The Last Bass Outpost
Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: Rhythm N. Bliss on September 13, 2010, 08:24:58 PM
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...flowing into the mind of the concerned bassplayer today. :D
How do you line up gigs? Is there a minimum amount you'll accept for a gig?
Do you put a tip jar onstage or pass the hat? What's the most you've made just doing that?
Have any of you fuggers done tours all around the USA? All 50 states? How 'bout Alaska & Hawaii?
Anyone done a World Tour?
Do you have roadies? a sound man? lighting guy? a driver? other crew members?
What's in your gig bag? What all do you take on tour?
Do ya have a tourbus or what? Tourbus pulling a trailer perhaps?
I'm planning to get a tour together for Summer 2011....
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<subscribed>
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tour bus, roadies, lighting guy.....hello! ;)
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Here's the road rules:
1) Go for the money
2) Sleep while you can
3) Hang with your own
4) Never buy a bus
....... the rest of it all kinda falls in place :mrgreen:
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How do you line up gigs?
We have a booking agent, and also are contacted thru our website.
Is there a minimum amount you'll accept for a gig?
Yes. After all expenses have been paid(agent, crew, fuel, lodging, etc.) each band member must make at least $100 per show/night.
Do you put a tip jar onstage or pass the hat?
At club shows we have a tip jar, and at some point in the show we send a pretty young lady(that we've approached earlier in the night) thru the audience with the tip jar. At corporate gigs we do not have a tip jar.
What's the most you've made just doing that?
Hard to say as at the end of the night the tip money and merch money are combined and then divided five ways. An average night for tip/merch is $100 per bandmember, but it has been over $200 on ocassion.
Have any of you fuggers done tours all around the USA?
Yes, a few US tours over the years, except Alaska and Hawaii.
Anyone done a World Tour?
No.
Do you have roadies? a sound man? lighting guy? a driver? other crew members?
We have two crew who drive the equipment truck, set up/tear down the backline/PA/lighting, and run sound/lights. We have a third crewmember who wrangles the guitars(tuning, replacing broken strings, swapping out guitars during the show). He also tends the merch display.
What's in your gig bag?
I have a case that travels with the gear, it contains: two guitar stands, effects pedals, cords, batteries, power adapters, incense/lighter, alarm clock, picks, drum mallets, and artificial sweetner.
What all do you take on tour?
ipod/headphones, medication, toiletries, clothes, stage clothes, sunglasses, phone, books/magazines, portable DVD player/DVDs, GPS, and more stuff I can't think of right now.
Do ya have a tourbus or what?
For local shows(within 300 miles of Austin) the bandmembers drive their own cars to the show, and the crew drive the equipment van. For shows beyond 300 miles and up to and including neighboring states(LA, OK, NM) we rent a van for the bandmembers, with the crew driving the equipment van. The local van rental place knows us VERY well. For shows beyond neighboring states, the bandmembers and guitar tech fly to the gig, and use rented/supplied backline/PA/lights/soundman.
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Roadettes - much more fun...
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Never did a real tour... but in the mid 80's got to play some cool venues like the Nassau Coliseum, Felt Forum, Beacon Theater as a member of a "back Line" band for 50', 60's & 70's acts (rock and Roll revival stuff) that don't travel with their own bands.
Just show up at the gig with a couple of basses. One time i actually got to supply the backline for the Beacon and got paid an extra 150 for using my rig...
Shitty money , cool experience and good pictures my wife took. got a chance for my older sister and her husband to see me on stage at the Nassau Col.
Also got to play at CBGB's and some of the other lower east side clubs in the early 80's a few times - mostly week nights at 1 in the morning.... overall drag but trying to get signed you deal with that stuff....
PS - i have never passed a hat around at a gig in 37 years. Maybe i should start....
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How do you line up gigs?
We have a booking agent, and also are contacted thru our website.
Is there a minimum amount you'll accept for a gig?
Yes. After all expenses have been paid(agent, crew, fuel, lodging, etc.) each band member must make at least $100 per show/night.
Do you put a tip jar onstage or pass the hat?
At club shows we have a tip jar, and at some point in the show we send a pretty young lady(that we've approached earlier in the night) thru the audience with the tip jar. At corporate gigs we do not have a tip jar.
