Chattanooga Pulse

I generally write about upcoming shows and local venues in town—but the last few weeks, I have been noticing several trends I felt like I should point out to all of our local music-goers.

Last week, I discussed how certain people only go to their favorite hangouts and will avoid a show entirely based on a preconceived notion of the venue, regardless of what bands are playing. This hurts the venue, the band, and our local scene. This week, I have yet another topic to broach with my readers. It is the getting in free or, “Hey, can you put me on the list?” move.

I understand that you know a guy in the band. I understand that you used to work with the bassist. I get that you probably do know someone inside and maybe they did tell you to come out and support the show. I am sure they are stoked that you made it out. However, let me note a few things that most people might not know.

Most venues only give their musicians a set number they can add to their guest list, even if they are headliners. If they aren’t the headlining act, then odds are, their slots for the guest list are even less. The promoter, booking agent, sound guy, and anyone else involved shouldn’t even have a guest slot, unless it has some involvement with the show. So—don’t look to them to get you in.

I am going to go ahead and assume that most people don’t know that. I am also going to assume that most people don’t know that the local artist has to pay for the sound, the room, or the security, or all of the aforementioned before they even get paid, at some venues. Then, unless it is a one-man show, the money is taken and split between members. At times, this means the band members of your favorite band only get 20 or 30 bucks. For a couple hours of sweat and the constant practice leading up to their show, that’s not a big pay out. In fact, they are probably in the red for all the gas money they’ve put out for trips to the practice space and the maintenance of their equipment. Not to mention the extra-cool threads or neat little highlights they acquired just to rock out for you in style.

I say all this to let the most casual of music lovers know that asking for a favor at the door is like asking for money out of the band’s pocket you came to see, because they end up paying for your entry. You may feel special for a minute or super cool in front of that girl you like, but is it really worth it?

Do people come to your place of work and ask you to give them things for free? Do your buddies show up at your house and ask to take some of your stuff home with them? Oh, and is it cool if my wife takes your cat home, too? Or hey, I have a friend from out of town and he rarely gets out, can you go ahead and give us 20 bucks? Would you go into Wal-Mart, pick out the one thing you came for and walk out with it for free? No…wait, that’s stealing. It’s basically the same thing.

I’m not saying that people are trying to take away from the band, because I am sure they are not. But I don’t think that people really pay attention or know any better. This is why I am writing this piece, so that now, everyone will know exactly what their “favor” at the door costs the band. Coming out to “support” your friends’ band, if you want to get in free, isn’t supporting them at all. I get that everyone is broke sometimes. Hell, in this economy we’re broke most of the time—but save your money at the bar, not at the door. Drink a cheaper drink, or have one less than you usually would to support a good sound. That way, everyone is happy and everyone still has a good night. But it is doubly insulting to let someone come in for free and then watch them slam shots all night and think nothing of signing on a $40-$50 tab. If you can afford it, then you are one of the fortunate people, and should cough it up at the door. Seriously.

Now, most press and media get in for free if they are doing a write-up or have done a write-up on the band. Or if a person has done some work for a venue, and if the venue chooses to put them on the list of the establishment, then that is up to the venue, provided they are not charging the band for those that they have put on their own business list. I pay to get in shows I have nothing to do with at venues I have nothing to do with, and am happy to do so. I’ve gone to the door plenty of times to pay to have my friends let in, when I probably could have slid them through, but I know how hard all of our musicians work, so I don’t. I suggest that you don’t either—that’s the decent thing to do especially, if that really is your friend in there playing their heart out.