Definitely not killing music as far as I'm aware - but is ANYTHING killing music? If you bypass the dross that passes for music on most daytime radio shows (I'm talking UK specifically here) and ignore pretty much anything on 'normal' TV [esp. those 'talent' shows - Jesus, what a total scam], there's an extremely healthy underground scene. As Kopper mentions, the DIY thing is probably easier now than ever before, and in my experience and opinion, social networking sites [just like this one RIGHT HERE!!!] slot perfectly into that approach. As our man says, you don't NEED labels/promoters etc to be able to put out your own music - what you need is BELIEF.

thanks for the info - espiciallly the part about sending over just the bands own website - never thought of that before

kopper said:

I would also argue that it's because of this new social-networking craze that makes it even less important to be on a label. The DIY ethic is a helluva lot easier in 2012 than it was 20 years ago when you HAD to rely on labels, flyering, and getting reviews or interviews in printed 'zines. People are now in control of and have all the tools they need right at their fingertips to do all of their own marketing and promotion.

That said, any band in 2012 should still have their own website, first and foremost. Don't put all of your eggs in just one basket (i.e., Facebook or MySpace). Buy a domain name for your band and set up a blog there. Then connect it with your social networking sites... Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, LastFm, Hideout page, etc. I didn't list MySpace because I don't even waste my time on that crappy site anymore. Then instead of linking to your Facebook page and being overly worried or concerned that you don't have enough "Likes" on it or whatever, just link to your band's personal website. The important thing is that you have all the goods there that booking agents will need in order to book your band, such as music (a no-brainer), videos, a bio, etc. I would personally NEVER send any label or promoter a link to my band's Facebook page. Let them find that on their own AFTER they visit your site.

I would also argue that it's because of this new social-networking craze that makes it even less important to be on a label. The DIY ethic is a helluva lot easier in 2012 than it was 20 years ago when you HAD to rely on labels, flyering, and getting reviews or interviews in printed 'zines. People are now in control of and have all the tools they need right at their fingertips to do all of their own marketing and promotion.

That said, any band in 2012 should still have their own website, first and foremost. Don't put all of your eggs in just one basket (i.e., Facebook or MySpace). Buy a domain name for your band and set up a blog there. Then connect it with your social networking sites... Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, LastFm, Hideout page, etc. I didn't list MySpace because I don't even waste my time on that crappy site anymore. Then instead of linking to your Facebook page and being overly worried or concerned that you don't have enough "Likes" on it or whatever, just link to your band's personal website. The important thing is that you have all the goods there that booking agents will need in order to book your band, such as music (a no-brainer), videos, a bio, etc. I would personally NEVER send any label or promoter a link to my band's Facebook page. Let them find that on their own AFTER they visit your site.

Honestly, I only go to Facebook after I have heard the band.  I don't really rely on Facebook as a tool to market or gain followers for my podcast, but as a means of disseminating information and stuff for people already following. Facebook doesn't attract bands like Myspace used to, it is designed really to sell itself. DO you want to be on a label that is worried about Facebook likes?  

I dunno man, speaking as a guy who is constantly looking for coverage in a different but similar field, I'd say that social media like facebook and twitter are welcome additions to the tools in my marketing kit, even if I don't have thousands of "likes" on facebook or followers on twitter.  

I think it's more about the content of what you throw out on those sites than the sheer number of fans you can claim.

by taken seriously i mean that for record labels to really be interested and also good venues do you need to have lots of facebook likes - to prove that you can pack out venues sell records etc,,,

personally I think it helps alot. either way this is not meant as a complaint full stop I posted it to see if other people experienced this as well

What do you mean by "taken seriously"? Are you having problems getting booked because you don't have enough Facebook fans or something? What's the root of your complaint?

i feel stupid even writing it but it seems to me that unless you're popular on facebook it is really hard to be taken seriously......come on!

that age thing is really going to hold you back. especially in the states. while banquet halls are cool, the overhead on renting is pretty high. plus you have to rent your own security, insurance, and bring your own PA/Lights.  I've done my fair share and its alot more work than you think it is. 

here are some suggestions; 

talk to local book stores / record stores/skateboard shops and try to make some kind of event or fundraiser. those places love it when new people cruz into there places, and if its for a good cause, win win for everybody.

House partys. especially if you live near a college town. I am sure you know somebody that will let you party at there place, just bring the beer and the people will come.

but in all seriousness once you hit the 21 mark it gets a lot easier to get shows. just keep practicing and make your band really hard to follow.

good luck 

I started my own company for this very reason. I'm forty four and have been floating on the fringe of the Sydney music scene since the mid eighties, so I already knew a lot of promoters, but I just started running my own shows to get gigs. It was easier. You'd ring up the booker and say "I need a night" instead of "can you slot me in?". That built up to my actually booking three rooms. Right now, I'm setting up a mini-festival of garage punk acts. Do it and have a good time. If you have any questions, it might be better to bounce off another country man, but you can ask me any time and I'll try to be helpful.

Chuckles.

Heard from musicians from all over the world that it is really difficult for Garage bands to get shows in clubs and bars because the music industry places its own bands there.

Now, I did just what you think: I rented a café and invited several bands from all over Europe, and now we start a Garage punk festival.

I don´t know if it will work in the end, but I think this is the most practical way to start a good Rock´n´Roll evening with your friends.

I started asking some bands already some time ago, and looked for a good place. After some changes in line-up and place we got this thing together now. It is a lot of coordination work from my side, but costs and the risk of losing money are not too high, I hope. I can tell you more in a few months.

