HELP - Teenie rock music

Sir_Toby · January 17, 2004

Im doing a gig in a few week to a group of teens. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif

Ive been told they dont like Will young or Gareth Gates. The genral feel is they like teeni rock music, ?slipnot?, ?incubus?, muse. This not being my main personal choice of music I dont really have much idea about it. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif Ill of course play to what the croud wants, but I need to get CDs around that. Ive already got Kerrang CDs and muse, linkin park.

So i ask you all what hits, floor fillers, that are teenie rock. Suggested playlists would be helpful.

Answers on a postcard http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

thanks

toby

C.S · January 17, 2004

Postcard sent. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif

kazzachi · January 19, 2004

Be careful! Slipnot and the like are not really suitable for teen parties (unless they are over 18). My advice is, if it has got "parental advisory" on the cover, Dont play it! The mums wont thank you for doing so.

You will probably find that you will have several different tastes in music with the teens... rnb aswell as pop and rock.. Play safe, they love Busted, Avril etc... How old are they exactly?

C.S · January 19, 2004

Come on guys,when you are in your teens you have your highest interest of music so give em some credit,they are gonna be well in to rap,probably with eminem as nr 1,its gonna be blink 182,linkin park,limp biscuit,as well as chart stuff.Cornwall as a whole seems to have a quite unhealthy interest in hard house so i would be giving the teens that are 14 and upwards a little more room where music is concerned.

ChrisPointon · January 19, 2004

I think Karen's intentions are well founded, I think that any responsible parent would shudder at the thought of their off-spring listening to the likes of Eminem etc. However in the real world, I tend to agree with Chris - you've only got to visit HMV on a Saturday to see kids as young as 11 and 12 buying almost everything which has "Parental Advisory" stamped on it....and do the shops give a damn.....NO.

I would never play that sort of material at a Primary School of course, but with teenagers you have to be a little more realistic these days. After all, they use this language and far worse amongst their peers at school everyday. In other words, its nothing they haven't heard or used before. I would even go so far to say, that a very large percentage of teenagers would have and listen to this sort of material at home, whether its on a CD or copied from m8's or downloaded from the 'net.

I think that every generation has music, which the generation above brands as unhealthy. In the 50's Rock'n'roll was branded as Devil Music and attempts were made to ban it. In the 60's it was all Free Love and Drugs. In the 70's the Sex Pistols were corrupting the Skinheads, the 80's brought Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the 90's saw the start of the rave era and anything with "E" in the title was frowned upon. Today we have the likes of Eminem and Rap with dodgy lyrics http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif . On the whole I think that unless their parents are Mary Whitehouse, they would have long since come to terms with the fact that their kids are growing up and have this "unhealthy" obsession with music containing several swear words.

kazzachi · January 19, 2004

I agree that the teens want to hear all of the above mentioned... and more! However, at teen parties (unless we are talking 17/18 and above), in 99.9% of the cases, parents are in attendance. In some circumstances the parents wouldnt give two hoots about what the dj plays... but I would have to say, that in the majority of bookings that I do with teens, parents do not want inappropriate songs played. In fact, I obtain tons of work with teens because not only can I get them going, but I am known to have a responsible attitude with regards to suitability of music played.

I also give some of these kids credit.. when I explain why I cant play their request, they are more than happy to accept why not.

misterbassman · January 19, 2004

I agree,

I try to get the clean versions of as many songs as possible, I did a disco for a 14 year old bday last sat and managed to get away with only playing one song with profanity, which got all the kids up dancing like looneys so the parents didnt mind at all. How ever I wouldnt play a whole set of songs with profanity in. Last Fri nite I did a disco at my local church for 170 junior school children and many of them come up and request slipknot and the like and I simply say "Im sorry I cant play that because it swears" and although a few are slightly annoyed that can see that it is fair enuff.

kazzachi · January 19, 2004

Oh Mr Bassman! Believe me when I tell you that you will get more work and possibly more money by the attention you give to how you run teen/school discos. Remember, the parents are the people who are paying for you - and whilst you have got to give the kids a good time, the parents have to be sure that they have booked a dj who is responsible enough to work with children.

If there is a track that is not too bad... I go to the parent in charge, tell them what the content of the track is.. and ask if they would allow me to play it. You have got to impress the parent as well as the child. A reputation as being a responsible childrens dj will go a long way. Dont give in to the pressure that some of the kids will put you under!

misterbassman · January 19, 2004

yeh I agree,

I managed to get away with playin it tho as have already been booked bu parent for other kids bday in june http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

kazzachi · January 19, 2004

Well done..... keep it up!

Sir_Toby · January 20, 2004

So I have a dilema http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

To play bad mouthed music or not?

I dont think that parents will be around for the whole gig, maybe just to drop their little darlings off. The girl who approched me to do the gig, is only 14 herself, and Im really only doing the gig as a favour and to get some free publicity, and at the same time gain some gig expreance.

