Is There Such a Thing as a Local Band That Tours its Collective Butt Off?

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Does this elusive creature exist? Is there one in your town? Do tell. Enquiring minds want to know. The last one I remember is the now-defunct PopDefect from L.A. Have unsigned bands or bands-putting-their-own-stuff-out and touring like mad gone out of style? Does every band wanna have a limo and a rider that will make the venue weep? Where are the Slorgs, the vans of the American DIY? And who is driving them?

― Orbit (Orbit), Thursday, 1 April 2004 07:14 (twenty-one years ago)

australia has many. if you don't, and you're not label-backed, you really don't get anywhere

― the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 1 April 2004 07:22 (twenty-one years ago)

who are they esoj?
i am BORED SHITLESS with music. the last time i was this bored with music, the only thing i found interesting were these types of bands. have mercy upon my suffering and supply me w/ websites or email addresses so i may request their music.

― Orbit (Orbit), Thursday, 1 April 2004 07:25 (twenty-one years ago)

oh trust me you won't like the australian versions. one example: John Butler Trio. another: The Waifs. often the only interesting thing about these bands is their independence.

― the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 1 April 2004 07:27 (twenty-one years ago)

The constant touring is (in my view) part of the problem with Australian music, because of all the bands created with the small venue mentality, who using constant touring as an excuse to avoid sitting down in a studio.

Excuse my sookiness, it's a very bad time for Australian music at the moment: John Butler Trio, George, & The Vines are all releasing albums - and Jebediah is touring (I thought they had collapsed years ago).

― Jedmond (Jedmond), Thursday, 1 April 2004 07:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Too many to count in Canada.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 1 April 2004 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Happens in NZ too, I can't see how they find the energy. I know one or two, I suppose. At least here there's like 6-8 places you can play in the whole country pretty much, so you can do a BIG TOUR in a few days.

― Mr Mime (Andrew Thames), Thursday, 1 April 2004 11:03 (twenty-one years ago)

How many albums do you have to sell to platinum in NZ? It's 70,000 in Australia so I'm guessing 5-10,000?

― Jedmond (Jedmond), Thursday, 1 April 2004 12:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Big Jack Johnson. "Over 300 shows a year", according to his website:

http://www.mc-records.com/html/memphis_barbecue.html

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Friday, 2 April 2004 00:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Have unsigned bands or bands-putting-their-own-stuff-out and touring like mad gone out of style? Does every band wanna have a limo and a rider that will make the venue weep?

I have lots of friends that have put out there own records, and do shorter 2-week type tours....the reasons behind the less touring is more along the lines of "not getting evicted from apartment and keeping the college loan dogs at bay" than "I need a limo and a rider"

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Friday, 2 April 2004 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

BAND NAMES, people, names!!!! I'm swimming in major label shit and minor label boredom here!

― Orbit (Orbit), Friday, 2 April 2004 03:40 (twenty-one years ago)

*glub glub*
*drowns*

― Orbit (Orbit), Friday, 2 April 2004 03:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Ummm... Are you on Soulseek?

― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Friday, 2 April 2004 03:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Providence folks who tour relentlessly: Necronomitron, Kites, Japanese Karaoke Afterlife Experiment.

― Ian Johnson (orion), Friday, 2 April 2004 04:13 (twenty-one years ago)

you know, I always wonder how bands can tour and survive financially - without losing their day jobs when they get home, paying the rent while away etc. most people just *can't* do that. does it mean you have to have money to be in a touring band? someone tell me how they do it.

― katnyc, Friday, 2 April 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

about eight years ago the Supernaturals would have so owned this thread.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 2 April 2004 18:53 (twenty-one years ago)

It would take too long to name half of the Seattle bands that do this.

― donut bitch (donut), Friday, 2 April 2004 19:07 (twenty-one years ago)

does it mean you have to have money to be in a touring band? someone tell me how they do it.

Live cheaply. Temp jobs. Warehouses. Group homes. Touring all the time also eliminates the need for a permanent home where one pays epic amounts of rent; living with friends between tours is not unheard of.

USAISAMONSTER are on a long tour now, as they almost always are. one of their records has the motto "No homes, just music." Consider.

― Ian Johnson (orion), Friday, 2 April 2004 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

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