Losing faith in what Im doing.

[Five or Six]

We were playing back in the day after I got off tour. But, not enough! I found a good promotional company that got us moving. After a year of promotions we started getting call backs. But, a bunch was done by us! I still retain the company and take an occasional gig but, we are self busy being in a circuit now. It took foot work from everyone in the band. Maybe start looking for a promotional company? If you just play around your home town you are also missing the boat. Spread out by going to the venues that are within a 100 mile range of home. Do it in person - promote yourself. We found in order to play, and, be successful, we need to travel. Work for us is usually within 100 miles.

 

[Clark W]

I have a signed concert poster from Brother Cane. I never really knew much about them, until now.

I remember their signing party when they first got signed by Virgin records. It was a huge boost to the music / nightlife scene in Birmingham. There were some really good bands playing around town back then. And then when they released Got No Shame with the harmonica, they brought in another local by the name of Topper Price(RIP 8/16/1952 - 05/16/2007) who was very well known in the Birmingham music scene as well. The story goes he walks into the studio, set's his Fender combo on the floor, plugs in his mic to it, turns down the lights, steps up on the combo and stands their playing his harmonica into his mic, did the majority of the song in one take. That's according to Damon Johnson himself. The record execs were against it and wanted to bring in someone else, but Brother Cane stuck with a local celebrity instead. It obviously paid off. Topper was one hell of a harmonica player. I just wish they had used him in the video for the song too.

 

[Ostie]

I remember their signing party when they first got signed by Virgin records. It was a huge boost to the music / nightlife scene in Birmingham. There were some really good bands playing around town back then. And then when they released Got No Shame with the harmonica, they brought in another local by the name of Topper Price(RIP 8/16/1952 - 05/16/2007) who was very well known in the Birmingham music scene as well. The story goes he walks into the studio, set's his Fender combo on the floor, plugs in his mic to it, turns down the lights, steps up on the combo and stands their playing his harmonica into his mic, did the majority of the song in one take. That's according to Damon Johnson himself. The record execs were against it and wanted to bring in someone else, but Brother Cane stuck with a local celebrity instead. It obviously paid off. Topper was one hell of a harmonica player. I just wish they had used him in the video for the song too.

That’s sone rock and roll served straight up right there.

 

[Clark W]

That’s sone rock and roll served straight up right there.

Yes it was, just straight up in your face rock, but the 1990s wasn't really the time for it. Kind of the same could be said for The Cult and their early albums. Very heavy, very rock n roll, great rock n roll. But never good enough to propel them to the stars. The 90s were a weird time for rock. And I love grunge and alternative too, but straight up in your face rock just wasn't as "in" in the 90s as it was in the 70s and 80s. Which is kinda crazy cause bands like Alice in Chains did well, and I really didn't consider them grunge or alternative, but they did come out of the same Seattle scene as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. There was just something about those bands coming out of the Seattle music scene in the 90s that made them dominate the 90s for sure.

 

[seansbrew]

Believe it or not. I feel more encouraged than anything else.
I am always striving to be better at what I do. I am not a pro musician. I am not a session player or virtuoso. This feedback makes me want to continue to improve.
You all gave me a lot of great ideas and avenues to explore. At the end of the day, I have a great group of people to hang out with, be vulnerable, and write ok music with.
I have to say, recordings never truly translate what we do live. And we are working with a Grammy award winning engineer with gold and platinum records on his wall. No, I absolutely will not mention any names.
Anyway, thanks for the brutal honesty. I am just going to absorb this and not make any decisions just yet.

 

[Clark W]

Believe it or not. I feel more encouraged than anything else.
I am always striving to be better at what I do. I am not a pro musician. I am not a session player or virtuoso. This feedback makes me want to continue to improve.
You all gave me a lot of great ideas and avenues to explore. At the end of the day, I have a great group of people to hang out with, be vulnerable, and write ok music with.
I have to say, recordings never truly translate what we do live. And we are working with a Grammy award winning engineer with gold and platinum records on his wall. No, I absolutely will not mention any names.
Anyway, thanks for the brutal honesty. I am just going to absorb this and not make any decisions just yet.

