[libradue81]

Hey there. I'm looking into moving to Las Vegas. It seems like it might be the place for me. One question I thought that some people with experience in the city might be able to help me out with is the local music scene.

Yeah sure you can see celine dion, wayne newton and more elvis impersonators than you can shake a stick at. I'm wondering if there is a thriving, abundent local music scene. I'm not talking of cover/tribute bands. I'm meaning more of "startup/garage bands" who want to play original music. Sure, Panic at the Disco and The Killers are from there (odd, seems bands from Vegas have a flair for fashion) and that's a very good sign but that's not indicitive of what I hope to find. Mostly younger people who want to make good music. Not nessecarily get "signed and take over the world" (TLC and Tom Petty should've taught all us musicians about signing your life away) but maybe have some independant success and make some money on the side.

Even if you're not sure of this, maybe you can still help me out. If you heard that theres a new band out that everyone says is great, but is from around here would you check them out rather than spending your time on your other potential weekend/leisure activities?

Thanks in advance and thanks for your time!

[Chest Rockwell]

Some good local bands that have been playing the circuit for more than a few years are:

Slow to Surface
The Day After
Fletch
Kid Deposit Triumph
Vinyl Clouds
Jr. Anti-Sex League

Of course there's more, but it's still not a thriving scene. There aren't an abundance of venues and the good ones are 21+ which means the most enthusiastic fans can't come out.

Check out Las Vegas' home on the internet for local music information, local bands, local venues and more which is a pretty thorough site, but not updated very much. Myspace is a great resource as well.

When you come to town, here are some good spots to see a local band:
Beauty Bar
The Bunkhouse
Art Bar
Freakin Frog
Cheyenne Saloon

[RandalR]

I've had a number of local musicians tell me that Las Vegas is a terrible place for young bands to try to get noticed, and they all said they were intending to move out to L.A./Hollywood at the earliest opportunity. Las Vegas is loaded with top-notch, older, professional working musicians who play as side-men for casino and restaurant acts. As a result, there isn't much work available for young, inexperienced bands. And the local rock scene is marginal - there aren't many venues and the ones that do exist seem to be converted warehouses oriented toward hard-core metal bands.

That's not to say there is nothing in Las Vegas - it's a big city. But ambitious young musicians would seem to have better chances in L.A.

[libradue81]

Originally Posted by RandalR

I've had a number of local musicians tell me that Las Vegas is a terrible place for young bands to try to get noticed, and they all said they were intending to move out to L.A./Hollywood at the earliest opportunity. Las Vegas is loaded with top-notch, older, professional working musicians who play as side-men for casino and restaurant acts. As a result, there isn't much work available for young, inexperienced bands. And the local rock scene is marginal - there aren't many venues and the ones that do exist seem to be converted warehouses oriented toward hard-core metal bands.

That's not to say there is nothing in Las Vegas - it's a big city. But ambitious young musicians would seem to have better chances in L.A.

I kinda figured that. But as well all know, LA sucks I'd be coming from Baltimore so I doubt it could get much worse. About 7-8 years ago it was really cool around here but the talent seems to have left. Bands like Sev, Spine and Dog Fashion Disco all got signed from around here but haven't maintained a lasting career. Good Charlotte is the only act to come out that's acheived a lot of commercial success.

[Chest Rockwell]

It should also be noted that Panic! at the Disco was signed off their demo without ever having played a local show and that the Killers had only played locally for a few months to little fanfare before relocating to England. Members of the Killers did do plenty of time in other local bands however.

Those two success stories are really not indicative of anything happening (or not happening) in our local scene.