Man, trying to get my new band booked is harder than I thought?!

[Symarip]

Old band's over. New band's started.

I'm trying to get on a bill 7 weeks away with The Aggrolites (whom I'm friends with) and the asshole booking agent at the club refuses to return my calls. I might need to enlist some DU soldiers to email this prick if he doesn't get back to me. When it comes to gigging I'm like Glen Close... I won't be ignored, DC!!!!

[TZ]

1. I'm in if needed.

I hope you get a good gig in DC. I have told you, I would like to see you play..Hell maybe I'll even come in Star Trek uniform for moral support! :rofl:

[Symarip]

3. I haven't really been talking about it

But I transitioned out of the one band, because they kind of sucked. It was good for me to get my name out there which was ideal. And I got picked up by a couple of kids who are starting something at the ground level.

The problem is, back home I would just call the band who was putting on the show and bam, I'm on the bill. This is a little harder. First, we have no reputation or fans. DC also has a shitty Ska scene so promoters don't think instant success when booking bands of this nature. Couple that with trying to work yourself in with the headlining band's booking manager. Arrgh. Pain in the ass all this is.

No bother because I will get on this bill. Now it's personal like Jaws 4. This motherfucker will call me back.

[Shell Beau]

2. What kinda music you play?

[Symarip]

5. Reggae and Ska

Youtube 'The Skatalites' and you'll get a clue of what and how I like to play.

[Shell Beau]

10. I love that kind of music!

[no name no slogan]

4. The worst part of being in a band is that shit

I fucking hate trying to get booked. There's very few booking agents that aren't assholes. Half of them expect you to get them some blow or some shit so you can have a slot on a five-band bill on a monday night. And unless you know somebody just forget about getting your calls returned.

Music scenes are so fucking insular these days it's not even funny. Unless you're sleeping with somebody or you know somebody who can do a favor you can't get booked anyplace decent these days-- even if you have experience AND a decent demo. It's just ridiculous. At least in this town.

[Symarip]

8. NO SHIT.

It's crazy. They act like you should come with a built in audience that will sell out the place. But if you can't find a place to play, you'll never build an audience.

Idiots.

[abq e streeter]

14. I totally agree--I'd rather not play than go groveling to those assholes

luckily, off and on over the years here in New Mexico, I've managed to work for decent money on an at least semi-steady basis. ( not a spectacular music scene here either, but more really good players than you'd think). But I refuse to be the one hustling gigs; if someone else does it and I'm included on the gig, great, if not, fuck it. Meanwhile, though, best wishes to both of you ,No Name and Symarip( you're a fellow Clash fan if I recall) on getting your bands working as much as you want, and I suspect, deserve, and for the kind of money professional quality bands ought to be getting.

[BeachBaby]

6. Well, I booked you for July 25th.

Just sayin'. :7

[Symarip]

7. HA!

We'll have to see. I haven't even mentioned that to the boys yet.

[guitar man]

9. you're not the only one

It's pathetic down here, I have scoured the state and handed out tons of promos, done a shitload of follow ups and....nuttin! :(

[bbernardini]

11. Maybe you're charging too much.

:)

[arcadian]

12. What man is having a hard time trying to get booked?

Link?

[redqueen]

13. I like the question mark in the subject line.

It implies confusion... as in "How can this be happening to me? ME?!"