Howdy, y'all. I'm sick and fucking tired of douchebag musicians coming to shows, acting like they're hot shit, and ruining the experience for anybody who's serious. It's time to face the fact, there are certain ways to behave at local shows. I'm gonna lay down a few commandments. Here we go!!
THOU SHALT NOT PERFORM WHILST ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL
This one should be easy. Back in the day, yeah, everybody did it. And look what happened to them. Do you want to be Keith Moon, so fucked up that they have to pull a replacement from the audience? Stay sober on stage. Drink or do your thing afterwards. You owe it to yourself, and you owe it to your band. Plus, it might make the music sound better to you, but to everyone listening who isn't an idiot, you'll just sound like shit. Guaranteed.
THOU SHALT NOT SMOKE ONSTAGE
When Keith Richards does this, it looks incredibly badass. When you do this, you look like an asshole. You also look like a total poser, and a Keith Richards wannabe (Unless of course you are Keith Richards. In which case...YOU. ARE. A. GOD.) It's the 21st century. Smoking isn't "cool" anymore. It never was. You don't look like a badass. You look like somebody who is going to die before me. Keep it off the stage.
THOU SHALT NOT THINK THAT HEADLINING MAKES YOU BETTER THAN OTHER BANDS
It doesn't. You're headlining because you have more friends than the other bands. That's it. Don't flatter yourselves. If the show starts at 8, and you go on at 11, guess what? You should show up at 8. And if you honestly show up for the soundcheck, then leave and not come back until you're on, I will never respect you again unless you have a very legitimate excuse. You're not going to support the show that you're on? Is your life really that important? The other bands are most likely standing around waiting for you. And don't tell your "fans" not to show up until you go on, either. Musicians are supposed to stick together. Support EACH OTHER. Your karma will thank you.
THOU SHALT NOT LEAVE DIRECTLY AFTER YOUR SET, EITHER
I know a band semi-personally. I've gotten them 5 shows, including their first ever gig. I don't do it because I like their music. Quite frankly, they suck. But I went to high school with them, they're my friends, and I don't mind. They do this thing that irks the shit out of me and everyone else I've talked to who's played with them. They show up, bring some "fans" (their friends,) play their set, and then they all leave. They have done this at every single show I've gotten them. Don't be them. It's the same thing as the previous rule. Support the other acts.
THOU SHALT NOT BE AN ARROGANT PRICK
Honestly, unless you are selling records or consistently getting complete strangers to come out to your shows and give you positive feedback, just get over yourself. I was in an argument with a guy in another band once, at a show. I wanted to switch set times with him (I was headlining) because most of the people there were there to see his band. I figured many would leave after they played, so I wanted to play before them. Sounds fair. But this dude wouldn't have it. He said things like "I don't even want to be here," and told me to "Get my own fans."
Woah, there, buddy. I won't give you all the details, but this was a band that I knew on a personal level. None of the people there were their fans. Know the difference between a friend and a fan. A fan is somebody who would be there even if they hated you personally. Somebody who doesn't even know you. Someone who went to your show without you asking them to. Somebody who supports you in their spare time, because THEY want to. None of your friends are your fans. None of your family are your fans. Get this through your thick, inflated heads. My next point...
THOU SHALT WANT TO BE THERE
If you don't want to play a show, DON'T FUCKING PLAY IT. The audience can tell. Your band can tell. And the show will suffer for it. You shouldn't need a reason to want to play any show. You're playing music, the most cathartic experience life has to offer! Buck up! What the fuck do you have to complain about? Again, GET OVER YOURSELF.
THOU SHALT GET OVER YOURSELF
The whole "arrogant rock star" thing is very old. Just stop. It's not befitting of anybody, it doesn't give you "attitude" and none of the things you use to inflate your ego are actually substantial. Learn how to be a mature, kind person. That personality will show so much more.
THOU SHALT NOT FLIP A SHIT OVER A BAD GIG
Every band has bad nights. Don't sweat it. If it's such a big deal, nobody will begrudge you explaining what went wrong after the show. Just keep your head in the game for the next one. Bad shows are learning experiences.
