Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 01:47 PM
We scoured this area as an electric surf band, with limited success, first known as "Lila's Surf Band." Then Lila left, and we changed the name to "The Surf Band," and added a belly dancer. That didn't take off like we'd hoped, so we dismissed the belly dancer after an incident and continued as 4 piece. We are decent musicians, maybe not great but we got gigs here and there, but were not asked back as a rule. We are in our mid 50's to early 60's, so we sought an audience at smaller, quieter venues. We ditched the drum kit in exchange for "hand drums," djembes, bongos, ashikos, etc. I switched to an archtop electric, playing through a much quieter amp. The sax, clarinet and rhythm guitarist uses no amplification for his horns, and little or none for his acoustic guitar. The bassist plays at a low volume. We changed the name of the band to "Echo Beach," because we play surf, and other instrumental tunes. If you want, check us out at www.facebook.com/surfechobeach. Our only gig is monthly at a dive shop, who's owner built a lounge full of diving motif next to his dive shop. We are the house band, and his only band. The regulars really like us. it's fun, but it's our only gig. I love playing this music, but I'm about to throw in the towel. Maybe we suck. Any thoughts, or suggestions?
— How's your digestion now?
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 02:11 PM
As someone who has just managed to get a toe in the water, but is without a band of my own, I would be thrilled with a monthly acoustic surf gig. That would be ten more times a year than I play out right now.
I wouldn't give up.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5325
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 02:46 PM
i'm in the same boat as noel
— www.surfintheeye.com
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fenderfan
Joined: Jul 13, 2008
Posts: 783
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 03:06 PM
The material and the location will be important. Here in Colorado, there are many clubs, special events, parties, etc, which will hire our surf/instro band, the Royal Aces (we're all guys in our 60s...first wave!) And, we are very fortunate in that we have been asked back by every club, special event, etc, where we have played, and we play quite often. Along with some surf classics, we mix in instrumental versions of more recognizable hits, and somehow we end up satisfying just about everyone in the audience. We have found that, for us, just playing straight surf tunes all night will not keep the customers happy...but when we add in instro versions of "Born on the Bayou", or Beatles songs, or other familiar tunes (the way Los Straitjackets do), then we click.
Last edited: Oct 17, 2014 15:12:08
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DonKiyote
Joined: Aug 26, 2014
Posts: 138
Kent
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 03:28 PM
If you love playing - and people like you - why give it up? I'm in my 60's and only been playing guitar for a few months. My aspiration is to play live somewhere, somehow, by the time I'm 65...a monthly gig? Yes please! Only get one shot at this life and all that...don't give up!
— Wherever you go, there you are
http://rogerfowles.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUsTNis44w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKauwombaC8
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Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 03:28 PM
We are land-locked in Rockford, Illinois. We do many instrumental songs that are not "surf." Maybe it's like real estate. Location, location, location. We are just trying to find an audience in the shitty location we are in.
— How's your digestion now?
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 03:35 PM
I know of several surf/instrumental bands in Illinois. I think they're near or in the Chicago area. They're represented on sg101, too. Maybe Roger (Roger and the Wraybands, Bongo Straits) or Travis (Deadlands) have some suggestions?
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 05:08 PM
We (our band) live in a city where it's difficult to build a local fan base of any size (well, unless your 19 years old and playing hip music, whatever that is...)
So.........we just remind ourselves that we do it because we love it and whether we play for two people (we have) or twenty......the reason we do it doesn't change. We dig this music, have fun playing and writing it and so we keep doing it. It can take some creativity to find gigs but over time we've attached ourselves to a few Bike, Motorcycle and Car clubs that provide seasonal opportunities and any venue that will have us, such as your friend's dive shop, we're totally up for.
Perhaps try making your goals personal (write a new song, master a lick) and not exterior (how many people at your show, how many venues you play) and just enjoy yourself.
But don't quit.
Cheers,
Jeff
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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Dane_Brammage
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 203
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 06:29 PM
Are you looking for gigs in the wrong places? My 50s band does mostly private parties and outdoor events like county fairs, but only two bar gigs in three years.
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 08:23 PM
I love this sentiment. And I'll remember it if there are more band members than audience members at our show on monday. (anyone in boston? 
CrazyAces wrote:
Perhaps try making your goals personal (write a new song, master a lick) and not exterior (how many people at your show, how many venues you play) and just enjoy yourself.
But don't quit.
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
Last edited: Oct 17, 2014 20:24:15
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Tuck
Joined: Sep 02, 2006
Posts: 3166
Denver, CO
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Posted on Oct 17 2014 08:28 PM
FenderFan and the Royal Aces do OK in Denver, but down in Colorado Springs Horax can't find enough players to get together a band. It's all location and finding a few people who want to hear the stuff. It can be done, but it's a struggle some places. Maybe call it instrumental hip hop?
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imafunkyman
Joined: Sep 16, 2007
Posts: 548
Utah
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Posted on Oct 18 2014 02:58 AM
Do not give up!!!
— Either you surf, or you fight.
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bamboozer
Joined: Jan 18, 2010
Posts: 672
Delaware
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Posted on Oct 18 2014 06:43 AM
Tempted to give it up, but just on trying to get a guitar gig. On piano/keys/vocals I can get work but find it boring after 40 years, thousands of gigs, traveling and all that. Surf music is a hard sell almost anywhere, truth is you have to play what people want to hear, and around here it's not surf or for that matter any instrumental music, jazz included.
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3866
North Atlantic
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Posted on Oct 18 2014 09:28 AM
As said above, do it for your own enjoyment first and foremost. A lot of times gigging is about your connections. Get to know other bands in your town, and look at alternative venues (art galleries). A lot of it is tenacity, and patience. We have seen a lot of up and downs in terms of available gigs in our almost 20 years of playing in a city of about 200,000. At a low point we had 2 gigs in a year, while a high point has been around 20. Just stick with it.
Things are even tough for Iggy Pop. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/when-iggy-pop-cant-live-off-his-art-what-chance-do-the-rest-have/article21154663/
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
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Posted on Oct 18 2014 02:35 PM
I appreciate all the comments. This is like group therapy. It sounds like everyone has experienced some, or all of this. I hadn't posted here in some time, and needed to vent. We played at the "dive shop" last night. It was fun, not a lot of people but the ones there were very appreciative, supportive and good tippers! I don't know if it's tacky to have a tip jar, but it was one of the best investments I ever made.
— How's your digestion now?
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