I started playing guitar at 14 and by 16 there was no doubt in my mind I was going to be a rock star.
By 21 I was probably a good enough guitarist, but I went about it all wrong.
I'd tell myself not to treat being a musician as being an alternative to having a job, treat it as having a creative job with a big corperation.
As such, treat everything you do as an unsigned band as a job interview and as contributing to your portfolio to try to get signed.
Every flier, gig, demo, etc all counts towards getting that dream job.
Also, be far more ruthless in terms of band mates.
Know what the band's direction / style / image is all about and get the right members.
Don't try and please all of the people all of the time. Pick a genre and nail it. If you try and cover all bases, most of the audience will only like a small proportion of your set.
Don't carry any dead weight. It's too competitive an industry, and you're only as good as your weakest member.
Move. At a push, Nottingham might have done, but realistically, if you're going to get signed, it'll be in London, so gigs in the capital are vital.
Don't sell demos, give them away.
spend the money on producing CD singles, with good photos, contact details and biogs and give them to anyone that wants one.
It was pre-myspace / youtube / facebook, but if still not signed when they come along, hit them hard.
Don't give up, cut your hair and get a proper job too soon. You have to be able to get in the back of a van with your gear at the drop of a hat an play a gig anywhere if it will get you in fron to f the right people.
Keep writing all / most of the songs, and don't make any stupid agreements to register everything as joint written by the band. Composers get paid much more. Credit where it's due.
oh, and I'm 39 and still gigging
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