House Shows in Phoenix
I’m not going to try and prove, “Phoenix is cool.” Hosting house shows has a long precedent of ambitious and involved individuals, attempting to create a positive event.
Every house show is unique, and most are supported by hardworking bands with good intentions. They’ve provided a legitimate alternative for shows that don’t belong in bars, or are ethically opposed to venues that aren’t all ages.
Wherever you are, if you want to start doing house shows – maybe this will help encourage you. Or point out how to be careful so you don’t crash and burn doing them. I encourage you to write in what you do differently, further advice, or to call me out.
I support these venues for art or shows. I encourage you to check them out.
List of Good Phoenix Venues
List of Active Phoenix & Tempe House Venues:
- The Manor (tempe)
“A clubhouse for losers” - The Slurp (tempe)
- Tribehouse (phoenix)
“Since 2001, the residents of The Tribe have been opening their doors (and basement) to the Phoenix community.” - Yobs (tempe)
“Ye Olde Bike Saviours Co-op, now house venue and den of sin”
These are the websites to find upcoming shows, and contact information for booking gigs.
Laws Concerning Noises in Phoenix
Tempe Noise Ord
Tempe Loud Parties
Phoenix Loud Parties
Select a room, barricade it from inevitable stupidity
Your living space is generally designed for comfort, entertainment, and status. Someone will piss on all of it, break a bottle, and tell you there’s no more toilet paper. This is pretty common.
Select the room to match the kind of shows you want to see happen. Imagine the room without any furniture, filled with gear and people. Be realistic, if you want a hardcore show and live in a small apartment – it’s not going to last, and probably isn’t worth anyone’s time.
Protect your personal items or furniture that is precious to you. Usually, we do this by removing its existence at all. Some people have never seen a couch or lamp inside our house. By doing this, you prevent mental breakdown, and allow more people to cram into your place.
Soundproofing Against Neighbors and the World
No one hates you more than your asshole neighbors, who probably have jobs and a future. Since cops patrol the street, ever since you started living there – don’t rule out the random chance a cop will knock on your front door claiming there was an, “anonymous call.”
#1 Front Lawn
Keep masses off the front lawn. Become, or use an old man to remind and remind people about this. Place cacti where groups congregate.
This is the cheapest and easiest way to keep the sound as far away from the streets as possible. It all depends on the kind of place you live in.
#2 Windows
Unless you got some newer windows, or even in that case – windows leak sound. The easiest solution is to cut drywall to size, border it with tape and slide it into the window.
#3 Doors
Extra mattresses positioned against an unneeded door tend to help.
Do whatever works and won’t set your living room on fire.
#4 Communicate with your neighbors. Hand them your phone number to call in case anything becomes unacceptable. But don’t be a pushover, there’s always one neighbor who wants a power trip. You must control their actions first!
Working with Bands
The number one thing bands need to have is direct communication. Tell them exactly what they are getting into. The kind of show, how to deal with money (donation or door), PAs, promoting, the whole works. The more a band knows about your set up before accepting, the more it’ll be a comfortable show.
Always prepare a place for them to sleep. It doesn’t matter if a night goes great, or bad – the band ultimately needs to have some sleep.
Money
Bands have personal reasons for doing house shows. It’s possible for a band to make more than at a bar, or venue. But many want to play smaller shows to be connected with their audience. Be prepared to stay tough on the door, and ask your friends for money. Be prepared to get disappointed by lame excuses. Also, be ready to help a band out personally if the show flops.
Establish an idea of how much money you can get for shows on average. If a show does exceptionally well, make a decision to put away a rainy day fund for when a show flops, or something gets broken. The band is sacrificing here, and so are you. Money shouldn’t divide you two from communicating, so be completely transparent. If the band you love, can’t play a show at your place because of financial restrictions. Promote harder, cover differences, or let it go.
The alternative is having a band you respect, think you’re a fuck up.