Tour:Smart: And Break the Band (Paperback)

by Martin Atkins (Author), Cynthia Plastercaster (Author), Suicide Girls (Author), Henry Rollins (Author), Jade Dellinger (Author), The Enigma (Author), Chris Connelly (Author)
Key Phrases: total mileage, budget sheet, merch person, New York, Martin Atkins, Killing Joke (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An inveterate self-promoter, Martin Atkins is, as usual, talking a mile a minute. But it's hard to resist being charmed by his rapid-fire banter, because as always, he has plenty of impressive accomplishments to tout."  —Chicago Sun Times

"Tour:Smart functions as an uncensored companion text to [Martin Atkins'] classroom teachings."  —Chicago Tribune

"In my six years of college, Martin Atkins was the man to clarify all the other instructors' psychobabble! He prepped me for the industry in a single semester."  —Michelle Cho, PETA

"This is not advice. This is the Holy Grail."  —Kraze

"If you are a music business major at university, this should be on your syllabus.  —Blogcritics Magazine

"Atkins embodies the entrepreneurial spirit with a unique merger of creativity and business sense"—Dr. David Herrera, Belmont University

"Having been a part of seminal bands like Pigface, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Killing Joke, and Public Image Limited, when Atkins talked about the business of music, people listen."  —Richi Corelli, soundsect.com

"The ultimate touring manual. . . . Tackles every conceivable aspect of getting the show on the road in a highly readable style."  —Mojo

Product Description

From packing the right equipment to keeping enough gas in the tank to get home, every aspect of making a successful tour with a band is addressed in this comprehensive guide. More than 100 luminaries and leading organizations from the world of touring—among them Chris Connelly, Henry Rollins, the House of Blues, and the Vans Warped Tour, as well as club owners, tour managers, and even sex advisors—provide handy insider know-how along with insight on mistakes commonly made by novice bands. Chapters address the nitty-gritty of touring, with instructions on how to secure venues and publicity, how to stay healthy on the road, and how to keep the budget in the black. Loaded with hundreds of years' worth of collective hands-on experience from those steeped in the music business, this is a must-have resource for creating an unforgettable tour.

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Product Details Paperback: 592 pages Publisher: Soluble LLC; 1 edition (September 1, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0979731305 ISBN-13: 978-0979731303 Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.8 inches Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #18 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > Business #22 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > Reference

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
total mileage, budget sheet, merch person, merch booth, merch girl, merch sales, street teamers, catering rider, merch guy, vehicle mpg, tour managing, tour manager, touring internationally, merchandise booth, tour diaries, opening band, routing sheet, sound checking

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Martin Atkins, Killing Joke, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Map Point, Jolly Roger, Bottom of the Hill, San Diego, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, New Jersey, Example Budget, Total Cost, Chris Connelly, Daily Cost, Brian Brain, Evil Mothers, Curse Mackey, Damage Manual, Digital Mindy, Sun Jul, Tue Jul, Marilyn Manson, Murphy's Law

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	75% buy the item featured on this page: Tour:Smart: And Break the Band 4.7 out of 5 stars (14) $19.77
	10% buy This Business of Concert Promotion and Touring: A Practical Guide to Creating, Selling, Organizing, and Staging Concerts 4.6 out of 5 stars (5) $16.47
	6% buy All You Need to Know About the Music Business 6th Edition 4.6 out of 5 stars (81) $19.80
	5% buy 2009 Musician's Atlas 4.0 out of 5 stars (1) $32.97

