For some reason, at least in my experiences and among my peers, we all agree that the drummer is like the Achilles tendon of the band: they seem to be the most difficult to acquire, keep, maintain, deal with, have the most gear, too loud, have the "easiest job" in the band, but are the biggest pain, etc. I don't mean to generalize or sound prejudiced, but that's been my road over the many years (almost 20) of playing in bands.
I know a few musician-friends of mine that have gone the one man band route, and they really love it.
I am sure it could maybe get lonely, but weather they are simply banging on a bass drum while strumming a guitar or bass, or they've engineered a whole multi-instrument getup, they are generally well-received, too.
If you really want to change things up, take a few months to learn how to sing, play guitar, and stomp out a beat with your feet. Be your own boss...

I consider myself a drummer before anything else, but out of necessity I've learned how to get on without one.  If you dudes can stay in time you may not *need* one.  I saw an earlier post about some older country stuff not allowing a drummer.  I'd agree.  You don't.  But you better know how to do his/her job too.  Smack your guitar or bass, stomp a foot when the song needs it.  There's an old joke about drummers...

Why do drummers put drumsticks on the dash of their car? 
 So they can park in the handicapped spot.

It's a lonely road...

That works, too!

The Kills are a pretty cool example of a good band using programmed drums. Check out their live videos, etc.

See also Big Black.

For the past decade I've used an old video game soundtracker called ModPlug Tracker (now known as OpenMPT; http://www.modplug.com). It's usually used for electronic music, but I've always found it very useful for layering and looping any kinds of sounds. I used to compose entire pieces of music on it, but nowadays I just use it for drums. It's a super old program, but it feels almost vintage now. And it's kind of funny to make rock 'n' roll using software for video game music.

Cool.  You know, the turn that things have taken might actually make programmed drums a pretty good idea; any suggestions for good, pretty easy to use, and/or cheap/free programs(I'm willing to go two out of three, since you know, you can get it good, you can get it cheap, or you can get it fast, but you usually have to pick two)?

That's what I do, too. Getting a drummer requires finding one (obviously), getting to know his/her style, finding time for rehearsal, etc. It's so much easier for a solo artist to just find another way, and sometimes that means sacrificing an organic sound for a slightly more mechanical one. I'm currently planning an album in which all the drums will be sampled from drum solos I've collected. Not quite sure how that's going to turn out just yet.

Audio Kings of the third world said:

We gave up on drummers and i now program the drums. I find practice is much easier and lower volume. We can add layers of sound to every song. I was looking for a long time to find someone to just play hi hat and snare like Willie Nelsons guy. He does things with just 2 pieces that put most drummers to shame.

We gave up on drummers and i now program the drums. I find practice is much easier and lower volume. We can add layers of sound to every song. I was looking for a long time to find someone to just play hi hat and snare like Willie Nelsons guy. He does things with just 2 pieces that put most drummers to shame.

primates

also did anyone mention Spacemen 3

"The Rebel Kind" comp. is highly recommend!

Forthcomings by Butch Willis and the Rocks is an overlooked garage classic from '86.

Dont't forget the mighty Sound Explosion! Their album on Music Maniac is one of the best of the Garage Revival era! Also try to track down their 7" singles.

British bands from the mid eighties revival - The Stingrays, The Vibes, The Tallboys, The Cannibals, The Milkshakes, The Bugs, Ug and the Cavemen, The Prisoners, The Purple Things.

The Shadows of Knight "Bad Little Woman/Gospel Zone" with picture sleeve!

you can do amazon yourself by making a create space account with no fee! As far as associates, as I remember, their cut comes from amazon. which means, it would be cool for both if people were suggesting to others to buy your music! Tunecore will put your stuff on all the "important" places, so thats the easiest way but their is the cost. To be on itunes for example you have to go with "someone" and Tunecore seems to be the best. Total freedom is the paypal button. just my two cent KK :-)

So, are you saying that people will re-sell a band's digital music on Amazon?

How do they do that so easily?

Otherwise, thanks for the advice. Please keep it coming.

Depends how much you sell - I think I figued out the magic number for tunecore vs cdbaby is 172 annual downloads but always do the math for yourself.  They are both making the majority of their sales through iTunes as far as our stuff goes.  Tunecore is a straight fee and CD Baby is a %.  I heard Bandcamp is good and I'm sure Amazon is as well but identifying and stopping download re-sellers on Amazon seems to be brutal.  Anyone has more info around Amazon (and the associates program) that would be interesting.

Try Bandcamp.

We use it for free downloads but the paid downloads seem a right deal as well, so check it out. Also emusic looks good.

Howdy, gang - 

I have some high-quality recordings that I would like to try and sell as digital downloads online. 

I've done my time and paid my dues doing it the "old fashioned way": pressing everything from cassettes and vinyl to CDs, etc. Not to mention, I've given away much more music than I've ever sold.

Now, I want to try selling the tunes individually the digital way.

Please send me your advice on how to go about doing this. 

I know there are many routes that can be taken: bandcamp, tunecore, emusic, iTunes, reverbnation, etc.

What is the best way?

What is the easiest way?

What is the best way for low overhead?

What are red flags to look out for?

What are places to avoid?

I am not a money-hungry merchandiser, I just want to try my hand at making some legitimate digital sales.

thanks, 

KK

That'll be The Motors, then.... I always quite liked them. D.

fazer said:

Airport - by a band i cant remember the name of, i cant stand this record .

never heard of DM BOB at al but sounds cool, will check it out - there's also a track by Jamey Johnson which is pretty down home... I only just checked him out so can't vouch for everything, it's got slick production which ain't my bag but the attitude's fair enough...

I've played it and it's killer...whole album is ass kicking countrified rock. love it

Howie's right.

Howie Pyro said:

no, i am...

I have a bunch of different amps, all different sizes. But the one I am really proud of: I just scored a good-condition 67 Fender Super Reverb from a music shop right down the street. I paid $400 cash plus about $200 worth of some other vintage stuff, so I feel like I scored the deal of a lifetime. I've wanted a Super since I was a kid. I never expected to get one, let alone one like that for such a rediculous price.

Peavey also makes some great little tube amps. I have a tweed Delta Blues (30 watts, 15' speaker, tremelo & reverb). That thing is pretty awesome. If you search Craigslist, there is always one of those Peavey Classics on there.