What's the most you've made just doing that?
Hard to say as at the end of the night the tip money and merch money are combined and then divided five ways. An average night for tip/merch is $100 per bandmember, but it has been over $200 on ocassion.
Have any of you fuggers done tours all around the USA?
Yes, a few US tours over the years, except Alaska and Hawaii.
Anyone done a World Tour?
No.
Do you have roadies? a sound man? lighting guy? a driver? other crew members?
We have two crew who drive the equipment truck, set up/tear down the backline/PA/lighting, and run sound/lights. We have a third crewmember who wrangles the guitars(tuning, replacing broken strings, swapping out guitars during the show). He also tends the merch display.
What's in your gig bag?
I have a case that travels with the gear, it contains: two guitar stands, effects pedals, cords, batteries, power adapters, incense/lighter, alarm clock, picks, drum mallets, and artificial sweetner.
What all do you take on tour?
ipod/headphones, medication, toiletries, clothes, stage clothes, sunglasses, phone, books/magazines, portable DVD player/DVDs, GPS, and more stuff I can't think of right now.
Do ya have a tourbus or what?
For local shows(within 300 miles of Austin) the bandmembers drive their own cars to the show, and the crew drive the equipment van. For shows beyond 300 miles and up to and including neighboring states(LA, OK, NM) we rent a van for the bandmembers, with the crew driving the equipment van. The local van rental place knows us VERY well. For shows beyond neighboring states, the bandmembers and guitar tech fly to the gig, and use rented/supplied backline/PA/lights/soundman.
Thanks for taking the time to answer so thoroughly, my fellow Southpaw! You ROCK!!!
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I got to tour Japan and Korea in '98, '99 and '00 - but they were short 2 week tours. Still counts though. :)
Oh, to answer your other question, I tour Hawaii all the time....:)
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You could always perform a bass duet with Gonzo... ;D
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Somehow or other I'm determined to do a 2011 Summer Tour with my trio Godbrothers.
I may have to fund it by selling my Zemaitis guitar. Hopefully not tho.
Just the fact that I'm thinking about it tells you I'm SERIOUS about this!
I'm looking for BACKING & have some real good prospects!!
I'll be painting a HUGE backdrop for the stage as soon as I know what to paint.
I'm working on logo ideas. Got some cool sketches drawn up.
Planning to make some posters in the ol' SF psychedelic Art Nouveau style!
Gonna print MEGA flyers too & plaster 'em all over as soon as we hit each town on the tour.
I'm thinking it would be cool to play half the states (26) & do 4 shows in each state; over 100 gigs.
I'm also thinking it would be cool to set up our own stage on the outskirts of town & have a half tent over it for protection from the sun & rain.
That would enable us to play as long as we like--2,3,4 or 5 hours--or "Play all night!" like the ABB did when someone yelled that at the Fillmore East show.
How to sell tix would be a prob, but maybe we could play FREE CONCERTS (Donations Appreciated!)
A bottomless tip jar bolted to the stage would allow tips to go thru to a treasure chest underneath. :D
I've been BRAINSTORMING! Can you tell?
Studying red tape issues like permits & so forth & so on...
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How do you line up gigs?
We have a booking agent, and also are contacted thru our website.
Is there a minimum amount you'll accept for a gig?
Yes. After all expenses have been paid(agent, crew, fuel, lodging, etc.) each band member must make at least $100 per show/night.
Do you put a tip jar onstage or pass the hat?
At club shows we have a tip jar, and at some point in the show we send a pretty young lady(that we've approached earlier in the night) thru the audience with the tip jar. At corporate gigs we do not have a tip jar.
What's the most you've made just doing that?
Hard to say as at the end of the night the tip money and merch money are combined and then divided five ways. An average night for tip/merch is $100 per bandmember, but it has been over $200 on ocassion.
Have any of you fuggers done tours all around the USA?
Yes, a few US tours over the years, except Alaska and Hawaii.
Anyone done a World Tour?
No.
Do you have roadies? a sound man? lighting guy? a driver? other crew members?
We have two crew who drive the equipment truck, set up/tear down the backline/PA/lighting, and run sound/lights. We have a third crewmember who wrangles the guitars(tuning, replacing broken strings, swapping out guitars during the show). He also tends the merch display.