THOU SHALT HAVE A LITTLE CLASS IN YOUR STAGE SHOW/PERSONAS
I saw this band the other day, and right in the middle of a guitar solo, the singer gets on his knees and pantomimes blowing the guitar player. I think he thought everyone would laugh, but if not for their shitty music, you would've heard crickets. Shit like this is not funny, it's not cute. Furthermore, keep personal shit off the stage. Inside jokes, personal feuds...nobody knows, and nobody cares. It's not funny and it's not interesting. It's memorable only in the sense that people will remember you as "the band that has poor perception of how other people think." Lose it, and develop a real stage persona. Not just "that goof who babbles and is a lot less interesting than he thinks."
Whew. Alright, I'm almost done. Finally...
THOU SHALT REMEMBER WHAT YOU'RE THERE FOR
The audience. The crowd. They paid money to see you. So give them something to see! Make a personal connection. Make eye contact with them, talk to them (on and off the stage,) make them remember you as a human being. That'll increase their chances of remembering you infinitely. It's what you're there for, it's why we do this crazy thing. Whether it's to seek approval, or to show off, or to look for critiques, the audience is your muse. At your shows, remember that they are the only reason that you're there. Treat them with respect, and they will do the same to you. Who knows? You might even make some new friends, or learn something new. Music is about growing and learning, and the only way to do that is to remember why you're doing it. The audience.
Well folks, that's all for now. Stay tuned!
The Chicago Music Scene
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Review of Reggie's
Hey, I know it's a bit late, but last Friday my band played a local showcase at Reggie's Rock Club. I'm gonna tell you all a bit about what we saw.
First off, Reggie's is a cool place. I have no problems with the club, except for they dicked us around about our set time a few times. We were supposed to headline, and have 45 minutes, but about three days before the show they put us on earlier and bumped us down to 30. Oh well, it happens.
We played with three other bands: Letters From Us, a two-piece pop/punk band featuring two Columbia students, Panther Style, a hard rock type band that stole the entire show, and Papa Jupiter. At the beginning of the show, I was most excited to see Papa Jupiter, mostly based on what music of theirs I had heard on their myspace, and a very promising soundcheck. More on that in a minute.
The night started off well in terms of load-in and sound-check. All of the other bands were friendly enough, but Panther Style get their first honrable mention of this article for being the friendliest. :D
At 9:00 PM, Letters From Us took the stage. Honestly, I felt bad for the guys. Also, to be perfectly honest, I thought they were going to suck. I'm not a big fan of that type of music, and two-piece bands really bug me. However, I was pleasantly surprised by them. Unlike most similar acts, their singer could actually sing, and wasn't a half-bad guitar player, either. Their drummer was also very skilled, and they played enough original material to satisfy me, ending it with a decent cover of Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus." However, there was virtually nobody there to see their set except for the bands, and the few people that my band managed to bring out that early.
Letters From Us didn't truly stand out as "great artists," in my opinion, but they showed talent and potential, which are the two most important traits. I give their overall performance, all things considered, a B.
My band, The Shakedown, played next. We pleasantly had enough time to add an extra unplanned song to our set, which was good. In the beginning, we only had a few people there to see us, but as the set went on, more people started coming in, and I think we played a decent show, minus one or two fuckups.
For their second honorable mention, Panther Style took the stage at around 10:30, and boy, did they ever kick ass. The female-fronted rock band bashed their way through quite an energetic 45 minute set, and I really wish I'd taken notes. One thing I do have to mention is that their lead guitarist is a brave enough soul to play a Flying V. Kudos!
Their songs were good, the performace was fully charged, and they even shouted-out to my band. I am proud to give Panther Style a near-perfect A grade, and to add them to our "Bands to Watch For" list.
