Message Thread 36871

Thursday, October 8, 2009 15:36
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36871
Name: A Friend of Rob Byer's

I am a personal friend of Rob's. Yes it's true, Starleigh has been sold, and will continue to operate under the Starleigh name. Knowing Rob, he will do everthing he can to make sure that Starleigh moves forward in a positive way.
Contact: 410-555-1212
Maryland

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Thursday, October 8, 2009 18:26
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36874 (Reply to 36871)
Name: Stuart

Lets hope the new ownership and management of Starleigh "gets it right" and turns that agency around. It's no secret that both Club owners and BANDs ARE NOT HAPPY with the way they do business. They need to realize that bands are customers as well!!! There are other options out there!

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Friday, October 9, 2009 00:18
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36876 (Reply to 36874)
Name: The Realist (AKA, The Nose)

Bizness is bizness. Bands have been getting the long fleshy one ever since clubs decided that it was OUR responsibility to bring patrons to their establishments, instead of running specials, promotions and doing their OWN advertising.

Different management at Starleigh ain't gonna change that.

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Friday, October 9, 2009 16:59
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36880 (Reply to 36876)
Name: Tj

Nose I understand that new managment really doesnt effect how a business is run but the difference here is its totally new owership. The new owership can change things. What you have to remember here is Rob will treat the bands the way he knows they should be treated because he has been there. He has been playing in Baltimore for years and is respected by the bands and the venues. He knows that the bands as well as the venues are the customers. I think everyone from the bands to the clubs will be happy when everything is done!
baltimore

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Friday, October 9, 2009 20:26
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36882 (Reply to 36876)
Name: KJ

Amen Bro....

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Saturday, October 10, 2009 08:40
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36883 (Reply to 36876)
Name: TAZZMAN

Out of the bands listed on Starliegh's websites, how many of them actually draw a good crowd EVERYWHERE they go? Regan Years, Vs The Earth, .... Very recently one of the biggest named bands Starleigh has couldn't draw more than 20 people to the GREEN TURTLE in Aberdeen. Yet, the local bands in that area are drawing very well. So that, in my opinion is where Starleigh has to think differently. Put the right bands in the right places.

And you are right Nose. These club owners, with these dank, dingy, nasty places demand the bands bring in the people, are the same jerks who don't want to improve their venue and make it more attractive to patrons;nor do they advertise. TIMBERCREEK comes to mind!

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009 19:56
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36911 (Reply to 36883)
Name: Barb

Yes, I humbly agree. Most of these sleezy places outright refuse to promote their own places. Makes me wonder if they are not a front for something else and really don't want the business. So, they try to hire bands to bring in some business to make it look legit and then either due to it's ill reputation or lack of advertisement on their behalf complain that they didn't make enough money or you didn't bring in a good crowd. Once example is the old "The Vault." We brought in boatload of people and I knew every one of them. We were to get paid out of the receipts that our band brought it and we had first slot. I asked everyone how much money they spent and it was well over the amount that we were supposed to put in the cash register. The deal was make them bucks and get a weekend night. I told the manager that I had the tally on the receipts that I never saw him go count. I watched and he did not. He followed us out to our vehicles begging for another Thursday night and he would guarantee us a Saturday. No way.
Contact: barbarasinger1@verizon.net
Reisterstown

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Thursday, October 15, 2009 08:00
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 36921 (Reply to 36883)
Name: Musician

Tazzman: The Greene Turtle in Aberdeen is a new venue, and hasn't been having bands for very long. Their staff is awesome, and treats their bands extremely well. "Out of the bands listed on Starleigh's websites, how many of them actually draw a good crowd EVERYWHERE they go?" You have a point there. However, when a band plays a venue that they do not frequent, it takes awhile to establish themselves in the area. It helps immeasurably that the band do their own advertisement as well. Not to mention, that particular venue is not exclusively a "Starleigh" room. There ARE a lot of good local bands in that area, and they draw well in that bar, and very few, if any, are Starleigh bands. But when you take a band that packs any Pasadena area bar, and put them in an area that they have played very few times... especially when Alton Street (local Aberdeen band) is in the area on the same night... well... Starleigh (under old management) could care less about how well a band does in a venue. They wanted the paycheck, which is most likely why bands, such as the one you mentioned that drew 20 people at the Greene Turtle (slight exaggeration maybe?) have declined representation by them. Starleigh didn't put that band in that room, or any other for quite some time. A good band speaks for itself, and if you keep playing the rooms, the crowd will come.
Aberdeen

