blue

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1464729249' post='3062011'] For 4 hours playing though I think the love of playing itself would start to wear a bit thin and the love of money would have to start to rear its ugly head! [/quote] Not at all. A 4 hour gig is a "piece of cake for me" Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1464727041' post='3061975'] I'm agreeing that you work your butt off for 8-10 hrs for your money. I wouldn't do that myself but good luck to you.[/quote] We're all different with different tolerance levels. A 4 hour bar gig is a "piece of cake" for me. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1464727041' post='3061975'] I'm agreeing that you work your butt off for 8-10 hrs for your money. I wouldn't do that myself but good luck to you. My friend down in Florida says the hours are brutal and he doesn't know how much longer he can keep it up...and he used to live for gigs. For me, 2 hrs playing is tops...but I'd tend to price a gig as how many hrs I'm away from the house. I agree, or would always say, pubs are too much work for the money. [/quote] I'm 63, I'm thinking I'll be able to do this for another 10 years tops. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1464725317' post='3061942'] That is a real hussle for 200-250 bucks... that is 8 hrs work plus plus rigging x 4 [/quote] I'm not sure I understand your point. Blue

[quote name='Bassmonkey' timestamp='1464702180' post='3061561'] In response to OP - Leeds - £300. Blue - just got back from Nashville and Memphis. Watched bands do 4 sets. All had the bucket at the front for tips. I suspect many were earning next to nothing except the kudos of playing such iconic places. Some bars had 2 and 3 bands at the same time on different floors. Have to say the levels go musicianship, especially in Memphis was AMAZING! You guise earn your money! [/quote] I've heard Nashville is a lot harder for Bands than Milwaukee "City of Festivals". We always have a tip jar discreetly placed on our merch table. So in addition to our standard fee we have our tips. Usually tips are an extra $20.00 person.However on more than 1 occasion there's been as much as an additional $100.00 per member in that tip jar. This bar band business is a hustle,you have to work your butt off for this money. We've had to play 3-7 then pack up and go directly to a 9-1. I actually enjoy those double gig days. Blue

We had 4 good weekends in a row, sound was good and the band was playing on all 6 cylinders. But last night,it wasn't really happening for me. Couple of things, the stage volume and sound was sort of weird for me. I couldn't hear or feel any punch. Respectable crowd, but not "our crowd". It was a young crowd and the venue normally books more traditional cover bands. Bon Jovi, Van Halen not Peter Greene, Robin Trower. So what can you do? We had fun. Blue

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1464622715' post='3060886'] I first saw Bootsy live in '79 with the full Parliafunkadelicment Thang line up - Brides of Funkenstein, Parlet, Horny Horns, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Parliament and Funkadelic. Of course, all of these were more or less the same band but with different singers coming and going and random additional instruments too. At one point I counted 23 people on stage including 2 bassists, 2 drummers, at least 3 guitars, 2 or 3 keys, 4 horns, percussion and a host of vocals. Throughout it all it was Bootsy's playing that held most of my attention. On some songs he was just in charge of the groove and in others he played all the funky fills whilst the 2nd bass held things together. One of the best live shows I've ever seen - so much so that I went back the next night and bought a ticket from a tout outside to get right down the front Last time I saw him he didn't even play bass though. He purely sang lead vocals. Mind you, he had Vic Wooten and Verdine White behind him so he didn't really need to pick up a bass, lol [/quote] Verdine White, another member of the "gifted" club, him and his brother Maurice. RIP Maurice, Blue

Guys like Bootsy, don"t grown on trees. They're more than "good" they're what I call gifted. I should be so lucky.😥 Blue

As you guys know for gigging cover bands in the US it's a 4 hour proposition. $500.00 is the top of the scale. We won't do business unless every member walks out with at least $100.00 in their wallet. We able to off set that scale with the higher paying festival and fair gigs in the Sumner, Some of you in the UK will say how can you play for 4 hours. My response, " it's easy, it's fun." Blue

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1464615876' post='3060794'] One of these days one of these threads which sound incredibly useful from the title surely has to be applicable to originals bands. Alas, my wait continues... [/quote] Originals gigs are a completely different animal than cover band gigs. I switched to covers in 2009, I wish I could help but the 3 originals bands I was in couldn't get any gigs. Maybe 1 or 2 no pay gigs. When I switched to covers one of the first Mondays after a weekend of gigging I had $600.00 in cash in my wallet from the weekend gigs. That was the end of ever entertaining originals bands for me. I really think you have to live in an area that supports originals bands. Blue

