Compared to 10 years ago (when I were a lad...) it is ridiculously easy to get a gig in Aberdeen these days. With the Lorelei, out of our first 5 gigs, 2 were at private parties (the Mill Inn and Oh Henry's of all places), 1 was at the old RGU union (sloe club, which I had frequented regularly for 4 years, so managed to blag us a slot on a charity gig lineup) and 2 were at what is now Estaminet, but which in those days was know as Kit Carsons (before even Smart Alex) - The manager of Smart Alex insisted on hearing a demo tape before agreeing to let us play.
Nowadays, it would seem that one could almost start a band with nothing but a name and a loose genre, get a gig and THEN think about getting other members, writing songs and practicing.
There is, to me, a fine line between a healthy music scene, with lots going on and heaps of bands playing heaps of venues, and oversaturation, leading to venues not putting on so many bands. I certainly admire Dr Drakes for managing to put on live music 7 nights a week.
I've mentioned it in other posts, but playing outside Aberdeen is the way forward - even for those bands whose members are not old enough to drive. There must be lots of small towns between say here and Inverness or Dundee who have one or two bands who would be interested in playing Aberdeen - gig swapping/sharing instruments/providing accomodation on a reciprocal basis would allow these bands to play in Aberdeen, and Aberdeen bands to play elsewhere, without having to worry about transporting amps/drumkits etc. Train/bus would be a viable option.
And another plus point - playing in smaller towns outside Aberdeen (such as Keith, Nairn, Forres, Insch, etc) - you usually notice a sizeable drop in the price of a pint...
Regards
Flossie
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