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009 18:55
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37056 (Reply to 36921)
Name: Longdrive

Amazing that people still debate this. Either your band draws or it doesn't. Greg couldn't make people show up and after 20 plus years of paying my commissions on Monday or Tuesday mornings I can assure you Greg cared. It reflected on him when bands didn't draw, and bar owners called a.s.a.p. on Monday morning screaming.
I've played in this area for years and I've heard people blame Greg for everything but some of the reasons bands don't succeed are a little more than Greg's problem ....playing jobs they couldn't pull off because they lack musical chops....lack a good songlist....or they don't have a draw anywhere because maybe they aren't very entertaining.

Parkville

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Thursday, October 29, 2009 07:12
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37060 (Reply to 37056)
Name: Another Musician

I've played in bands Greg has placed at venues that were totally wrong for the establishment. I've also played in bands booked by Starleigh that have totally packed the place and were never asked by Greg to return. It is a pain, but you will get more work booking your own act especially if you can knock 15-20% off your price (no agent fees).

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Thursday, October 29, 2009 09:53
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37063 (Reply to 37056)
Name: been around

i have to agree here-my past and present bands had a great working relationship with greg for over 15 years before he retired.clubs came and went as well as bands but the scene changed a lot since the late 80s when i started.greg would reward good reviews from the clubs with better gigs and more money if the band did its job and made starleigh money.let's be real here-IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!clubs could care less if the band is great or half-fast,if they draw well and put asses in the seats then they get the gig.that goes for cover bands as well as original.there stil are a few original bands that draw well but they do that by working their tails off to advertise and get people out to the shows.the ones that don't put the work in bring their girlfriends and that is why they don't make any money.cover bands,the same applies to you.if you expect the bars to put forth the effort you are sure to fail.the name of the game is putting your name out there so people will come to your shows,there is no shortcut.
i plan to retire here in a year or so when i hit 45 so good luck to the next generation of rockers in town and try to learn from us old dude's mistakes!
essex

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Thursday, October 29, 2009 16:14
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37068 (Reply to 37063)
Name: Joe B.

Starleigh is not without fault. They made some MAJOR business blunders and booking mistakes and obviously have paid for it.

As for bands, say CATCH 22! Unless you are a YOUNGER band that looks good, plays well, and can ENTERTAIN an audience, you are going to have a tough time breaking in and making a name for yourself.

From what I can see, there are a few successful bands out there who have been around for a very long time, so longevity is one way to be successful.

The market has changed completely. Money is tight, kids are listening to different music, have shorter attention spans, and more means of entertainment.

the same ole, same ole formula of the past is out the door! You have to do more than just play and sing well.

You have to self-promote, "look" good, play well, and put on a show! ENTERTAIN! that is if you plan on being a CLUB band. If you can't do that, you should consider the BULL ROAST / WEDDING BAND circuit!!

My 2 cents


Parkville

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Monday, November 2, 2009 13:55
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37104 (Reply to 37068)
Name: Longdrive

News Flash for the last post...The Wedding band Bull roast circuit is twice as competitive and where the real money is for good players.
Looking good and having a 98 rock only songlist is great way to play bars for $80.00 a head, but if you want to last and have a decent music career you have to diversify and be able to cover it all or plan on enjoying your weekends at home. And don't blame Greg T. for a lame music scene. While doing sound for a gig in Fells Point last weekend more people showed for a Dog Costume contest than for the scheduled afternoon bands. Local music has lost a lot of credibility because a lot of poor musicians have been happy to take work from pro's, and work for pennies to empty rooms that don't want to see them play...If everyones honest about it there a lot of options on the weekends and poor bands (Badly produced, overly loud,poor vocals etc...) have chased a lot of people away...just like DWI rules and smoking bans...video games...karaoke and other whatever.
Parkville

