NWB - Community Blog

04 Apr 2010

Bands Beware ! - A Cautionary Tale

Filed Under : Rants

Posted By : Colin H | Comments : 12

Learn From Our Mistake

Just thought I`d relate a sad tale which happened to our band last year , in the hope that it`ll serve as a warning to other young bands , like us .

Last summer , when the boys had only played a handful of gigs , they were approached by another young band to support them at Liverpool Academy , the following Autunm .
Needless to say , our lads were over the moon at the prospect of appearing at such a prestigious venue , so early on in their musical adventure .

I contacted the promoter , and part of the agreement was that we had to sell 50 tickets for the gig , and these had to be paid for in advance ! (I`m sure you can guess the rest , cant you ?)
Obviousely , I was a little concerned , but I checked the guy out , and he seemed legit - having put on many shows at the venue , and all over the country . Also , if I`d have refused to do it , the lads would`ve been really dissapointed , so I went ahead with the deal . (I know , I know .. at age 45 - I`m their manager.. I shouldve known better .)

Anyway , I sent the cheque and waited for the tickets to arrive .. and waited ... and waited..
After an initial bombardement of info from the promoter , things went very quiet . A month before the show was due to be held , I contacted the venue , and they confirmed our worst fears . They too hadnt heard from the promoter for weeks , and had to cancel all his shows . I later found out , the guy had skipped the country , owing loads of money and leaving a trail of cancelled shows in his wake .

Ive since tried contacting him several times , without luck , and eventually reported the matter to trading standards . Needless to say , I`m still £250 down .. and very embarressed .

We have , at least been taught a painful lesson by this experience , and will never again hand over cash in advance . We have since , had dealings with some very good promoters (check our myspace www.myspace.com/ukinnuendo for details) and had a great gig at the academy .

Hope someone can read this , and learn from our mistake ! ,

Col .

Comments

# Posted by Coldplayer - 04/04/2010, 13:15 (GMT)

Personally I think it's a disgrace that bands have to sell 50tickets just to perform a 30 minute show. Total exploitation of ambitious bands willing to do anything to make a name for themselves. And this is proof that the world of original material isn't the haven of good-will that certain Daleks would have us believe.

Sorry to hear about this Col.

G

# Posted by Willow (of somebig™Fish) (Reti... - 04/04/2010, 13:33 (GMT)

Yeah agree it's shite ... but big up to you Col for posting and warning others out there.
Willow

# Posted by Off The Rails - 04/04/2010, 13:36 (GMT)

I agree with viv la coldplays comments, the guys name was`nt Andy by any chance was it ?, the games hard enough without this kind of nasty tricks, you will just have to put it down to experience col.

cheers tony

# Posted by Colin H - 04/04/2010, 13:47 (GMT)

Cheers guys - I dont mind naming and shaming - he knows exactly what he did . It was a guy named Sam Radford of Redland music , AKA SDR unsigned .

Like you say , Ive put it down to experience now !

On pay to play , I agree , its not ideal and I wouldnt want to saddle the lads with selling tickets , all the time , it would soon become a chore . But , saying that , I dont mind doing it now and again , as its part of self promotion - and there arent too many favours out there !! (i`m not cynical , Im not cynical , Im not cynical ....)

# Posted by Coldplayer - 04/04/2010, 14:06 (GMT)

I've actually heard of Sam Radford, bad stories too. It was a few years back but a mate of mine's band (who I'm actually depping for at the min) did a gig at the Magnet for one of these 'bring your friends so I can get paid' gigs. They were promised a crate of carlsberg for their troubles, and it turns out the crate was to be shared amongst four bands!

# Posted by Ian from Bolton - 04/04/2010, 14:17 (GMT)

I'd put his wondows in every few months, but I'm not as forgiving as you are obviously.

# Posted by Anthem - 04/04/2010, 14:31 (GMT)

Scum like this need to be dealt with quickly and severly to dissuade others from following suit. The music biz is hard enough as it is without wankers (and there are a few about) ripping people off and getting away with it. If we ever bump into the tw** we will definately give him a good kicking for you
Mark

# Posted by Dresden North End - 04/04/2010, 15:30 (GMT)

Shitty deal. I heard a story of a band bein booked over the fone. When they got to the boozer, they left their gear with the security and when they found out it was a set up, the security had gone and all their gear had been nicked.
Some tw@ts out there.

Mark

# Posted by Mark bassist in Piggery Bandan... - 04/04/2010, 15:46 (GMT)

Its pretty standard fare sadly this "sell so many tickets routine". Band on the wall do it and the roadhouse used to do it.... Wasnt pay up front like this .. but as stated above its not cool in any case.... Would suggest to anyone avoid these like the plague until you have to do them, there are places about .. they just take some finding.

# Posted by DAKOTA - 05/04/2010, 00:02 (GMT)

Once bitten twice shy lads ehh ?
These Twats who tell you they are Booking agents / promoters etc , and then give you the usual bullshit spiel are fucking Leaches dude !
I would have laughed him off the phone m8 after telling him where to go of course 1st !

# Posted by John Wilkinson: - 05/04/2010, 09:02 (GMT)

That sucks big time.

I do feel sorry for bands starting out when they get this shit thrown at them.

Thanks for sharing the tale though and hopefully it will help other bands avoid that pitfall.

I know of another Genesis tribute band who played a venue in London ( very famous and you will know of it) where they were told to sell 100 tickets and they would get an 70/30 split. Place holds about 150 and according to band was rammed. Band pleased as punch and went to collect pay at end of night to be met with ( you guessed it) you only had 90 in .......

Best of luck to the band in the future

John

# Posted by THE MOCKINGBIRDS (now split) - 07/04/2010, 18:05 (GMT)

thats a terrible story, feel bad for you man.

we're supporting the 'clone roses' no suprize who they are taking off. anyway, we were given 50 tickets at 10 pound a pop, for free - like a loan. id only ever do this.

whatever we dont sell we can give back. hoping to sell more than 50.

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