Improving our Band

[Rockville Death]

How do we improve our band? We're having shows and all, but it feels like nothing is making our band noticable. We typed up some lyrics and making a blog, but it doesn't seem to be working. Do you have an ideas?

[PezMullet]

you band sucks anyway

/thread

[jules_x]

Myspace/homepage? Youtube? PR!

[PopPunkKid]

Number one thing to realize when your an unsigned, local band just starting off is: nobody cares about you. That sounds harsh, but it's pretty much true. I'm in a band as well, and pretty much no one cares about us either. haha

But the thing is, you need to MAKE people care about you. Interact with people on MySpace, tell them to check out your songs, invite them to come out to shows, etc.

During your live sets, try to get the crowd more involved in everything... make it fun for people. Aside from that, just keep practicing, keep playing shows, and promote promote promote.

[AJ F]

you band sucks anyway

/thread

this.

[parallelism]

tour.

[4N6 science]

your not good. you can't do anything to change that.

[stayforawhile]

your not good. you can't do anything to change that.
Ohh you're so nice and encouraging Jon.

[BryterJonah]

http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgph0231+penguins-jumping-off-cliff-steve-bloom-poster.jpg
This.

[concernedparent]

How can we know if we can't hear your music? Generally speaking, if the members of your band all know how to play their instruments and give a lot of energy in the live performance, then in order to get better, you need to write better music. Or at least more music. Also, as a local band, no one cares about you. Why should they? Try to answer that question, and then you're on your way.

[thesafeword]

Kids on MySpace love them some terrible bands, try there.

[4N6 science]

Ohh you're so nice and encouraging Jon.

yeah I'm quite optimistic.

[stayforawhile]

yeah I'm quite optimistic.
Oh it is quite obvious now.

[RecklessXRandy]

Myspace should work

[AndrewIcex]

Get a better promoter, and a better booking agent... they will get you better shows with better bands, which will get you a different and better fan base... it takes time.

[dtrzcin]

Cover this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4REL5RKN1A&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Erocktownhal l%2Ecom%2Fblogs%2Findex%2Ephp%2F200 8%2F07%2F15%2Fbullshit%2Don%2Dcapta in%2Dbeefheart&feature=player_embedded

[mattmatumbo]

sound like Brand New, everyone loves that.

[anthonydarko]

Think of a good gimmick.

[killerswells]

it says on your myspace you refuse to post songs. ummmm

1. you guys are retarded, people need to hear your music in order to actually like you as a band.

2. im gonna assume since you don't have music up its bc you are probably an awful band that no one wants to hear anyway.

3. did you really think we would give you constructive advice? die in a fire

[kaycey]

shoot yourself in the head its the only way.

[Rockville Death]

Okay, I guess those are ok advises.

[AndrewIcex]

it says on your myspace you refuse to post songs. ummmm

1. you guys are retarded, people need to hear your music in order to actually like you as a band.

2. im gonna assume since you don't have music up its bc you are probably an awful band that no one wants to hear anyway.

3. did you really think we would give you constructive advice? die in a fire

:-d

[Rockville Death]

:-d
Yeah, not that funny, AndrewIcex.

M-(

[AndrewIcex]

Yeah, not that funny, AndrewIcex.

M-(

I thought so.

[doppelganger]

you need to be like brokeNCYDE.

[SanePsychotic]

You could always try to pay people to like your band. The economy's bad; they'll be willing to suffer through mediocre music for a few bucks.

Seriously though, how long have you been playing? Chances are that you just need to get out there more, write new/better material, and try some different things in the PR department. Do some work and be patient.

[Rockville Death]

You could always try to pay people to like your band. The economy's bad; they'll be willing to suffer through mediocre music for a few bucks.

Seriously though, how long have you been playing? Chances are that you just need to get out there more, write new/better material, and try some different things in the PR department. Do some work and be patient.
We have been playing since September 2, 2008. We're new, though. And thanks for the advice. Well appreciated. ;-)

[Smeee]

I thought so.

Don't worry, I found it funny too.

