I'm starting a band...?

Question

And am wondering if anyone has any suggestions. We've got a website

www.photonsoup.tk

a myspace...

www.myspace.com/photonsoup

And we don't suck.

Ideas on getting the word out? Getting gigs? We're all about 15, what does that mean? We're doing punk-ska. What do you think of the name? Ideas on how often to practice? Practice strategies? Everything you say will be helpful!

Answer 1

Yeah I got a suggestion......Don't (lol)

Answer 2

Getting the word out: Posters, Flyers, Website and Shows, the more the better. As much as you may hate to hear it, everything costs Money. If you want to survive (buy gear, buy promo, etc) the more money you make ther more you get the word out.

Getting Gigs: at 15...good luck. It's gonna have to be private parties and hall shows. As unfair as it is, no one that sells alcohol will let you in the door.

How well you play has very little to do with it. Make sure your version of Punk-Ska is different than the rest of the bands on Earth. You must be able to give your audience something that they will get no where else.

Practice: Make sure and practice all you can by yourself. Learn your instrument, learn your songs - by yourself. Make sure that any TIME spent with the entire group is spent efficiently.

Most importantly -- CLOSE ALL REHEARSALS!! No girls, friends, or especially girlfriends. Treat your band like a magic act and NEVER let anyone see behind the curtain. Your girlfriends can see you onstage at the shows like everyone else. If they don't like it - then get a new girlfriend.

Pratice tips: Have ONE rehearsal leader. Practice the song in sections and don't be afraid to spend 4 hours going over the same song - especially the vocals. Make sure EVERYONE sings! They don't have to sing well..but everyone gets a mic and does backups - harmonies if you can.

Biggest tip: Find as many ways to make money as possible. Your bands existence depends directly on the money. No money and band members will leave. No money means no promo. No money means you need a job to pay the bills -- then you have less time for music. Don't get your groupies preggenant. That will mean you MUST have a job, MUST have money and NONE of it will go toward the music. Then you will be the most popular burger flipper in town.

The band name - generally unimportant - the simpler ther better, make sure your fans can read the logo.

Good luck

Answer 3

When my son was starting off in his first band, they used to play at a local skate park. The skate park was near our home, most of the kids that went there were near his age, and it got him exposure and experience. He never did make much, but then, he was just starting off. You can't expect to make very much until you have some experience.

When you have practice sessions (at least once a week) be sure to be organized and have a list of songs that you need to work on. Have pens and paper for everyone to make their own notes on. And always be striving to learn more about music and how to perfect your craft. Each musician should practice every day (1-3 hours), if possible, on his own particular parts of the music, so that time is not wasted in group practice on just one person trying to get their "act" together.

You may also try to get some exposure at local events, like talent shows, friends' parties, flea markets, school functions (like dances), swimming parties, local fairs and festivals...wherever you can get in when you are under-age. Then by the time you are old enough to book gigs in local bars and night clubs, you will already have alot of experience under your belts and you should have a well-polished act together with a much bigger repertoire.

Good luck! Don't give up, and never stop playing!

BTW...love the name!

Answer 4

I think you should find someone you presently know who is in a band and see what they say. But hey, practice makes perfect so practice at least 4 to 5 times a week. Actually if you all are new everyday may be even better. Good luck and much success!

Answer 5

i have a local music magazine in MA. (myspace.com/helltownzine). When we interview bands, we usually ask what advice they'd give to noobs. most of them say to practice A LOT. make sure the people you're in the band with all get along and agree on most things. don't be afraid to be different. and treat your band like a business.

as for getting gigs, go to local venues and just talk to the manager/owner. but be ready to play a 25/30 minute set. (usually 5-7 songs). handing out flyers, inviting people to your practices, and just promoting the hell out of yourself always helps too. don't give up on it. being in a band is an amazing thing.

if you guys are in the MA/NH area, i can probably get you a gig whenever you want. and also, let me know if you wanna do a short interview or write-up for my zine. it'll help spread the word a little bit. <3

Answer 6

is the name photon soup? well, maybe you could be a tiny bit more creative, just coz we've already got bowling for soup. maybe some other kinda photon thing. you should practice at least three times a week, and always be open to learning each others' ideas. dont just let one person rule the band, coz when that person dries out of ideas, your kinda screwed. you can get gigs at pretty much anywhere, you just need to tell friends that arent in the band, and get them to tell their friends (friends that arent your friends) and put up signs.

Answer 7

when there is a BIG concert (like an arena show or something) with a band in your genre - go out and flyer the HELL out of that area, leave CD's on windshields, stuff like that. These are your target audience. Take advantage of them all being in one place at the same time.

Answer 8

First try calling local music places like concert places and try to get a gig

Answer 9

when I was 15, we practiced 2sday ,Thursday and Saturday. Our drummer ended up in Pearl Jam. I on the other hand just ate jam and jammed.

Answer 10

well i would go to a agent to mtv and you can audition for a contract with any cd people then you can get the word out with a new song like fall out boy.

Answer 11

If you're all about 15, that means you were all born about 15 years ago.