I've got a question about how bigger name surf bands (or bigger bands in general) get paid. This question came about after seeing Los Straitjackets play to a very small crowd in a large theater, where I know nobody made any money. I assume they get a guaranteed amount plus part of the door? Or, do they get a flat amount? does it vary from town to town/night to night?

The other scenario I thought of was a tour manager putting together a package deal with other performers to travel the same route, a day or two apart, and then he presents it to the clubs/theaters, and he pays the performers a flat fee for the whole tour? I noticed that Michelle Shocked is traveling the same route as Los Straits, at the same clubs, but the reverse direction - coincidence?

Thanks in advance.
Chris

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

yeah, the sad truth about surf is that there's not much future in it. i've come to the realization that it's not likely that i'm going to be able to make enough money out of this band to live off of, it would be much easier to 'make it' in something more mainstream, like punk or something. although yes, surf is different and usually something that is paid attention to at shows for it's difference, and although it is well-liked, there just aren't enough people who are <i>really</i> into it and dedicated to it to warrant a real big reputation and such.

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As for no future in surf. My experience is that anytime new audiences are introduced to it, there’s more surf bands. It looks fun aand seems easy - no vocals etc. So, its a genre of music playing for future (or would-be)-musicians.

The Exotic Guitar of Kahuna Kawentzmann

You can get the boy out of the Keynes era, but you can’t get the Keynes era out of the boy.

Well, it's true. We spent most of the 90s avoiding other surf bands, but really enjoy it now-so...

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Last edited: Sep 27, 2009 22:25:23

Sorry Zak, my perspective comes from the 'other' side of the hill, did a lot of what you are talking about in the days gone by but I had to come to the realization when my first born came along, that this music thing was not going to be viable to raise a family (read whatever you want into that)

I do agree with the boring as bat shit navel gazing 'showmen' though, that sort of thing never works.

At least we in our 'advanced years' try to still put on a show and get people up and dancing or moving, otherwise it's as boring as watching paint dry for us as well.

One thing that strikes me though about this day and age is the availabilty of people to 'cut' their own 'discs' and get out there and market them either at gigs or on things like 'myspace' which seems to scare the crap out the record companies no end.

This is my point of view or opinion and opinions are like armpits, everyone has a couple.

Restoring the pre-WWII acoustics sounds awesome. Why would a luthier, or in their cases guitar repairmen, want to convert to x-bracing? The most sought after Martins flat tops are the pre-WWII ones. That sounds so stupid to do.

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Last edited: Sep 27, 2009 22:25:31

zak

JoshHeartless
there just aren't enough people who are <i>really</i> into it and dedicated to it to warrant a real big reputation and such.

The problem is that most surf bands (any "subculture" bands for that matter) usually chose to play with bands in the same style, which doesn't really widen the appeal or gain them new fans. It's a perfect example of "preaching to the choir" as far as I'm concerned. The way to expand your audience if you're a surf band is to play with bands of compatible genres - rockabilly bands, garage bands, punk bands, anything but other surf bands, bands that will draw people who aren't already surf fans...otherwise you're stuck playing for the same 40 or 50 record nerds in every town. Another problem is that the vast majority of surf bands I've seen just aren't terribly entertaining to watch on stage. Vintage equipment and matching outfits just aren't that entertaining to your average concert goer, especially when the band members are standing completely still and staring down at their instruments. I think the appeal of instrumental surf would be a little wider if its practitioners made a minimum effort to be entertaining and energetic on stage, otherwise you might as well just stay home and listen to the record instead.

Totally agree. The TomorrowMen have been trying this approach. We are playing a rockabilly show next Sunday.

Science friction burns my fingers.

It is possible to scrape a living out of music but it depends on what you are prepared to live on. My situation is fairly similar to Zak's: between four bands, occasional sessions and teaching I manage to eke out a living because I too have neither kids nor mortgage. I am a bit of a materialist when it comes to buying guitars though, though not about anything else.

I'd also like to say that being middle-aged doesn't neccessarily mean that you are tiredly churning out old covers. We're middle aged but we play mostly originals and we have a modern attitude. We don't live in the past and we're always looking for ways to spice up the performance including lights, effects and using samples etc. You wouldn't say Slacktone were old fashioned and they are similar ages to us.

I must admit though that it's hard to jump about on stage whilst you are playing fairly complex parts as opposed to whumping the crap out of an 'E' chord on a Telecaster - which is something I also enjoy very much I would hasten to add....

I also agree with the point about 'preaching to the choir' most people in the UK don't really know what 'Surf Guitar' music actually is - so if you waited for an audience to find you, you'd wait a long time. So, we believe in taking it to the same audience as you'd take any other rock (in the broadest sense) music to. You can usually make a few converts at least !

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.