So here it is finally. My take on properly booking and promoting a show. Not that I am the total Jedi master, but I do have some years under my belt.
Enjoy! Don't forget to leave comments if you dig it (or if you think I'm a retard!)
Show Booking and Promoting 101!
So you got a band, you got some tunes. Your friends seem to dig it and your mom. You are ready for the world of live shows! Or maybe you are in a band that has already played out somewhat but are looking for some tips to improve your game... Either way I got you covered...
Part 1 - The Hard Part - Getting the Gig
For most bands this is the hardest part of the game. Obtaining the gig to showcase your "business". I consider a band a business, if you run a tight respectful business you will always have "customers" (IE; people wanting your band to play shows) If you are a shitty boss for your company no one will want to buy your product (IE; your band). Get it?
Here's my tips for getting your feet wet the first few times:
1. Network your friends who are in likewise bands (if this applies) Most the time people get shows by word of mouth from their friends. Before you ask for help make sure the people you are asking don't think you are a complete asshole however. I have had this happen where people asked for shows, went to one of their "friends" to get some background on them and their own friends said they were assholes and not to deal with them!
2. Find a cool Booker / Promoter that needs opening bands. Explain to them that you are new to the scene you want to get your feet wet and you aren't looking for tons of money, time or a bucket of just green M&M's. Most likely the promoter will appreciate it because most the time touring bands come with a big price that puts the pinch on time slots and money that other local bands get.
Even if they don't need bands at the time that you contact them, making them aware of you is always good. However don't drive them nuts. One email will do. People sometimes send me 8 emails in a row about getting a show. I admire their enthusiasm, but enough is enough. Sometimes people make me want to stab my computer. If you can annoy the promoter without even doing business with them yet, not a good sign!!
3. Talk to the people at the clubs you go to. This is probably the hardest, because most the time people who run clubs are insanely busy. However if you are a regular at a venue and the staff knows you chances are they will give you time to make a plea. Probably even blindly book you.
4. If all else fails, make demos get out to shows and start handing those bitches out! You can talk for your band all day long but at the end of the day the music has to speak for itself. Not everyone is going to listen to your myspace. Sometimes you have to do it the hard way.
Which takes us to part 2.....
Promoting Your Band!!
I'm from the old school. For the most part most of us old people believe that hard D.I.Y. ethics died with the electronic age. Myspace, Twitter, Facebook, etc has made people lazy. With the click of a mouse and a few words they can post shows, bulletins about shows and make flyers using photoshop. Don't get me wrong it has made things easier, but it comes with downfalls.
As much as the bands of the scenes have gotten lazy and don't make demos to hand out or flyers to pass out anymore... The labels, promoters, clubs etc have gotten lazy too. People can just email instead of talking now and with that people get bombarded with emails so a lot of times people and bands get ignored.
Even with technology however I can tell you that your fans or your "could be" fans would much rather have a paper flyer to save or a burnt demo CD than having to look at your myspace page for it. It gives them something to take with them a souvenir of sorts. Of for fuck sake even a flyer with your logo and myspace address on it. Something physical. It leaves a lasting impression.
Things to do to Promote Your Band
1. Flyers! Actual paper ones! People really do keep these. I know I always do. Most the time they remind me when I pull them out of my pocket the next day, if nothing else I end up looking the band up online.
2. Demos! Even if they were recorded on your granny's karaoke machine, it's better than nothing. They don't need to be pretty a cdr and a website address and logo will do.
3. Be nice. No one likes dickheads. Even if you know your band is fucking awesome, don't be a pompous cocksucker. Let people figure it out on their own. Nothing is worse than an ego. I can't stand people with big heads. Everyone should be your friend in the beginning the music world is a dog eat dog business there is plenty of time later to make enemies! Trust me.!
4. Don't be a jock rider. No one gives a fuck about who you are friends with in bigger bands. If your band sucks, it doesn't matter if Lemmy Killimeister is your uncle or not - doesn't stop your band from sucking!
5. Network! Deliver pizza for a living? Talk about your band! Wait tables? Tell people about your band! Go to other shows!
And Most Importantly!!!!
Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor!! HAVE FUN!
