blue

[quote name='AndyBob09' timestamp='1414597208' post='2591143'] We're all pro's on the gigging circuit with experience in this field.[/quote] No doubt, but then why is your thread titled, Where/ How To Get Gigs? Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1414569699' post='2590672'] I think the younger crowd will certainly go to good live music events but it is so much more based around alcohol and a great night and they are also just as likely to go to their night clubs.[/quote] They might go for whatever [i]"good live music"[/i] is, but not for live 70s blues/rock, not on this side of the pond. Blue

[quote name='AndyBob09' timestamp='1414597208' post='2591143'] Can I ask what about our show reel you think shows that we're not ready? I think our video shows a varied music selection and a polished product. Obviously I've just told you that the band was just formed, but otherwise, I'd say there'd be no telling? We're all pro's on the gigging circuit with experience in this field.[/quote] For me it's the image or the appearance of the band. And for the video, personally, I would have left the music stands out of the picture. It's obvious that all of you can play.Musically your very tight. I don't know what type of cruise ship your booked on, but the look of a band is important here in the USA. I still maintain my position, if you guys could create more of a look like your entertainers and not teachers that just got off work it would serve you well. Don't get me wrong you guys look professional, however more like professional teachers. And the ladies are attractive, so it would be an easy fix to look more like professional entertainers. Again good luck Blue

[quote name='AndyBob09' timestamp='1414597208' post='2591143'] Is it just me that finds that offensive? I'd like to sell a band on musical merit, not tits and teeth ... Or am I horribly misled?[/quote] No offense again, but I have to ask. Are you fairly new to the business? I would say your horribly misled, This business is not solely about musical merit. Your selling a whole package which includes image, That is why I suggested the ladies try to look more like entertainers than school teachers. Regardless, good luck and nice job on landing cruise business.It's not easy. Blue

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1414504982' post='2589933'] I find using it in stealth mode makes it hardly noticeable ( as per photo above) [/quote] Yeah, I saw that, not bad. Blue

Getting some pre-cruise gigs should be easy, not sure how to handle the PA issue. The agency should be of some help, I would think. And it wouldn't hurt to have the ladies kick up the wardrobe a couple of notches. No offense, but to me they look like teachers not entertainers. Best of luck Blue

It's difficult for me to say much. I'm deep in the trenches of the local bar band scene here in Milwaukee and for the most part that verticle has died a bit too. It's a struggle and bands have to work hard to stay booked. Now, we do have [b]The Pabst Theater, The Riverside, and Turner Hall,[/b] but they book the big acts and I think they do fine. For example I caught your Jeff Beck at Turner and your Robin Trower at The Pabst. Now the places like The Scene and The Palms, these were the ultra cool / hip places where you would have seen Hendrix or Cream any of the heavier bands of the late 60s and 70s. These places fell by the wayside years ago everywhere. You guys had [b]The Marquee[/b] and many others, right? Oh I forgot about [b]Shank Hall[/b] ( it's not a Hall it's a club/bar ) and is the closest thing we have that resemble of what the old "underground" clubs would have been like. You can see really cool touring acts in a small club. The Artists are accessible and you can usually chat with them after their show. Tha'ts me with my friend [b]Al Anderson[/b] of The Wailer's back stage at Shank Hall. Blue

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1414518356' post='2590181'] That's amazing - not sure to laugh of cry about that one! How dispiriting for the bands concerned.I've never heard of anything like that before [/quote] It happens every weekend to many if not all of the gigging bar level live rock bands that encounter the 20 somethings. They are not interested.. Were selling and they ain't buying. Blue

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1414506632' post='2589968'] I'm sure you're well aware of the cultural differences either side of the pond. Especially with regards to drinking and going out culture.[/quote] I think were on the same page. The young pretty folks don't want any contact with rock bands especially bands with 6O year old guys. It's a good thing our band leader and front person and lead guitarist is a 29 year old female. I think it's the only thing that saves us and keeps the band working. Blue

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1414507104' post='2589978'] I think it's a little bit of that... also several venues I've played should really just give up on the live music. Played The Finsbury a few weeks back up at manor park and it was a huge pub litrally heaving with 20 somethings, hundreds of them. Decent stage, decent sound but when the music started a partition wall was drawn across from the stage area and the rest of the pub... not to keep the noise out of the music area but to keep the music out of the main pub... the kids simply didn't want the music, they had come out for a chat with their mates. [/quote] Played a place with a similar configuration. The bar was in a separate room divided by sliding garage doors. The bar was packed and the room we were in was empty. Geeeeez, have things changed. And it has nothing to do with how good you are, if it's live rock music the 20 somethings want nothing to do with it. Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1414485028' post='2589618'] Does this mean that you also have an older girlfriend, or have we been separated by a common language? [/quote] Hmmmmm, Yeah, unfortunately that's what's going on. I hope to get it down to one younger girlfriend real soon. Just haven't figured out a safe way to deliver the bad news. Blue