What's in your gig bag?
I have a case that travels with the gear, it contains: two guitar stands, effects pedals, cords, batteries, power adapters, incense/lighter, alarm clock, picks, drum mallets, and artificial sweetner.
What all do you take on tour?
ipod/headphones, medication, toiletries, clothes, stage clothes, sunglasses, phone, books/magazines, portable DVD player/DVDs, GPS, and more stuff I can't think of right now.
Do ya have a tourbus or what?
For local shows(within 300 miles of Austin) the bandmembers drive their own cars to the show, and the crew drive the equipment van. For shows beyond 300 miles and up to and including neighboring states(LA, OK, NM) we rent a van for the bandmembers, with the crew driving the equipment van. The local van rental place knows us VERY well. For shows beyond neighboring states, the bandmembers and guitar tech fly to the gig, and use rented/supplied backline/PA/lights/soundman.
Pretty much this +/- some items
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In the mid 80's I was in a band out of Boston called Expose, we had good airplay on WBCN toured up and down the East coast. The gear traveled in a trailer, left the rehearsal space and showed up at the gigs like magic!!!!! I followed in my Volkswagon bus ! We played The BIG clubs and opened for bands like Motor Head and Stryper in 3,000-4,000 seaters LOL. These days I cart my own gear in a Honda Odessey. We had had one man road crew named Donnie but he go married and his wife won't let him come out and play anymore :( Now my band plays from Buffalo-Syracuse NY maybe as far south as the Penn boarder. 2 hr drive time max for the most part. What do I carry ? Wardrobe bag with stage cloths and a shaving kit, back pack all my personal crap. Blanket and pillow just in case I need sleep and a tool kit. Sometimes we stay over night.....................The basses always get dragged into the hotel room.
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Heathen... how could you be so cruel as to leave your poor Hiwatts in the bus... (or is it just the 2nd hearnia your worried about... ;))
Mind you Bro, it would have to be a fairly tough crim to "run-off" with one... :o ;D
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Here's my other band page. It's just me & Steve from Godbrothers doing non-devotional stuff.
www.myspace.com/tigersharkrocks
MegaYang Mindbender Riffage is actually Godbrothers!!! Joe is playing my drumkit, making a Guest Appearance with TigerShark. heh
We do that one with vocals which will be added to our GB page & included on our first album.
A 26 state tour may be ambitious but it's only half the country.
Hopefully we'll get to the other half someday.
Wish us luck! We need it.
Hey ABB fans~ One of the coolest things I've learned from reading this book SKYDOG is that when Duane & Gregg were in HOURGLASS in 1967 Duane played sitar on the opening song of their shows at the Whiskey!
The song was an instrumental version of Norwegian Wood--the first Pop song to feature sitar.
They opened for lots of Big Name bands like Buffalo Springfield & the Byrds.
They were LOVED by the audiences at the Whisky & The Fillmore & even then they loved to JAM & lots of famous & not so famous Cali Rockers JAMMED with 'em!!!!!!!
So we're definitely gonna be doing an instrumental of Norwegian Wood & maybe a bit of Within You, Without You too!!
Some of our songs will feature a bit of sitar, tablas, & so on tooo
Eventually we'll do some full-on Raga Rock!
This is a Yoga Rock band after all. I just had my 4th sitar lesson today. I luvvit!
I'm working up logos like this:
B
R
GOD
S.
and
B
R
GOD
T
H
E
R
S
Pretty coool, huh? The Os will have OM signs in 'em.
Another cool thing I learned from SKYDOG is that Duane said:
"B. B. King could bring tears to your eyes singing happy birthday."
In other words, B.B. has SO much feeeeling it's AMAZING! Y&T's song My Heart Plays Too explains it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dbur8ZZobc
I really LOVE Y&T! This song is from the mid-70s. We try to put our hearts an' souls into every note & syllable in GOD BROS. too.
B. B. was the first major artist Duane & Gregg ever saw perform.
Sometimes that first concert really stays with you.
...like Deep Purple & CREAM in '68 has stayed with me.
Hopefully our God Bros. shows will stay with some young uns too.
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This is a Yoga Rock band after all
Gold !
