Dead Boy Productions

 

Keep Your Band Together

Tony Slash of The Rocketz

One thing I see in our scene is a lot of fly by night bands. It’s pretty big news when a band on the circuit breaks up and stops playing. Usually you will more likely see a new member in the line up. Calavera comes to mind as Pony Boy (formerly of The Rocketz) is now slappin’ bass for them. Some bands will take a break to get their new member up to speed on the old songs and write some new ones while they’re at it. Other bands, like Three Bad Jacks and The Rocketz will continue on as if nothing happened. You get a quick introduction somewhere in the middle of the set and then and as always, it’s business as usual.

The key to surviving and making a name for your band is longevity. Your band is a relationship between your members. Like any relationship, there is the honeymoon phase, then it gets real. Real meaning, real work, real trials, real pain in the ass, and real rewards as well. It’s not easy and if you go into it thinking its going to be easy and all fun, your are going to have a hard time surviving. The following is my advice on how to keep your band together, as usual, it’s only my opinion based on my experiences, but I think there is some value here to all of you new bands.

First and foremost: KEEP YOUR BAND TOGETHER. Don’t let some silly argument like who wrote what part, or who does more work, or more promoting, get in the way of what is the most important for your new band. That would be writing some catchy songs, going out as a band and making a name for yourselves and getting some shows under your belt. I will write another article on how I think a new band should do this another time, for now my message is about the band as a whole.

Artists are a funny breed. Some do not like confrontation, these artists, will not say anything (to your face) if they are unhappy, if they are the leader of the band you might find yourself replaced without any notice. If they are a member of the band they may just stop coming to rehearsals and hope that it is obvious. (by the way it’s not obvious).

Some Artists, are very opinionated and will always have something to offer, whether its welcomed or not. They will most likely be the ones to burst your bubble on your new hit single and they could be right but will usually not be able to offer any helpful suggestions.

Some Artists are all about the party! They want to go out and drink and brag about the new band, but not pass out any flyers because then that is work. (Leaving 100 flyers at the front door, or at the bar is NOT passing out flyers.) They will also book a lot of the shows, but won’t negotiate a price and will probably forget to tell the rest of the band.

Another personality is Mr. Business, these fine valuable members will gladly do all the booking, they will update the website and man the MySpace account. They usually make the set lists, and organize the rehearsals, and sometimes they complain they have to do it all. (These types for some reason can’t bring themselves to pass out flyers either, cuz they do so much for the band already.) (By the way, this last one is me)

There are more out there, but by now I’m sure a lot of you have identified all your band members (except yourselves). The point I’m trying to make is it takes all kinds to make a band. The most important part of your band is THE MUSIC. If you have a group that is making some great songs and you all have the same vision, then you are on the path to success! Unfortunately most bands will let the detours on that path break them up.

Mr. Business, also known as anal guy (me), needs to understand that he does everything because he can! You are good at it and you are good at keeping the band in order and updated so everyone knows what’s going on. Why would you want someone else to do it or even help? You will usually only think they are not doing it right anyway.

Mr. non-confrontational, speak up every now and then if you disagree or are not happy. The last thing you want is to quit a band and then watch them go on without you and make a nice name for themselves, or to go behind someone’s back and hire a new musician without talking and trying to save the line up as it is.

Mr. Party, you are the face of the band, you are at all the shows and all parties. So pass out a couple of flyers here and there and carry a business card with Mr. Anal’s info so if someone wants to book, interview, market or sign you, give them the card and let Mr. Anal do what he does best. (Or her). And no, Managers do not do this when you are starting out. You most likely will not need a REAL manager until your second record. You need to make sure you stick together long enough to record your first one!

Mr. Opinion, it’s ok to say what’s on your mind, but if you don’t have any helpful advice or input to back up what ever is coming out of your mouth, maybe you should sit on it a while and think about it.

As a musicians we are our worst critics and its usually never good enough. But the fans and friends determine what is good and what is not. Relax a bit and don’t argue at shows about who messed up…try looking at what went right and focus on that. Everyone has to give a little or it will not work. The music business is hard enough as it is with out shooting yourself in the foot. Especially since you are a new band in a genre that isn’t very prominent in the music industry..Psychobilly!! Until next time...

It’s not Psychobilly without Rockabilly, Without Rockabilly it’s just Pscyho!