photo by Mayhem Fest

by Alicia Walker

As a punk music connoisseur, perhaps you have attended some great shows and wondered about what it takes be a concert promoter. The music business is a very competitive environment. However, there some steps you can take to breaking into the field. Here are some guidelines on how to become a concert promoter.

Develop Your Skills

Find out as much information you can about the concert promotion profession and take note of successful concert promoters. Talk to concert promoters directly and ask them what they did to become successful in their job. Take note of their attributes and skills and try to develop yourself so that you can be successful as a concert promoter. One of the best ways to develop your skills in concert promotion, particularly the marketing component, is to pursue a Master of Business Administration. For more information on educational opportunities for helping you become a concert promoter, click here.

Concert Promotion Company

One of the most common ways to become a concert promoter is to work for a large concert promotion company, such as AEG or Live Nation. The large concert promotion companies promote big name acts, tours, events, and festivals. Some may also handle all of the promotion for a specific venue location. You may need to start off in a smaller entry-level role at a concert promotion company and work your way up the ranks. This includes doing such things as handing out promotion fliers, or doing some other supporting role, such as in administration or advertising.

The advantages of working for a concert promotion company are that it can be very lucrative, there is usually minimal personal financial risk, and you get the chance to work for big name events. The disadvantages are that it can be difficult to get a job for a concert promotion company and it can take a long to climb up the ranks. You may also have to work with music and musicians that you don’t like.

Work for Yourself 

The alternative to working for a large independent concert promotion company is to work for yourself or an indie concert promoter. You can start of small and start booking your own show. Gradually, over time, you can build up a reputation and network so that you can promote larger shows and events. The advantage of this path is that you can choose your own music acts and you can be your own boss. The disadvantages are that there is greater financial risk and it can be very time and energy consuming with all of the responsibilities of promoting your own shows.

photo by Mayhem Fest

Sources

About.com (2012)

eHow (2012)

Check out the photos from the last day of the festival because the PWV team really killed this one.

www.MUSINK.org

*all photos by Denise Borders and Chad Elder

It’s a totally different vibe, changing the tempo from upbeat punk songs about partying to acoustic songs about much sappier subjects. I know that description alone can turn people off from checking it out, but you know what? EAT IT. It’s always refreshing to hear a side gig that actually sounds different than their original band, and then no top of that it ACTUALLY be good. I made a short video featuring two FACE tracks, so check it out and judge for yourself.

Check out the links below to learn more about Face and follow what the fuck’s going on!

Face Twitter

Face Facebook

Face MySpace

Kill the Complex

The Darlings

The Darlings Facebook

Kill the Complex Facebook

KROQ Local’s Only

Check out The Darlings’ brand new video for their track Broken Heart Still Beating:

Mall'd to Death

Triple Crossed

Tyler Barrett from Mall’d to Death  (and Triple Crossed) gave PWV his top ten favorite vocalists of all time. Ya know… I read a lot of these things and I have to say this one is stellar! I’m into it so check it out!

Tyler, Mall'd to Death/ Tripled Crossed

Top 10 Vocalists
via Tyler of Mall’d to Death/Triple Crossed

1. Blake Schwarzenbach – Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil, forgetters
2. John K. Samson – The Weakerthans, Propagandhi
3. Craig Finn – The Hold Steady, Lifter Puller
4. Bob Nanna – Hey Mercedes, Braid
5. Lance Hahn – J Church, Cringer
6. Brendan Kelly – The Lawrence Arms, The Falcon, the Broadways
7. Johnny Bonnel – Swingin’ Utters, Filthy Thieving Bastards, Druglords of the Avenues
8. Jeff Eaton – Modern Life is War
9. Dan Yemin – Paint it Black
10. Vic Ruggiero – The Slackers

Dan Yemin - Paint it Black

John K. Samson - The Weakerthans, Propagandhi

Triple Crossed Facebook

Mall’d to Death

Chris Catero of Razer gave PWV his Top 10 favorite bassists!

Chris knows a thing or two about bass, he’s also served on and off as the touring bassist for guitar legend Marty Friedman as well as currently directing the artist relations and marketing at Krank Amps. Razer is prepping to hit the road in support of their new album Dark Devotion Expanded Edition.

1. Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
2. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
3. Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow)
4. Geddy Lee (Rush)
5. Cliff Burton (Metallica)
6. Greg Chaisson (Badlands)
7. Billy Sheehan (Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big)
8. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
9. Gene Simmons (Kiss)
10. Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue)

Geddy Lee

Nikki Sixx

www.razerband.com

Tommy Kloss: Bass 
Mike Garelli: Drums 
Rob Vannice: Guitars/Vocals

To be honest, I couldn’t have even told you whether or not this band was still together, but I was actually stoked to hear JuiceheaD had a new album coming out.  In a sea of metalcore-screamo albums being churned out like baby puke, it’s always cool to hear of an old school punk band still pumping out records.  Hearing How to Sail a Sinking Ship was produced by longtime Misfits and Ramones collaborator, John Cafiero, made me even more excited to check it out.  Oi!