Papa Jupiter was a slight disappointment. Granted, Panther Style is probably a very hard act to follow, and Papa Jupiter played their instruments great. The problem I had was that during their sound-check, they played as a 4-piece, but when it was time to play, some guy who I'd assumed was a spectator jumped onstage as their lead vocalist. He just plain wasn't as good as the guitarist, who sang backup, harmonies, and secondary lead vocals on some songs. Their "lead" vocalist was more of a screamer than a singer, so maybe I'm biased, but after being built up as this great new talent, it was disappointing to see that Papa Jupiter is just another semi-progressive hard rock act. I give them a B. Their performance was top-notch musically, but they had nothing new to offer.
Also, this is a warning to any bands who want to play at Reggie's. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PAY TO HAVE THEM RECORD YOUR SHOW. They amped up their new "studio" and all of its technical effects, lauding it as the best live recording in Chicago. They wanted to charge us $100, even though the website says $40. I refused to go above 40, and what they gave us was an unmixed piece of garbage on a CD with only one track, no equalization, and terrible quality. Do not pay them $100, they are pirates.
That's all I have to say for now about the subject.
www.myspace.com/theshakedown0
www.myspace.com/pantherstylemusic
http://www.myspace.com/papajupiter1
First off, Reggie's is a cool place. I have no problems with the club, except for they dicked us around about our set time a few times. We were supposed to headline, and have 45 minutes, but about three days before the show they put us on earlier and bumped us down to 30. Oh well, it happens.
We played with three other bands: Letters From Us, a two-piece pop/punk band featuring two Columbia students, Panther Style, a hard rock type band that stole the entire show, and Papa Jupiter. At the beginning of the show, I was most excited to see Papa Jupiter, mostly based on what music of theirs I had heard on their myspace, and a very promising soundcheck. More on that in a minute.
The night started off well in terms of load-in and sound-check. All of the other bands were friendly enough, but Panther Style get their first honrable mention of this article for being the friendliest. :D
At 9:00 PM, Letters From Us took the stage. Honestly, I felt bad for the guys. Also, to be perfectly honest, I thought they were going to suck. I'm not a big fan of that type of music, and two-piece bands really bug me. However, I was pleasantly surprised by them. Unlike most similar acts, their singer could actually sing, and wasn't a half-bad guitar player, either. Their drummer was also very skilled, and they played enough original material to satisfy me, ending it with a decent cover of Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus." However, there was virtually nobody there to see their set except for the bands, and the few people that my band managed to bring out that early.
Letters From Us didn't truly stand out as "great artists," in my opinion, but they showed talent and potential, which are the two most important traits. I give their overall performance, all things considered, a B.
My band, The Shakedown, played next. We pleasantly had enough time to add an extra unplanned song to our set, which was good. In the beginning, we only had a few people there to see us, but as the set went on, more people started coming in, and I think we played a decent show, minus one or two fuckups.
For their second honorable mention, Panther Style took the stage at around 10:30, and boy, did they ever kick ass. The female-fronted rock band bashed their way through quite an energetic 45 minute set, and I really wish I'd taken notes. One thing I do have to mention is that their lead guitarist is a brave enough soul to play a Flying V. Kudos!
Their songs were good, the performace was fully charged, and they even shouted-out to my band. I am proud to give Panther Style a near-perfect A grade, and to add them to our "Bands to Watch For" list.
Papa Jupiter was a slight disappointment. Granted, Panther Style is probably a very hard act to follow, and Papa Jupiter played their instruments great. The problem I had was that during their sound-check, they played as a 4-piece, but when it was time to play, some guy who I'd assumed was a spectator jumped onstage as their lead vocalist. He just plain wasn't as good as the guitarist, who sang backup, harmonies, and secondary lead vocals on some songs. Their "lead" vocalist was more of a screamer than a singer, so maybe I'm biased, but after being built up as this great new talent, it was disappointing to see that Papa Jupiter is just another semi-progressive hard rock act. I give them a B. Their performance was top-notch musically, but they had nothing new to offer.
