Internet promotion was in its toddler stages (most of our band didn't even have computers), so we focused on hitting the streets with flyers and posters to advertise our band and its future gigs. The popular way to go about distributing flyers was, of course, going to other concerts. We would stand at the exits of The Rave, Metro, The Riviera, and House of Blues, handing out our quarter-page edicts to exhausted concert goers as they left the venue. The majority would be dropped in the parking lot or just flat-out refused, but a few flyers would make their way into pockets and purses. However, we were not alone in our distribution venture.
Outside of these events would be scores of other musicians trying to reap the benefits of the night's super-star visitation. We were the coyotes, rats, and maggots of the music scene; hoping to get a scrap left over by the greater, dominate professionals in our field. There would be so many other bands waiting outside of shows, it was common for venue security to put up barricades. This was to keep us away, as if we were crazed fans seeking locks of hair from their departing patrons. That fear was probably justified.
Worse than the over-population of bands outside of the shows, were other bands who were inside, attending the concert. These were the next tier of the local music scene; they could actually afford tickets and would pass out their flyers during the event. This lead to the realization of how bad things really were. As the herds of people would file out of the event, these two parties would collide. Soon it was bands trying to get other bands to take their flyer or check out their demo CD. Some of the departing guests were so used to the occurrence they would walk through the mess with their hands raised, warning, "I'm in a band. I'm in a band, I don't want your flyer."
This was the reality. The number of people seeking a career in music was so great there were almost no other people to market to. It was like trying to sell combs to people at a comb-seller convention to other people trying to sell combs. Yeah, it was like that.
This started manifesting itself at our own shows. Somehow, despite the lack of potential buyers, we started gaining fans and becoming a well-known, local music outfit. And guess what happened? Our shows drew in more and more people; more and more people in bands. The attendance of our shows were rising, but it was due to an influx of more bands trying to use our show to promote their show. After a grueling performance on stage, we would be met with mobs of people; some wanting autographs and many wanting an opening slot at our next gig... And some of the real assholes offering us an opening slot at their gig.
Yes, this was the music scene. A scene where the majority of concert goers were dudes in bands attending the show just to promote their event. They didn't show up to enjoy the music or the performance, they wanted to find the people that were... and give them a flyer.
I haven't been serious about a career in music for a long time. Though, similarly, I have begun a career as a writer, of sorts. Quickly, I realized the problems I faced in my band days carried through to my present career of comic books. Exaggeration incoming...
Everyone I meet has a comic book they want me to read.
End Part 1