No one joins a band to be miserable. You picked up your instrument for the first time and had FUN! A lot of people can never remember that after they have been in a good band for a couple years they loose sight over the reason they did it in the first place. Something to always remember.
And last but not least...
Some Tips to Not Forget!
1. Promote!! Network!!! Hard work yields good shows.
2. Treat people like you want your band treated. You act like a fucking asshat, chances are people are going to give it right back to you and the rest of your band.
3. No one cares who your friends are! Only if you suck or not.
4. Don't blame your shitty turnout on your promoter / booker. OK, some of it lays within the promoter but I would go to say at least 75% of the draw is YOUR BAND. No fans? Shitty show. Simple mathematics. Promoters aren't miracle workers. It's a very thankless job, so be nice to them.
5. Never demand shit! Always ask. Unless you are making over a 6 figure income a year and your first name is Gene and your last name is Simmons don't make demands to venues/promoters/bookers. You just look like an ass.
I was going through folders of really old stuff I had and I found my old zine files. Which brought up a subject I wanted to write about - and share some stuff from the folder. Enjoy!
I've been asked numerous times how I know a lot of the bands I do and how I ended up booking shows. I decided to make this post about that and give a little background on why and how I started doing what it is I do.
All throughout growing up music has always had a significant role in my life. My father was a guitar player and always encouraged us kids to listen to what we wanted with an open mind and try different musical endeavours. I took up piano. Actually I took classical piano classes for 6 years. Now if given the choice between the piano and the bass guitar - I'm going for the strings. Anyhow... (An Eerie LN flyer sent to me years ago when I was doing my zine. They are no longer together but most the members have a superb new band called The Horrifics check them out!)
My parents were always the cool parents that all my friends wished they had. My mom bought my tickets to my first real concert at the tender age of 13 that was Cannibal Corpse and Brutal Truth. HA!
When I was a young teen I was into metal a lot. Everything from Slayer to Deicide. My parents, aunts and uncles used Metallica and Iron Maiden videos as a babysitter for myself and my cousins.. Ha! When I turned about 16 I started getting into a lot of punk. I've always been eclectic too much of one thing bores me. Maybe that's why I own Harry Belafonte records.
Anyhow, I had always had a deep love for music with a darker theme. I loved (and still do) The Misfits, Samhain, Danzig, The Cramps, The Damned, TSOL and the likes. (This was sent to me along with a burnt CD, my first thought was this is probably going to suck! (No offense Alex!) Boy was I wrong ha!)
When the Misfits made their way back together with Michale Graves and started touring it seemed like horror punk was getting a revival. So I decided to cultivate my love for this darker music with a printed zine. I called the zine Necrophiliacs Anonymous. To me the name was hilarious.
This was far before the days of Myspace. When bands actually used the postal system to make contact with people. When people actually went to Kinkos and printed, pasted and stapled their nights away making zines.
One of the first bands I featured in my zine was Blitzkid. I had ordered something through the company Angry Young and Poor and got a printed catalog along with my order and in the back of it was a hand drawn ad (by Goolsby) about a horror punk band out of Virginia called Blitzkid with some contact info. So I shot off an email and asked for the demo or whatever it was the ad was for.
A couple weeks later I received it and it blew me away. These guys were stuck between mountains making awesome music. Eventually I helped them launch an MP3.com site back when that was around and became good friends with those guys. I've gotten to see them go from rocking away in very small clubs to touring Europe and being in bands with Doyle. Holy shit. In some weird way it's like watching kids grow up. Makes you sentimental in a sense or it makes you feel old hahaha.. Sometimes I don't know which.
Another band that was around then was The Vladimirs from Cincy. They always played out back in the day - mostly to metal crowds but everyone loved their music. No matter if you were a metal kid, punk, horror punk, straight edge everyone enjoyed the Vlads shows. It was like having a hometown Misfits, because everyone even your mom probably digs the Misfits. Mine does. I always kept contact with these guys and as soon as I got the zine up I put them in there too. We can only hope they will play out again very soon. (Very old newsletter sent out by The Vladimirs with info and releases)
To make a long story kind of short, (because I could sit here all day and type stories out about bands!) most the people I met while doing my zine eventually led to me booking shows. Back in 2005/2006 I was in the mood to get involved in the scene I love again and decided to start booking shows at Sudsy Malones here in Cincy. Since no one was booking what I wanted to see why not do it yourself?