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B
R
GOD
S
Looks more like the logo of a band that would play with Sabbath (or Venom). If you're going for the other end of the spectrum it might be better to spell it out. :mrgreen:
(http://www.john-poulin.com/images/inverted_cross.gif)
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Oi...!
Let's keep Corrrnwarll owt of this please... ;)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EYXLmomuxIc/SuLtvxZyM0I/AAAAAAAABBc/G71CjQ_Pe1s/s200/MapCornwallFlag.gif)
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OK, how 'bout this one:
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:n7-5Q3jR8h6tMM:http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk199/6COOL66/Inverted_cross_with_Pentagram_by-1.jpg&t=1)
You gotta love those neighborly satanists!
:mrgreen:
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OK, how 'bout this one:
(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:n7-5Q3jR8h6tMM:http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk199/6COOL66/Inverted_cross_with_Pentagram_by-1.jpg&t=1)
You gotta love those neighborly satanists!
:mrgreen:
I can't help but hear Ned Flanders (Homer Simpson's god fearing next door neighbor)!
I have a trouser devil........... ;)
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Yeah, I noticed that upside down cross thing.
I can actually make it a square sort of Celtic cross using the dot at the end of Bros. to balance it out. then I just have to adjust it with the surrounding art of the cross to make the length of the cross piece going vertical the same as the crossbar.
Can't talk much about my band GODBROTHERS without bringing God into the picture.
Too bad this forum has a rule against discussion of religion. Guess that means Gospel music & so on is off limits too.
We'd like to help establish Yoga Rock as a category in stores & awards shows.
It's spiritual music but not necessarily Christian or anti-Christ.
Since George Harrison invented Yoga Rock (Yes, it's GOLD all right!) & had a Number One Hit with My Sweet Lord we are simply & humbly trying to pick up where he left off after propagating it on 3 albums--All Things Must Pass, Living in the Material World, & Dark Horse!!!
We hope to get help from some of George's ol' bandm8s too, esp. Eric Clapton!
Wouldn't that be AWESOME? :o
KULA SHAKER is a great band who has some Yoga Rock songs like ours.
Of course we'll be approaching them too about opening for them.
We're open to any Big Time Rockers helping us out in ANY way, esp. playing with us on recordings &/or LIVE!!
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In the mid 80's I was in a band out of Boston called Expose, we had good airplay on WBCN toured up and down the East coast. The gear traveled in a trailer, left the rehearsal space and showed up at the gigs like magic!!!!! I followed in my Volkswagon bus ! We played The BIG clubs and opened for bands like Motor Head and Stryper in 3,000-4,000 seaters LOL. These days I cart my own gear in a Honda Odessey. We had had one man road crew named Donnie but he go married and his wife won't let him come out and play anymore :( Now my band plays from Buffalo-Syracuse NY maybe as far south as the Penn boarder. 2 hr drive time max for the most part. What do I carry ? Wardrobe bag with stage cloths and a shaving kit, back pack all my personal crap. Blanket and pillow just in case I need sleep and a tool kit. Sometimes we stay over night.....................The basses always get dragged into the hotel room.
You sure got a good TASTE of touring for awhile there, Scott! 3 & 4k venues are the best!!!!! ...or 5k. heh
Opening for the Big Bands would be coool in a way & I reckon the money is decent but it would be frustrating as hell too to have to limit your show to 45 minutes or an hour.
Trying to figure out a way around that. I know that's the TRADITIONAL way to get on the map but there MUST be a better way!
My guitarplayer's old 80s band Light Brigade used to rent cheap venues like an old Vets Hall & sell tix & make good money playing a good long show without supporting or hiring supporting acts.
They even played the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium once! Not sure how they pulled that off.
They had a manager for awhile so he probly arranged that.
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5,000 seat venue? that is something most bands don't reach in a career. not to burst your bubble but you need a serious reality check. ambition is great but you need to be more realistic about this whole thing, to say the least. good luck, terr.
it also sounds like you are putting the 'rich and famous ' part well before actually having a good or great band to work with. as usual i
could be wrong. :-\
but the yogurt rock things sounds good. :rimshot:
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5,000 seat venue? that is something most bands don't reach in a career. not to burst your bubble but you need a serious reality check. ambition is great but you need to be more realistic about this whole thing, to say the least. good luck, terr.
it also sounds like you are putting the 'rich and famous ' part well before actually having a good or great band to work with. as usual i
could be wrong. :-\
but the yogurt rock things sounds good. :rimshot:
I said a 5k venue is ideal cuz that's what Gregg Allman said. Just quoting him.
