Have you ever tried searching for tour advice in this forum? My stars.

Okay, so I'm a road virgin. Next week I will be going out on a road trip/tour for the very first time. We're doing an east coast/Canada jaunt. I was hoping for any sort of advice for a first-timer, particularly where it comes to getting into Canada. What we're planning on doing is dropping off our equipment at a friend's in Michigan, and using our Canuck support's instruments. I also have a valid ID & birth certificate so I think that crossing shouldn't be a problem.

We're a three-piece with little equipment touring in a decent sized vehicle, crashing at various friends place along the way, and possibly crashing in the car when we run out of mooch options.

Any advice, stories, etc., is welcome and appreciated.

searching for the words "tour" and "canada" with the "find all them sumbitches" button checked returns 13 threads.

"tour" "canada" "border" only returns 4.

put $1 in the pot.

I'm freakin' broke-ass. I don't have one dollar.

I'm such a sucker for the new folks. Here you go.

I can't recall any specifics on Canada, but I guarantee it will entertain and inform you. At the very least it's a good excuse to bump it. Oh, and Welcome.

H-GM wrote:I'm freakin' broke-ass. I don't have one dollar.

you think you're broke now, wait until you get back from tour. i've learned that most times it's just not worth it unless you are in a band that is already semi-established. of course it's fun to tour, but if you aren't breaking even and playing with a bunch of bands you've never heard of it can get pretty crappy. i figure i can make money working everyday and practice with my band every night and then hit a bar and have just as much fun. plus i'm not losing any money.

sorry to be a pessimist about this. i know there are people that can enjoy going broke and being hungry but i can't justify it for myself when i could be happy and fed and sleep in my own bed.

H-GM wrote:Have you ever tried searching for tour advice in this forum? My stars.

Okay, so I'm a road virgin. Next week I will be going out on a road trip/tour for the very first time. We're doing an east coast/Canada jaunt. I was hoping for any sort of advice for a first-timer, particularly where it comes to getting into Canada. What we're planning on doing is dropping off our equipment at a friend's in Michigan, and using our Canuck support's instruments. I also have a valid ID & birth certificate so I think that crossing shouldn't be a problem.

We're a three-piece with little equipment touring in a decent sized vehicle, crashing at various friends place along the way, and possibly crashing in the car when we run out of mooch options.

Any advice, stories, etc., is welcome and appreciated.

Going into canada from Michigan:
1. Go Windsor Tunnel. DO NOT go through Port Huron\Sarnia. With or without band, I've been stopped every single time going through PH.

2. Technically, it is not illegal for a US band to play in Canada. I checked their laws. So long as it is for a brief period of time and it is not a restaurant that you are playing at, you do not need a work visa.

3. Make an inventory of EVERYTHING you are bringing in and show it to the border guards.

4. If your bringing merch, you're supposed to pay taxes, but they MAY let you slide if it isn't too much.

5. Don't lie about anything. And make sure you have no drugs in your vehicle.

6. Make sure your smoothest talker does the talker. Nothing is more suspect than a sweaty stutter.

7. Bring your passport. If no passport, bring Drivers License and Birth Certificate. They may give you shit if just have a License but will probably let you through.

The bottom line is, that you want to give them absolutely no reason to turn you away.

Where in Michigan are you playing?

rob v. wrote:

H-GM wrote:I'm freakin' broke-ass. I don't have one dollar.

you think you're broke now, wait until you get back from tour. i've learned that most times it's just not worth it unless you are in a band that is already semi-established. of course it's fun to tour, but if you aren't breaking even and playing with a bunch of bands you've never heard of it can get pretty crappy. i figure i can make money working everyday and practice with my band every night and then hit a bar and have just as much fun. plus i'm not losing any money.

sorry to be a pessimist about this. i know there are people that can enjoy going broke and being hungry but i can't justify it for myself when i could be happy and fed and sleep in my own bed.

Our last tour cost us about 1000 (split 7 ways). We made a total of under $200

rob v. wrote:

H-GM wrote:I'm freakin' broke-ass. I don't have one dollar.

you think you're broke now, wait until you get back from tour. i've learned that most times it's just not worth it unless you are in a band that is already semi-established. of course it's fun to tour, but if you aren't breaking even and playing with a bunch of bands you've never heard of it can get pretty crappy. i figure i can make money working everyday and practice with my band every night and then hit a bar and have just as much fun. plus i'm not losing any money.

sorry to be a pessimist about this. i know there are people that can enjoy going broke and being hungry but i can't justify it for myself when i could be happy and fed and sleep in my own bed.

What's really the pisser is that is that I'm moving into a new apartment when I get back in town. This is the worst possible time for me to do something like this.

A few things to consider when entering Canada.

Did you fill out a tax waiver(regulation 105) form? Promoter or club should have provided you with one. Some clubs are exempt from the whole tax collection game but do not expect the border folks to know which clubs these are. The club should fax an exemption letter to whichever crossing site you use.

Not having a passport may create some difficulty. A few years back, a d.l. would do it. You may want to check if passports are required.

List whatever gear you bring. When entering, ask for whatever form they have for listing gear. It's kinda like a carnet.

Don't bother with merch. It just gives them another reason to fuck with you.

Be patient. I had one crossing where I almost lost it. They worked me pretty good, but I kept my cool.
Good luck.
j

Funny thread. We ended up getting banned for a year trying to sneak into Canada with no work permits. Lesson learned.

Anyway, on June 1 Plan B will go west. We've got a hell of a lot of shows lined up in OR, WA, and CA...all douchey venues, but what the hell!? I'm gonna be on the road for three weeks. Really looking forward to this. However, my main point in bumping this old thread is I'm looking for a li'l tour help if at all possible. If anyone has a sliver of info or assistance in regard to getting a show in El Paso and/or St. Louis Plan B would greatly appreciate a hand. As of now here is our schedule:

6/4 - Mt. Tabor Legacy: Portland, OR
6/5 - Fuel: Seattle, WA
6/6 - Black Forest: Eugene, OR
6/7 - Black Forest: Eugene, OR
6/10 - Grant & Green: San Francisco, CA
6/13 - Muddy Waters: Santa Barbara, CA
6/14 - The Happy Ending: Los Angeles, CA
6/15 - OC Tavern: San Clemente, CA
6/16 - Ruby Room: Phoenix, AZ
6/17 - ? : El Paso, TX
6/18 - Headhunters: Austin, TX
6/19 - Rubber Gloves: Denton, TX
6/20 - Nettleton House: Jonesboro, AZ
6/21 - ? : St. Louis, MO
6/22 - Champaign-Urbana Independent Media Center: Champaign-Urbana, IL.

(Ha! OC Tavern)

We're trying to get a couple of shows on our way back to Chicago. One in El Paso on the 17th, and one in St. Louis on the 21st. Alternative space, deli, school gym, whatever. We're pretty innocuous and inoffensive, but I'm working on changing this. So if anyone knows of any place that would like to book a hooky pop band then please give me a shout via PM or e-mail: randall.murphy@gmail.com

Thank you!

I'd also like to mention it'd be nice if some of the blokes and birds I chat with here on occasion would like to come out to one of those douchy venues and have a few beers and/or shots, well, that'd be real nice.

plan b music here