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Bands and How Not to Screw Up a Good Thing

Beginning bands often look for opportunities to enhance their status in their local music scene. The following article is a how-to guide for basic band professionalism and covers other universal topics applicable to all manners of live performing artists.

Author: Alana Mileras

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Getting ahead and truly progressing in the music business takes time. So it seems only fitting that once your band evolves to a stage where circumstances are gelling and genuine headway is being made, keeping up the momentum is of the utmost importance. The following are tips for beginning bands looking to maintain or enhance their status in their local music scene.

1) Be on time.

Your load-in and performances times may be subject to change - just not by you. When you’re told your set commences at 9:00, realize this time isn’t optional. If a truly unusual event occurs and you are late, apologize to the necessary people and play the appropriate-length set. Notice I used the term “appropriate-length” set, meaning play whatever time is left in the remainder of your set without trying to cram in every song you normally play, which causes every band after you to go on late or cut into their respective sets.

2) Be nice.

There are rarely things less attractive than an enlarged ego. And yet, every city has musicians, singers and bands that everyone simultaneously both kisses up to and not-so-secretly wishes would end up an irrelevant punch line. They may not actually say so to your face, but you can count on the fact that your secrets are not safe with them and neither is anything else.

It’s generally smaller groups on their way up that feel the need to drag everyone else down. Take heed young bands, as the longest-lasting acts tend to be those with the least abrasive off-stage personas.

So the motto is, be nice to everybody. Everything thinks their music will make them a celebrity - and some of them are right. I’m sure you’d hate to be the one to have offended the musician who breaks out on the national scene and is in need of an opening local act.

3) Be interesting.

It’s seems like this one should come naturally to musicians, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Listen to yourself objectively when you talk about your music. Are you entertaining and memorable? Or do you rely on an interviewer’s questions to keep the conversation interesting? Nothing turns pages and channels faster than boredom brought on by droll, insipid answers:

Interviewer: What was it like to work with Kewpie Matatumbe, the world famous producer?

Band: It was really great. The songs turned out great and we’re really excited about the new album. (Insert awkward silence here.)

4) B.Y.O.G.

This acronym stands for “Bring Your Own Gear” and is a particularly useful one in live settings, a friendly little reminder to be responsible for your own instrumental and gear needs. Just as is every phase of life there is always someone who always needs to borrow something - a pencil, a tissue, money, your car - and so it is in a musician’s world. Bands, your tip is this - don’t be that guy or girl. Supply yourself with extra picks, strings, drumsticks, cables and anything else you might require. Bringing what you need to do your set is only professional, and won’t earn you the reputation of being an impinging mooch.

5) Behave.

Right, right, I know that rock is about rebellion, but how true rebellion has evolved into ruining random stuff is puzzling. It may look tantalizing, having the freedom to launch a food fight in your cramped little green room that doubles as a storage closet, but please remember, directly or not, you will be responsible for whatever damage you do and if you’re playing for $40 in gas money, this is particularly not an ideal scenario.

This tip goes for your guest list and crew, too. If anyone remotely associated with your group breaks or ruins anything, expect to be held responsible by default if your cohorts don’t cough up the cash for it.

6) Be prepared.

If you’re playing a show, it helps to be a well-rehearsed, tight-sounding band. Preparing the set list during your show, tuning guitars onstage, not having enough material to fill your time slot and false song starts are just a few of the things that can make your band memorable in the worst way. Each show is a new chance to increase your fan base – why give a crowd of potential fans a bad impression?

These pointers will enable your band to observe the basics tenants of professionalism that are sure to be appreciated by those that you work with. By approaching each tip as a vital aspect of your overall career, your band should continue to reap the success and behind-the-scenes appreciation that you deserve.

© 2008 Refugee Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

About Author

Alana Mileras is the co-founder and co-CEO of Refugee Entertainment, LLC, an independent record label and publishing company. Refugee Entertainment, LLC specializes in developing the careers of national-caliber recording artists through its innovative marketing and promotion techniques, aggressive sales programs, and strategic partnerships with industry affiliates.

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Bands and How Not to Screw Up a Good Thing