Names, the Internet, and search results

Double D called me tonight with the news "we've got a gig." "Really?" I says. So just like that, we're going to be part of Cincinnati's Next Big Band, a competition that Rick's Tavern in Fairfield is hosting. Let's leave aside details on that show for now, since you can read all about the gig on our website, Facebook, Myspace, yada yada. What's more important is that this is a COMPETITION, replete with judges. Unlike the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, which is more of a popularity contest, this event actually has judges. Finding out who those judges are so we can bribe them is the next order of business. JUST KIDDING, that's crap and we all know it. If you can't make it on the merits of what you're doing, then you shouldn't be doing it to begin with. The actual next order of business, for me at least, has been to scope out the other bands that are participating to see what we're up against.

That brings me to my point: what's in a name? Whence came After Alms, and why? Before I go any further, let me say right now that I am first and foremost a fan of music. I actively seek out and listen to the locals and indie bands because some of the best things that you will ever hear are there, not on the radio dial where a corporate stuffed shirt is determining what you should hear. After Alms is one of those bands for now, the kind that you have to find online or hear about from a friend (and you are telling your friends, aren't you?) and of course we want that to change, but that's not the driving goal. Well, it's part of it. Goals can be complicated things. But it really all started with a name, one that Derrick had in mind and suggested to me - and which I really liked: After All. It wasn't meant to be, though. There are a lot of bands with that name, and a quick search on Myspace Music proved the point. For a few weeks, we were in a brainstorming tizzy trying to come up with something unique that would allow us to keep the double-A logo that had already been designed. As a group we came up with a lot of things, but one stuck - the name you know now, After Alms. One letter added and one letter changed, and all of a sudden it's unique. There are, so far as I can tell, NO other bands with that name. Not one. And that matters for a lot of reasons.

Everyone (bands, in this example) wants to stand out. It's mandatory if you want to succeed. But how many groups out there choose their name with respect to the modern era? Surely bands like the Pretenders would have had a different perspective if they had had the Internet at their disposal when choosing a name. Maybe not, because the first one to the finish line claims the glory, but when you can search and see what's been used and abused, why not do exactly that? Musicians on the scene these days would do well to remember that you are always going to be a search result now. Search Myspace Music for After Alms. Try Google. Try Bing. You'll see our name in the top of the results, along with partial matches that have nothing to do with us (the racing biz seems to use "Alms" a lot). But the bottom line here is you can find us right away because of the unique name. Club owners remember it, fans ask questions, and it's unique enough that we can truthfully claim to be right on the top - and we can also tell people to search for us online, knowing that they will find us when they do.

If you're an aspiring artist, keep this in mind. You're a search result now. Make it easy for people to find you, embrace it even if you hate it, but never forget how important a name is. Go on now, Google yourself. What do you see?

Friends old and new

Double D and I went up to Play By Play tonight on business and ran into some old friends. It's never a bad thing when you walk in the door of some club and you see people you've played with, brothers of the musical sort - in fact, it's a good thing. We knew Perfect Norm was playing but the surprise was Sleepy Andy Tracy, who stepped in to fill a void when the headliner's van broke down and they had to cancel. Freddy Brackmann, another friend (formerly of the Layers) rolled up after we'd been there about an hour. By then The Norm had taken a set break and we were all outside lovingly complaining about the music business and discussing many other things. I hesitate to say commiserate, we all do it because we love it so that's not strictly an accurate term. Like boaters and Jeep owners, we've all shared this common experience that defies explanation. Some things you just have to experience.

Andy started his set and as always put on a strong performance. If you haven't yet checked out Eazy, Andy's main project, try it now. Machine Gun live... wow, that song is a jam. I didn't notice if Andy went barefoot on stage tonight, though (he's prone to doing that). Old friends... and a new friend: Frank, who was running the bar. I don't know his exact title, but I'd guess bar manager at the very least. No matter what his title might be, the man supports live and local music and for that reason alone I consider him my friend. Come out and drink some of his beer, especially if we book a show there. It's a nice venue more or less centrally located in Deer Park. Don't expect a cover band here - you can find those anywhere. Places like Play By Play are where it's at.

S'ok, it's 4:00 in the morning and it's time for me to hit the lights and sleep... right after one more song...