Hey bands! Here's everything you and everyone else want to ask us about playing at Rhino's. These FAQ's are just as frequently so keep checking back! And you can thank Crispy, Tim, and Brad for painstakingly compiling these.
Q: Can we play at Rhino's? How do I book a show there?
Sure you can play here! Now with that said, let us emphasive that unless you are a nationally touring act, we give priority to local musicians. If you're in a local high school, then you have immediate priority.
If you don't fit into any of the above categories, do not despair. Feel free to contact Rhino's. The BEST way for you to get booked is to trade a show with a local band.
Also keep in mind that we are an all ages club that usually books original music that tend toward the alternative/punk/hip hop/metal/emo/ska/rock genre. We almost never say never, but if you've got a group of 60 year old guys who play bluegrass showtunes, then maybe we aren't the club for you.
To get a show booked, come in and talk to Dave Britton, or email us at
rhinosbooking@gmail.com. Yay!
Q: Who CAN NOT play?
If you spout "Hateful Speech", engage in pornographic performance, have to play high or drunk, etc., then Rhino's isn't for you.
Q: Can we book a show on a week night?
If you are a major, nationally recognized act, maybe. If you are an outside promoter, or would like to book a special event, you can RENT the club for a fee. Otherwise, no. NO. N-O. NO.
Q: How far in advance are you booked?
We are almost always booked solid 2-3 months in advance. This is to give ourselves and bands plenty of time to promote (which we fully expect you to do, see below for more info).
Q: What is "trading shows"?
*Sigh* You find a band from Bloomington. You ask them to open a show in your home town. Afterwards, you will open a show for THEM at Rhino's! IT'S SO FUN AND EASY!!!! You have to do it yourself though. Look at the bands on our top friends and talk to them.
Q: What information do we need to send you in order to get booked?
A MySpace page or weblink so we can see and hear what you are about would be nice. Send us something current, please. Sometimes we get messages saying, "Here's our MySpace, but that's not what we sound like." This is silly.
You may also send a press pack to:
PO Box 1727 Bloomington, IN 47402
Q: Can we open for (insert name of huge national act)?
If there is an opportunity for a local band to open for a well-known national band, we usually consider bands who play here anyway; who are LOCAL (from Bloomington); and who we know, from experience, will draw a decent amount of people to Rhino's. We usually contact locals ourselves. In other words, if you are not from Bloomington, and you don't play at Rhino's on a regular basis, the answer is probably no.
Q: Yay, we're playing with (insert name of huge national act)! Are we going to be famous now?
We gave you that show because we like you, but we also expect you to help us promote!! It's your chance to prove yourself. If you are playing with your favorite band next month and no one shows up to the show, they'll be looking at your band and thinking, "Why didn't they promote the show better?" If you play here with a national act and you don't promote, it will hurt your chances of playing big shows here in the future.
Q: We're a band from Indianapolis/Lafayette/Evansville. So when you say "local bands", you mean us, right?
No. Local means Monroe County, and sometimes Bedford. Your band is regional. That doesn't mean we don't love you.
Q: How many bands do you have on a normal night?
Three (3). SOMETIMES, four (4). NO MORE.
Q: I see you have a show with a full bill. Can you add my band you've never heard of to the show anyway?
No. See, this is like asking, "I know you just ate an entire XL pizza, now would you like to eat some weird food you've never heard of?" No we don't want your ethnic food. We can, however, book you on a different night.
Q: We will bring in a ton of people though.
If you have to tell us this, it probably isn't true.
Q: Is there a guestlist? Can our friends and moms get in free?
Nope.
Q: How do we get people to come to our show?
Promote!! Print handbills, send out MySpace and email notices, badger, guilt, annoy, or drag your friends. Come get some of our flyers and help us put them up. Be creative. For more info,
read our blog on promoting shows.
Q: Does Rhino's promote for the show?
Uh, yeah. Web page, MySpace, Flyers, Calendars, Marquee, etc. We do what we can.
HOWEVER it's not our fault if nobody shows up. We leave a lot of promotion up to the bands.
Q: Where can I get flyers for the show?
They will be available at Rhino's. We try to have them ready 2 weeks before each show. Feel free to print your own flyers, as well.
Q: What time do we need to be at Rhino's the night of the show?
Load-in is at 6:30pm.
Q: What equipment do we need to bring?
Bring your backline (amps), drums, and instruments. Oh, and songs. Rhino's has full sound- and light-systems (and they're sweet!), plus mics and things of that nature. No, we DO NOT have spare 9-volt batteries, we DO NOT have guitar picks or patch cords or drumheads or strings or sticks. Come on, people, we're a venue, not a music store. Also keep in mind, space on the stage is limited; be reasonable.
Q: Can we sell our merchandise? Does Rhino's take a percentage of our profits from merch?
Sure, sell your stuff. Rhino's, however, will take exactly zero%.
Q: Can we bring our fog machine?
NO. Your fog machine will set off our smoke alarm and the fire department will arrive.
Q: No it won't, we promise.
Uh, yes it will. Leave it at home.
Q: Can I get some general info about the show?
Doors open at 8pm. Shows start at 8:30 and end between 11:30 and midnight. Admission is $5 almost every time.
Q: Can we drink alcohol, smoke, and do drugs on stage?
Q: Can we curse in our songs?
You may... We aren't in the censorship business. However, personal attacks on real people (not public figures) or "Hate Speech" will end your performance.
Q: Will we get paid?
If there are people here, yes. Rhino's takes $100 off the top and splits the rest with the bands. If you are a local band opening for a touring band though, and not much money comes in at the door, we will probably give a slightly larger cut to the touring band who are living in their van and not to you who drove 2 miles from your apartment. Hopefully when you are touring, a club will be this generous to you. We will always be 100% up front with you about the handlings of $ though.
Q: Can we cancel our show?
Read our blog on cancelling shows.
Q: I have a question that wasn't answered here.
That's not a question. But I guess you can shoot us an email at
rhinosbooking@gmail.com or message us here on MySpace (edit: just email us) if you have any more questions.