A Bar Owner's Craigslist Post

[bigdaddyd]

Well to the bar owner. We don't like to be treated like shit. We aren't there for free. We have professional ways we like to be dealth with. If you say your paying x amount then pay it. Don't change the tune at the end of the night. This goes both ways not just for the fucking bar owner. We also have to succeed n make profit n survive !!!!!!

There's a shit load of dead beat clubs put there that use "us the musicians" for free entertainment.

It doesn't go both way. If you don't like it, open your own bar. Until you do, it is his rules. The owner needs to pay his bills. It is a business. That is what you don't seem to understand. He can just as well put in a jukebox

 

[Rushtallica]

I completely agree with the bar owner. But you get what you pay for. If you pay a band $400 to play for 6hrs and bring all their own equipment how much quality to you expect? A decent bar will go thru 10k in booze in a night. Bands that he is describing that are professional cost $3000 a night for in town gigs and $4500 for driving within a few states. It is really up to him to invest the money he thinks his bar is worth.

When it comes to band looking like shit, he is right. Wearing blue jeans and a t shirt is not rock n roll. You looked like a department store catalog or your mom or wife dressed you. Chick's don't like slobs and if you wanna get laid be better dressed than any other dudes in the bar.

Just sayin. If you want to play for fun, keep jamming with your friends. If you wanna make money, you must whore yourself just like any other job out there. Sad but true.

PS if your write music people like, then you can tour on that and fuck the bar owners.

Wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt is not rock n roll? I'm not trying to be an ass, but I'm curious about what you think is rock n roll.

 

[cujo]

I think he's talking about the scumbag looks like your at the beach or just got out of work look. If ya play in a band look like ya play in a band.
Cargo shorts flip flops slimy baseball hats jeans falling off your ass hair a fkn mess looks like you haven't washed it in a month. Dirt bags.

 

[WildNorth]

The bar owner brings up a few good points, but I would likely steer clear from someone with such high expectations.

We don't have "metal venues" in the small town I live in. If you are a player in this town it's pretty much hit the road, or play small to medium sized clubs/bars. For me, a cover band is the only option.

I think those of us who are in cover bands already figured most of this shit out. But we all know that it's ridiculous to blame a band if the bar has a bad nite......unless the band was really bad, or loud, or didn't have a clue what dance music was. We've been in the same clubs many many saturday nights. Played the same sets, and some nights are just hopping while others are dead. Same band, same advertising, different night. I don't think the band can be blamed for that. And the whole dress code thing is ridiculous. Nothing worse than seeing a bunch of fags up on stage wearing some kind of "outfit". It's rock and roll for fucks sake.

We played one club down in the San Joaquin Valley where it was obvious the club owner subscribed to the same bullshit mentality (leaning towards blaming the band for a bad night). We never went back.

A good band will likely have somewhat of a following, and I think that's what a band brings to the table. Customers. Whether those customers drink or not is up to them.....not the band.

 

[Rushtallica]

And the whole dress code thing is ridiculous. Nothing worse than seeing a bunch of fags up on stage wearing some kind of "outfit". It's rock and roll for fucks sake.

I basically see rock as people just being themselves and wearing whatever they normally wear, too. But if it's something like a glam tribute, Hendrix tribute, KISS tribute, etc., I can imagine it seeming a bit lame to just wear jeans and shirts for those who probably show up wanting to see something more like when those bands were in their primes. Most of my favorite bands didn't really do a lot of dress up beyond dark clothes, though, and when some did... I'll just say their music carried them regardless of the finery, e.g.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Coming from the cover scene out here you know everything that guy said, however, the right management can get you in places and they won't allow scumbag bar owners to rip you off. Without management...good luck.

There was/is good money to make out here in the cover scene so yes, it's more about business instead of what song you want to play.

 

[thunda]

if they are dancing, they aren't drinking...maybe he should hire bands that only play sad country songs. then everybody will be drinking!

 

[Jammin'John]

After they dance they are usually ready for a drink.
It's easy to drink more when you do active things and more {beer} will fit in your belly when you're standing.

"maybe he should hire bands that only play sad country songs."

If the sad country songs get the patron laid then I'm sure that would be welcome.

JJ

JJ

 

[WildNorth]

If the sad country songs get the bartender/owner laid then I'm sure that would be welcome.

Fixed it for you.

 

[rupe]

if they are dancing, they aren't drinking

Are you sure about that?

 

[Mailman1971]

if they are dancing, they aren't drinking

Are you sure about that?

Dammit....Tim told me he erased this video of me at the festival.

 

[ttosh]

The only places I ever played (or was interested in playing) were original rock/metal clubs and I guarantee they were selling an unbelievable quantity of drinks to people who weren't dancing at all. I never was interested in playing covers to sell drinks. I get the bar owner's point, I just would not be interested in participating as a musician. If you are, ya gotta deal with his reality...

But really, genre based bars/clubs you wouldn't have this problem. If you play blues or jazz clubs/bars, his points aren't as relevant...

Steve

This ^^^^

 

[ttosh]

if they are dancing, they aren't drinking

Are you sure about that?

Dammit....Tim told me he erased this video of me at the festival.

 

[Mailman1971]

if they are dancing, they aren't drinking

Are you sure about that?

Dammit....Tim told me he erased this video of me at the festival.

Thank god the part of me Moon walking and doing the Centipede wasnt shown.

 

[LukeCurd]

Wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt is not rock n roll? I'm not trying to be an ass, but I'm curious about what you think is rock n roll.

In the 1950's most of the public had suit's and dress shoes. Rock n' Roll is anti establishment. The kids that listen to stuff different than their parents dressed in The typical James Dean jeans,shirt boots look.
In the 1960's "Mop-tops" ie beatles with their shaggy hair wearing suit's was the look imitated.
In the 1970's you might get run over by a car while the driver yells, "Get out of the road you "Long-Hair"
In the 1980's to now its very easy to see the blend of fashion and music. How many musicians now their own clothing line?

Everyone I see in public is wearing graphic tee's and jeans with athletic shoes. If you look like them, in a sense you are them.

Dress how you wish to be Addressed.

 

[LukeCurd]

BTW this is what the bar owner and I are talking about.