I'm back on-line mo-fo's so lets get this shit rollin! Now that I am back, I have one to say, those of you that flat out told me to my face that Oade's is the place you love to play, welcome, we will always try to treat you with respect, make you feel like family, no matter how busy or dead it is, we appreciate all of you! We will do what we can in our power to take care of you, some places can't say that. They see you as a comodity, a monetary value. Dont get us wrong , we want to see the money also, but we first and foremost want to make sure you all are taken care of, felt welcome, and have the best time in the smallest, darkest and smokiest place in Lansing you've ever been in. We see all of you as potential friends, want you to make friends, fans and the like, sell some merch, network, swap shows and support the underground music scene. With out you, we don't excsist!  

Oade's is NOT posting these! Either the account has somehow been hacked or something else is going on. I logged in the other day for the first time in probably a week or more and had all these emails about how I spammed everyone.

Trust me, people, I don't have time to do that shit.

I have made some changes and hopefully the blog-spam will end. Sorry for an inconveniences.

Here are the OHC guidelines...read it, understand it, accept it. This is the bible of OHC.

First and Foremost

OHC will let almost anyone play here once. Just know that we mostly showcase metal/rock bands, but everyone is welcome. If we think you have potential and/or show us you have a good fan base that likes to have a good time in a place where they will feel welcome, are serious about your music and your image, flyer and promote your show(s), then you'll probably be back. OHC can only promote so much. OHC will not book bands that just want to ride the coattails of everyone else.

If you are looking for a show at OHC, hit us up. Just be aware that OHC answers emails on a priority basis. Just because you don't hear from us for like...uh...a month, do not think that we are ignoring you. We will get back to you ASAP. If you have my phone number, the same holds true. LEAVE A MESSAGE because if I don't recognize the number, I won't answer. I try to make sure that I put names to all the numbers I get, so at least leave a message. If you leave an email please include any other contact info.

Booking

OHC books at least 2 local bands and 1 (maybe 2) out-of-town bands on any given show. (Subject to change at any time.) We do encourage bands to book themselves with their friends' bands. If you want to book the entire night, we will talk and work with you.

All metal/rock/hardcore shows are 21 and over, Fridays only (as of September 9, 2006) from 9:00 pm - 1:00 am. The only exception to the age rule is band members. NO significant others, roadies, groupies, family/friends, etc. All must have a valid ID. My door guys don't mess around! We do have all-ages shows on occasion and the dates for the all-ages shows are based on the number of bands (of the same genre or damn close) interested in a particular date. All-ages shows are held on Saturdays from 5:00 - 9:00 pm and no alcohol is served during the all-ages shows. (OHC reserves the right to change show times at any time. This all-ages shows option may be put on hold for the time being.) 

OHC supplies the PA and sound guy(s), so don't bother bringing your own (unless other arrangments are made prior to booking.)

If OHC asks you to turn something down, do it. We don't want to have to ask twice. We know where the circuit breakers are!!

Any show(s) booked with OHC must be confirmed at least one week prior to the date requested. Cancellations are expected in this line of business, but please...pretty please, at least hit me with an email or a phone call as soon as you know.

OHC asks that if you have another local Lansing-area show 2 weeks prior or post, please rethink your dates. It's been our experience that 2 local shows in the same week will hurt you and the venue(s) in the long run. You'll burn out your fans. Realistically, once a month here is fine. Three weeks in between shows booked at OHC is the minimum. The only exception: a last minute fill-in band to be cleared by OHC!

Now, to the important stuff

Bands are paid via cover charge. Our cover is $6.00 (subject to change at any time) during the 21 and over shows, and $7.00 (subject to change at any time) during the all ages show. We receive $1.00 per head during the 21 and over shows for sound equipment maintenance, and $2.00 a head during the all ages shows since we are not serving alcohol. $25.00 is also taken out of the door for the sound guy with $25.00 paid by OHC. The remaining amount is split between the bands and based on fan turnout to be determined by OHC (unless other arrangments are made prior to booking.) Out of town bands will receive more for gas.

Each band member is allowed one (1) guest in for free. There is no guest list, so don't ask. Each band shall receive band passes (not tickets - see below) with their band name on them at check-in which they are to carry at all times...so don't lose them. It will cost you $2.00 to get another pass. The passes are for the show you play, not a free pass to get into any show. Bands with passes that want to come and check out other shows shall receive half off the door cover with passes only! (OHC reserves the right to refuse and/or revoke band passes at any time.)

Bands have an opportunity, if they so choose, to sell individual show tickets. Bands can sell the tickets (30 max.) for whatever amount they want and they keep that money while still receiving a portion of the cover. Again, to be determined by OHC. If you give away all your tickets for free, please do not expect over-compensation from the door money. Tickets are NOT to be sold at the door of OHC and must have the date/band name on the back for the specified show. They are to be sold prior to your show! Do not ask OHC for tickets on the same night of your show, you will not receive them; it's not fair to the rest of the bands. (OHC reserves the right to refuse and/or revoke ticket privileges at any time.)

