anyone do the full time “club circuit”?

[ericb]

Started when I was 14 years old playing my first paying gig, and my last paying gig at 32. Drinking age was 18 when I was 18. From,14-18 in CT; 18 - 30, I was on the club circuit in NY - CT - RI - MA; 30 - 32 in Atlanta.

Not sure what years you're talking about but drinking age for me was 18 as well and I've been in VT. I used to see MANY Connecticut circuit bands here in Vt.. There was great 80's metal there. Were you familiar with Doug Blair from Run21, Cosmic Joe from Jimmy Carter Show, etc and Jimi Bell, Dubiel, etc?

 

[* velcro-fly *]

sounds like a great area for gigging!!

If you're one of the bands getting the gigs Last night was fun, packed house for most of the evening

 

[dstroud]

Are you talking back in the late 70's-mid 80's by chance? I'm old, and that's when the circuit club bands existed in New England where I live. My girlfriend who I bought my house with in the late 80's did that for years as a lead singer in a circuit band, and my current bassist for the past 30 years did it as well. . Not me, as I played since 1979 but only in the same type places I play today 3 nights /month or so! Our local Burlington VT big bars then had a band play 4 nighters many times and give them housing and food. Paid way more than today too.. . I'm not sure if the guys talking about club circuits in 2000 know what it was like 20 years earlier. . BIG PA's, full stacks or double full stacks, Hammond organs, etc. Loved the whole scene.
p.s. on a sad note, some of these guys are starting to die off, and we lost 1 of our originals "Jimmy Carter" a few months back. . His bandmates ended up in W.A.S.P. which I'm sure a lot of guys on this forum would've loved

that’s it man!! mid 80’s to early 90’s but the guys I played with had done the circuit for years. We traveled in gutted school busses that carried the pa (earthquake bins they called them lol) and trusses of lighting. Usually the band and a 3 man crue - soundman , light man and a gofor guy. Yes and the dudes I did this with, several have passed away. But man we had a good time!!!

 

[rsm]

Not sure what years you're talking about but drinking age for me was 18 as well and I've been in VT. I used to see MANY Connecticut circuit bands here in Vt.. There was great 80's metal there. Were you familiar with Doug Blair from Run21, Cosmic Joe from Jimmy Carter Show, etc and Jimi Bell, Dubiel, etc?

some sound familiar; one of my bands opened for Jimi Bell's band, after he auditioned to play for Ozzy. Another band I was in, the other guitarist was friends with Frank Aresti, who helped us get connected with other bands and some shows. Some of the well known clubs we played were L'Amour, Agora, Toad's Place, Pogo's, Vito's, The Rat, Spit, The Channel, The Living Room, but mostly college gigs and some outdoor shows. There was another club in Hartford, CT, known for hair metal we played many times...and I can't remember the freakin' name of it, now it's gonna bug me. One of my early '80s bands was a punk band, and we played at some dive club in Bridgeport, and nearly got our gear stolen...one of the last places I remember playing in the early '90s was The Purple Gator in Torrington, CT, which still had a lively thrash scene before moving to Atlanta. In Atlanta, played at the Masquerade, Wreck Room, Magruders and International Ballroom.

 

[ericb]

some sound familiar; one of my bands opened for Jimi Bell's band, after he auditioned to play for Ozzy. Another band I was in, the other guitarist was friends with Frank Aresti, who helped us get connected with other bands and some shows. Some of the well known clubs we played were L'Amour, Agora, Toad's Place, Pogo's, Vito's, The Rat, Spit, The Channel, The Living Room, but mostly college gigs and some outdoor shows. There was another club in Hartford, CT, known for hair metal we played many times...and I can't remember the freakin' name of it, now it's gonna bug me. One of my early '80s bands was a punk band, and we played at some dive club in Bridgeport, and nearly got our gear stolen...one of the last places I remember playing in the early '90s was The Purple Gator in Torrington, CT, which still had a lively thrash scene before moving to Atlanta. In Atlanta, played at the Masquerade, Wreck Room, Magruders and International Ballroom.

Cool, cool cool!! The bands I were referencing were the club circuit bands that played hard rock covers/80s metal covers. But I’ve been to the Rat, the Lliving Room, the Channel, the Spit/Axis, and Toad's Place, all for amazing new wave/punk shows!!!

 

[PDC]

Love this thread! Wow - yes. Played the club circuit for 3-4 years before making the leap to LA where I was relegated to playing 2 or 3 shows a month max while working a boiler-room telemarketing job. That lasted 3 years, then it was the mid-90's and wifey and I just didn't see the scene coming back in our lifetime. So we packed it and came back to the mid-west where I taught guitar lessons for a year waiting on my 'in state tuition' status. Took the LSAT, went to Law School on student loans, and the rest is history.

