[quote name='Doddy' post='861358' date='Jun 8 2010, 07:15 PM']I've done gigs with original bands all over the country and beyond,and have never taken a load of mates
with us and have never paid to get on a bill. The gigs are there without you having to supply your own audience,
or without putting your hand in your pocket. You're first gig may be quiet,but if you do a good job you will begin
to draw more people next time-if you do a good job,there will be a next time despite not drawing a large crowd.[/quote]
Hmmmm, i'm not sure what sort of original bands you were playing with, but it's very difficult IME to play in venues where people turn up for bands coming from out of town. We've played loads in manchester, brum and london, and on the whole they've been rather empty. After playing about 10 gigs in Manchester we started to be able to get a bit of a crowd in, but i'm talking like 20 people (who would come specifically for us).
If there is a "buzz" about a band, i'm sure they can pull the crowds easily, but for a "buzz" don't you need radio support or an army of geeks posting your band all over the web or some other such gimmick?