Also, this is a warning to any bands who want to play at Reggie's. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PAY TO HAVE THEM RECORD YOUR SHOW. They amped up their new "studio" and all of its technical effects, lauding it as the best live recording in Chicago. They wanted to charge us $100, even though the website says $40. I refused to go above 40, and what they gave us was an unmixed piece of garbage on a CD with only one track, no equalization, and terrible quality. Do not pay them $100, they are pirates.
That's all I have to say for now about the subject.
www.myspace.com/theshakedown0
www.myspace.com/pantherstylemusic
http://www.myspace.com/papajupiter1
Thursday, December 16, 2010
When is the Local Music Scene Going to Catch up to the Financial Crisis?
In 2008, Bernie Madoff single-handedly toppled the American economy. Not really, but it's no news to anybody that the economy IS in shambles. Average Americans are scrimping and saving on everything, and many of us who were fine in the 90's (can we just PLEASE have Clinton back?) are struggling to make ends meet.
But to look at the cost of being a musician, you wouldn't know it. Businesses everywhere are trying to adapt to the market, lowering prices or creating bargains to help people who can't afford to spend all sorts of money.
Musicians are practically the definition of "everyday American" (except we get laid more.) We are most of the time just normal people with a passion and a dream, and we work our asses off, toiling day after day in hopes that one day we'll reach that (American) dream of selling a bazillion records and playing Wembley or something (is that what the kids are into these days?) So why hasn't the industry we serve adapted to this crisis?
I'm not just going to take the easy way out and bitch about the price of instruments. A 50 watt Marshall practice amp should not cost 400 dollars under any circumstances, nor should it be impossible to find a good guitar for less than $500. But this all has to do with the "Rockstar" mentality of being loaded, having expensive shit, being Bono, etc., and it's unlikely to change.
This being a blog about the local scene, that's what I want to talk about. Now, I would love to be able to go out to shows every other night and get a real tatse of the talent (or lack thereof) in Chicago. But everywhere you go, door prices are a minimum of $8. Added to the facts that none of these fucking places are close to anywhere, so I have to drive (the price of gas...sigh...) and the even more ridiculous prices of food and drinks (one place was selling pizza slices for, I shit you not, $16) this is simply too much money. Sure, I could take the train (still almost five dollars roundtrip) and not buy any food or drinks, but what the hell kind of night out is that? Especially faced with the looming probability that the band(s) you are going to see just won't be any good?
This goes for all of the clubs that force bands to sell presale tickets and then gives them some sort of embarassing 'cut' of the money, a figure which in my experience is usually about 1/8th. Try selling even $8 presale tickets to your friends and family to go see your crappy band on a Wednesday evening and you'll hear an almost unanimous chorus of "Sorry, I'll show up, but I don't have any cash on me!" Of course, few of them do show up, and even though the club says that they'll also give you a cut of the draw that didn't buy presale tickets, all they need to do is hand you a fiver at the end of the day and say that's your payment, because they know one thing very well: "What the fuck are you gonna do about it?"
Merchandise is another big problem. When making T-Shirts for my band, I was given a rate of 7 dollars a shirt, and that was at a discount because the shirtmaker is a family friend. So, 100 shirts became $700, and if I hope to make any sort of meaningful profit these things are going to have to go for a MINIMUM of $10 a pop, which is way too much to spend on a local band's T-Shirt, unless you're a huge fan. We tried selling them for 15, and in a few months, we'd sold approximately zero shirts. After lowering the price to 10, we've sold about 6 shirts.
Also, bands, whatever happened to giving out music samples for free? Too many times have I been somewhat interested in listening to a band I've seen, but when I ask them for a CD, I get a gruff reply of "ten dollars." Or however much they're selling it for. Generally, it's not even a professional CD, but something that they burned and then stuck a label on. What, you guys can't make little two-song samplers and give them out for free at your shows? Somebody interested in listening to your music should be payment enough.
Since we've been active (for less than a year), my band has shelled out...let's count!
$1200 for our rehearsal space (and counting!)
$700 for T-Shirts
$400 for equipment that we didn't already own ourselves
$100 for general promotion (Ads, flyers, etc.)