But the mid-west club scene in the early 90's was a blast. 3-4 nighters were the norm, playing 4 sets from 9:00 til 1:00. Got to open for Night Ranger, Tora Tora, Dream Theater, and LA Guns. We had really solid production / PA / Lights for the time. And we really were pretty darned good. Remember, the internet and instantaneous access to everything hadn't taken over the world yet. So when we showed up in some of the smaller towns, people would drive from 60-90 miles and wait in line to get in. Probably the most exciting, happiest, most fun period in my life. I am SO glad that I did it. And even though my timing on the move to LA wasn't great, and it was disappointing at the time, at least I never need to look back and wonder 'what if...'

 

[ericb]

Love this thread! Wow - yes. Played the club circuit for 3-4 years before making the leap to LA where I was relegated to playing 2 or 3 shows a month max while working a boiler-room telemarketing job. That lasted 3 years, then it was the mid-90's and wifey and I just didn't see the scene coming back in our lifetime. So we packed it and came back to the mid-west where I taught guitar lessons for a year waiting on my 'in state tuition' status. Took the LSAT, went to Law School on student loans, and the rest is history.

But the mid-west club scene in the early 90's was a blast. 3-4 nighters were the norm, playing 4 sets from 9:00 til 1:00. Got to open for Night Ranger, Tora Tora, Dream Theater, and LA Guns. We had really solid production / PA / Lights for the time. And we really were pretty darned good. Remember, the internet and instantaneous access to everything hadn't taken over the world yet. So when we showed up in some of the smaller towns, people would drive from 60-90 miles and wait in line to get in. Probably the most exciting, happiest, most fun period in my life. I am SO glad that I did it. And even though my timing on the move to LA wasn't great, and it was disappointing at the time, at least I never need to look back and wonder 'what if...'

I love reading this stuff too! It's always differed by which part of the country you're in. in Vermont our big bar/club-circuit 'covers' bars were long gone by the mid-90's but we had a huge original band scene then, and of course the cover-bands still played but long gone were the days of the 3-4-5 nighters. 2 nighters became VERY rare, and to this day, we're all 1 nighters. Same for NH, and NY. Our coverband timeslots here in the 80's were 9:30-2:00 every night of the week , except Saturday nite was 9:30-1:00. . 20 miles away in NY State we played 10:00-3:00! Rock on

 

[rsm]

Cool, cool cool!! The bands I were referencing were the club circuit bands that played hard rock covers/80s metal covers. But I’ve been to the Rat, the Lliving Room, the Channel, the Spit/Axis, and Toad's Place, all for amazing new wave/punk shows!!!

Nice. the bands I was in did mostly covers, or combination covers and originals; One band did prog metal, and all originals - that's the band where the guitarist knew Frank, I think it was right before or after No Exit; we tried to get Frank to produce but he was too busy, and also to help us get into Carriage House Studios which was too expensive for us...never panned out, I ended up getting thrown out of that band...they called me several months later to see if I was interested in coming back;I laughed and told them no thanks - they also lost the singer who was amazing, never knew what happened to him - he actually sang opera at Yale Conservatory! By then, I was in a thrash band and a hair metal band, making more money, and the hair band shows were bigger venues, nicer venues, with better PA / stages and full of women.

My band in Atlanta was all original death/black metal.

 

[Catthan]

a bit different locale for variety.. 2013 to 2020/ covid, North East UK.
I was in a higher profile function band (events, weddings, corp etc) averaging 50-60 gigs a year.
Played every church, mansion, cottage, barn, farm converted to venue and also pubs, beer gardens, sports venues, theatres, hotels, museums, army barracks, old airfields - anywhere where they'd host an event, wedding or party between North Yorkshire and the Scottish border.
Also did a couple of club residences at the few clubs putting bands on

 

[JerEvil]

Not sure what years you're talking about but drinking age for me was 18 as well and I've been in VT. I used to see MANY Connecticut circuit bands here in Vt.. There was great 80's metal there. Were you familiar with Doug Blair from Run21, Cosmic Joe from Jimmy Carter Show, etc and Jimi Bell, Dubiel, etc?

Fucking Run21!!! There’s a blast from the past! Jimi Bell too.

