I just edited the e-mail address so it's no longer a link - leaving it as it was is a sure way to attract spam to that address.

..has no real Rock venues but does have this one in Birkenhead http://www.revolverlive.co.uk. Bandwise locally that are making waves and are the people to ask are Limehawk - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Limehawk/101907653213513?sk=info - tell them to say Tony from Liverpool Bands said to get in touch or add www.facebook.com/liverpoolbandspage

Sorry, I'm just catching up with the Blog...

Well, my recent gig was a one-off at The Half Moon in Putney, to help out three bands I'd featured on my Blog - The Past Tense, The Jetsonics and main band The Len Price 3. I have not ventured into setting up a full-on tour yet - one night was stressful enough!

When I was playing in the 80's I used to book our gigs but again, we never toured, just local pubs and venues or swap gigs with other bands in other towns.

I'd say though that apart from the technology not a lot has changed from when I played and did a fanzine in my youth - there are still networks and sites that can help put. I'd say publicity is key but as I had no money from a record label it was very hard work as it involved lots of leg-work sticking up posters and distributing flyers. I researched sites and organisations and with a bit of cross-publicity got some very good support from places. Having my Blog helped a bit as I could offer a little bit of support in return - and through Twitter and Facebook too.

Some venues will ask you to pay a lump sum and leave it all to you to organise whereas The Half Moon supplied everything, did the ticketing and a lot of promotion too and just took a cut of the door money (with a reasonable minimum), can't recommend them highly enough.

It helps if the band have a bit of a catch, for example The Len Price 3 could flit between Mod and Garage Rock, both of which have a big network of web-sites and Club organisers such as Garage Punk Network, New Untouchables and Blow Up etc. It was more difficult for a band like The Jetsonics who are not so easy to categorise - we moan about labels and genres but they are damned handy when you are trying to "sell" something! I'd get your friend to blitz any web-sites, magazines that suit their band's genre.

I also had some lovely support from the Word Massive of course, especially Mondo, who helpfully runs a great radio show and took a shine to the Len Price 3 which has led to a local venue near him expressing an interest in putting the band on...So it looks like I might get to do it all over again!

Leedsboy even did a nice little nights out review on the blog, which was very nice, and without getting all emotional, that's the sort of thing that makes all the effort worthwhile!

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/retroman-promotions-the-len-price-...

The Half Moon Putney
http://www.halfmoon.co.uk/

The Railway Southend on Sea
http://www.railwayhotelsos.co.uk/