There are probably bands in your area who aren't doing so hot. Maybe they don't spend enough time writing great songs. Maybe they don't play a great live show. Maybe they do well at both of these things but don't seam to have the crowds to support it. These are probably NOT the local bands to learn from unless you are learning what not to do. Maybe you should take a lesson from the local bands that are having success.

Success Is Different For Everyone

Every band seams to define success differently. Some bands won't stop unless they are huge rock stars playing arenas to thousands of people. Other bands are just happy to play their music in front of people. Some people want to be at the top of the pop charts. Others would love nothing more than to barely get by playing music that they love. Realizing that everyone is different if the first step in learning from the “successful” bands. By finding local bands that are succeeding with the same goals that you have may be the first step in figuring out how to achieve your idea of success too.

Original Bands Hate Cover Bands

I'm not sure if this true everywhere, but there has always been an overwhelming opposition towards bands who play lots of cover songs by the bands that play mostly original music in my area. Typically, the “original” bands aren't mega successful, but I have to admit that selling original music anywhere is tough. Even the major labels are having a tough time. There could be a million reasons why orginal bands hate the cover bands, but I'd probably wear my keyboard out just trying to guess. Either way, stating that this problem exists is the first step in solving the problem.

Maybe You Could Learn From A Cover Band?

If there is a local band in your area that is having the same success that you wish you were having, it's time to see what they are doing differently. Again, not everyone wants the same things, but in the past, it seamed the only way to make a local crowd happy is for the band to give the crowd what they wanted to hear. I see nothing wrong with this since I'm usually the guy in the crowd. I don't give a damn what the band like to play. I want to hear what I like. If the band won't give me that, I just won't come to another one of their shows. I have other things I could be doing anyway.

It seams that many bands are detested because they have given in to the demands of the crowd. I can't say that I understand this. It's as if the bands that are predominantly cover bands are cheating or have some unfair advantage over the more “original” bands. Of course, the problem isn't just with cover bands. The hatred often spreads to bands that are more interested in being on the radio.

Instead Hating A Band, Learn From Them

There are a lot of lessons that can be learned by the few bands who have had local success in my neck of the woods. Here are just a few:

• They often work extremely hard at their craft and put in long hours.

• One local band I know wrote songs for an entire year without playing a show. Why? Because when they finally started putting shows together they wanted to play songs that were good enough.

• The successful bands try to cover all their basis. They want everything to be professional and this takes an enormous amount of time and dedication.

• They have an effective website and mailing list.

• Not only do they want a great sounding cd with great songs, but they also want a great live show. Of course, this means working very hard on the visual. I was programming light sequences until 3am last week with a band. I don't know of any other band that is working that hard on such relatively small details. This is part of being a successful band.

• Successful bands aren't afraid to spend money on their bands. It doesn't mean that these band members are rich. It just means that they give up on other ways of spending money and put it back into the band. In other words, the band is important to them and they aren't shy about buying the best recording or a great looking backdrop.

Look For The Bands Who Do Things Differently

Some bands may be doing some things that are definitely unorthodox. Keep an eye out for what they are doing and how they are doing it. You may learn something. It's human nature to not like things they don't understand. I catch myself doing it all the time. But before you jump on the bandwagon and bash the successful local band, just remember this Einstein quote....

“ ...Innovative thinkers often face violent opposition from mediocre minds. “