The second place runner-up for our DIY Gig Poster contest hails from right here in Brown Paper Ticket’s home of the Pacific Northwest. They are Inside Outlaws from Woodinville, Washington and they specialize in covers of the best classic rock. So, we’re talkin’ Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Heart, Pat Benatar and Janis Joplin to name a few. They also throw in some modern day Top 40 hits to get the younger crowd out on the dancefloor. The band strives to be “a band with powerful vocals and music that everyone loves” and judging by the number of votes that they received in our contest, they’ve achieved that.

Inside Outlaws were formed in 2010 by lead singer/manager Sabrina Swan and Jeff Kluth whom Sabrina knew from a previous band. A friend recommended bass player Bob Lambert and drummer Donald Taylor began drumming with the Outlaws following the deployment to El Salvador of their founding drummer by the US Navy. Todd Aure solidified the lineup with his  response to a “guitarist wanted” ad.

The band typically plays two shows a month along with a regular rotation at a local casino. Last year, they played Seafair, a popular summer festival in the Seattle area and had a great experience. Sabrina said that they look forward to rocking that stage again. They told us about a particularly awesome show they had recently: “We played this little place in the Kirkland area. Small room, no stage, small dance floor. But, by our second set, we had women literally dancing on the bar! The bartenders and some of the patrons took some of our band shirts, cropped them and put them on! Normally we are the ones who entertain, but when the crowd can entertain you and truly show you they are having a good time, it makes for one hell of a show!”

Sabrina offered a little advice to other bands that are just starting out:

“The best advice I can offer is to talk to other musicians and find out what’s working and what isn’t and incorporate that into your band. Align yourself with other bands, by doing this, we have received many referrals for venues and even filled in for gigs. Always know your who your audience is and what they want and do your best to accommodate and entertain. Be polite and professional, you never know who may be in the crowd. I am always in network mode wherever I go. This has made it much easier when it comes to booking.”

Great advice!

Thanks to Sabrina and the rest of the Inside Outlaws for taking part in Brown Paper Ticket’s DIY Gig Poster contest. We wish you the best of luck in the future. Tomorrow we’ll feature the big winner so stay tuned.