Hey guys, I'm in an original power pop punk band and I was hoping for some feedback on what you think about us. Our website is www.underdogsyndrome.com and the Facebook link is http://www.facebook.com/underdogsyndrome. You can get our EP on either site.

Any advice would be appreciated, as we're all just out of/finishing college and are working on our first full album.

Thanks.

I listened to all three of your (demo?) songs. Vox are clear and on key. Instrument parts are tight. Everyone seems to have good meter. Songs are well written. Solo parts are a little short and simple but that's part of the genre, right? Recording, mixing and mastering are quite good as well. Overall it's a good sound you have there. I'm not really into that genre but I can spot talent when I see it and you guys have it. Really, you do.

You asked for feedback so I'm going to give it but it might sting just a little. Sonically you fellows are poised for success. Visually ... well, that's a problem area.

I'm 53 and have already played my heart out a billion times and I'm no longer even close to being in a position in my life where I can justify playing on stage professionally as a full time job. I'm getting up there in age and it's more acceptable for a guy like me to carry 20 or 25 extra pounds. You see it on middle aged guys everywhere. It's almost expected at my age. You guys on the other hand are young and talented and have a possible future in the biz but if you want to realize that future you're going to have to hit the gym and lose a bunch of weight and put on some muscle. It's simply a fact of life that musicians need to be good looking these days if they want to succeed beyond local noteriety. I don't make the rules, I just understand them.

So that's my advise. You asked for it. Hit the gym. You don't have to get buff and ripped and all that but you're going to need to look sexier than you do. Lose the full beards too. Facial hair is fine but not a full beard. Old fashioned (60's retro) full beards may be "in" in some circles but they won't serve you in the music biz I promise. It's gotta be something that's hip, with edge. Maybe I'm dating myself using those words but, hey ... you asked. You're going to have to pander (to what a producer expects) a little bit in the looks department. Once you've reached the fullness of the potential you were hoping for then you can do whatever you want. Right now you have talent but you need "marketing". That means you're going to have to make some concessions. Lose some weight, tone up and modernise that facial hair. Then, in about a year ,cuz that's what it will take to trim down, then you can look for some more exposure.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I see three guys on stage, but obviously they are not together there. Watch your body language, see how the band members interact and you'll see what I'm talking about. Start supporting each other, don't drink water and make a bored face while your friend is speaking for example (4:55). If you don't pay attention, why should the audience?

The second problem is your visual appearance. There is a "metal" band sign in the background, but you guys wear funny shirts that don't match each other and don't seem appropriate. Think about your visual message, and make all three guys follow it.

Cheers

David

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"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

The music is good. I don't know if I would have suggested the weight loss thing but visual appeal these days is ever important. I mean look at the popular bands and you'll see that, with exceptions like Foo Fighters or something but Dave Grohl already had some fame going into that group to give them momentum.

I don't think I'd wait a year for "toning down." If you have the time and funds to go for it now than that's what I'd do if I were you. If you want to work out than do it simultaneously while you chase the dream. We all know that life on the road probably means lots of late night junk food and beers, which add to your waistline quite rapidly too.

Good luck to you, I think the music is great and hope you find some success.

I agree with BMW, and my glory days are way past too. I did make a survivable living playing the Philly club scene way way back. I got lucky I guess, but never got a recording deal and everything just faded away. So I'll take a stab at some fatherly advice. The competition is fierce in your genre. The power pop punk thing is way overdone in my area (Philadelphia, Pa) and there are countless bands in your genre trying to make it big and plenty of clubs around taking advantage of the bands for almost free entertainment.

All the songs and solos sound just about the same regardless of the band your in. It's a formula, no more no less. It seems like it's all in the "show" today. I don't know your band except for what is posted on youtube and your site. You guys need to get a "show" together, something with some energy because no matter how much energy your band has musically, if you don't act like you have energy, you'll be really boring to watch. Your band seems way tighter in the studio than on stage. You may want to work on that. My son's in a power pop punk band, he gigs constantly makes little money, but has fun and a great day job, so for him it's about the fun.

Think about the "look" as BMW suggests. It's a sad truth of the business today that you can be mediocre in the talent department as long as you look good.

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