And another $200 for misc. crap (earplugs, batteries, gas to get to and from practice, gigs, etc.--this adds up!)
So, all told, that's about $2600 in little under a year, for what I'm going to call the bare necessities of being in a band. We've probably made about $200 back in gigs, tips, and merch sales. That's horseshit.
There are BS justifications for all of these, so don't expect any of them to go away as long as people remain greedy, so...well, I guess some things never change.
But to look at the cost of being a musician, you wouldn't know it. Businesses everywhere are trying to adapt to the market, lowering prices or creating bargains to help people who can't afford to spend all sorts of money.
Musicians are practically the definition of "everyday American" (except we get laid more.) We are most of the time just normal people with a passion and a dream, and we work our asses off, toiling day after day in hopes that one day we'll reach that (American) dream of selling a bazillion records and playing Wembley or something (is that what the kids are into these days?) So why hasn't the industry we serve adapted to this crisis?
I'm not just going to take the easy way out and bitch about the price of instruments. A 50 watt Marshall practice amp should not cost 400 dollars under any circumstances, nor should it be impossible to find a good guitar for less than $500. But this all has to do with the "Rockstar" mentality of being loaded, having expensive shit, being Bono, etc., and it's unlikely to change.
This being a blog about the local scene, that's what I want to talk about. Now, I would love to be able to go out to shows every other night and get a real tatse of the talent (or lack thereof) in Chicago. But everywhere you go, door prices are a minimum of $8. Added to the facts that none of these fucking places are close to anywhere, so I have to drive (the price of gas...sigh...) and the even more ridiculous prices of food and drinks (one place was selling pizza slices for, I shit you not, $16) this is simply too much money. Sure, I could take the train (still almost five dollars roundtrip) and not buy any food or drinks, but what the hell kind of night out is that? Especially faced with the looming probability that the band(s) you are going to see just won't be any good?
This goes for all of the clubs that force bands to sell presale tickets and then gives them some sort of embarassing 'cut' of the money, a figure which in my experience is usually about 1/8th. Try selling even $8 presale tickets to your friends and family to go see your crappy band on a Wednesday evening and you'll hear an almost unanimous chorus of "Sorry, I'll show up, but I don't have any cash on me!" Of course, few of them do show up, and even though the club says that they'll also give you a cut of the draw that didn't buy presale tickets, all they need to do is hand you a fiver at the end of the day and say that's your payment, because they know one thing very well: "What the fuck are you gonna do about it?"
Merchandise is another big problem. When making T-Shirts for my band, I was given a rate of 7 dollars a shirt, and that was at a discount because the shirtmaker is a family friend. So, 100 shirts became $700, and if I hope to make any sort of meaningful profit these things are going to have to go for a MINIMUM of $10 a pop, which is way too much to spend on a local band's T-Shirt, unless you're a huge fan. We tried selling them for 15, and in a few months, we'd sold approximately zero shirts. After lowering the price to 10, we've sold about 6 shirts.
Also, bands, whatever happened to giving out music samples for free? Too many times have I been somewhat interested in listening to a band I've seen, but when I ask them for a CD, I get a gruff reply of "ten dollars." Or however much they're selling it for. Generally, it's not even a professional CD, but something that they burned and then stuck a label on. What, you guys can't make little two-song samplers and give them out for free at your shows? Somebody interested in listening to your music should be payment enough.
Since we've been active (for less than a year), my band has shelled out...let's count!
$1200 for our rehearsal space (and counting!)
$700 for T-Shirts
$400 for equipment that we didn't already own ourselves
$100 for general promotion (Ads, flyers, etc.)
And another $200 for misc. crap (earplugs, batteries, gas to get to and from practice, gigs, etc.--this adds up!)
So, all told, that's about $2600 in little under a year, for what I'm going to call the bare necessities of being in a band. We've probably made about $200 back in gigs, tips, and merch sales. That's horseshit.