He was talkin' about the Beacon.
I don't expect to play venues like that next year but hopefully before our career is over, YES!
Is that ambitious or just wishful thinking? We'll see....
The rich & famous can give you a hand up & things happen very quickly when they do!
For example, Duane Allman went to see an old friend's band play. The band was called Cowboy.
Duane told some Big Wig about 'em --I think it was Phil Walden--- & Cowboy got immediately notified by mail that they had a record deal!
They'd been signed sight unseen & unheard just cuz Duane said they were good.
Yoga Rock, man! but okay--Yogurt Rock ain't far off. lol
It may seem strange to you & it may seem like it doesn't pertain to you but yoga means linking up to a Higher Power.
Most everyone wants to do that!
I know my playing ain't great or even very good but my bandm8s are EXCELLENT & have experience & have paid their dues & I have too to some extent.
What I lack as a bassplayer I make up for in songwriting skills & other stuff.
I strongly believe that we are onto something special & are breaking new ground in the music biz & we're getting into unexplored waters so therefore we have a chance to make a Big Splash!
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Reposted from another forum:
20 Commandments of Touring
1) Don't Complain. Bitching, moaning, whining is tour cancer. If something is wrong fix it or shut the f*** up you f***ing dick. goddamn.
2) If you fart, claim it.
3) Don't Lose shit. Everybody loses shit. Don't f***ing do it. Asshole.
4) Don't f*** anyone in the band. There are tons of people to f*** who are not in this band. Dumbass.
5) If you feel like shit all the time, drink less beer at the gig. You will play better & feel better. What are you ... a child? Some have the endurance for self abuse. Most don't.
6) Remember the soundman's name. He will do a better job.
7) Eat oranges. Cures constipation & prevents colds.
8) Masturbate. Duh ... Where & when? Be creative. You're an artist right?
9) If YOU can't carry your suitcase 3 blocks, it's too goddamn big.
10) Respect public space in the van. Don't clutter, you f***.
11) If you borrow something, return it. Not f***ed Up.
12) Do not let the promoter dick you or talk you out of the guarantee. If there were not enough people there, it's their fault.
13) Driver picks the music.
14) One navigator only (usually sitting shotgun). Everyone else shut the f*** up.
15) Soundcheck is for checking sounds. Shut the f*** up while everyone else is checking.
16) Don't wander off. Let someone know where you are.
17) Clean up after yourself. What are you ... a goddamn toddler?
18) Touring makes everyone bi-polar. Ride the waves as best you can and remember, moods pass. So don't make any snap decisions or declarations when you are drunk or insane.
19) Fast food is Poison.
20) The guestlist is for friends, family & people you might want to f***. Everyone else can pay. They have day jobs.
21) Don't evaluate your whole life while you're sitting in a janitor closet [in Des Moines] waiting to go on. You think you're above having shitty days at work? Shut up & do your goddamn job.
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That's a good list all right! Pretty damn funny!!! 8)
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Are you saying Shut Up & Play Your Guitar?
If so, I agree! haha
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Reposted from another forum:
http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=4828.0
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I'll just say that one of the biggest rules is that the band stays together. I had a roadie take off with a young thing years ago, only to find that she was interested in hurting him. Scary business. Never leave the fold.
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http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=4828.0
I spotted it on the BABP forum
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In all seriousness if The Nasty Habits were going to tour, I'd be seeking some professional help in the form of seasoned management (even with their shitty rep!) to handle all of these details, rooms venue etc. If I'm going out to play music at my best, that should be my only concern - not where/when we're playing next or eating/sleeping.
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very accurate Mark. A good road manager is worth the money. I've toured with bands where band members act as the tour manager and without exception that person was next to useless as a musician at the end of 3 or 4 months.
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very accurate Mark. A good road manager is worth the money. I've toured with bands where band members act as the tour manager and without exception that person was next to useless as a musician at the end of 3 or 4 months.
