition (friendly or otherwise) with other bands,promoters (not all promoters) and general dickheads out there that think they can tell you what to do.On top of all this you have to try and convince people to come out and see you play in a town you live miles away from and hope that they'll come and see you with more of their friends the next time you play.Then there is the dirty subject of money!Without money bands will not last very long,unless they are happy doing covers in their local bar.
I've been in bands since 1993.My first band was called "Cake" .Not the "Cake" that people might know but just a bunch of school mates that thought we could play our instruments better than we could.I was actually on guitar.We started doing covers of Nirvana songs and things like that then we started writing our own tunes.Eventually we left school and the band ceased to exist.Of course,I knew this is what I wanted to do in life and over the next few years I was joining different bands and starting my own bands and eventually ended up by accident joining 4ft fingers as their drummer.They were known as "Subterfudge" back then until me and (original Bass player) Andy White decided to announce we didn't like the name and so eventually it became 4ft fingers.After years of trying to take it as far as we could I eventually left and "Reign of Fury" was born.
Is the scene dying or the band?
During the early 4ft years,we played gigs where you could count the amount of people that have come to see you on 1 hand.Later we played sold out shows in decent sized venues.Later still,the crowds got smaller again.I've seen the crowds go from nothing-sold out-nothing.The Scene seemed to be dying.We used to say that nobody went to see bands anymore and the punk scene is on it's arse.However,little did we know that in a venue on the other side of the country,Spunge or King Prawn or some other band were playing Sold Out shows still.
"The scene is dying?"
No,the band is dying.
Value for money
Today,being in a band is different.It's a hell of a lot better!And if you don't up your game,you will die.Facebook is full of shit bands and decent bands but with the technology that is out there today any band can make a half decent demo in their bedroom at very low cost and get it online.This allows the music fan to listen to the band before they go and see them play live.If you like their music,you go and see them play.Gone are the days where the only way to here a band's music is to see them live.Why is this a good thing? I here you ask.Because it means that the bands who truly want to go as far as they can have to up their game.They have to give the internet listener a reason to go and see them live.It weens the shit out.And don't think that using pro-tools to polish your demos will save you.If you can't play the songs that are on your page as well live,they won't come and see you again.Playing the same old set for the last 4/5 years is also a killer for any band.Think about it.If you've been to see a band over the last 4 years and they still haven't changed their set then they are not giving you value for money or the respect that you as a fan of the band deserve.The band are just using the punter for an excuse to get pissed.Bands,make the effort!Only the strong survive.
Promoters
Some promoters out there are real cunts!!! I'd like to stress that I do mean "some".The promoters that Reign of Fury use are all awesome.We have come across a couple of cunts but we don't use them anymore.There are promoters out there that seem to think its a good idea to put a load of shit bands on at their venue.They do this because these bands will usually do it for free.Now as a band you might say "We just wanna play,we don't care about the money" and that's up to you,but think for a second.What is better: A gig with 3 decent bands or a gig with 5 shit bands (and maybe one decent headliner).You in your band doing gigs for free is also allowing the promoters to not bother booking other decent hard working bands from out of town,therefore killing them off.You should never be desperate to play a gig.Keep practicing,get a decent demo and build up your facebook and when they come to you asking you to play,tell them your fee!Even if it's just to cover fuel costs.You can't do what you love for very long if you don't get paid to do it.Charity gigs are a whole different ball game.
As a Punter
I love going to see a decent band play but if I go and see a band play and they bore me,I'll maybe give them one more chance.If they still bore me,then I won't go and see them again.My time doesn't need to be wasted standing in a venue having my ears damaged by a band than couldn't give a fuck that I've spent £8 or so + fuel to go and see them.If the band keeps playing the same set as every tour then they also don't give a shit.Is it that hard to learn some of your other songs.If so,maybe you should call it a day.I'll still buy the album if I like the songs but I won't go and see you live if you've bored me twice.And if you don't keep packing out venues then you won't get booked.
Conclusion
What I'm trying to say here is that the live scene,no matter what scene you are into,is about everyone pitching in together.Promoters need to book decent bands,punters should only go and see the bands that excite them and bands need to take matters into their own hands and give punters and promoters value for money.If you're good then then your gigs will get better,more people will come to see you and the live scene will benefit.If you're shit,you'll kill it.Bands,the circle starts with you!Get the internet listener excited and make them glad they came to your show.
Examples
Here is a band that seems to be trying to kill off the live scene!I mean,if this was the first time I went to see live music,I'd never go to another gig again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3BWQCBR5J8
If you're into punk,here is a band called "The Splash" that you need to check out.I've never seen them live but they're a decent band and I'd like to check em out:
http://www.facebook.com/thesplashuk/app_204974879526524
Death Metal wise,this band sound fuckin' awesome!They are called "Flayed Disciple" and if you're into Death Metal then how could you not want to see these guys live.Hopefully I will soon:
http://www.facebook.com/flayeddiscipleband/app_204974879526524
Oh and don't forget to check out my band "Reign of Fury".We're on tour later in the year so come and see us and we'll do what we can to give you your money's worth!!!
www.facebook.com/reignoffury http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIJ0KBz8qfg
Thanks for reading
Magic Dave.