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1464594884' post='3060490'] yes I should have added you will need a stack of CD's ! The most important part is the sales pitch, be friendly and polite, tell them you have a few dates in other pubs in the next town and that the band members used to be in this band and that band. I find most landlords pretty friendly if they're not stressed, so getting them at the right time is important. Some like to try new bands and inject freh blood into their "roster" of acts, some can't be bothered and rotate the same "turns" year after year. Its a long game and takes time to establish yourselves, pubs close and open all the time, the main thing-don't give up!!!! [/quote] Yes, and the trick is, getting into several of these rotations. Blue

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1464643171' post='3061135'] I love playing bass. I have constant GAS, enjoy looking at bass related pictures and always listen out for the bass in music. However all of this is topped off with the enjoyment of being in a working band. I was thinking the other day that God forbid my band was to end, would I still continue to play bass at home without being in a band? The simple answer is no I probably wouldn't unless I joined another band. To me, all of the enjoyment of playing bass comes from doing it live in a band. Anyone else only enjoy playing as part of a band? [/quote] I hear you. I have been in the same working band for the past 5 years. If the band folded,I'd be lost. The opportunities to get into busy working bands are few and far in between. I am not a bedroom player. Blue

Your in the early stages of building a book of business. It takes time. Don't get discouraged and give up, that's the worse thing you could do. Blue

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1464526875' post='3060070'] No, you just swapped one form of wage slavery for another which you find more palatable. Glad it's working out for you though. [/quote] It really is, my blood pressure is down and I feel relaxed for the first time in years. My time is my own, I come and go as I please and report to no one.. i love it when anyone asks me what I do; [i]"I play bass guitar and sing backing vocals in a rock & roll band" [/i] Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1464564449' post='3060405'] for me not at all. i respect people who play in covers bands... that is their choice and works for them, but for me i would rather try something new (good or bad) than pay homage to something that has been done. there will always be a place for covers bands, but a lot of us just feel we need to be at the birth of a song, rather than revamp it in a later life is all. [/quote] Interesting, I guess were so diverse Robin Trower to Nancy Sinatra plus a few originals I never feel like I'm playing covers or paying homage to anyone. Merely playing cool songs and having fun. I respect originals bands it's their choice and works for them, but for me I would rather play proven material and get people on the dance floor than try something new (good or bad) Blue

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1464561264' post='3060391'] Landlords by and large are Luddites, you will need a Live Demo CD and a good pair of leather shoes. Find out where all the live band pubs are in your area (www.lemonrock.com if you're in the South of England) and call in at approx 11am in the morning when the guvnor is having a cup of tea before early doors (not Monday by the way as thats his day off). Have a good patter pre arranged in your head and most importantly a diary of free dates in your pocket. Also tell him/her that its usually £x amount per gig but as its your first time, lets call it £x-£50 and if you (or more importantly, the punters)like you then its £x per gig, good luck, playing is the easy part, getting the gig is man's (the bass players) work. [/quote] Lots of differences between the UK and the US. Over here, you give a bar owner a CD, guess where it will end up. Blue

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1464482817' post='3059812'] Slightly OT but.... I don't see being as "loud as hell" as a plus. When I saw Black Sabbath they were as loud as Heaven AND Hell and it wasn't pleasant! Metallica on the other hand - perfect! '4.Made mistakes" - Well, if you see that as a plus, you would appreciate the RHCP with their mistakes and improvisations; they're all the better for it live. "Hung on for a few decades"? Another poor choice of words. They may not click with you, but they've been fairly successful over that period. The Boss is the boss. That is all. [/quote] 1. The mistakes asures me that they're still a real band and they make mistakes just like the rest of us. 2. Loud as hell, that's just a personal thing with me. I love loud rock and roll. Love hearing Ronnie and Keith pushing those tubes. Warm and loud. Blue

[quote name='Callumjord' timestamp='1464556497' post='3060350'] I have recently joined a covers/function band and after being together for a while jamming and building up our set lists we are now at a point were we are wanting to get out there and start gigging. We have set up a Facebook page, recorded ourselves playing through a couple of songs. We have been booked for two birthday parties but we have been looking around for more gigs to play but this has been unsuccessful. The last function band I joined luckily had a bit of a reputation and was always booked about once or twice a month without actively looking. So, how do you guys go about getting booked for gigs? [/quote] Depends on what type of gigs your looking to play. If you want to gig pubs, have one member go around and pitch the band in person to the LL. If your a New band play anywhere you can. Don't let anyone book "no pay" gigs.No matter how bad you guys want to gig ,don't cave in and play for free. Blue

