Misery Road / Blog

Why not help yourself?

I had a great time at our last gig and would like to thank everyone that came out in support. What I don't understand is why the club made no effort to promote the event. No social networking and nothing on the marquis. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the opportunity to play but at least give yourself the chance to make some money at the same time.

I know I'm shooting myself in the foot by saying this but I'd rather stand on principal. If a band is good, (and we are) your regulars will help spread the word and thus, fill your register but not if you make no effort to tell them about the show. We promoted on our end and brought folks that stayed and spent money all night. The locals that did come in were entertained and stayed also. Situations like this generally mean we won't be asked back and that's a shame because a lot of people will be denied a good time and the club is denied another income opportunity.

We work very hard to entertain a crowd and spend back much of what we earn in a club. For some reason these aspects are unseen and unappreciated. I am not naive about the overhead and expenses involved in a club and I go out of my way to accommodate. We have considerable overhead and expenses as well. Go on line and see what a well made guitar costs. Each member of a band has thousands tied up in their equipment. Carting it around, protecting it from theft and damage is strenuous. Not to mention the years of devotion to learning the craft.

These relationships should be approached with mutual respect and an air of partnership. One hand washes the other. I'm not angry, just confused. I only want what is good for everyone. Performance is art and it's done out of an affection for the material and a connection with the audience. Revenues rarely cover expenses. I'm just sayin'...

Original Music

I started hearing tunes in my head when I was a kid but never knew what to do with them. I would hum or whistle them for a while and eventually just forget about them. Since acquiring the nerve to stand in front of a band and perform, those tunes have taken on a little more significance.

Misery Road was never supposed to be anything more than a cover band. When the material comes out and we throw it around, it becomes obvious quickly whether something is worth the effort of further refinement. The most gratifying thing thus far has been when the loudest cheers we get during the night are for one of "ours". It's also fun to see that someone that none of us has ever met hears one of our tunes on the internet and decides they want to be a fan or asks how they can get a copy.

I want to assure everyone that is interested, that I am getting ever closer to setting up downloads and merchandise. A few pesky details need to be ironed out first but it's coming.

Will there be more originals any time soon? Perhaps. Mike and I both have half baked material sitting around. Life has a way of getting in the way of the music and since none of us is financially independent...well you know. Poverty sucks.

We thank you for all the love and support and we'll keep playing until someone pulls the plug.