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Tuesday, November 3, 2009 08:10
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37112 (Reply to 37104)
Name: SHORT DRIVE

long drive you are absolutly right! there is maybe about 12 really great bands out there, the rest are just in it for the fun of it , but it is hurting the great bands that are out there money wise , venue wise etc and so is drinking,driving , police, and the economy.
Contact: legendrockband@yahoo.com
MARYLAND

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Tuesday, November 3, 2009 18:40
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37122 (Reply to 37112)
Name: Longdrive

Another example is a guy walks in with a 100 watt half stack in a 400 square foot bar (because the drums are so loud) and you know you're in for a early evening home. God forbid the the mix is built around the vocals
Bars aren't clubs. We haven't had a club scene in Baltimore since the mid 90's...but thank God we have a ton of Bars that are kind enough to give us a place to play.
Parkville

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009 19:40
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37136 (Reply to 37104)
Name: THE JUICE

IT IS SO SAD THAT YOU BLAME ONE MAN.YOU WANT THE TRUTH;WOMEN & TEENS BUY THE MUSIC;SO THE MUSIC SCENE WENT DOWN THE WRONG ROAD, & NOW THE SCENE IS NOTHING;
THIS IS WHY BARS (GOOD ONES)ARE BRINGIN IN BANDS THAT PLAY THE CLASSICS;BUT THESE NEWER BANDS PLAY THE 1;2 CHORDS
& THEN THEY CRY,,,GET REAL;THE JUICE
FORMER MEMBER OF PARADOX (80'S)& NOW IN BUCKLE DOWN-CLASSIC ROCK N ROLL BAND
GLEN BURNIE,MD

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Thursday, November 5, 2009 07:15
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37139 (Reply to 37136)
Name: THE PULP

Hey JUICE,

The capslock key is all the way to the left. Try using it.

P.S. Classic rock ain't selling anymore. It's 80's pop and hair metal, or modern rock. Also doesn't hurt if you band has members who know how to play their instruments.

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Thursday, November 5, 2009 09:14
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37141 (Reply to 37139)
Name: Sam

or singers who can actually hit the notes, sustain the notes and sing the song with conviction. Then again, it also helps if the soundmand knows what he's doing - there are many that don't. They talk a good game, but don't deliver. How about those bands that go into clubs with PA on a stick. THAT SOUNDS LIKE DOG POOP! I don't care how good you are, pro or amateur, formally trained or not - it's not going to cover for poor sound and poor equipment. As for the bar bands. More power to them if that's what they want to do!
Baltimore

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Thursday, November 5, 2009 10:05
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37142 (Reply to 37139)
Name: longdrive

After doing sound for a 98 rock event and listening the modern rock playlist for an hour or so to a Zombied out audience.... and watching the crowd spring back and start moving when they play a Bad Company song followed by "Welcome to the jungle" only to revert back to zombies when the modern stuff came back on again, makes me disagree. This modern stuff with seemingly the same vocalist and guitar players and producers is boring.
Parkville

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Thursday, November 5, 2009 11:54
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37143 (Reply to 37142)
Name: Scenic Drive

It's certainly boring to play, but they still seem to be the ones getting the bookings.

Any accomplished semi-literate* players who wanna put together something with some power pop-esque energy and an audience friendly songlist aimed at "the party", drop me a line at hocomusician@gmail.com

* Yes, I know it's a strange prerequisite, but I have my reasons....