So, I called on people I knew. I got Blitzkid to come play for the first time in years and it pretty much went from there one show turned into two which has now turned into so many I can't count and by time I'm 40 I will probably need hearing aids. I must say we now have a pretty fantastically killer horror scene here in Cincy. I would dare to say it's one of the very best on this side of the map. I know, I've been on tour to other cities. My dedication and love for music is why I continually book shows. To have people say thanks, that show was killer. However I do miss my zine days and that's why I have the blog!
So in a nutshell, that's where it all came from and that's why I book shows today. I love all the people I have met in my travels and musical endeavours and every time I book a show it's like a huge party and all my friends are invited!
Last April I had my first opportunity to book Calabrese and bring them to the Northern KY / Greater Cincinnati area. Prior to that they have never played this area before but people were constantly asking me to try to get them to come play. Calabrese are some of the nicest guys I've had the pleasure of booking and working with.
So, after the last show they recently played here I decided that it was time to pick Jimmy Calabrese's brain on a number of subjects. Big thanks to Jimmy for taking the time out of his hectic schedule to do this interview!
14 Questions with Jimmy Calabrese
Evil Abby - Let's recap on your recent show here. Did you guys have fun? Did you drink the moonshine? (note: Like mentioned before the fans in and around Cincinnati can be a bit wonderfully touched sometimes and bring gifts such as moonshine for bands!)
Jimmy Calabrese - Which show was that, the one near Cincinnati? That show sucked, who was the promoter for that? Just kidding! I had a blast, you guys are crazy out there in the Midwest. The moonshine, I was informed, is half white corn and half potato, from the top of the still, which is the clean stuff that won't make you go blind. I've only had a little taste because I'm waiting for a special occasion to pull out that mason jar of moonshine and bark at the moon.
EA - Before last year, the first time I booked you guys people were constantly yelling at me "Book Calabrese!!!!" Now it seems like you guys have found a once a year home in our twisted little scene. How does it feel when you go back to places year after year and see the same faces? (...and some new ones)
JC- It's great to see the same people again and again, I just wish I could remember names. I always remember a face but a persons name, forget about it. So if you see me again and I look like a malfunctioning robot I'm just trying to match your face with what I remember about our last conversation.
EA - As far as shows go, what are some cities you guys love to play? Craziest crowds you've played for?
JC- They love us in Hollywood, El Paso, Chicago, what can I say, everywhere where we go we leave a wake of destruction like Godzilla. But just so you know the size of the crowd does not guarantee a great show. One of my favorite shows have been for fifty people crammed in a small coffee shop out in Stockton CA. I love being face to face with the audience, it's more intense and intimate...probably not the best show for the small guy in the back of the room but what are you going to do?
EA -I noticed your dad travels with you guys and runs merch. How the heck did you luck out to get parents that cool?! Most bands would kill to have someone they trusted like that running their stuff.
JC - Papa Calabrese started out like any good parent by supporting his kids by going to shows but instead of losing interest after a few gigs he got more involved (luckily for us he didn't have hobbies). When we started playing bar shows Davey was only 16 so Papa Calabrese had to be around anyway which lead him to run the merch. He's now more than just the Merch Guy but a Manager, Financial Advisor and Roadie all rolled into one, a true showbiz parent.
EA - You guys are a very self sufficient band. You don't have magical labels, managers, tour bookers. You guys have a very DIY ethic which is hard pressed to find in a lot of bands now. Is there reasons for this? Did you ever think Calabrese would reach the level it has? Are you satisfied with the level of success you guys have had to this point?
JC -We learned early on that no one was going to help us so instead of concentrating our efforts to impress a major label we decided to focus our efforts on the fans. The internet has changed the old model of running a band, it's now possible to be your own label, manager and booking agent. Am I satisfied with our level of success? I think it's human nature (or being an American) to never be happy with what you have.
EA - What are your opinions of the current state of the "horror rock" scene? Do you think it's became more unified or separated in the past years?
JC - I haven't noticed any separation in the scene. There's always been a stronger bond between the east coast and west coast bands but that's too be expected, it's hard to build relationships when you don't play shows together all the time.