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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews 5 star:  (13) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Where was this book 5 years ago??, August 21, 2007 By  Mike - See all my reviews After reading this book, it's almost painful to look back at some of the mistakes I've made and the money I've lost over the past several years, and to think about how many of them I could have easily avoided by using the advice and tips that are in this book. This book is enourmous, and every page seems to contain information that could have helped me out at least once. It's great to finally have this book available, and I can't wait to start using some of the strategies it outlines. Could not be more highly recommended for anyone in a band, with a label, or in any way involved in or interested in the music business. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute must for EVERY band, December 12, 2007 By  Douglas Hill "Doug Hill" (Medford, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book is a monster--big thick tome of information. Every band who is seriously considering leaving the garage MUST read this book. Atkins is a fantastic writer and he is able to make the boring business side of this industry entertaining. In addition to his insight, there are many testimonials from other touring artists, managers, booking agents, merch guys/gals, etc. from everything to getting laid to getting paid. The horror stories alone are worth the price of the book. Consider TOUR:SMART to be the owner's manual to being in a band that plays shows. And as always, if what you're doing isn't working, RTFM! 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have read on the music business. EVER., December 3, 2007 By  Phillip M. Singleton (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Now I know why the failure rate is so high with bands. This book doesn't sugar coat anything. Finally, a music business book that doesn't have the "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough,.." self help mentality. All the ugly realities exposed! It's a major reality check for anyone that wants to become a full time musician.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Touring laid bare - stuff you need to know Tour:Smart really is an `owner's manual' for touring independent bands. Based on the premise that YOU are responsible for everything, the book spells out how you can... Read more Published 1 month ago by Andy Reynolds 5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. This book really is everything it's cracked up to be. If you want to go on tour, buy this and read the whole thing. It's gold. Read more Published 7 months ago by Johnny Truant 5.0 out of 5 stars If you're in a band, you need this book! This book has so much useful information in it, compiled by people with years and years of experience, an incredible opportunity to learn things about touring and being successful... Read more Published 16 months ago by Ian Black 5.0 out of 5 stars Rock Star Ambition-Read This First! I purchased this to review then hand over to my son and his band who have toured relentlessly for the last 6 years. Read more Published 17 months ago by SadWings 1.0 out of 5 stars Probably great if your band is already big. Man, I wanted to like this book, but I was really disappointed. I'm in a bad that tours the country about twice a year, and has for the last few years, and I'd hoped this... Read more Published 17 months ago by Jane Vincent 5.0 out of 5 stars Touring for Dummies This book is all straight talking from the hip, chock full of useful advice and ideas, and most importantly what NOT to do! Read more Published 20 months ago by M. Irvine 5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE! This book is a must-have for anyone involved in the touring aspects of the music industry. It contains real-life stories and anecdotes from people who have lived on the road and... Read more Published 20 months ago by L. McClinton 5.0 out of 5 stars Your new music industry bible. Musicians, Promoters, Roadies, Club Owners, Merch Teamers, Street Teamers, Tour Managers, Band Managers, Production Managers and everyone else that ever thought about having... Read more Published 20 months ago by Wesley Anderson 5.0 out of 5 stars Get it right. Get Tour:Smart Mr. Atkins is one of the few who have the right to put out a book like this. It has everything to do with touring, getting a band together, the cost, the sacrifice, hidden cost,... Read more Published 21 months ago by gregZ 5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Wanna-Be Rawk Stars! The most interesting and least expensive text book that you'll ever have to buy, Atkins hits on the most important yet most over looked aspects of touring. Read more Published 22 months ago by A. Rickhoff Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Soluble LLC; 1 edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979731305
• ISBN-13: 978-0979731303
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #18 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Business
  #22 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where was this book 5 years ago??, August 21, 2007

By	Mike - See all my reviews

After reading this book, it's almost painful to look back at some of the mistakes I've made and the money I've lost over the past several years, and to think about how many of them I could have easily avoided by using the advice and tips that are in this book. This book is enourmous, and every page seems to contain information that could have helped me out at least once. It's great to finally have this book available, and I can't wait to start using some of the strategies it outlines. Could not be more highly recommended for anyone in a band, with a label, or in any way involved in or interested in the music business.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute must for EVERY band, December 12, 2007

By	Douglas Hill "Doug Hill" (Medford, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a monster--big thick tome of information. Every band who is seriously considering leaving the garage MUST read this book. Atkins is a fantastic writer and he is able to make the boring business side of this industry entertaining. In addition to his insight, there are many testimonials from other touring artists, managers, booking agents, merch guys/gals, etc. from everything to getting laid to getting paid. The horror stories alone are worth the price of the book. Consider TOUR:SMART to be the owner's manual to being in a band that plays shows. And as always, if what you're doing isn't working, RTFM!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have read on the music business. EVER., December 3, 2007

By	Phillip M. Singleton (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Now I know why the failure rate is so high with bands. This book doesn't sugar coat anything. Finally, a music business book that doesn't have the "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough,.." self help mentality. All the ugly realities exposed!

It's a major reality check for anyone that wants to become a full time musician.