[Glice]

I concur with: Badgering promoters - If there's a local web-zine/ message board, they should have info or be able to point you towards some. Ring up the kind of venues you want to play, badger them. Speak to bands at shows you go to, give them demos and get contacts.

My top advice is - unless you're really desparate for gigs, or you live somewhere where there isn't a load of venues, try and be a bit selective. My band plays improv, and I never want to play that to an indie crowd again. Hardcore crowds have been surprisingly fun... I think they admired the balls of playing improv to a room full of tatooed monsters.

Also, try and hawk yourselves around to local towns that are reasonable drives - promoters will often look favourably on bands who've had out of town gigs, because it shows that you can be bothered and also that your previous gigs have been off your own work rather than having mates headlining. When you do get a gig, promote the buggery out of it, myspace bulletins, e-mailing everyone on your e-mail list, get as many of your friends and family (although preferably not your parents) along as possible - You will always be likely to get more gigs if you can pull in 20+ people.

Have a bit of paper on the front desk with mailing list sign-up. Further gigs can be promoted cheaply and easily there.

Also, try and help out with flyering for the promoter - again, he/she'll look on you more favourably.

Don't be a rock star to the promoter. He's seen it all before. Be a rock star on stage by all means.

Arguably most important of all - don't let the promoter get away without paying you - if the night is a moderate success, then the promoter will have a surplus. If nothing else he should cover your petrol costs. Don't be too namby-pamby about it - at the end of the day, you are playing a gig for him, not the other way round. He is expected to take a share, but you are not playing the gig for his benefit, you are playing it, hopefully, for the music and you should be rewarded for your service (even if you're completely shite).