And to the OP, you've gotta load some songs onto myspace. If people can't hear you, how can they like you?

[new_arbiter]

Sleep with your best friend's girl, and then the two of you can write songs about it that even share some lyrics. You'll be legends.

[musicmerchkid]

In ordert to be popular, you need to make music people want to hear and package it in a way that people want to see it. If your music is bad, nobody will be interested, but you need to have a rock 'n roll image. You can usually tell when a band has 15 year olds in it because they were other bands shirts when they take pictures and perform. An image is just esentially how someone views something or someone that they don't know personally. For instance, Britney Spears, we all remember her, was crafted as being the girl next door, even though in all actuality she was the town whore of Kentwood, LA. She was a chain smoker, nudist, whore when she was a teenager. We didn't know all that because her image was crafted to make her the girl nextdoor type.. Think about about a band like MCR and their image.

You need to take yor myspace seriously, comment everyone, make a ncie layout, and you need to stand out. A band like the Gay Blades are rude to there fans, good dressers, have beards, only have two members,

You need people to buzz about you, and to be original.

[Rockville Death]

Don't worry, I found it funny too.

And to the OP, you've gotta load some songs onto myspace. If people can't hear you, how can they like you?
You got a good point, Smeee. Thanks ;-)

[Five-Star]

bake sale

[AndrewIcex]

bake sale

This.

[SanePsychotic]

bake sale

Heck yes! Cookies!

[Rockville Death]

Cookies? okay...

[killerswells]

dude everyone loves baked goods. an even better idea is make weed brownies and sell them at your concerts. it might make the music you make bearable to listen to.

[Rockville Death]

dude everyone loves baked goods. an even better idea is make weed brownies and sell them at your concerts. it might make the music you make bearable to listen to.
Okay, I'll try that.

[piglet]

you can't polish a piece of shit.

[bluecrunchy]

Moar techno beatz.

[Five-Star]

2 more guitarists.

[wroteurname]

How can we advise you to fix something we can't hear? Considering I live in your town, let me know when/if you guys ever play a show and I'll let you know.

[wroteurname]

Also, maybe a drummer and a bassist may help the cause?

[oldwirehands]

Sounds like you're in a band for the wrong reasons.

[FlowerPower]

Rockville Death is the coolest band EVER!!! They rock!!!

[Rockville Death]

Wow! You're an amazing fan! Thank you 3x more. wow!

:-)

[EndSerenading]

1) write music together

2) keep writing until you are writing GOOD music together. It is the honest truth that prob ~90% of the time, unless your band is comprised of seasoned veterans of songwriting, you're first several songs are probably terrible. I know you won't feel that way at the time, the adrenaline of a new musical project is there and you feel like you have the best songs in the world, when in fact they will probably end up being the worst songs you ever write as a band if you last long enough to look back on a short career as a band. Keep playing until you have songs that everyone is VERY happy with. I know you want to get out there and play shows, but if you write 5 songs, get out there and play a show using your first 5 songs, you may be setting a bad first impressions...and a bad impression is hard to break in a music scene completely overflowing with good and bad bands. There are too many good bands out there for people to be interested in checking out material from a band they hated when they saw them live.

3) start booking shows, play everything you can. if you are as new to this as it sounds, you should never have the attitude that you are "too good" for any show that is thrown your way. Be willing to play for free. If you start playing as much as you can around your area, eventually people will catch on and enjoy it **if you are writing music that they enjoy**. ie refer back to Step 1 and Step 2 since the music should be far and away the biggest area any band can "improve."

4) Around this time, setup a myspace, blog, twitter, whatever else you want to. I wouldn't worry about this step until you start getting some shows going. I know in your case, you are already at this point, but I've just been typing this out in general. It is important to note though that I have this as step 4 as 1, 2, and 3 are all vastly more important in the early stages of a band than any gimmick is.


Other things to remember:

- start keeping contacts with all the bands and venues you play at. Be respectful to bands even when you don't like their music. Finding bands to play with has less to do with only playing with bands you like, and more to do with playing with other bands who draw people to the shows.