[quote name='bassist_lewis' timestamp='1414445297' post='2589432'] I think being in our 20s helps as we know what classic songs people our age are aware of. [/quote] I'm curious, what would those classics be? blue

[quote name='bassist_lewis' timestamp='1414445297' post='2589432'] Over winter I play a couple of pubs in Edinburgh, we do lot of different stuff so Bruno Mars and Magic! along with MJ and The Police. [/quote] That's not even close to the music I'm talking about. I'm talking about blues/rock from the 60's and early 70s ( Hendrix, Cream, Mountain, Yard Birds, Mayall ,Peter Green) And I bet my definition of classics is a bit different than someone in their 20s. Blue

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1414444455' post='2589418'] But sometimes it's just a relief to hang out with people whose terms of reference are the same[/quote] I like where your heads at Sea Shell. Here's another one, we play[i] "Sunshine Of Your Love"[/i]. Our lead guitarist, she's 29 ok. I was playing "Sunshine Of Your Love" in 1968 in my parents garage with my band. Thing is, she plays the song, but that's where it ends. I not only play it, I get and understand [i]"Sunshine Of Your Love"[/i] at a much more granular level. Get what I'm saying? I mean, I can play just about any rock song but when you really understand the song and the time period it represents, well, it doesn't hurt. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to fault anyone based on when they were born and what music they had access to. Blue

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1414439147' post='2589323'] Wasn't the bass in tune when you bought it? Sorry, old band joke I'd personally NOT buy a Korg clip on tuner. I've got one and it's absolute pants. The £5 non brand thing I bought for my son off Amazon is miles better. All seems a bit hit and miss tbh [/quote] A lot of you older guys remember when there were no tuners. If you didn't have a key board player in the band you tuned by ear or we had something called a Pitch Pipe, which probably is still not a bad tool. Blue

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1414439893' post='2589338'] Also the punters are usually very appreciative as they are proper music lovers too. It's a great place and long may it continue :-)[/quote] Nice!, crowds that [i]"get it".[/i] Any you guys that play in rock/blues band play these venues and all the young 20 somethings huddle as far away from the band as possible and act like you don't exist? Now I'm on a rant. I took my younger girl friend on 2 separate occasions to see some live female blues/rock acts. Samantha Fish and a few weeks later Anna Popovic at the same venue. She loved it but she asked the same question at both shows. [i]"This is great, how come there are only old people here, young people would love this stuff."[/i] My response, [i]"Really, then where are they?"[/i] Blue

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1414439893' post='2589338'] Also the punters are usually very appreciative as they are proper music lovers too.[/quote] Very cool. The engaged, responsive, appreciative crowd. That's what's happening. I mean, what good is a cool fancy venue with a non-responsive, ignorant crowd? Over here it's particularly tough for those of us in 70s style rock/blues bands. I swear one night a guy that looked to be about 21 came up to the band while we were performing pointing at us in amazement. It was like he was in a museum and we were something from the past. I don't really think he knew what we were or what we were doing. Tell me that's not a said statement on the current status of live rock. Blue

I use short scales for at least one set at gigs. Blue

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1414367398' post='2588742'] This. [/quote] Thing about these head stock snarks; I have several cool looking bass guitars I gig with. I'm not going to compromise the look of the head stock with a snark. And with my eye sight I wouldn't be able to see the smaller display from that angle or distance. Blue

Not sure this tread will go anywhere. Just looking for comments from folks that play in what I believe you guys would call "Pub Level Bands" and we call " Bar Bands". It's actually funny, when I talk to my older buddies back in Jerseys and say; [i]"Yeah, I'm working this weekend. Were playing The Rock House, Rooters, The Up & Under ect".[/i] You know, venue names where a guy could conjure an image of a high end gig. Take this weekend, the pic is where we pulled up to to load in. Any of you guys play places that look like this? Don't get me wrong, in the Summer we get our share of Fair and Festival work but our bread and butter are bar /club shows. Most will tell me; [i]"Blue, you're lucky you have work, a lot of us don't." [/i] I;m looking for any comments or stories from guys that play bars on a weekly basis. Humor is always welcomed. Blue

I think we have a little distance between us. I started playing gigs back in 1966 in Jersey and except for the drummer the other members started playing their guitars later in life. I'm a Jersey "know it all" with a lot of opinions based on my rather long gigging band history. Maybe my ideas might be dated, but I keep quiet. I know my ideas will not be taken seriously. Blue

Well, you learned a lesson. If you are serious about live performance preparation is everything. Blue

[quote name='Bikenbass' timestamp='1414351100' post='2588561'] korg pitchblack, superb piece of kit. [/quote] Agreed, Had mine since 2009. It's first in line in my pedal board chain. No problems. Buy it you won't be dissapoinedt unless you play in a lot of direct sun light. Blue

[quote name='inthedoghouse' timestamp='1414342559' post='2588432'] These would be the specific talents of massive marketing strategies? [/quote] I'm not sure. More than likely. Blue

I would be screwed, but I guess I would replace my GK with Marshall or Mesa Boogie. Basses, I could get by with another German Hofner and a Sadowsky. Blue