10.4.11

Track Listing:
1. Better Days
2. Rotting from the Inside
3. Death of Democracy
4. Lorraine
5. Deadly Nightshade
6. A Fire That Always Burns
7. No Good Deed
8. Kiss Your Pretty Ass Goodbye
9. Black Roses
10. How to Sail a Sinking Ship
11. American Dream
12. When I Fall From Grace
13. Disenchanted Youth
14. No Regrets
15. Pissing in the Wind
16. Take Your Home
17. Rick James
18. Until We Meet Again
19. Sail On
20. How to Sail a Sinking Ship ((reprise))

Misfits Records is releasing their latest, How to Sail a Sinking Ship, which drops October 4th.  Better Days starts the album off with a mellow mood; at this point I’m neither loving or hating it.  As the record continues, they are consistent with the low-energy punk sound, to the point of me almost being like “C’mon guys… where’s the punch?” But then again, it IS JuiceheaD and they aren’t exactly screaming lyrics and killing guitar solos.  They are very… what you see is what you get, and I actually respect that! It’s got a “not trying too hard” feel but at the same time, definitely doesn’t suck.

It seems like the perfect tuneage for a punk rock wedding or just some background music that you don’t want to overpower whatever event you’re having.  It doesn’t bore me but doesn’t really snag at my ear-taste-buds either.

Lorraine is a catchy track for sure.  It sounds really retro (in a good way), with a more upbeat start than most other songs on this album.  It’s one of those backward love songs where you assume it’s about some chick he [the songwriter] loves, but then when you really listen to the lyrics, “Goodbye Lorriaine. Oh girl, I hope you’re doing well.  Goodbye Lorraine, oh yeah, oh girl, I hope you burn in Hell.” You really can’t help but smile.

Boys, I hope Lorraine IS burning in hell for your sake, because I dig your new record.  You didn’t blow my panties off, but hey, I’m just not that easy. Don’t miss their upcoming tour with The Misfits:

Tour Dates:
Sept 29 – Santa Clara, CA – The Avalon
Sept 30 – Ventura, CA – Majestic Ventura Theater
Oct 2 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Oct 3 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Oct 4 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
Oct 5 – Tucson, AZ – The Rialto Theatre
Oct 6 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Oct 7 – Scottsdale, AZ – The Canyon
Oct 8 – Albuquerque, NM – Historic El Rey Theater
Oct 9 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
Oct 14 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
Oct 15 – Auburn, ME – Club Texas
Oct 16 – Danvers, MA – The Palace Ballroom
Oct 18 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Oct 19 – Murfreesboro, TN – Gilligan’s
Oct 20 – Newport, KY – The Historic Southgate House
Oct 21 – Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s
Oct 22 – Detroit, MI – Harpos
Oct 23 – Joliet, IL – Mojoe’s
Oct 25 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
Oct 26 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
Oct 28 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Oct 29 – Toledo, OH – The Omni
Oct 31- New York, NY – B.B. Kings
Nov 3 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
Nov 4 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock
Nov 5 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights
Nov 6 – Springfield, VA – Jaxx
Nov 9 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen Music Hall
Nov 10 – Houston, TX – Stereo Live
Nov 11 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Pour House
Nov 12 – San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live
Nov 14 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Nov 17 – Orlando, FL – Firestone Live
Nov 18 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
Nov 19 – Daytona Beach, FL – Sickboys
Nov 20 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall

BUY JUICEHEAD SHIT!

Juiceheadmusic.com
Misfitsrecords.com

Sep. 3, 2011 – downtown Los Angeles became a plethora of more than just hipsters- some punk kids came out, too! FYF Fest brought an array of music fans together, having bands from genres A to Z.  All the hipsters that hate each other came out to watch the Cold War Kids, and then all the cool people came out to catch the Descendents, and a lot of people were hammered! It was a lovely Saturday.

Check out the FYF Facebook album for more photos!

Title Fight

Touche Amore

Tijuana Panthers

OFF!

Descendents

Descendents

Descendents

Check out the FYF Facebook album for more photos!

Keep up with all the FYF info on the OFFICIAL website. 

If you want to keep up with all the other FYF footage, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube page!

“Breaking $2 million donated to charity is a reminder to me of how powerful music, music fans, musicians and the music community can be in making a positive impact in the world. A huge thank you to all of you who have played a part in reaching this milestone. We are eager and passionate in working with you to make an even bigger difference from this day forward.” – Hopeless Records President & Sub City Executive Director Louis Posen says.

After 12 years and countless released and events to raise money, they’ve been able to help make a positive impact on the music industry.  Friends, musicians, supporters and all around music lovers united at the event (some double fisting and others not so much) and it was a blast. Check out some of the photos!

Bert and Jeff from The Used hung out with friends

Ryan 'Bags' Hagen (Grind Management) and Dave Shapiro (The Agency Group)

Accepting a donation in their name

Louis Posen

Stacy (American Hi-Fi) and Greg (Warner Bros. Records)

boys, boys, boys.

girls, girls, girls!

Check out all my photos in the facebook album!

To learn more about Hopeless and Sub City, check out:

Hoplessrecords.com
SubCity.net
TakeActionTour.com

Funeral Party (L to R: Kimo, James, Chad)

CHAD ELLIOTT – Vocals, Samples and Keyboards
JAMES LAWRENCE TORRES – Guitar
KIMO KAUHOLA – Bass, backing vocals

I know what you’re thinking…. who farted? Funeral Party isn’t necessarily talking about doing keg stands at grandma’s wake, but they definitely came to liven up the joint.  Ever since being picked up by Sony/RCA Records, they’ve been picking up steam with appearances on national television and an ever growing fan base, I don’t think the party is over for these dudes.  Nope. Party time.

Funeral Party live @ The Wiltern

While they were on tour with Panic! At The Disco, I talked with the boys in the basement of The Wiltern in downtown Los Angeles.  We ventured into their name, new tattoos and stabbing people.  Check it out!

I made myself comfortable

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Don’t miss the BLOOPERS!

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