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1464471536' post='3059739'] That's one approach. Another is to choose which 'man' to work for so you can make enough to retire early and then do whatever you like, when you like. If you're dependent on someone giving you money, then you're still 'working for the man'. [/quote] Retired when I was 60 years old. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1464455180' post='3059618'] Blue - The scene in the UK generally is nothing at all like the USA, or at least the parts of the USA I have lived and worked in. And no, the standard of musicianship in terms of playing in a band I would say is generally lower here than it was when I left the USA. But I have buddies in the USA who have actually had to leave the business after a lifetime of JUST music because the traditional gigs are drying up. If you dont mind making no money, OK. My kid brother is about to retire and he has rediscovered/invented himself as a blooz bass player - working with some old blues guys playing a mix of their stuff and blues standards. For mediocre money but at least it beats doing Holiday Inns like in the old days. One guy he is working with is Joe "Survivor" Carusoe, a Florida Blues guy, some youtube out there of him I believe. I used to do something similar in the UK in the seventies with chicago blues players (Homesick James and Big John Wrencher are the only ones I remember) on the College circuit & it was reasonably well-paid fun. [/quote] Nice commentary. Yeah it's tough out here. I'm lucky I'm still surviving. Mediocre money is all I've ever made so, I wouldn't know the difference. As long as I don't ever have to work a traditional 9-5 job I'm cool. Life is to short, and I never wanted to spend it working for "the man". Blue

[quote name='AustinArto' timestamp='1464393328' post='3059239'] When I lived in the USA in the mid '90s I played in an originals band doing funk / acid-jazz stuff based on the Jersey shore, we toured up and down the east coast mostly but got out to cali every so often, up to the lakes once a year, none of us had other jobs we made a good living doing this band. There were ten of us in the band. Can't recall if we played Milwaukee. I do like towns with native american names though. My favourite local town name was Manasquan. Also Mantoloking. [/quote] My opinion is only based on the originals scene in Milwaukee, not regional touring bands. Blue

[quote name='YouMa' timestamp='1464396307' post='3059249'] I know he did some fantastic stuff with james brown and i like some of his early solo stuff,but i do feel overated creeping in here.listened to a lot of clinton stuff and hes more of a lead guitarist........please correct me as i really like him. [/quote] Try singing "Stretching Out" and playing bass at the same time. He's a ledgend,but I was there when he was a teen playing with JB. What do I know. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1464363246' post='3058882'] I was the same for a few years. The one thing I couldn't understand was how a band of relatively inept musicians could get a place leaping about. 1. Have a frontman who welcomes the audience. Forget if he can sing or not. He needs to be larger than life and ooze confidence. 2. Play songs with confidence. Spend longer getting tight and ignore whether the guitarist should be playing with a Fender or a Gibson etc. That is only important to the guitarist and his obsessive mate at the bar at the back of the room. 3. Be polite to everyone and behave like a professional. That's it really. If one of those things are missing you're going to find it hard to get gigs. Everything else is window dressing. [/quote] Gigging is all about everyone having fun. There's no place for attitude or drama. Here's my big 3; 1.When someone asks you to do something say yes. You might not like it but say yes anyway. 2. Show up on time. If your late for a gig who knows what they will think of you if your not on time. 3. Don't complain. Nobody likes it. Blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1464364691' post='3058905'] Really? When my old band got back together for a one off reunion gig in 2005 we had a load of old fans there who were down the front, jumping around like lunatics & singing all the words to our old songs with us. [/quote] That's great. In the US I think there are some cities where the originals band scene has a much larger foot print than here in Milwaukee. Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1464364763' post='3058908'] so you are saying it's not possible for a local band to write good songs that people pay money for and go to gigs to sing along with? i've been in small scale originals bands that have still sold records, sold merch, signed autographs and had people follow us from show to show singing our songs. we were very much not famous, just 4 guys who wrote catchy songs and put on a good tight show. contrary to your beliefs, you can start a band from scratch, play shows and actually have people enjoy it and pay money for your efforts. [/quote] I'm saying the market and interest in originals bands in Milwaukee is poor. Their are good originals bands here with good material. Blue