Ive had a talk with the girl about specifically what bands she would like playing, most arent that bad, there are also going to be a couple of live bands, that she wants me to enginear, which will be playing with some explicit lyrics.

I want to keep a good reltionship with any possible parents, because one of the main reasons Im doing it is publicity. But at the same time I want to give the customer what she wants. Ive been warned that most of the kids will be high and drunk anyway, which suggests that parents either wont be there or are very relaxed.

I think ill give the customer what she wants, but moderate it, and keep some of the heaveir stuff till later on, and then see if parents are there , if not then the kids can rock on, as chris said, its nothing they havent heard before, and language they use every day.

Thanks for the help guys and gal

Toby

kazzachi · January 20, 2004

Sorry to disagree Toby... your taking it that the 14 year old is your client? I bet you she aint the one paying. Its up to you who you take instructions from at the end of the day.

I will however tell you that I hear more complaints from parents (and yes they do attend these teen gigs - even if they stay in the kitchen) that the dj played totally unsuitable music. Consider what your reputation is worth.... if you decide to play music with swearing etc for 14 year olds dont expect to get a good reputation as a kids party dj (yes, they are considered kids at this age). Believe me, I know what Im talking about here. Anyway, I still say that you can do a teen gig without having to play music which would make the parents toes curl!

ChrisPointon · January 20, 2004

Well, whatever the Band do, and their vocals isn't your responsibility - all you need to worry about is pushing faders and twiddling EQ's.

However with regard to the Disco Content legally there will have to be SOME adults there, whether they are the actual parents or just unpaid "bouncers" in the form of other family members. They can't leave a bunch of 13 / 14 year olds unsupervised for hours in a hall. If it's mainly girls you wont have much of a problem with rap music because its usually the lads who ask for Rap. Girls prefer the cheesy stuff and R 'n' B. If you do get asked for rap, then just make sure that you play the Radio Edit!.

Tonsk · January 20, 2004

QUOTE

Ive been warned that most of the kids will be high and drunk anyway

Hmm - Are you sure you want to do a gig where this will be the case??

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif

Adults drunk is a pain but kids?? It'd be an absolute nightmare! Plus if she has admitted that they will be high means that they dont really have any respect for the law - Does that mean they will trash the equipment for a laugh as well?

It wouldnt really go down well in court - you suing a 14 yr old who you took a booking from! They aren't even legally allowed to enter into an agreement with you. Ask her to get her mum or dad to speak to you so you can tell them to ensure parents are there... Its better that the bday girl has slightly less of a wild bash than you ending up the loser.

Think about it - publicity is not always a good thing....................

Right - Rant over http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/1106.gif

ChrisPointon · January 20, 2004

Hmmm Tony has pointed out some elements of the post which I hadn't seen before, and are a cause for concern. Forgive me for being a little harsh.

Toby - what the heck are you going taking bookings from a 14 year old??. Do you not send a booking contract?, as it not been signed by an adult and returned with a deposit?. Who's to say that this booking even exist's and is not some figment of a 14 year old childs imagination?, it may even be a wind up and all you'll end up doing is sitting in an empty village hall car park!.

QUOTE

I want to keep a good reltionship with any possible parents

Possible? - you mean you haven't spoken to them personally. If you are over 18 and left in charge of a room full of kids, rest assured that by default you'll be the first person the police speak to if they are called to investigate any damage or behavioural incident carried out by any kids at the function. Make sure that you state that adults should be in attendance throughout the function on your booking contact. We are not babysitters.

QUOTE

Ive been warned that most of the kids will be high and drunk anyway, which suggests that parents either wont be there or are very relaxed.

Yeah Right, and you believe a 14 year old!. Sounds like teens trying to impress other teens to me, and it seems to have worked. Realistically you'll probably find yourself at a gig with Panda cola and Fairy Cakes being served up by fussing "Aunt Bessie". Fortunately managers of venues and caretakers of village halls are a little more choosy about who they hire their halls to, than SOME D.J's are with their clients http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif .

Toby - You need to be a little more mature and careful in your business dealings and selective with whom you do business with.

Ian Stuart · January 20, 2004

Just to re-inforce what's been said on this thread already...

Toby, be very careful with this one http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif It's got "recipe for disaster" written all over it. I think the best advice I can give you is to go via the girl who's booked you and speak to her parents. Have a good chat to them and get some accurate answers to questions like "who's in charge" etc. Make sure you're happy with who's going to be there and frankly if you're not convinced it'll be OK, avoid it.

I can see how you wouldn't want to tarnish the reputation you're building for yourself but you certainly would get a worse "rep" if you're the one who's apparently in charge and the whole place kicks off, prompting the Police and all sorts of hassle !

Regards

Ian Stuart

Sir_Toby · January 21, 2004

yeah, ive been a bit stupid over all of this. But Im willing to learn. Ill have a chat to the girl, and ask to talk to a parent.