- those random bands you've never heard of that message you on myspace looking for someone to help them book a show? Take them up on the offer, they will more than likely return the favor if you want to play in their hometown.

- promote, promote, promote. Go to all the local shows you can, free or not. Introduce yourselves to the other bands playing, maybe give them a demo CD. If you show them that you are coming out to their shows and paying to get in, they are more likely to help you out by giving you a slot on an upcoming show rather than randomly messaging them on myspace. When you are at these shows, pass out free demos, pass our fliers for upcoming shows, and see if the bands playing can make an announcement about a show of yours coming up next week etc.



In summary though, be yourself, be original, and the harsh truth is that, if people like your music they will catch on but if people don't, there may not be a lot you can do to promote a growth of interest around your band.

[Bitterserenade]

Stop bitching about it and practice until you can play your instruments correctly.

[bjm1702]

Make a screamo cover of a shit rap song and post it on myspace. include lots of beats, screams and autotune for more scene points.

[killerswells]

My four steps to success program:

1) record the audio of yourself taking a shit.

2) send it out in press packages to all record labels.

3) go swimming in a sea of money you get for said shit recordings.

4) fuck bitches.

[Rockville Death]

My four steps to success program:

1) record the audio of yourself taking a shit.

2) send it out in press packages to all record labels.

3) go swimming in a sea of money you get for said shit recordings.

4) fuck bitches.
Thank you. That is cool advise and funny too.

:-)

[FlowerPower]

Keep up with the awesome performances! They are better than ever!!

[killerswells]

Thank you. That is cool advise and funny too.

:-)

at your service. rock out mang.

[FlowerPower]

Rockville Death RULES!!!!

[killerswells]

Rockville Death RULES!!!!

we already know they rule. i had sex with the entire rhythm section just to prove it to myself. quit being so troll-esque.

[EndSerenading]

Rockville Death RULES!!!!

ugh, just stop. its painful to read; these posts reek of a staged alias or gf of a band member and is not going to do anything to win them any fans.

[killerswells]

ugh, just stop. its painful to read; these posts reek of a staged alias or gf of a band member and is not going to do anything to win them any fans.

FlowerPower? pffffft. i knew i hated hippies for a reason.

[ReadyForAction]

Make flyers for upcoming shows and go to popular hangout spots and promote it, play acousic shows to spread the word, take an interest and put some actual work into promoting your band lol

[limepomegranate]

Rockville Death RULES!!!!
you're gay!

[AndrewIcex]

you're gay!
Hahaha this.

[Five-Star]

lmao

[Shroomkilla]

originality. its one thing to try to incorporate a style or whats popular but be original with it. dont try to be a future sell out. jam with your friends for a few months get to know how each of you play and get used to playing as a whole. it will all come in time. if your past this id suggest stop playing shows or continue to get the money for what im about to say but try to write songs and record for a demo or even ep if your remotly close to that stage. dont take offense to kids opinions on this site their just people with opinions as myself. im not gonna comment on if your good or not cus you have no music to show. lol but just keep at it and be smart dont make dumb choices and cause drama if the fans come they come if they dont then just play for fun i mean as long as your having fun and you enjoy the music your playing. youl get satisfaction out of it.

[PunkyPoo]

You know, whether you're good or not doesn't matter much. Don't let that bother you :)

Truthfully, just play and play a lot. Practice a lot, alone and together. Play as many shows as possible. Play for free if you have to. Try to record your original music. The more you practice, and the more time you spend recording, the better you'll be.

Then look to use social media to promote the band. Facebook or myspace. Get your recordings online. Then do your best to share your music with other people.

Good luck.

[Thriftstoresuit]

Rockville Death is continue being a band. They're getting ready for upcoming events. They are also writing more songs. For knowing what shows they're palying, check out their website @ http://www.myspace.com/rockvilledeath

better grammar maybe? :shrug:

[thespearkid]

Wait, wait, wait. Aren't you the guy posted those AWFUL lyrics in the poetry forum? "Shero of my Dreams"? There is no hope for you.