The ultimate list - everything you gota do to start a new band

[Big_Bend]

Ok, just off the top of my head, here is a list of details I can think of in regards to starting a new band totally from scratch. Say 4 or 5 people who have never played together before, barely have any of their own gear, and they want to become a professional band that actually gets paid to play.


In no particular order these folks need to --


* Everybody has to learn at least 5 songs so the band can start going to open mics, 10 songs to start playing a complete set, and 30 to 40 songs to play a whole night's worth of music. Practice practice practice, and then rehearse.


* Acquire adequate PA and lighting and music gear.


* Pick a band name, a leader, a theme of what type of music to play, what types of clothes to wear, overall expectations.


* Create email, web site, facebook, marketing packages. Take band photos.


* Find places to play, hand out packages, follow up phone calls, get contracts signed.


* Continue to add new songs, phase out ones that don't work, get tighter.


* Acquire adequate transportation for all the people and gear to/from gigs.


what else?


Someone once told me "being in a band is easy money" and I was thinking he had no idea how much work is involved.

[bigmuff113]

Hitting up pawnshops to get good deals on gear, music first groupies later, support other acts, don't overlook the cowbell.

[String Tree]

A pre-paid debit card at the Free Clinic.
You just never know when Mother Nature will come back to haunt you.

Know how to use Cigarettes as Currency.

Get a REAL CPA that will help you with your Book keeping and Taxes.

Keep a REAL LAWYER on Retainer.

If you want to be taken seriously, you need to be a damn good Businessman.
Hope you were paying attention while you were in school.
You will need to be fluent in Finance, and Business Language.
You need to know when people are handing you something that you shouldn't sign.

Bands are for all intents and purposes, a Limited Partnership.
Limited Partnerships are the most likely kind of Business to fold.
Make sure you have an Exit strategy that doesn't leave you holding the bag.

The sooner you hash this stuff out amongst yourselves, the better.
Once everybody knows whats expected, you can spend more time working on your music.

Now go learn something I want to hear.

[String Tree]

Like this:

[Martin R]

Originally Posted by bigmuff113

music first groupies later

But check CraigsList when you're ready for the groupies.

[PinewoodRo]

Errr.. learn to play your instruments?

Seriously though, that's a pretty good list.

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by String Tree

Like this:

Yes!!!!

From your list, I'd say everyone should already have adequate gear of their own, if they don't then they're not ready to be in a band.

[kman900]

Set your target and define your kind of venue or audience. Choose the songs that you play according to your target audience. Think about your presentation . . outfit, announcements . . better to have some stories to tell about what you play, and why you play it. Build some story around your band and the characters . .

We did set 20 gigs as target for 2012 . . we're at 23 right now.

[fezz parka]

Fire-proof underwear is a must.

[getbent]

not suck.

[Martin R]

Originally Posted by getbent

not suck.

nice

[telequacktastic]

ask everyone the $ amount they are willing to work for.

[Big_Bend]

Originally Posted by String Tree

Get a REAL CPA that will help you with your Book keeping and Taxes.

Keep a REAL LAWYER on Retainer.

If you want to be taken seriously, you need to be a damn good Businessman.
Hope you were paying attention while you were in school.
You will need to be fluent in Finance, and Business Language.
You need to know when people are handing you something that you shouldn't sign.

Bands are for all intents and purposes, a Limited Partnership.
Limited Partnerships are the most likely kind of Business to fold.
Make sure you have an Exit strategy that doesn't leave you holding the bag.

Great advice ya. Set up an LLC or other business entity and run it straight.

From your list, I'd say everyone should already have adequate gear of their own, if they don't then they're not ready to be in a band.

For the most part I agree but when starting a new band from scratch its amazing how much extra gear everyone ends up having to acquire... All the little things, PA stuff, backup gear, more... more... It never seems to end.

[String Tree]

Originally Posted by Big_Bend

For the most part I agree but when starting a new band from scratch its amazing how much extra gear everyone ends up having to acquire... All the little things, PA stuff, backup gear, more... more... It never seems to end.

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

No, it never does seem to end!

As soon as I think I have it all, something new comes down the pike and they know a sucker (me) when they see one!

[bontay50]

then after you get all this going someone gets mad and quits...start all over with a new person playing whatever the mad person played and try to replace the equipment the mad person took when they quit....lots of fun when people mesh and want the same thing...you get paid to set-up and break-down...the playing is the reward.

[A.B.Negative]

Originally Posted by bontay50

then after you get all this going someone gets mad and quits...start all over with a new person playing whatever the mad person played and try to replace the equipment the mad person took when they quit...

+1

[Big John Studd]

Originally Posted by Big_Bend

Someone once told me "being in a band is easy money" and I was thinking he had no idea how much work is involved.

I was talking with a sound guy at Wind Gap on Saturday who told me one I hadn't heard before. You know how to make a million dollars in the music business don't you?






Start with three million.

[Jakedog]

My personal check list for starting a new bar band that plays covers for cash-


Find guys I like that are already pro players.

Find guys that like the same kinds of music I do, so that we already know 50-100 of the same songs.

Find guys who have great ears and understand music, so that I can call whatever tune I get a request for if I know it, and the rest of the guys can get through it competently whether they know it or not.

Make a song list and share it with the other members. (maybe)

Don't hire anybody who doesn't have reliable pro gear.

Get every member's email address and/or cell number, so that if we get hired someplace and a certain song is heavily suggested, I can let them know a day or so before the gig, so everybody can come in ready to play it.

Go book gigs.

Go play them.

Get paid.

What is this "rehearsal" of which you speak?


My checklist for starting a new original music project from scratch-


Find guys I like, who play the instruments I need in the band.

Make sure everybody is competent and picks things up quickly.

Make sure everybody has working gear, and is willing to get better stuff if they need it.

Make sure everybody knows to bring their own beer.

Make a record.

Gig to support and promote it.

Sell a bunch of copies.

Deal with the fact that yeah, it's seriously incvonvenient, but you have to rehearse and put in extra work because it's original music that hasn't been written yet. At least it's fun to get together, and you get to slam and deride all of the crap songs you all have to play in your cover bands, so you have something to laugh at together.

[Jefe]

Here's my list, based on exactly zero experience playing out (none, zilch, nada):

1. Form band
2. ???
3. Profit

Seems pretty simple to me.

[mlove3]

for cover bands I lean more towards Jakedog's methods.

i think you're making it too complicated Big_Bend, particularly:

* Pick a band name, a leader, a theme of what type of music to play, what types of clothes to wear, overall expectations.

>>>a name, sure. I think the theme can be loose, like classic and some current rock.
Expectations is a good question, as in do you expect to make $$? How much $$? Is this cover band just a way for you to spring your lame ass original tunes about your big breakup on an otherwise unsuspecting bunch of bar band musicians?


* Create email, web site, facebook, marketing packages. Take band photos.

>>before gigging? waste of $$. Build the car, drive it, then you can market it.


* Find places to play, hand out packages, follow up phone calls, get contracts signed.

>>what's a contract?