Lineup and start times, set length, setup and tear down 

Lineups and start times are determined by OHC and subject to change at any time. Check-in is between 8:30 - 9:00 pm during the over 21 shows and 4:30 - 5:00 pm during the all ages show (unless other arrangements are made prior to booking.) So BE ON TIME!

Set length is between 30 - 45 minutes, depending on the number of bands on the bill and subject to change at any time.

Setup and tear down times are 15 minutes between sets. And I do mean 15 minutes. Anything over 15 minutes will cost a dollar a minute. If you need help, ask. There will be plenty of people there to help you get on and off the stage. Talk to your friends and new fans afterwards. There is a clock on stage so there is no excuse. Have ALL your equipment there, your guitars tuned, as much of your drums set up as possible and be considerate to your fellow bands. Everyone wants to be heard and not wait for you, especially the sound guy and myself! We do carry whips! So, if you're asked to hurry, please do. We don't like to shorten set lengths, but believe me, we will if we have to. If OHC gives you the (2) fingers signal, that means (2) songs left, no more. OHC will not hesitate to turn up the house lights and cut the sound! Just because you think your a rock star does not mean that the other bands or the fans should suffer.

Now the legal stuff

OHC requires a valid ID.

OHC reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

OHC is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

OHC reserves the right to any photography/videography that uses its name, logo, staff or inanimate object related to OHC. Property release forms available upon request.

Bands and related persons (i.e., friends and family) will act in a mature and professional manner adhering to all local/state drug and alcohol laws. This includes those of you thinking you can drink outside the venue, like we don't have eyes. OHC will always see all and hear all, and don't think we are kidding. If OHC talks to you, you better listen because we are only going to say it once. After that, good luck to you.

Bands and related persons (i.e., friends and family) will follow all of Oade's Hidden Camel policies and procedures.

NO DRUGS, WEAPONS, OR FIGHTING!!

OHC will not hesitate to bar anyone for any reason from the venue!

All band(s) personal beverage containers must be checked in. Band members ONLY! Others will be asked to empty them in the trash.

Any person(s) responsible for damage to OHC property, or any other bands equipment, will be fully prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

OHC reserves the right to change any and all policies and procedures at any time.

OHC is asking ALL bands, promoters, managers, anyone in charge of booking an individual show to read this, print it, and have all members of the band and anyone responsible for the well being of a band, initial the rules, and bring it to OHC at their next show. OHC wants everyone on the same page. You all have one month from today, Feburary 18th, 2006, to read and respond. If not, it's not OHC's problem when shit hits the fan. OHC controls the speed and pitch of the fan and can turn it off  at any time. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, hell, tell the old people at the local old-folks home, we don't care, just read, learn and accept.

Now with all that said, it's simple, you respect OHC and it's family, and OHC and the family will respect you. 

Copyright 2006

Any reproduction and/or distribution of the above without written consent, will constitute me kicking your ass!

So Jeremy (Oade's booking guy) and I were talking the other night about some of the sad turn-outs at shows there recently, and I was given the go-ahead to post a blog here regarding this situation.

I spent quite some time the other night putting together a month-long calendar for upcoming shows at Oade's and sent it out to most of the people on the friends list. As I was setting up this Event Invitation, I went through, searched for each and every band's MySpace page that were/are playing during the month of June and linked them. I did this in hopes that people who would read it and think they might like to check out what Oade's has to offer could also check out each band's music as well.

There were only two bands who I could not find links for, which for an entire month, I think was pretty good. However, I did notice a couple of bands who didn't even bother to list the show on their calendars on their respective pages...

Bands, if you are within a 100-mile, or even 50-mile, radius of Oade's, please promote your show PRIOR to the day before you're playing it. MySpace alone has made this process so easy by simply adding it to your calendar with all the information a person could want to know.

Once you've done that, please send out an Event Invitation at least a week before the show to your friends list. If you have a real website, create an email list that people can join and send out monthly newsletters listing your upcoming shows...with links!

Those suggestions are all FREE. They only take a little bit of time and effort.

If you truly believe in your band, you should be doing even more than that and wanting to ensure that everyone and their sister's cousin's baby's daddy knows that your band exists. One word: FLYER.

Someone in your band probably has a computer or access to one. Make a flyer (and PLEASE...use common sense...include the date, time, place, cost, AND other bands on the show.) Put the image on a disc and take it to your local copy shop. Tell them to print it four-up; this way you get four flyers on one 8.5" X 11" piece of paper, cut the sheets into the quarter-page flyers, and you have a pretty cheap, easy to hand out promotional tool. Seriously, even if you only make 50 copies, you will get 200 flyers that will probably cost you $3.00.

Don't be afraid to go up and talk to people about your band and where they can catch you next (hopefully at Oade's!) Don't just stick a flyer in their face and walk away. And, by the way, there's plenty of places to legally post and distribute flyers as well.

Don't think that a great show will just happen without effort on your part. It doesn't end when you book the date; actually the work for you and your band just begins. Treat each show as important. Don't book in the same city more than twice a month, if even that. And please...make an effort!

Jamie