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Thursday, November 5, 2009 18:54
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37146 (Reply to 37143)
Name: Djmagicd

With all of the very insightful information above, i just wanted to add my $.04. I am a drummer in a working band, doing it for many years.
A few quick observations
1. The bar owners dont care how talented a band is, as long as they fill the venue and make them money by selling alcohol. They also dont want any bands, Starleigh or otherwise to "scare" away the paying regulars with a sh*ty vocalist or an offensive set list.
2. Bands, starleigh and non starleigh, never seem to take responsibility for the draw. Its not entirely on the bar to advertise your band. So why is it that the bands who never seem to draw good crowds are the same ones who dont promote on myspace, facebook, twitter, whatever, or hang out with their fans???
Even if you have a lame, cookie cutter set list, people will come out if you take the time to act like you care. Go to their functions, talk to them, party with them. Call them, hit them up on myspace, twitter, etc.
Its a business, so keep YOUR customers, the fans, happy. Its not the club owner's responsibility.
3. If you have a problem with number 2, how about having to sell 250+ tickets to Rams head live or the Recher theatre? IF you are professional, personable, and dont alienate your fans, they will become repeat business. Even though they have heard your songs before. This is why original bands , regardless of age, music, etc genre seem to always crush other "managed" bands. Its not always about who is the most talented.
4. Original bands and cover bar bands dont seem to mix. Or ever cross paths. Smart bands will get to know people from both "scenes" and consistently outdrawn the big "name" bands. (Thanks for letting my band play both and steal your people, btw) This is why there will be 4 people at Sonomas for certain bands, but yet other bands can sell 300 tickets to the recher theatre at $10 a pop for only a one hour set!!!!
4. Bars and clubs seem to have cut back pay, the amount of live music, staff, etc. Bands seem to take it personally. The economy sucks, things are not what they used to be. So it would seem to me that every band should take the time and promote the hell out of each show, be professional and make the best of it.
5. baltimore has an incredible amount of talent. Accept it...there is room for everyone. If you think a band sucks, but they outdraw you, be positive! .....gee maybe you should become friends with them and offer to open a show....maybe get a few new fans.
6. Starleigh has been around for years, and they are not going anywhere. they are deeply rooted in baltimore and its bars/venues. Stop bashing them, or whatever. Embrace and learn to work with them, accept them, or move on. Gary had given us free advice before. You cannot strong arm a monoply people.
7. Thank you for letting me vent. Feel free to respond...im open to comments, good and bad.

disclaimer: My band is a rare"hybrid" that straddles both the original scene and the bar circuit. And yes, we have played "A" rooms like Nottinghams, the Barn, etc (without using Starleigh), as well as big "original" places like Rams head live, 930 club, VA state theatre.
Contact: dhbrokerservice1@yahoo.com
baltimore, md

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Thursday, November 5, 2009 20:44
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37151 (Reply to 37139)
Name: THE JUICE

HEY PULP;I HAVE TO USE LARGE LETTERS BECAUSE MOST OF YOU MUSICIANS ARE BLIND & STUPID.AS FAR AS CLASSIC ROCK GOES-OUR LAST 5 SHOWS WAS ELBOW TO ELBOW ALL NIGHT
AND AS FAR AS THE 80'S POP GOES;I'VE SEEN THE EMPTY BARS THEY PLAYED IN.WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK...JUICE
GLEN BURNIE

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Saturday, November 7, 2009 14:12
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37166 (Reply to 37151)
Name: laughing out loud

HEY JUICE, HAS YOU EVER GONE TO SKOOL TO LURN HOW TO SPELL AND RIGHT A GRAMMATIKALLY KORRECT SENTENS!!!!!

Rock on dude, your star is bright!
Right here, right now

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:53
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 37183 (Reply to 37166)
Name: THE JUICE

I'M GLAD I BROUGHT LAUGHTER TO YOU;UNFORTUANTLY PEABODY DOES NOT TEACH ENGLISH.MAYBE THATS WHY I CAN PLAY 2 GUITARS @ SAME TIME.CHECK OUT PICS ON BUCKLE DOWN;THANK YOU MY FRIEND...JUICE
GLEN BURNIE

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Wednesday, February 11, 2015 23:44
Subject: Starleigh
Message# 46175 (Reply to 37060)
Name: Musician

Agree. Book on your own, make more money and don't become a slave to
the agency.

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