EA - I'm sure in all your travels you have had the pleasure, and sometimes brain torture (not that you would admit it!) of seeing a lot of other bands play and open for you guys. Do you have any faves you enjoy seeing? I know from always dealing with the business at shows, its hard to catch other bands but occasionally when it happens it can be awesome.
JC - It's hard to watch all the bands we play with especially the bands that go on right before us. Normally there's last minute things to do or we need some time to relax and focus before we hit the stage. The music also starts to sound the same after a while and you get burnt out listening to blaring music, that's why I like to get CD's from bands we play with so I can listen to them later once I'm ready. I've been meaning to blog about all the bands we've played with and give a little scene report.
EA - You guys have worked with a ton of great horror artist such as Big Tony and James Rowe who have been pounding the ink to this scene for years. Is there anyone else you guys want to work with?
JC - Basil Gogos and Frank Frazetta. You might not know their names but if you google em you'll know the art.
EA - While we're on the subject of art, how important do you think it is this day in age when you can just download the cd from itunes to actually design a kick ass cd?
JC - I'm not sure if it's really that important. Lately I've been ordering CD's on Itunes and the artwork is never a consideration when choosing music. I do think the art is very important concerning a bands online presence and live performance. I still love a CD jam packed with artwork but it seems people would rather have the lyrics in a CD case instead of artwork.
EA - Also, please help me explain the importance of having a lot of merch available at shows when touring!! (people don't listen to me, maybe they will you ha!)
JC- The show guarantee, if you are lucky, will pay for gas to the next show, so the only way to make a profit is to sell merch. Yes, it's a lot of work to haul around merch, have someone to sell it, and keep the inventory levels full but it does pay off.
EA - What does the near future hold for Calabrese?
JC - A new music video for the movie "The Graves", a new CD and a one shot Calabrese comic from Modern Mythology Press. Hey, that sounds pretty impressive.
EA - Any advice for DIY bands out there?
JC- Don't give up, keep writing songs, keep playing shows, keep learning more and sell you soul to the devil, that helps too.
EA - Ok, here is some easy questions so my readers can get to know Jimmy Calabrese.
Main inspirations for playing music? Listening to music inspired me to try and play music.
Fave musicians? Danzig, AFI, recently I'm hooked on System Of A Down.
Fave movies? Dead Alive, Ghostbusters, Evil Dead series
Fave books / comics? Cal MacDonald, The Goon
If you could play a show of any lineup of bands including your own, live or dead what bands would play with you? The Danzig Trilogy - Misfits, Samhain, Danzig
Vice of choice? Television
What's a day off like? You know the everyday kinda stuff, drinking blood, eating children.
EA - Any closing words for the readers? Words of wisdom?
This show was one of the greatest shows I think I have booked. Not because it had a great turn out but because I got to see all my friends and people under one roof. After all the stressing about getting the show together, promoting and all the other typical stressful business that goes with booking it went on without a hitch.
The night started out with everyone arriving and hanging out, which to be honest is always my fave part of the night, getting to see bands and friends from far away come out to rock is the best feeling on earth. Provided them with a show to do such is the most rewarding part. This part of the night always puts my stress level at ease.
As usual all the guys in Calabrese were awesome to everyone who came to see them. Here is a picture of them in the parking lot with one of their biggest fans little miss Autumn, who got them to sign her guitar case. She is the hardest rockin' 9 year old horror punk fan you will find. She also lists Mr. Jimmy Calabrese as dreamy as Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers and you know that's big time stuff in a 9 year old world!
