Tomorrow our band will be playing at the Democratic Rally for Senator Harry Reid at UNLV.

I just thought this would be an interesting topic.

Whatever your political views may be, would you be able to put them aside to play a show like this?

Obviously there is a lot of anger towards Senator Reid and the Democratic party in general. But as a band we see this as an experience we'll probably never forget. It has a certain historical significance here in Vegas, Senator Reid still has a lot of supporters. We've been asked to perform. We'll get some exposure whether people consider it good or bad. It's an opportunity to perform and sell merchandise. Possibly gain some more gigs and fans out of it. And we're going to play it.

What would you do if this show was presented to you? Would you play or pass on it?

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HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

As a native of Las Vegas, I say 'play the gig'.

Perhaps he'll hire you back to play at his concession party in Searchlight on the third of November.



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

If it's a paying gig, get your money up front. I was hired to photograph both Democratic and Republican politicians for different political events and they usually try to stiff me. Now I get paid up front or I walk. Usually they try to get someone to do it for free. From a business standpoint, I won't affiliate myself with one political party. I've done Senators, Congressmen, Mayors and Governors usually with the same outcome. They pay like they keep campaign promises.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

To be quite honest, I'm not sure if the Senator will actually be there. Harry Reid? Rory Reid? I honestly can't search a damn thing on my computer. I have a virus on it that is complete Hell. I was told "Reid and Titus". I guess I should be able to check my facts before posting. It just got sprung on me. Regardless, I think it brings up a descent topic. It'll be my first time ever being at a political anything. So it should be interesting.

Let's just call it a Democratic Rally to be safe.

BTW, it's a non-paying gig. Just doing this one for the UNLV crowd.

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HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

PASS>>>

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

PRO BONO?!?!?

PFFFFFFFT!

Pass

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Have to do the big pass on that one.

I did one of those for Reagan back in 84. Same deal, no money. But, it was a very large venue and definitely worth the experience. I say do it, you won't regret it. It's not about the politics anyway. At least, not in my opinion.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

I would play, But the band would be playing the Death Metal Set !

If it puts food on the table why not play.Politicians universally are mostly tarred with the same brush anyway and get into politics for solely self serving purposes no matter what their political stripe so what's the difference.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Is this a joke or something? It sounds like a great opportunity to get some exposure regardless of the event or paycheck. Who knows who might be in the crowd and hear your band. If someone told you there's a 1% chance it might get you a record deal would you pass? You have to look at every gig like that. The bands that a make it big are the ones willing to work at it and risk everything.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Never heard of the guy shredd, don't know why your having doubts, play, any publicity is good publicity so they say, and it's not like it's the segregation unit in some Prison block is it, your just a band trying to earn a few bucks

Actually, I don't have any doubts about playing it. In the OP I did say that we are playing it, and laid out my thoughts on it.

"We'll get some exposure whether people consider it good or bad. It's an opportunity to perform and sell merchandise. Possibly gain some more gigs and fans out of it. And we're going to play it. "

I was more wondering what other people thought about playing a show like this. Whether their political views would keep them from doing it, or whether they can put them aside for the sake of the exposure. I just thought it was an interesting topic. This election is every bit as sensitive as the last for a lot of people. Right now you can just feel the lynch mob ready to send the Democrats packing. I won't even tell my parents that I'm playing this gig. Hahaha. Talk about a REAL lynch-mob. They are hard-core Republicans and have been ever since I've been alive. I'm more afraid of the mom-stare for the next 20-years than I am anything else.

One thing I do like about this band is we do approach things like this in a professional manner. There are songs we know we aren't going to play because of what it is. We're going to keep it clean and all-ages family friendly.

Although this is technically a non-paying gig, we are all too aware of opportunities that may arise from doing certain types of shows. 2-years ago when I started playing in this band, we were struggling to play 2-3 times a month for $50-$100 a show at small venues. Now we're playing more upscale Casinos as well for much more, and 10-15 shows a month. Our merchandise sales are steady and rising (we even have hoodies now ). We're pretty confident that we're going to make money in Merchandise sales. So we won't be walking away empty handed.

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HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

A gig is a gig, I don't care if I'm playing for !@$ Mexican Grizzly Bears (Thanks Steven Colbert)

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Hi Shredd: I seem to be different than others on this thread. I absolutely would not associate myself with a party political - or any other - cause that I didn't feel at least moderately friendly towards. A party I don't like is not getting my help in any shape or form.

Actually, as far as a band is concerned I'd stay away from party politics all together. I don't think I'd be playing at anyone's rally, even a party I supported. Maybe I could be argued round on that one, but on the whole if you want to think about it as an "exposure" issue I suspect you alientate more people than you win by linking yourself to politics with a capital P.

Individual causes you believe in; that's a different matter.

Them's my feelings anyhow.

Cheers - C