There are BS justifications for all of these, so don't expect any of them to go away as long as people remain greedy, so...well, I guess some things never change.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Shakedown at Reggie's Friday 12/17/10
Hey all, on Friday, December 17th, 2010, The Shakedown will take the stage at Reggie's Rock club along with Chicago bands Letters From Us, Jack in Space, Panther Style, and Papa Jupiter.
A review of the show and of playing at Reggie's is forthcoming. Look for it on Saturday!!
Reggie's is located at 2109 S. State St., Chicago, IL if you wanna come.
A review of the show and of playing at Reggie's is forthcoming. Look for it on Saturday!!
Reggie's is located at 2109 S. State St., Chicago, IL if you wanna come.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Rehearsal Rooms: To Rent or Not to Rent?
So, a lot of bands these days are shelling out an extra few hundred bucks a month to rent out private rehearsal rooms to practice in. My band does it, and I've gotta admit, it takes a toll on the personal finances. Is it worth it?
(Note: I know that many places offer hourly rehearsal rooms instead of monthly, but fuck those guys. I have no experience with that, this post is about monthly spaces, specifically Knox Avenue in Chicago, because that's what I know about.)
Well, first, let's look at the alternative to renting a space, which for most people is their drummer's basement, or jury-rigging something else. I know one band that has an agreement with their local community center for wednesday evenings, but most of us probably aren't that savvy to negotiate that type of arrangement. Playing in your house is a bitch to family members and especially neighbors. I remember once, we tried to practice in my bass player's garage, which faced the street, trying to recreate a scene from a movie or something. The cops were called within half an hour and we were shut down.
Because of all the BS that is associated with practicing at home, getting your own little home away from home where you can play as loud as you want, neighbors be damned, sounds attractive. Well, my band rents a room at Knox Avenue, a newer facility with ties to the much more known Superior St. location (same owner and management team.)
We use the room quite a bit, and some of our practices go into the wee hours of the morning. But god damn, 400 dollars a month is a steep price to pay. You're damn right it improved us as a band, but it also made us all go broke within a few short months. Here's my little review of Knox Avenue rehearsal studios:
Location: Well, it's far away from where I live, but I do live close to the CTA blue line, which drops off about two blocks from the studio. This is a big plus, especially with gas prices so high. It's also near a gas station/food market, a few restaurants, and the Kennedy expressway. It is convenient, I will admit.
Rent: The rent is expensive. For 400 a month, with an additional $400 security deposit, it can be hard for a working stiff to pay for this. It all depends on how much you use it. If you practice two or three times a week, and maybe come by on your own once or twice to practice, then coupled with the obvious perk of being able to store your gear, it can be worth it. If you're a band that only practices once or twice a week, then this is definitely not for you. It's also BS that they make you pay extra for the electronic keys that get you into the building, but what are you gonna do? Our main problem with them is that they don't take cash, which I personally prefer to pay with. They told me one month that I could pay with cash, and now are claiming that I shorted them $100. This is still ongoing, so I can't be sure, but it's somewhat alarming and I'm not sure how much longer we'll be there.
Atmosphere and Community: This is the place's best point. It's basically a warehouse with a bunch of empty rooms, but that's perfect. Nothing to distract you except a few vending machines to supply basic needs of soda and junk food (even earplugs and 9-v batteries!) Most of the bands there are friendly with each other, and the studio provides free bulletins where you can post about upcoming shows, wanted ads, etc. There are a few too many crappy metal bands, but everybody there is nice enough.
Overall, rehearsal spaces are good investments ONLY IF YOU CAN AFFORD THEM. I would cautiously recommend Knox Avenue to bands, and I stress cautiously. Besides this ongoing rent dispute, we've had no problems with gear being stolen, or being locked out, but something doesn't sit right with me. More details as they come!
4265 Knox Avenue. Chicago, IL, 60641
773-685-5669
info@knoxavenue.com
(Note: I know that many places offer hourly rehearsal rooms instead of monthly, but fuck those guys. I have no experience with that, this post is about monthly spaces, specifically Knox Avenue in Chicago, because that's what I know about.)
