What I have NEVER seen before is this new attitude of self entitlement that the local bands in many major cities are displaying right now… most prominently here in Los Angeles.  Bands that can’t bring 20 people to a venue are demanding to be paid to play, there are no bands promoting on the Strip anymore, and I can’t remember when a local band sold out a local venue and I’ve been here for 10 years.  Band’s are blaming everything from the economy to crappy clubs for their lack of attendance, but the reality of it is that their over-exaggerated sense of self importance is what’s turning people off from them.

There’s no work ethic anymore.  Bands barely promote and because they occasionally update their Myspace site they feel that the people should kiss their ass and spend their money at their shows.  Bands feel it’s the club owner or promoter’s job to pack the venue, when the reality of it is… the clubs and promoters have ALWAYS relied on drawing bands to make their nights.  Why in the hell would they do otherwise?

Let’s give a reality check here to all the bands out there… not just in LA but worldwide.  Fifty percent of you SUCK.  SUCK as in you are un-listenable.  SUCK as in no one wants to see you play your shitty rendition of “Highway to Hell” or even worse, one of your shitty originals.  SUCK as in you can’t even get your friends to come see you play.

Forty percent of the bands out there are good, about seven percent of the bands out there are good enough to make a living out of playing music, about two percent of the bands out there are great, and .001 percent of the bands out there will be the next Killers, Nickel Back, Guns N’ Roses, etc.

It’s not the 70s anymore.  Musicians have to do more than just go and put on a good show.  The bands of the next decade will have to be marketing and salespeople,  they will have to be web designers, and they will have to learn to take control of every aspect of the business that they have chosen to be in.

I don’t want you to walk away from this blog thinking I have anything against today’s musicians.  The fact of the matter is that I live for music and I have a tremendous respect for anyone who makes something out of nothing and pours their heart and soul into their passion.  But c’mon guys, you have to do a little more these days than be fucking a stripper and hand out tattered fliers if you expect me to spend some of my money on your show.

By Mike Schaefer