The show kicked off with Miss Veronica Grim (above) doing a solo warm up performance. This chick can wail!! At first when the crowd of mostly punk and horror punk sorts saw her I think they were under the assumption they were going to get some lame chick vagina rock. After a couple moments they knew they were wrong! She did a bunch of her original rockabilly-esque tunes and also treated the crowd to various cover songs, that got most people pumped and they all sang along. Watch out for this girl, she's going to be big someday soon. http://www.myspace.com/hardluckrogue <- Veronica's Myspace
The next band up was Pumpkin Slut and for some reason I can't find any pictures of their set. But lets just say it involved a burro show. You know a donkey. For real. OK, not a donkey show like that you sickos!! But it was a pinata filled with goodies. Pumpkin Slut never fails to entertain that's for sure. They might be a little insane and write songs about zombies at McDonald's but they put on one hell of a show. That's why I like to book them. Also Billy is like a brother to me in my extended screwed up family so I love these guys and they always entertain the heck out of the crowds at my shows. http://www.myspace.com/pumpkinsluts
The Big Bad played next. These guys are definitely brothers from another mother. I can't say enough good things about this band. I would definitely go as far to say currently they are one of the most under-rated horror bands around. They have found a second home coming to Cincinnati and rocking with us. I love them so much they crash at our place and I fix them pancakes! They had their new CD there, and they played almost everything off the album and also covered Maneater by Hall and Oats haha! It was amazing as always. Their CD is awesome but is nothing compared to the live performance they give. If you haven't seen then I highly suggest you do. http://www.myspace.com/thebigbad
The Reanimated were up next. These guys never cease to make me proud of them. I worry about them a lot because they are all missing a couple of marbles upstairs but that's why I am friends with them. I would have to say this was probably one of the best live performances I have seen out of them ever. I think all winter they were storing all their super hero energy up for one kick ass blow out show. They didn't cease to amaze and as usual the crowd pounded each other and most came out covered in fake blood. Wouldn't be a good time with the Reanimated if that didn't happen right?!
Calabrese took the stage and did what they do best - rock. I have always been impressed by these guys because there is only 3 of them. For a band with just 3 members they definitely rock the hell out. They always put on a high energy show for their fans. I must admit that I missed the first half of their performance because I had to go count down money and pay bands, but even though I was in the back doing business I could still hear and sing along! That's what sucks about what I do sometimes. I have to take care of the business aspect first and foremost and sometimes I miss some of the bands I want to see. But in the end it's all worth it! I did get to catch the last part of the set after I pushed my way up front and even got a little sing-along on with the covers they did at the end. Once again they gave us a 100% performance and everyone loved it! So much they didn't want to leave the club!
Overall I wish every show I booked always went as well as this one did. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support the show. Everyone who drove far to see it, came and rocked out. You guys are the reason I book shows and not just go to them. Thanks to all the bands, you are all amazing.
The last bit I would like to share with you is some random pictures... We had an after party. I won't explain it, but you can see the pictures haha!!
Eric, Kyle 13 and Adam aka Drunk, Drunker, and Drunkest! I love all 3 of these crazies. I just had to share this picture of undying manlove. Eric and Adam are a hoot alone when intoxicated most the time. Add Kyle 13 to the mix and the 7th layer of Hell is about to open. Kyle is like the Nikki Sixx of Horror Punk. You never know what he's going to do, he's random. That's why I love him. I have a feeling if Kyle hung out more here, him and I would see the backseat of a couple of cop cruisers. He has that way of bringing out the evil in people haha! PS Kyle.. You still owe me a drink butthole! All beer showers at the show were compliments of Kyle also. Make sure you send him thank you letters. haha
Here are a couple pictures from the after party we had. Yes the gun is real. It is not loaded. But most the pictures are hilarious. Pixe never looked hotter holding a machine gun! We had a lot of fun esp. with Greg's gun collection. I think he's waiting on the zombie apocalypse. Sorry to anyone who drank the Ouzo and ended up puking. It's for the hardcore of the hardcore apparently.
I hope if you read this you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave comments! Also be on the lookout for more stuff on here asap!
My name is Abby. I am 27 years old and live in the Greater Cincinnati area. For the last 8 years I have booked and promoted shows one of my blogs is all about that.
Other than that I enjoy art. I also have a blog of all my artistic exploits. Check em out!
1. Flyers! Actual paper ones! People really do keep these. I know I always do. Most the time they remind me when I pull them out of my pocket the next day, if nothing else I end up looking the band up online. 
No one joins a band to be miserable. You picked up your instrument for the first time and had FUN! A lot of people can never remember that after they have been in a good band for a couple years they loose sight over the reason they did it in the first place. Something to always remember. 
EA - As far as shows go, what are some cities you guys love to play? Craziest crowds you've played for? 