Well, first, let's look at the alternative to renting a space, which for most people is their drummer's basement, or jury-rigging something else. I know one band that has an agreement with their local community center for wednesday evenings, but most of us probably aren't that savvy to negotiate that type of arrangement. Playing in your house is a bitch to family members and especially neighbors. I remember once, we tried to practice in my bass player's garage, which faced the street, trying to recreate a scene from a movie or something. The cops were called within half an hour and we were shut down.
Because of all the BS that is associated with practicing at home, getting your own little home away from home where you can play as loud as you want, neighbors be damned, sounds attractive. Well, my band rents a room at Knox Avenue, a newer facility with ties to the much more known Superior St. location (same owner and management team.)
We use the room quite a bit, and some of our practices go into the wee hours of the morning. But god damn, 400 dollars a month is a steep price to pay. You're damn right it improved us as a band, but it also made us all go broke within a few short months. Here's my little review of Knox Avenue rehearsal studios:
Location: Well, it's far away from where I live, but I do live close to the CTA blue line, which drops off about two blocks from the studio. This is a big plus, especially with gas prices so high. It's also near a gas station/food market, a few restaurants, and the Kennedy expressway. It is convenient, I will admit.
Rent: The rent is expensive. For 400 a month, with an additional $400 security deposit, it can be hard for a working stiff to pay for this. It all depends on how much you use it. If you practice two or three times a week, and maybe come by on your own once or twice to practice, then coupled with the obvious perk of being able to store your gear, it can be worth it. If you're a band that only practices once or twice a week, then this is definitely not for you. It's also BS that they make you pay extra for the electronic keys that get you into the building, but what are you gonna do? Our main problem with them is that they don't take cash, which I personally prefer to pay with. They told me one month that I could pay with cash, and now are claiming that I shorted them $100. This is still ongoing, so I can't be sure, but it's somewhat alarming and I'm not sure how much longer we'll be there.
Atmosphere and Community: This is the place's best point. It's basically a warehouse with a bunch of empty rooms, but that's perfect. Nothing to distract you except a few vending machines to supply basic needs of soda and junk food (even earplugs and 9-v batteries!) Most of the bands there are friendly with each other, and the studio provides free bulletins where you can post about upcoming shows, wanted ads, etc. There are a few too many crappy metal bands, but everybody there is nice enough.
Overall, rehearsal spaces are good investments ONLY IF YOU CAN AFFORD THEM. I would cautiously recommend Knox Avenue to bands, and I stress cautiously. Besides this ongoing rent dispute, we've had no problems with gear being stolen, or being locked out, but something doesn't sit right with me. More details as they come!
4265 Knox Avenue. Chicago, IL, 60641
773-685-5669
info@knoxavenue.com
Our experience at Lilly's bar
If you browse the postings on Chicago's musician's craigslist page, you'll eventually run across some people posting ads that look as if they were written by a fourth grader, complaining about a bar in Lincoln Park called Lilly's. Common complaints were that the bar had bad sound, a bad stage, shorted bands out of money, or were generally unprofessional.
Well, my band The Shakedown played the dreaded Lilly's bar a couple weeks back, and let me tell you...it was fine. Here's my little review of Lilly's.
Atmosphere: Very good, laid back. The brick floors were cool. And the bar even had a few built-in customers that saw the music. No problems there, IMO. Yes, it was small, but that just made the show better. Nothing for a good punk-rock show like having the crowd be standing three feet in front of you. There was plenty of room in the upstairs section too.
Staff-The bartender was cool, he talked to us after the show about music, etc. The bouncer didn't talk to us very much but we didn't have any problems with him. The booking agent left after the first band, but who gives a shit? We still got to play.
Sound/Stage-Lack thereof, I should say. This seemed to be the most common complaint. The stage was really just a small area set aside for the bands, cramped uncomfortably in between the barstools and a wall. There was no "backstage." The PA was good, but the only thing we miced was the bass drum on our kit. Other than that, it was totally live, a real punk rock show. And it sounded great. To the bands that bitched about the club having bad sound: Have you considered that perhaps you suck?