Then I can talk to them and see what they would like, and see who will be in charge. The girl who booked me i a close friend of a friend, so I said I would do it, as a favour. But like u guys have said I need to cover my own back.

I didnt think it was exactly going to be easy, doing mobile discos, but I didnt reliase ho much work, and how hard it really is to do it properly.

thanks guys

ChrisPointon · January 21, 2004

Well credit to you, at least you've realised that you have gone about this the wrong way and there is still time to put it right.

As I pointed out in a P.M to you previously, there is far more to running a business then meets the eye, and its not just about having flashing lights and turning up at 6.30pm on a Saturday.

I always get flamed for this, but I still stand by my original advice, in that any D.J, especially a younger one, should get some experience helping an existing D.J first, before starting up on his / her own. Not only can you learn about the D.J'ing side of it, but pick up other tips on the business / legal side of it as well! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif .

Toby's post was a perfect, real world, example of how mistakes can so easily be made, simply through inexperience!, and this function could so easily have gone t*ts up through circumstances beyond his control. Older members would probably scream the words "Common Sense" at this stage, but without meaning any offence to the younger members - sometimes even this has to be tought as well!! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

Toby,

One general rule, is that you don't allow anybody under the age of 18 to sign a contract of any sort. Under 18's are still considered under UK law to be children (or Young Adults as the politically correct brigade would have us say), and therefore cannot enter into a legal or binding contract, by law.

Always get a Booking Contract sent to the client , and returned signed (signed by an Adult) along with any deposit, there are excellent examples of these contracts on a pinned topic elsewhere on the forum!. Booking contracts serve a dual purpose, in re-assuring the client that you are not some fly by night cowboy by giving them some proof of your obligations to provide the service as agreed, and more importantly it gives you some legal comeback if they default on payment, fail to turn up on time to let you set up etc etc. A carefully worded agreement can save you all sorts of hassle and inconvenience and protect you in the event of any dispute.

For instance if the client argues that they had booked you until 1AM, when they really booked (and paid) you until 12 then you have a signed contract detailing the times to produce. Not everybody is honest, and people do frequently try it on when it comes to money and getting something for nothing especially with younger D.J's.

So get a booking contract written, checked for spelling errors and take a deposit!. If you are under 18 yourself then you will need to put the name of a parent / guardian on the contract and get them to co-sign in order to represent your interests.

Sir_Toby · January 21, 2004

Yeah. i wantted to start doing gigs, for friends, and family first, so to build up my expreaiance first, as I havent had work experance with a dj before.

I plan to go fully into it when I am 18, so I can sign my own contracts, and have my own PLI and insurance on my equipment, all under my own name.And by then I will have a few gigs behind me and so a little more expeariance, and people will know about me.

So ok Im a bit blonde when it comes to all the leagal common sense, but thats why I joined the forums, to get advice from people who have been there and done all of this.

Thanks

YourBigEvent · January 21, 2004

Engineer a band booked by a 14 year old ?

Firstly there will be nothing to engineer, set up thier mics and kit and fade them up, this is all you will need to do, maybe a little EQ, but not engineer.

I have refused to do a gig once when the parent actually said..

Right now you have set up if you need us we are in the pub next door

I said if you are in the pub I'll be a home if you need me !! and started to pack down. She stayed !!

Sir_Toby · January 23, 2004

a little bit more to consider when enginearing. A full adult band has been booked. All different mics have to be considered and the positioning of each, to reduce feedback and bleed and a good sound pickup. DI from the bands amps considered. Light eqing, delicate fader controll to ensure the best sound and no peeking, difficult whenworking with a rock band. I want to do the best I can at it. But my main hope is that the djing goes well, as I know ll about the enginearing side.

Ive also talked with her dad, and got evertyhing done properly, with adults attentding, and use of music being monitored, with nothing too raw being played.

All things looking well, now all I need do is keep practicing with mixing, to get it perfect. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Thanks for all the help guys

ChrisPointon · January 23, 2004

If the band members are 14 as well. do everybody a favour and "accidentally" leave all of your mics and mains leads at home http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Sir_Toby · January 23, 2004

QUOTE

If the band members are 14 as well. do everybody a favour and "accidentally" leave all of your mics and mains leads at home

Hummmm tempting. But I love enginearing. theres nothing lik the buzz of getting the sound just right, especially if its not in the roceording studio.

The only problem I have with kids, which I learnt from expearicae is that some of them dont understand that a small microphone can cost 90 quid!!! and so treat it like a £5 pieace of crap from argos.but usually a reminder to the kids and a comment of "u break it u pay for it, and I will personally string you up by your guitar lead" goes a treat. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/221.gif everybodys happy http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

adenondj · February 2, 2004

ive done a few school discos recently sean paul seems to be the norm abit of rock ie linkin park busted and avril lagviwashername seem to do you if you have kerrang albums and the newest hits and now albums you cant go much wrong

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HELP - Teenie rock music

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