The talent is there, no doubt. Now you just got to figure out how to get the stars to all line up.

 

[jerry]

Yes it was, just straight up in your face rock, but the 1990s wasn't really the time for it. Kind of the same could be said for The Cult and their early albums. Very heavy, very rock n roll, great rock n roll. But never good enough to propel them to the stars. The 90s were a weird time for rock. And I love grunge and alternative too, but straight up in your face rock just wasn't as "in" in the 90s as it was in the 70s and 80s. Which is kinda crazy cause bands like Alice in Chains did well, and I really didn't consider them grunge or alternative, but they did come out of the same Seattle scene as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. There was just something about those bands coming out of the Seattle music scene in the 90s that made them dominate the 90s for sure.

There were some other straight up rock bands in that era that I dug too, like Cry Of Love, Big Wreck etc. Good stuff! Sorry OP for the derail

 

[Clark W]

There were some other straight up rock bands in that era that I dug too, like Cry Of Love, Big Wreck etc. Good stuff! Sorry OP for the derail

I'm a huge Ian Thornley fan, between the bands Big Wreck and Thornley, you woulda thought he would have hit the big time with one of those bands. He's had some success, but nothing like superstar status success. Outside of Canada he's not well known. Did you know he auditioned as lead singer for Velvet Revolver? But he wasn't comfortable singing without a guitar and the rest is history, Scott Weiland got the gig instead.

Sorry for the derail but the subject of success or lack of in the music industry has a lot of names that can be used as examples to the ops dilema.

 

[jerry]

I'm a huge Ian Thornley fan, between the bands Big Wreck and Thornley, you woulda thought he would have hit the big time with one of those bands. He's had some success, but nothing like superstar status success. Outside of Canada he's not well known. Did you know he auditioned as lead singer for Velvet Revolver? But he wasn't comfortable singing without a guitar and the rest is history, Scott Weiland got the gig instead.

Sorry for the derail but the subject of success or lack of in the music industry has a lot of names that can be used as examples to the ops dilema.

Thornley is a stud, still killing it.

 

[jerry]

To further derail,

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Get a gimmick and your band may find a new life. Rebrand.

Musically this is fairly bland. It has lots of parts that musicians like to play or hear, but the public would probably prefer and may only be able to dance to four on the floor grooves.

Is your band louder than some? Could you do a version of your band with three to four pieces?

 

[seansbrew]

Get a Gimmick?...nah, maybe that's what you need. I'll stay boring and bland.

 

[Bass Motifs]

After listening I would say that you are not a dance band. You want to be a dance band but there is no groove. There is too much syncopation, especially between the bass player (you?...sorry) and the drummer, but the guitarist, too.

You guys are obviously good musicians. I would urge you to listen to the live version of "I want Your Love" by Chic. What a groove.

And, depending on your clientele, 30% covers is probably way too low. People love to dance to old Soul and R&B songs that they know.. Play more reliable dance songs.

Best of luck!

Haha literally as I read this, guess what kicks off on my play list? That bass, that groove...

 

[Bass Motifs]

You sound great... to those of us who like that sort of thing (me included). I'd happily go to your gigs and really enjoy it.

Depends what your goals are. You're lucky to have talented and committed band mates. But if you're flogging a dead horse you need a major image overhaul, a brutal culling of reterpoire, and a much clearer focus. Horn bands were overexposed even in the 70s. Even then it was MOTR. Have you thought about some edgier angles with a bit of country (which seems to be blending with rock and R&B at the moment)? Might give you more bite. If you want break out of 90s covers band vibe you'll need something to sell. What is it? Not suggesting you all get tattoos but you know what I mean. Maybe rebrand and reposition yourselves? Crosstown Players sounds like theatre improv. You need some cool, even if it's tongue in cheek.

 

[KohanMike]

I'm a product of that era, I love funk. I'm a musician and was a road manager for an 18 voice singing group. I believe I have a good amount of experience to give you this feedback. Listening to the three songs, the arrangements are overdone. My first reaction was, each player is trying to prove they have major chops, as apposed to all being in the pocket together. The great funk songs makes my body go with the beat, but I don't feel that with these songs. I say simplify the arrangements, be more in the pocket.

