DIY punk collective

[guerrillaradio]

So myself and some friends have decided to attempt to counter my town's horrific lack of punk/DIY shows by setting up our own collective and stripping it was fucking down. The first show is set to happen in a fuckin 60 capacity chapel...we're hoping to get this skacore band from the next town from us to headline, and then mix it up: hopefully a screamo band we're mates with and possibly some hardcore/sludge/stoner/crust or whatever else DIY as well on the bill.

I have put on a show in a fulltime venue before which was a fucking failure, hence I'm hoping for more success this time around.

Has anyone been involved in anything similar to this?? Does anyone have any advice to impart?? I could really do with any wisdom offered...

[Indysocialist]

I've put on/worked with/collaborated with different shows. I'll try to impart some knowledge:
1. make sure all of the bands are contacted and make sure all of the financial shit is taken care of (you have a deal and whatnot) before you bill them.
2. Make sure they're reliable.
3. Cover your ass in all ways possible. Some kid gets fucked up in a mosh pit and wants to sue? Make sure you have warning signs.
4. Don't overlook equipment and whatnot.
5. Have a timeframe.

That's all I can think of, pretty straight up stuff but it can be a pain in the ass if you forget one of these. Good luck man. :marx:

[Dirty Commie]

Make sure you get a street team to put out flyers and posters and to generally promote it...too many good bands get to play in empty theaters from not being promoted.

good luck.

[guerrillaradio]

Originally posted by [email protected] 5 2004, 07:25 AM
1. make sure all of the bands are contacted and make sure all of the financial shit is taken care of (you have a deal and whatnot) before you bill them.
2. Make sure they're reliable.
3. Cover your ass in all ways possible. Some kid gets fucked up in a mosh pit and wants to sue? Make sure you have warning signs.
4. Don't overlook equipment and whatnot.
5. Have a timeframe.
#1 Duh...hahha.

#2 Name me one band that's reliable haha

#3 Hmmm...I'm not sure on this one. Some kid whose been listening to punk about 5 weeks told me I should get "liability insurance" in case "some kid gets brain damage in the pit and sues for £1 million". My reply was "I wouldn't care if we actually got a pit!!". I've been to a gazillion DIY hardcore shows and there's never been warnings about pits. However, I guess I should probably follow my (less experienced) collective's consensus on it.

#4 This is the most boring part of putting on a show IMO

#5 Yeah we're renting the place out by the hour...so we gotta kinda guess how long we'd need before and after the show. I'm thinking an hour before and half an hour after should probably be enough...

[guerrillaradio]

Originally posted by Dirty [email protected] 5 2004, 06:57 PM
Make sure you get a street team to put out flyers and posters and to generally promote it...too many good bands get to play in empty theaters from not being promoted.
Well...to be honest, the very concept of a street team makes me physically sick. Fuck that bullshit. Our promo will be done via the internet and flyering every fucking college, school, club and wall in our town. :)

Incidentally the first show looks like happening on July 2nd in Colchester, Essex, England. If anyone's interested in coming up then watch this space.

[ComradeJunichi]

Our scene sets up shows all the time; we have Dead End Boys this weekend. The DEB show ends at 6 and there's a Blood For Blood show later, it starts at 5 the same day. The Business are playing two shows at the Knitting Factory, The Templars are playing up in Harlem, there's a Streets of America CD Release Party show in the city, etc.

All you have to do is set a show up, put up flyers, and people will be there. It isn't that hard.

[guerrillaradio]

Joon mate fucking excuse me I don't need your patronising shit. I'm pretty clued up as to promotion. You live in New York fucking City whereas I'm in a small quiet country town in sleepy UK. Quit the arrogance.

[ComradeJunichi]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2004, 11:31 PM
Joon mate fucking excuse me I don't need your patronising shit. I'm pretty clued up as to promotion. You live in New York fucking City whereas I'm in a small quiet country town in sleepy UK. Quit the arrogance.
Hey ****face, you asked if people had any similar experiences. This is my experience so I'm giving my two cents and my two cents is that it's not that difficult. If you think so otherwise, just say so. Don't be an emo *****.

[guerrillaradio]

Joon sucking up to some guys in a higher strata of the New York punk scene does not count as an "experience" valid for this thread. Neither does being patronising. If you're about punk, get out and do something for the scene instead of *****ing at people you used to think were pretty rad. I think you know I'm not an unreasonable person and I actually think it's pretty awesome that you've found a passion for punk music. I just don't know what you're trying to prove tonight.

[ComradeJunichi]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2004, 11:42 PM
Joon sucking up to some guys in a higher strata of the New York punk scene does not count as an "experience" valid for this thread. Neither does being patronising. If you're about punk, get out and do something for the scene instead of *****ing at people you used to think were pretty rad. I think you know I'm not an unreasonable person and I actually think it's pretty awesome that you've found a passion for punk music. I just don't know what you're trying to prove tonight.
First of all, I'm not part of the punk scene. Second, I'm in BKN - I don't think you've heard of it from England since it's nothing that big but if you've heard of ABS, 211, Oxblood or something, we're friends with them.

Patronizing? You make it seem like you're the one who was into all this before anything.

I'm not trying to prove anything, I'm busting your balls and you guys can't stand it. I don't have to prove a thing.

In fact, I'm a GASH.

[guerrillaradio]

Crews are fucking lame.

"I don't need a crew to validate myself" Comeback Kid

Once again, grow up.

[ComradeJunichi]

I wonder how that would sound with my boot up your ass.

[guerrillaradio]

Well done. You've turned a positive thread about a good thing into stupid ass threats and bullshit.

[mentalbunny]

Damn, there's no way I can make 2nd July. Ah well, you'll still have my moral support even if I'm not there in person. Good luck, hope it all works ok.

[guerrillaradio]

2nd July isn't set in stone...and if it isn't then, it'll be at least 2 weeks later I reckon.

[mentalbunny]

Ok, well keep us posted! I can't guarantee I'll make it in the holidays cos I might be in germany.

[Ian]

This may be irrelevant, but some venues in Australia have a code word you say and you get in cheaper, for example at the Metro in Melbourne you say 'Cassie's List' on Thursday nights and you get in for half price, I know Cassie and she says its a great way to draw a crowd as most people are tight and its not as if it's an exclusive list as 'mention Cassie's list and get in for $4' is printed on every flyer.

'Alan's list' may become a regular feature on Colchester flyers.

I'd say don't waste too much time or effort on equipment, try make it a BYO affair.

Fuck the insurance

[ComradeJunichi]

Yo, you ever hear of Bulldog Spirit from Aussie?

[guerrillaradio]

Yeah so I've been thinking: fuck having a PA. The venue's tiny so we're getting bands to use amps. That will save money innit.

Ian you're irrelevant. But wonderfully so.

So far I have a screamo and oi band confirmed. Nice.

[ComradeJunichi]

What Oi! band?

[guerrillaradio]

A local one...friend's friend's brother or something. They're playing cos they'll play for free.

[Ian]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2004, 10:36 AM
Yo, you ever hear of Bulldog Spirit from Aussie?
In short, no.

Will do some research though :)

[ComradeJunichi]

Yeah, they're pretty damn good. I think they're from Melbourne...

[Lefty]

While I realize that Joon and GR have apparently stopped fighting, I just wanted to point out the hilarious, hilarious irony of a kid that up until about a year ago didn't step outside of his computer room threatening some guy like he's hardcore and dropping names of various bands that he thinks will get him cred. Also, I've never really understood the concept of a certain crew or whatever- what's the point?