Good to know! Tell us MORE!!!!
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There are ppl far more experienced than me that can answer your questions Terr' . I have never toured in the US and I'm sure things are quite different there from here. Your question is like a "How long is a piece of string" question.
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Been reading this wonderful book! Sure answers a lot of questions!!!!!!!!!!
A textbook for Music Biz & Touring:
www.amazon.com/Tour-Smart-Break-Martin-Atkins/dp/0979731305
Here's some of the reviews!
"After reading this book, it's almost painful to look back at some of the mistakes I've made and the money I've lost over the past several years, and to think about how many of them I could have easily avoided by using the advice and tips that are in this book. This book is enourmous, and every page seems to contain information that could have helped me out at least once. It's great to finally have this book available, and I can't wait to start using some of the strategies it outlines. Could not be more highly recommended for anyone in a band, with a label, or in any way involved in or interested in the music business."
"The best book I have read on the music business. EVER."
"Now I know why the failure rate is so high with bands. This book doesn't sugar coat anything. Finally, a music business book that doesn't have the "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough,.." self help mentality. All the ugly realities exposed!
It's a major reality check for anyone that wants to become a full time musician."
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That looks pretty interesting, I'll be checking it out if for no other reason than the factt the we need to be out playing a lot more shows in 2011.
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the first reality check is that you HAVE to have a good band and tunes, not half assed dreamers who want to be rock stars. after this painful truth is dealt with proceed with caution. ever onward.
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the first reality check is that you HAVE to have a good band and tunes, ( Who are focused and prepared to work hard as a team ) not half assed dreamers who want to be rock stars. after this painful truth is dealt with proceed with caution. ever onward.
The only way I was able to make a living for 10 years doing this was not because we were great musicians (most of us weren't) but because we were organised, energetic and focused. No dreamers or hitchikers. Even with all that, time and place which to a large degree are unconrolable variables play a large part. It was enough to make us a slightly above average living for that time. A massive void between that and making us rich and famous. The best I can say is No regrets.
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Between this book Tour Smart & nofi's sage advice it would be easy for the average Joe to get discouraged.
If you have a good attitude of "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down" tho you'll be all right.
I wanna hear some road stories from you guys, esp. leftybass (& nofi).
Did you rent a tourbus for your cross country tour, lefty?
It would be hard to put the driver up in a hotel while I sleep in a bunk on a noisy bus. >sheesh<
Never thot of that before reading this book.
In fact, there's something on 'most every page you probly never thot of tooo
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no tour buses, roadies, drivers or hotels for us. vans and cars like most everyone else. we were basically 'local guys'. our business model was get in, play your best, TRY to get paid and get out. it didn't always work so smoothly. especially if you left the club at 5:00 am and had to get to a day job. we booked ourselves where ever we could within a reasonable distance from home. everyone had day jobs so long trips were out of the question. it was fun for a long while, then a job and finally a pain in the ass.
some highlights and lowlights of those halcyon days:
played the atlanta federal prison where capone once stayed.
arrived at a club in athens just as it finished burning itself to the ground.
opened at the agora ballroom for john mayall.
played the 688 club in atlanta where the owner entertained us but blowing stuff off the walls with his shotgun after closing.
had a bass 'groupie' from georgia tech who was way too smart for me. :mrgreen:
after hours jam with members of the butterfield blues band and harp player thom ducette from the allman bros.
we hit it hard for many years. then guys started getting married, having kids etc. and the 'thrill was gone'. lots of good memories but little else to show for the effort. oh yeah. about six months after i quit and the rest of the guys drifted away the 'leader' accepted an offer to play the montreux blues festival with a new band. timing IS everything. :rolleyes: other bands came and went but my heart wasn't in it anymore.
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Guess your posts are worth reading then, nofi. lol
Kudos to ya!
BIG Kudos to your fearless leader who tuffed it out & found success.
Is he still ROCKIN'...er Bluesin'?
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yeah, 'chicago bob nelson' is still around and has made a name for himself in blues circles. i think there are a couple of videos of him on you tube. btw muddy waters gave him that 'chicago bob' nickname when bob was a kid in chicago following muddy around.