Hey, A bit of info from my own experiences. This is in reference to starting a new band, picking up at the part where you have songs ready and want to play gig's or tour and/or start recording.
This is a basic's kinda approach. Please, if you are a "pro", which I'm not, chime in and give your advice to! I've had plenty of experience in the trenches.
Please don't take this as the end-all advice. Use what you can. Discard what you can't.
So....
Bit of background, quickly about myself if you haven't read my mile long posts over the years already.
I'm a guitarist for 35 years, classically trained, a proud father, loving husband and veteran of the Seattle grunge scene. I've rubbed elbows with members of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and countless other rock stars from Seattle and many other national acts in my years as either a musician or mostly as a sound engineer. Alice N' Chains opened up for my band (their choice, not ours) when I was 19, the night they kicked off their FaceLift tour. So, I'm no "Rock Star" but I sure was close. I never took advantage of my proximity to it all and I'm kickin' myself for not doing that...... but I'm alive and I don't know if I would be, otherwise.
I've lived the scene, done some things correctly and a ton of things wrong. Most of the advice I will spout is in hindsight, but some of it I was fortunate enough to do right and see how it paid off.
First tip for a band or musician just starting out - as in you've never played in front of a crowd or maybe only a couple times...
Sounds so 'duh' to say, but PRACTICE ALL THE TIME!
practice your instrument(s) at home every day
practice together as a band at LEAST once a week for several hours
work out your set-list and practice it over and over as a band until you can play through it without f'n up. Pretend you are playing the set at a club. Think about things you will say (or not say) in between songs. Think about how you can "bleed" two songs together if you want - maybe 2 or 3 songs in your set list end and start on the same note.... try to finish that song on E or whatever, hold out the last note for a few seconds then bust into that next song that starts in E... you know the one.
Point is, even if you are not playing gigs yet, you need to go through the motions as if you are playing a club when you are reherasing, at least for some of the time.
So, assuming you've got your set tight as hell and you've either recorded all of your tracks or are working forward to do that, it's time to start thinking about playing live.
I can't stress enough the need for your band to be prepared. Practice breaking down and setting up as fast as possible! As many of us can say in our experience, there may be times that you have to set up and sound check in 15 or 20 minutes. Be ready and know you're gear in and out and have it organized so you can set up in minutes if you need to. The drummer is usually the weakest link as far as that is concerned so have the singer help them set up or whoever can get set up the fastest. You guys are a team so work together like one.
You NEED to make a first impression at every gig you pay.
1. The club is going to judge you immediately. If they say to be there at 6:30 for soundcheck even if you don't go on until 10pm, be there before or by 6:30 and be quick and efficient loading your gear in and getting it set up.
2. BRING A CROWD OF PAYING FANS! That is your number one judge. Can you bring people in the door, first and foremost. It's always up to you. The club is not going to fill it for you. Nothing will tell them what type of draw you have when they put you on first on a tuesday night. If six people are in the room, guess what, that's your draw! FLYER AND PROMOTE THE HELL OUTTA YOUR BAND/SELF!!! (another post in itself)
3. Don't do a "pay to play" unless you can fill the venue! 50 people in a 500 person venue is a bad show. 50 people in a hole-in-the-wall cafe or bar that holds 40 comfortably is a HUGE show!!
4. If you don't like another bands music, DON'T LET THEM KNOW! Feign support if you have to (but never take any sh*t either!!). Treat everyone in the club with respect. During your set, say things like "Don't forget to tip your bartenders and staff" or "let's hear it for that band weren't they great?" -- sounds cheesy, but it's gonna make you look like a pro
5. Remember, the majority of clubs you play in are going to also base your success on how much your "draw" drinks alcohol. That is their bottom line - the door and the bar. The venue and bartenders will love you if you try to sell a little alcohol during your set.
6. You will usually have anywhere from a 30 minute to 1 hour set. Be aware of the time on stage and make sure you adjust to play your most powerful song last and leave your best on the stage!
7. If you've got merch at this point, you gotta pedal it in a fashionable way. Have a friend (best if it's a hot chick in a tight shirt!) at your booth or table or whatever.
8. Have a mailing list for people to sign up for. You might think about having a free download if they sign up. (This is all part of that promote the hell outta yourself -- meaning you gotta do it all yourself man! Have someone going around in the audience and helping people sign up... be proactive without being pushy or rude)
