Supporting Other Bands?

[Thebassman95]

Apparently it is seen as 'beggary' to ask bands if your band could support them?
I don't understand why though, I mean surely they see that as a compliment.
Anyone know why?

[BassFishin]

Apparently it is seen as 'beggary' to ask bands if your band could support them?
I don't understand why though, I mean surely they see that as a compliment.
Anyone know why?

Define 'Support'. Are you talking about opening up for them at a show, or are you talking about generally trying to help support the band?

If the band takes offense to you wanting to open for them, it's one of two things:

A) They're full of themselves and think they are way better than you, so therefore find you a nuisance.

B) They feel like you don't really care about their band, and are just using their success as an excuse to promote your own band...which sort of dis respects them, in a sense.

A is on them, and B is on you. Which one is it? Those are the logical conclusions i can come up with.

[Thebassman95]

Cheers and I did mean opening for them at a show

[BassFishin]

Either way, i think the solution here is to explain to them that you truly do just enjoy their band and want to play a show with them. If there's a spot on the bill, they should say yes. Even if your band is a terrible, terrible act, it would only make them look better.

Local bands need to help each other out, it's just the right thing to do.

[qotsakyuss]

Either way, i think the solution here is to explain to them that you truly do just enjoy their band and want to play a show with them. If there's a spot on the bill, they should say yes. Even if your band is a terrible, terrible act, it would only make them look better.

Local bands need to help each other out, it's just the right thing to do.

you sir are a brilliant man, all the bands are really cliquey where im from which is a shame, makes it harder to get some respect, at least my band are earning it that way though i guess. but yes all bands should help eachother out and just want to play for the fun of it and to put on a good show

[AlanHB]

you sir are a brilliant man, all the bands are really cliquey where im from which is a shame, makes it harder to get some respect, at least my band are earning it that way though i guess. but yes all bands should help eachother out and just want to play for the fun of it and to put on a good show

I don't think they're really cliquey, just that you haven't met them yet.

Go to as many live shows in your areas as possible and get talking to all the band people around. Make friends and watch their music. If you do this it won't be as "forward" when you ask about opening slots.

[qotsakyuss]

I don't think they're really cliquey, just that you haven't met them yet.

Go to as many live shows in your areas as possible and get talking to all the band people around. Make friends and watch their music. If you do this it won't be as "forward" when you ask about opening slots.

Lol no trust me they are, ive been going to watch all the other bands for years cos i genuinely like their music but their all too cliquey as i said, they always like to just have their little scenes play together and dont let anyone in easy if at all. Been busting my balls for years with my band, we get the odd show now n then with the other bands but where i live if your'e in the punk scene you always have a crowd but they wont put you on if you dont fit their "punk roots", hell they put on bands from other countries but wont put on a band from their own town?, ditto with the metal crowd and the stoner crowd, their all up their arses, its mainly the punk and stoner scenes though, i know a lot of people in and out of bands in all the scenes and its just the way it goes, no one gets anywhere where im from anyway so we're trying to play away as often as we can. One of the top promoters here told us to do that. We're not a bad band by any means but when you're like us and don't fit into a specific "genre" its hard to get some help. Earning our stripes ourselves is good enough for us anyway, starting to get people to know about us now so our hard work is paying off

anyway this is going off topic now haha just wanted to correct your point sorry

[AlanHB]

If you're in Swansea, I've played and lived in areas of a compatible size. I actually like the fact you can identify the different groups and such. However I've never had a problem making friends and getting gigs, regardless of the genre of whatever band I've been playing in. They are musicians too, and to get anywhere as a musician it requires you to basically not be a wanker. I'm just surprised that there is a scene which exists of anti-social musicians.

[qotsakyuss]

Don't get me wrong we get gigs easy enough but its rarely as a part of anything the other bands put on, we just take anything we get offered cos any gig is an oppurtunity to us. I'm friends with a lot of the bands, partly i think why we dont get as much oppurtunity to play with them ( the stoner crowd anyway) is 'cos their all about 5 years older than us but that shouldnt really make a difference where musics concerned, i'm not worried about "fitting in" anymore like i used to, i went out of my way to watch a lot of the bands and go to a lot of their shows in the past and i still do so i just find it a shame they dont offer us many gigs with them as we've seen them plenty of respect just from going out to support them/buying a cd or what not. I've got loads of local bands ep's and albums, i get along fine with everyone too, you dont like the way i say their "cliquey" but its just the way it is. I can't think of any other way to put it well really. Im not bothered about the punk scene but their just really choosey on who they put on and evem knowing people isnt enough to get yourself a show with them. Its odd how it works down here. I try to be supportive of all the bands i like around here, can learnt a lot from watching them just be nice to get some respect back now and then haha. We're doing alright so far anyway, earnt a bit of respect at our last few shows and been asked to play a couple more cool ones in the new year too

[AlanHB]

Maybe we're using different definitions of cliquey? To me a cliquey group of people would only talk to eachother, you would never be able to make friends with them as you've described.

Otherwise your posts are getting to ranting standard, are you seeking actual advice or have just come to complain?

[Cowless]

Back on topic!

Somebody said that if you suck, they'll want you to open for them to make them look better. That doesn't really follow, though, because they don't want to drive people out of the venue, correct?

[pandora_grunt]

Back on topic!

Somebody said that if you suck, they'll want you to open for them to make them look better. That doesn't really follow, though, because they don't want to drive people out of the venue, correct?

Yeah but when the next band plays they will undoubtly seem better then the shit band before :P

[Cowless]

Yeah but when the next band plays they will undoubtly seem better then the shit band before :P

If anyone's still around. I guess it depends on the length of the set, and the composition of the crowd.

[SlackerBabbath]

I've certainly never regarded it as 'beggary' when another band asks if they could support my band. It's actualy very useful to have a band that you know you can rely on to do a support slot when applicable.
When you're talking to a venue owner, trying to get a gig, if you can tell him you can provide two bands for the price of one, that can often be the clincher of the deal. Of course it means either taking a cut in the wage or the support band playing for free, but it's not anything that sensible adults can't come to an agreement upon.
It's generaly considered polite to give the support band something, even if it's just a crate of beer, but the usual fee for a support is their expenses (petrol money) and support bands are often willing to play for free because they are only interested in raising their public profile at that stage of their gigging development.

Which is how most of us more experienced older guys started out, when we were asking other bands if we could support them.

That's how the system works, pretty much how it's always worked as far as I know, so I see no reason why anyone would regard it as 'beggery' when someone asks for a support slot.

['93]

Yeah but when the next band plays they will undoubtly seem better then the shit band before :P

not really..iprefer going to see 2 good bands than 1 god one