NWB - Community Blog

19 Feb 2009

THE SILENT TREATMENT

Filed Under : Rants

Posted By : Duke Bocks | Comments : 20

why dont venues get back to you when they promise they will?

THINK IT'S TIME FOR A RANT...so here goes...
Ok, heres the scenario:-
You're driving out and, if you're like me, keeping one eye open for pubs etc with a board outside advertising live entertainment. In you pop armed with your latest demo cd, business card and patter ready (also a good excuse for a beer if she's driving!). A few words with the relevant person who promises to have a listen to the cd/look at the myspace site and you're off on your merry way.
A week or 2 later you make the follow up phone call. "Sorry, Alberts down the cash and carry", "yeh we had a listen, it sounds great, we'll get back to you" etc etc,
A week later another call to the venue, " sorry, Alberts still down the cash and carry, Ill let him know you called"
LOOK... if you think were bobbins say so, if you think we wont suit the venue say so. Any feedback is better than no feed back. If you dont want us say so..we wont start cryin honest, then we can move on and find somewhere that does!
This is not aimed ay any venue in particular just venues that forget musicians are people too.
Phew..feel better now...now wheres that bottle of Merlot?

Comments

# Posted by WOLFPACK - 19/02/2009, 19:30 (GMT)

I think many venues will tell you they are inundated with demos? but if they told you they'd call then they should have!

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 19/02/2009, 19:39 (GMT)

Fair comment wolf, its just a pain in the posteria when youre tryin to fill the diary and youre waiting for a reply..whatever the reason, fully booked, too many demos, cant be arsed, just let us know, we wont be down to brick your windows..lol

# Posted by Shell - 19/02/2009, 19:44 (GMT)

They're very busy people and they probably have every intention of checking you out, all the same it would be kinder for them to just tell you so.

# Posted by SABRE - 19/02/2009, 19:48 (GMT)

dont let it get you down, i have got gigs on here just by gentle persuading and nice emails, and the venue hasnt even heard us yet,
try selling yourselfs without demos, confidence with out being bigheaded
about your band will get you gigs.

# Posted by Shell - 19/02/2009, 19:50 (GMT)

Your spelling is improving by the comment Sabre, I'm proud of you lol

# Posted by Jolly Naylor - 19/02/2009, 19:59 (GMT)

As a venue i must defend myself when bands phone us if im busy then i do forget to check them out its just that we work so hard to try and keep these pubs open that the last thing on your mind when your busy is a band and when i finish all i need most of the time is sleep emails on here are the best really

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 19/02/2009, 20:03 (GMT)

I luvs you all..you is all my bestest buddies..and this merlot is goin down great..hic..
seriously guys, thanks for the support, love that about this site..like I said ..not a rant about any venue in particular, just a niggle i wondered who else shared.

# Posted by ~ THE SUG4R BULLETS ~ - 19/02/2009, 20:04 (GMT)

Yes, if a venue tells you they will get back they should out of courtesy. But I wouldn't take it personally if they don't - just keep in contact every now & again and let them know you're still around....your time will come. Theres still pubs we wanna play at which we've been trying to get in for months, but a bit of networking meanwhile never does any harm in the long run.

With the number of live venues on the decrease, supply is just far outweighing demand at the monent - there's probably about 20-25 regular posting bands on here but I was looking at the 'gig guide' earlier today and it's actually frightening just how many bands are out there doing the rounds.

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 19/02/2009, 20:05 (GMT)

note to self.."e-mail old isaacs" lol

# Posted by "The Venue" previous... - 19/02/2009, 20:10 (GMT)

As a venue its always good to recieve demos but like you said sometimes it just escapes your mind to ring someone back! Emails are always a good reminder that your still around and available! So i wouldn't take it personally!

# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 19/02/2009, 20:15 (GMT)

Hey Coolers, we're still around and available!
:o)
Did you get your pa sorted?

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 19/02/2009, 20:18 (GMT)

Thanks coolers. I can see it from a venues perspective, honest. Just venting my spleen is all and we dont think its a personal slur as im sure it happens to everybody from time to time.
And, ..its a great excuse to have a moan before weekend when she gets all the moaning rights..lol

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 19/02/2009, 20:19 (GMT)

oiii..night train..thats blatant blogjacking..lol

# Posted by SABRE - 19/02/2009, 20:57 (GMT)

i am going to consult with my DIARY to see if i am free on saturday,
thanks Shell for your spelling comment, i am trying you know.

# Posted by W - 19/02/2009, 21:12 (GMT)

Happens to us all

What gets me RAVING mad is when you play a gig and they announce love for your band. (unsolicited that is) and promise to call you in the week with a booking...NOTHING.

You follow it up and indeed he's down the cash and carry...the only time we would hear from a 'certain venue' was when he was let down by another band, then he'd call and off we would go, pull him out the s**t and again he will pronounce his love for you..."I'll definitely call you this time in the weeks lads" he replies after my jibe

round and bloody round you go.

# Posted by "The Venue" previous... - 19/02/2009, 21:57 (GMT)

Hi night train! The fella is/has sorting(ed) the pa out! and yeah i know your still there! x ;0)

# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 19/02/2009, 22:56 (GMT)

no probs, just checking your PA situation really..had found something you might have been interested in

# Posted by Pig - 20/02/2009, 10:49 (GMT)

There was one venue near blackpool, long gone now, the Landlord was always in the shower when a band called, he must have been the cleanest Landlord in the whole world, now i wonder why his pub went down the pan, it's now demolished!

# Posted by SABRE - 20/02/2009, 16:08 (GMT)

Yes and the landlord of the red lion who i have done repairs to his taps
and got things working for him ready for his opening night fobbed me off on the phone when i asked him for a gig later on this year when he needed bands. well we dont want to play in your pub now, and when you see how big we are by crimbo, more fool you. thats telling him guys,
in the nicest posible way,

# Posted by Duke Bocks - 20/02/2009, 16:45 (GMT)

Looks like i opened a can of worms..lol..shame all the culprits dont subscribe to the site, seems we only have the nice ones on here..creep creep ..dates available..please ring etc etc..

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