 

[BigBoneRed]

Well.. you seem to have a good attitude while going about it So many bands/artists, (myself included), spend years trying to find that "thing", some kind of magic that turns people on for some reason, ---and partly why I play less now than before. It's a rapidly changing musical environment we find ourselves in, for sure. With all of the technological advancements in DAW's for instance, the means are there for one, or maybe two people to create, and produce music, then upload to Spotify, or apple, and generate a good following, maybe even make a little money, minus the logistical chores of a live band.
This is an interesting article on the subject, and a short (8min), vid with Rick Beato...
Good luck in ALL your endeavors!!

Death of the Band: Where Did Musical Groups Go? - RouteNote Blog

 

[Steve Cullen]

I like the vibe. For critical sake though the guitar is too forward in the mix and the patterns sound repetitive. He/she should drop out and mix it up a bit to leave space for the rhythm and horns, otherwise it sounds like it's played from sheet music and lacks a bit of 'funk.' Personally, I think the bass should have more of a defined sound and be pushed up in the mix - maybe a touch of chorus, flanger or even grit.
As far as playing live goes, here in my town we have a similar problem. A lot of places won't book us because of the live drums and venues can have and advertise 'live' music from a guy/guyess with an acoustic guitar, backing tracks and looper pedal -which is another reason to despise Ed Sheeran and every city centre busker! In the summer here, which is always full of tourists, venues are uber-keen on getting a 'real' Scottish vibe from some dolt droning Caledonia five times a night with an acoustic guitar which is perceived and promoted as traditional (which it isn't). The venues can get get all their added punter numbers for minimum outlay and get a late drinking license much easier if the music is toned down. So we are kind of confined to bigger bars and venues less frequently but that's kind of ok with us, we all have jobs, are of a certain age and harbour little interest in embarking on lives as professional muso's. There are very few full bands around here playing regularly except for certain scenes/events like weddings, birthday parties etc. and as I understand this is a country-wide phenomena, with a lot of smaller and medium sized (300-800 people) venues closing. This strikes me as strange considering how much national revenue music generates in our economy, society and culture.

 

[pepj]

I think it possible you might have a personal band issue going against you or maybe club/venue owners just talk and the perception is 'it doesn't work' and you have to suffer that.

How long you want to flog that horse is your call but 5 and 6 piece bands here are suffering because they have to be expensive and venues want to pay less. This brings in solo's and duo's but this a race to the bottom in my view because it completely changes the type of musical event and how it goes down.

 

[pepj]

And to add..if you really can't work it out, check who is dancing or singing in the crowd...pref doing both.
If you arent getting them doing those two things anx band lacks a good time vibe, its likely a bust and you need a huge rethink.

Consider the cheap wins...average tribute band selling out theatres says it all about where the average audience is at.
And if you have that relaunch, then you'll probably have to get rid of last band name too.

 

[pcake]

first off, your band sounds really good!

the few people i know who hire bands prefer bands that play covers with maybe a few originals mixed in. they said that's what audiences want. i no longer go out much, but when i did, covers of all sorts of music got people up on their feet and enthusiastic. originals can be fitted in between a couple songs if they really fit the covers in genre.

if your band doesn't bring in customer, chances are some clubs won't have you back as you don't bring your own drink-buying audience.

rename your youtube channel - remove subject from the title, add the word band if you like. put up some current videos. put up some popular covers, write about your location. post those videos everywhere you can. know that using names of famous songs in your genre will bring you both google and youtube traffic.

do you have a stage show? put up videos that show those. have you approached people who promote bands to corportate events and wedding parties? that would be a different demographic than local bars. and maybe companies that offer good entertaining bands for private parties. but they're gonna want to see you, not just hear you, and in any event, old videos aren't the best promotion.

create a facebook and an insta presence. have band bios, photos, tell about the band. put up some youtube videos. create engagement. maybe local radio or public television might want to have you do an interview and play a song. not as powerful as the internet, but way more local.

good luck! you guys definitely have the musical chops to pull it off.