My brother used to take lessons from Doug. New England had a killer scene when I was learning to play and first started gigging. I’m from Western MA (Springfield area). I used to play in MA and CT but I left when I was 20. We had Infinity which was kind of the spot for heavy rock. There was Bridges and Katina’s as well. We were surrounded by great players at that time. Chris Impelliteri, Rob Rock (singer), Tony McAlpine was from the area, Anthony Bambino was a guy in a band called Spoiled Rotten, Doug B of course…

 

[ericb]

Fucking Run21!!! There’s a blast from the past! Jimi Bell too.

My brother used to take lessons from Doug. New England had a killer scene when I was learning to play and first started gigging. I’m from Western MA (Springfield area). I used to play in MA and CT but I left when I was 20. We had Infinity which was kind of the spot for heavy rock. There was Bridges and Katina’s as well. We were surrounded by great players at that time. Chris Impelliteri, Rob Rock (singer), Tony McAlpine was from the area, Anthony Bambino was a guy in a band called Spoiled Rotten, Doug B of course…

You bet man! It was killer and a lot of the guys made it pretty big. I just watched your clip in LV of your tribute band and wow that's fantastic! Jimi Bell actually plays in a Deep Purple tribute act now as 1 of his projects. Haven't seen him play in years, but he was my bassist's idol! I'll always remember Doug Blair playing a Pat Travers' cover at a local big-bar , while riding around on a skateboard doing jumps, and never missing a note! I wonder if he remembers that? lol.. . Also in the mid 80's I worked at a guitar-manufacturer and he came in with a briefcase. . He opened it up and had built an amp in the briefcase with Car stereo speakers plugged in 1 of our guitars and started wailing as my jaw dropped. Great memories.

 

[JerEvil]

You bet man! It was killer and a lot of the guys made it pretty big. I just watched your clip in LV of your tribute band and wow that's fantastic! Jimi Bell actually plays in a Deep Purple tribute act now as 1 of his projects. Haven't seen him play in years, but he was my bassist's idol! I'll always remember Doug Blair playing a Pat Travers' cover at a local big-bar , while riding around on a skateboard doing jumps, and never missing a note! I wonder if he remembers that? lol.. . Also in the mid 80's I worked at a guitar-manufacturer and he came in with a briefcase. . He opened it up and had built an amp in the briefcase with Car stereo speakers plugged in 1 of our guitars and started wailing as my jaw dropped. Great memories.

Yeah man! He used that briefcase for lessons! He taught at a place called Music Man in Springfield. Too fucking funny!

 

[Wayniac3]

some sound familiar; one of my bands opened for Jimi Bell's band, after he auditioned to play for Ozzy. Another band I was in, the other guitarist was friends with Frank Aresti, who helped us get connected with other bands and some shows. Some of the well known clubs we played were L'Amour, Agora, Toad's Place, Pogo's, Vito's, The Rat, Spit, The Channel, The Living Room, but mostly college gigs and some outdoor shows. There was another club in Hartford, CT, known for hair metal we played many times...and I can't remember the freakin' name of it, now it's gonna bug me. One of my early '80s bands was a punk band, and we played at some dive club in Bridgeport, and nearly got our gear stolen...one of the last places I remember playing in the early '90s was The Purple Gator in Torrington, CT, which still had a lively thrash scene before moving to Atlanta. In Atlanta, played at the Masquerade, Wreck Room, Magruders and International Ballroom.

Agora? Alley Cat? The Sting?

 

[rsm]

Agora? Alley Cat? The Sting?

Agora Ballroom in West Hartford; never played Alley Cat or Sting


reminded me of a small place in Watertown, CT we played: Alfredo's house of rock...it was a pizza place that had bands on weekends. big time venue lol...played there several times before I was 18 which was the drinking age.

 

[dstroud]

Love this thread! Wow - yes. Played the club circuit for 3-4 years before making the leap to LA where I was relegated to playing 2 or 3 shows a month max while working a boiler-room telemarketing job. That lasted 3 years, then it was the mid-90's and wifey and I just didn't see the scene coming back in our lifetime. So we packed it and came back to the mid-west where I taught guitar lessons for a year waiting on my 'in state tuition' status. Took the LSAT, went to Law School on student loans, and the rest is history.

