The Cadre

* 10 March 1998

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BY MICKEY ACORN

When a band starts out playing in their parents’ base- ment, or paying thirty dollars to rent a jam spot, they usually have dreams of playing at some large venue. Most of them use this kind of goal as the reason they practice. The sad truth is, for many of the bands there is no place to play. The only hope for a band is to play top 40 material to get gigs at Myron’s and other local bars.

For most young bands, however, top 40 is not an issue, let alone playing forty songs.

The real problem starts at the fact that most of them are not writing their own mu- sic. Originality does not make money unless you have some- thing to catch people first. Since these bands are original and are definitely not Myron’s ma- terial, they have to organize their own shows. This in- volves renting a place to play, which can be expensive if there is a damage deposit. Also, you have to rent secu- rity, usually at fifty dollars an hour. Ifenough people to come to hear the bands, they might break even.

This can cause bands to get discouraged. Some might not think itis worthwhile. Oth- ers develop the “I just want to play” attitude. The people who develop the latter start looking

good for

age between $25 to $50. This results in a sum of up to $500, meaning that very good prizes can be awarded. Considering that this money belonged to the bands in the first place, it seems that it would be simpler ifthey all just played a game of poker.

The other promise is the exposure. The bands are the cause of the large attendance, but they receive none of the door money. If it costs five dollars to get in, it could work out to as little as fifty cents a band; not a bad deal. Allofthis money goes to the organizers because the prizes were given out of the registration fees. Over all, there are ten bands playing and only three getting paid, though $50 of the poten- tial prize was their own money to begin with. Now you have seven bands who are either discouraged, resentful, or an- gry at the other bands. This

business

leads to the next problem.

Local bands are agree- ing that battles make the com- petition the main focus, notthe music. Many who have won battles have found that other bands would not share infor- mation about upcoming oppor- tunities for playing. Band to band hatred followed. People were talking behind backs and putting down both the music and the musicians. The idea of a “show” is to bring bands together, not to start wars. Other points made by musi- cians were that the winners of these battles are usually not the best band. that some bands with different styles do not get credit for being original, and that you hear only Ay on songs from each band.

Now you read this and wonder what the solution is. Here is mine.

Boycott these battles,

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Battle of the bands; bad for the bands,

and try to organize a pseudo- union of musicians. This will cause friendly relations be- tween bands. Let other bands know that you are all on the same side. If you can organize shows that will require that youall have to pay $50 each to cover the expenses, do it. It would be the same as a battle, only the bands can collect the door money. Also, non-musi- cians are organizing venues for young bands to play in. Generation XX is a perfect venue. They do not have bat- tles, just ordinary shows.

I ask those of you in bands. and those of vou who watch bands, not to got to bat- tles. For you musicians, sup- port this. If everyone does, it can wake up the battle organ- izers. For you fans, support the bands he they do organ- ize their own shows.

Best Buddies Canada Is looking for an enthusiastic CAMPUS

COORDINATOR

to start a chapter at UPEI. This is a volunteer position.

Best Buddies is a non-profit

forany kind of exposure. Ben- organization which facilitates efits for charity are noble, but meaningful friendships the most popular exposure in between university students this area has become the Bat- and adults with tle of the Bands. developmental disabilities. The pecgie and places that put these shows on prom- The successful applicant will ise big prizes and big audi- 1 | 1 establish the chapter on ences. ese two promises are usually kept but the bands , , , ne em, nem and ~~ usually at the band’s expense. ee on The first promise is the Sa chapter for one academic year. prize. Let us pretend there is All Coordinators must attend a battle. It allows ten bands to mandatory training conference 4 perform. Asa way of insuring August 7-9, 1998. Pm that the bands play, each must TCC ECE Interested volunteers should panera Pay bay a registration fee (though DRAW Thm Line | contact Heather Johnston at:

th:s is not the case for high schools) that ranges on aver-

1-888-779-0061 or

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