Fikki (ML)

What Neanderthals release?!?

Alex said:

Definitely looking forward to the Neanderthals, Nobunny, Little Richard, and Trouble In Mind releases.

Our record store in RI is dying quickly and shifting to be a Hot Topic-type thing. Sucks. That said, I'm most likely looking for the same stuff (Nobunny, Dan M., Joey Ramone, McClusky)

but the Lee Scratch Perry set looks really interesting.

I am bummed because of the re-release of the pink cover Misfits Walk Among Us. It was already a Record Store Day exclusive a few years ago. 

Definitely looking forward to the Neanderthals, Nobunny, Little Richard, and Trouble In Mind releases.

trying to get them Nobunny, White Stripes, Little Richard, Dan Melchior releases... however thesis presentations are that day too!! need to figure out a good time to sneak out before or after my presentation for hour or two

Ok, so according to the counter thingy on the the Record Store Day website, Record Store Day will be ensuing at your local wax peddler in four days and two hours.  That's assuming you still have a record store in your town.  In Atlanta, we are in danger of losing one of our most popular record stores, Criminal Records. The store's owner, Eric Levin, is also one of the founders of Record Store Day.  After Criminal announced that they were in dire straits last fall, our community rallied around the store with benefit concerts, fundraisers, and donations, which resulted in a stay of execution for the beleaguered store. 

Hopefully, you will rally around your store this Saturday and take advantage of the insane amount of exclusive releases that will be for sale.  Of course, I am just as excited by the free swag, like the cool record carrying satchel I scored a couple of years ago.  But what release am I most hoping to find?  Why, the Buck Owens Coloring Book with Flexi disc - Duh!  Now what releases are you guys trying to get your grubby hands on?

Turf War - Record Store Day 2011

Hah!  I think the secret is out.  Mick and Keif are comic book nerds and have been trying to us so subliminally for years.

I am waiting for that day I get to meet you in person. I'm actually thinking of a pilgrimage. 

That said, I no longer go to shows that much (as a 5am grownup job takes it out of me) and I tend to wear band shirts only on vacations or working on the lawn, but I have my buttons and I'm a pretty approachable guy, so feel free to say Hi if you ever see me buying groceries or cussing at the kids who can't pull up their damn pants. 

swt said:

Very rarely -- especially in the garage-punk realm. I remember running into an acquaintance in a parking lot wearing a Dead Moon T-shirt. I almost hugged him.

I am a hillbilly music nut and have a local radio show for that obsession, so it's a little easier to find common ground with folks with old country stars like Willie Nelson or Roger Miller. (Just don't ask me about virtually any country act played on commercial radio since about 1980.)

I do a weekly music column at my paper (the local daily). So people cone up to me all the time and say stuff like, "You're a music fan. What do you think of the new Rod Stewart album?" My first thought is usually "You don't actually read the words in my column do you?"

On the other hand, ever so often people come up and tell me I've turned them on to some good music with my column or radio shows. That's always nice.

But more often, I'm like Mark. When someone asks me what I've been listening to and I spout off names of bands I really like, even a lot of the country bands, people look at me like I'm nuts.

All the time, but I am the sound lady at a music venue bar club. 

Of course. Nowhere does it say you need a Facebook account. What made you think that, anyway?

SWAHILI BOB said:

is there any way to get the download without a Facebook account?

I'm a tryin to stay off the grid

The Hunches are a good noisy/trashy lo-fi garage punk band you could check out.

I love lo-fi!

I also love the irony of it being played on a hi-fi too.....

Lo-fi ish bands I like include:

Surfy/lo-fi/garage.....

Lo-fi garage pop

The Babies are a lil bit lo-fi? in an indie rock way maybe....

Yeah!!! 

I had this all girl band for a while:

http://www.reverbnation.com/milwaukeeflips

Now I play guitar in this band:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramma-Lamma/123076214380043

Before I was in a bunch of other bands that are all mentioned here:

http://www.kindturkey.com/questions/questions-with-plexi-3s-wendy-norton/

Sorry I am too lazy and humble to list my rock'n'roll resume!! Check it out if you're bored. 

Dear world:

I am not new to this.  Been a member since 2009, but I think I just signed up to plug one of my various projects one day- and then didn't come back for a while.  Then I realized that I like the layout of this place because you can choose to ignore dicks- unlike most message board type things that are all cliquey and stupid, so I am trying to see if it can be a thing that I do because Facebook is full of local dummys, coworkers, and relatives.  I miss the old Bomp! message boards from the late '90s and tape trading so I thought "Hey!  Let's give this a whirl."

I been in a ton of bands no one cares about that did a buncha records, currently play lead guitar in a Glam group called Ramma Lamma that did a buncha records. I had my own label for a while too until I realized that was a stupid waste of money.

Yeah so I like super good music and a lot of music that you probably don't like too.. I am 30 and married so I am not looking for compliments or a relationship but if you want to complain about stuff that I hate, too, or turn me on to some new sounds then let's be friends! 

XOXO,

Wendy

Ps I also book shows for a venue here in Milwaukee so if you're band is looking for a gig hit me up. 

I think garage had its rebirth in the 70's through comps like Nuggets and Pebbles because it let people hear amazing gems off albums that were sometimes sub par. Bands like The Merry-Go-Round, or Q65, while they released classic singles, I don't think they had great full albums. 

matthew rosedon said:

Aren't garage punk and greatest album mutually exclusive terms?  On vinyl, going round at 45 rpm, on some obscure label, and lasting no longer than 2:20 - otherwise it doesn't count (he said controversially).