But the mid-west club scene in the early 90's was a blast. 3-4 nighters were the norm, playing 4 sets from 9:00 til 1:00. Got to open for Night Ranger, Tora Tora, Dream Theater, and LA Guns. We had really solid production / PA / Lights for the time. And we really were pretty darned good. Remember, the internet and instantaneous access to everything hadn't taken over the world yet. So when we showed up in some of the smaller towns, people would drive from 60-90 miles and wait in line to get in. Probably the most exciting, happiest, most fun period in my life. I am SO glad that I did it. And even though my timing on the move to LA wasn't great, and it was disappointing at the time, at least I never need to look back and wonder 'what if...'

right on man fun times!! After the rock circuit went south I was in a blues/funk band that was playing 3-4 nights a week. That was fun but very different. Then went to LA in 2001. Spent 10 years there. Still go back to LA and play a couple times a year with my original band, but that’s more like a vacation lolol

 

[dstroud]

a bit different locale for variety.. 2013 to 2020/ covid, North East UK.
I was in a higher profile function band (events, weddings, corp etc) averaging 50-60 gigs a year.
Played every church, mansion, cottage, barn, farm converted to venue and also pubs, beer gardens, sports venues, theatres, hotels, museums, army barracks, old airfields - anywhere where they'd host an event, wedding or party between North Yorkshire and the Scottish border.
Also did a couple of club residences at the few clubs putting bands on

cool man!! I do have some friends doing corporate event gigs here in the US. Those dudes make serious $$$

 

[Greazygeo]

some sound familiar; one of my bands opened for Jimi Bell's band, after he auditioned to play for Ozzy. Another band I was in, the other guitarist was friends with Frank Aresti, who helped us get connected with other bands and some shows. Some of the well known clubs we played were L'Amour, Agora, Toad's Place, Pogo's, Vito's, The Rat, Spit, The Channel, The Living Room, but mostly college gigs and some outdoor shows. There was another club in Hartford, CT, known for hair metal we played many times...and I can't remember the freakin' name of it, now it's gonna bug me. One of my early '80s bands was a punk band, and we played at some dive club in Bridgeport, and nearly got our gear stolen...one of the last places I remember playing in the early '90s was The Purple Gator in Torrington, CT, which still had a lively thrash scene before moving to Atlanta. In Atlanta, played at the Masquerade, Wreck Room, Magruders and International Ballroom.

When I lived in Hollywood there was a bar called The Purple Gator. It was owned by Gilby Clark. They would have alot of bands in one night. Each band would play 30 minutes, their fans would leave and next band and their fans would be up. Rinse and repeat. First time I had seen that.

 

[rsm]

When I lived in Hollywood there was a bar called The Purple Gator. It was owned by Gilby Clark. They would have alot of bands in one night. Each band would play 30 minutes, their fans would leave and next band and their fans would be up. Rinse and repeat. First time I had seen that.

For awhile, it seemed like our thrash band was the house band at the Purple Gator in CT; we'd play 2-3 times a month or more, when they had live bands Thu-Fri-Sat; we'd also get called if a band cancelled. We did three sets, and would change out a few songs each time we played there. Saw many of the same people there, and it was usually a packed house, especially when they did all-ages show nights, letting in 18+ but 21+ to drink...this was in the early '90s

 

[Greazygeo]

For awhile, it seemed like our thrash band was the house band at the Purple Gator in CT; we'd play 2-3 times a month or more, when they had live bands Thu-Fri-Sat; we'd also get called if a band cancelled. We did three sets, and would change out a few songs each time we played there. Saw many of the same people there, and it was usually a packed house, especially when they did all-ages show nights, letting in 18+ but 21+ to drink...this was in the early '90s

Sounds like a cool place. We had the Alrosa Villa, kinda similar. They would have bands Thursday- Sunday. Usually 2-3-4 bands a nite and rarely ever did one band play more than one night. Late 80’s eraly 90’s. It was 18 and up. Killer pa an lights, nice stage. Good crowds and bands. Was a cool place. We never got to headline, played there once a month for awhile there early 90’s.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Tons of bars and smal venues all over the West coast and south west (mostly Las Vegas metro) in the early 00s. Also DJ'd a lot of raves, clubs, unlawful parties, busked, open mic nights, opening act for larger acts at big venues on a few tours. We had a pretty good system with quite a few local bands and those from Phoenix and LA areas where we would crash at each other's homes and roster swap at venues in those areas. Usually little to no pay in those scenarios and often were paid in open bar, portion of ticket sales, or just selling CDs and typical merch to pay for late night diners and fuel. Good times. House parties and small venues packed with 2-3x the people fire codes allowed for were my fav.

My daughter gigs mostly up and down the I-5 these days with her metal band as well as solo open mic stuff and also helps design and set up stage sets at venues. I have no clue what she makes doing that, but when gigging with her band they carry little merch (mostly keychains and cool homemade voodoo dolls of the band members) and instead people order from them at shows and they ship it. Maybe not oldschool and perhaps they don't sell as much as they would if they had it on hand, but there is pretty much also zero overhead.