Money-We drew a decent crowd, but as they said, we had to split the money with the sound guy/bartender, and 2 other fantastic bands (one of them, the Skis, are mentioned in our "Bands to Watch For" section.) But we did get paid almost 100 bucks. Not bad in my book. Also, the band had no problem getting free drinks.
Location-Well, it's in the middle of the bar district of Lincoln Park, near DePaul, so there is a lot of foot traffic. However, being just a few blocks down from legendary blues joint Kingston Mines doesn't help, and it's a small bar with not much of its own draw. This is honestly the worst thing about the club in my opinion.
Overall-One of the best gigs we ever played. I can't say how much that has to do with the club and how much with our new rehearsal space at Knox Avenue, but I can say I have no problems whatsoever with Lilly's and recommend it to any band looking to play out and have a good time on a Saturday night.
Lilly's
2515 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(773) 529-1600
Well, my band The Shakedown played the dreaded Lilly's bar a couple weeks back, and let me tell you...it was fine. Here's my little review of Lilly's.
Atmosphere: Very good, laid back. The brick floors were cool. And the bar even had a few built-in customers that saw the music. No problems there, IMO. Yes, it was small, but that just made the show better. Nothing for a good punk-rock show like having the crowd be standing three feet in front of you. There was plenty of room in the upstairs section too.
Staff-The bartender was cool, he talked to us after the show about music, etc. The bouncer didn't talk to us very much but we didn't have any problems with him. The booking agent left after the first band, but who gives a shit? We still got to play.
Sound/Stage-Lack thereof, I should say. This seemed to be the most common complaint. The stage was really just a small area set aside for the bands, cramped uncomfortably in between the barstools and a wall. There was no "backstage." The PA was good, but the only thing we miced was the bass drum on our kit. Other than that, it was totally live, a real punk rock show. And it sounded great. To the bands that bitched about the club having bad sound: Have you considered that perhaps you suck?
Money-We drew a decent crowd, but as they said, we had to split the money with the sound guy/bartender, and 2 other fantastic bands (one of them, the Skis, are mentioned in our "Bands to Watch For" section.) But we did get paid almost 100 bucks. Not bad in my book. Also, the band had no problem getting free drinks.
Location-Well, it's in the middle of the bar district of Lincoln Park, near DePaul, so there is a lot of foot traffic. However, being just a few blocks down from legendary blues joint Kingston Mines doesn't help, and it's a small bar with not much of its own draw. This is honestly the worst thing about the club in my opinion.
Overall-One of the best gigs we ever played. I can't say how much that has to do with the club and how much with our new rehearsal space at Knox Avenue, but I can say I have no problems whatsoever with Lilly's and recommend it to any band looking to play out and have a good time on a Saturday night.
Lilly's
2515 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(773) 529-1600
Monday, December 13, 2010
Bands!
Hey bands, rappers, musicians, etc.
Part of why this blog exists is to create a sense of community and belonging among the musicians of our fine city. With that in mind, I'd like to know about you.
Please, email me at chriscc@ameritech.net with information about your music. I'll reply to everything. If I like it enough, I might even put it on our "Bands to Watch For" section. You don't have to be a band, you can be a solo artist or even a rapper or producer. Music truly is my life and my passion, and it should be yours too. Even if you just want to let me know about a show coming up, I'll try to work it into the posting.
Don't be shy, I want to hear about anything and everything related to Chicago music!
Part of why this blog exists is to create a sense of community and belonging among the musicians of our fine city. With that in mind, I'd like to know about you.
Please, email me at chriscc@ameritech.net with information about your music. I'll reply to everything. If I like it enough, I might even put it on our "Bands to Watch For" section. You don't have to be a band, you can be a solo artist or even a rapper or producer. Music truly is my life and my passion, and it should be yours too. Even if you just want to let me know about a show coming up, I'll try to work it into the posting.
Don't be shy, I want to hear about anything and everything related to Chicago music!
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