blue

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1449229856' post='2921732'] Some of us are mostly in it for the drugs and women... [/quote] Probably the 2 worse reasons to want to be in a band. Blue

[quote name='Left Foot' timestamp='1450254126' post='2930879'] Haha, I get what this tgread us about. Blue is worried boys night out bands are getting in on his cover band gig. Ho Ho Ho, itll be OK, why dont you write a song for everyone this Xmas? https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fomid.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F04%2FTook_er_Jobs.jpg&t=559&c=gTPjl_OhyoXyEQ[/quote] We really dont compete with the boys night out bands. And remember typically the boys night out bands don't really want gigs and are rareley persueing them. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1451253878' post='2939156'] Quite, I'd expect they wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Working 3 nights a week for pub money is not a good business plan, IMO considering it will impact on their life so much and not really be cost effective. My mate is looking for a drummer and they'll work as much as they could. It isn't going to make them a living, so you need to supplement it with other work.... This cuts down prospsective players to such a degree that it is very hard to make work. [/quote] True, at the bar band level ,outside of nut cases like me that want to gig all the time it can get tough. When we we're auditioning drummers when I told them we gig twice a week and more in the summer, they want nothing to do with it. Guys just don't like that sort of gigging anymore. Am I the only guy that's still loves gigging and the more gigs the better. To this day, my favorite days are when we have 2 shows booked at different times on the same day and you've got $800.00 in your wallet from weekend gig money. Blue

[quote name='itsmedunc' timestamp='1451248151' post='2939109'] Q's 1) Would we be a band in the true sense? (to simplify this read Q2). 2) Will I be playing for a singer and guitarist etc that will claim all the royalties if we ever make any money? (If so, this is not a band. In my eyes I'm hired help). 3) If Q2 is answered honestly and singer/guitarist etc take the lions share. Will I get paid for my labour at a resonable rate until that point? 4) How much are you going to pay me then? Played with many bands in my younger days and it always ended up the same way... Bass players and drummers are often over looked as if they can be replaced at any point. When a tyranical singer said to the drummer once (when we were on the point of signing) "I could easily get another drummer", I asked him, "what about me"?. His reply was that he would have me replaced too. I left that second. The band never found another drummer or bass player and went into obscurity... Maybe I was a bit rash but at least I saved myself the crap that was to come! [/quote] Good questions, however this was really aimed at the bar band level, no royalties or big money. Blue

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1451246493' post='2939097'] Been in a few bands with friends, always playing original music we wanted to play well aware the market for it was small and we'd struggle to find a decent audience out of our home town (apart from Scotland. We always seemed to go down well up there.) It wasn't worth us rehearsing and playing live more as it would just be diminishing returns. We recorded some stuff for posterity, gigged sparingly and called it a day having had a good time and made some good friends on the way. If we'd played more commercial stuff then it would have made sense to put more time into it but we didn't so we picked a level that worked for us. [/quote] Sounds like you guys found a balance. Thing I struggle with are the unsigned local originals bands.These bands can't be a match for guys that want to gig and make some money. In Milwaukee there's no paying work for originals bands. Blue

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1450884772' post='2936713'] Someone mentioned earlier "does anyone have small children" - it's one of mine, but from the other way around. We auditioned a guy who is now in the band and he has a small child, he and his wife split childcare duties so: He can't do anything in August. Or around Easter, and turned down NYE (having said he could do it, then he couldn't after discussions at home, then after it was too late said he could do it after all). He can't do Sundays. If he plays Friday, Saturday is out. You get the picture. He's a great guy, and a great front man (he sings, too). He was by far the best candidate at audition time I did ask the question, and he did say he had a small child etc. which rang alarm bells with me but we decided to take him on anyway. I'm not sure I'd do it again, though as it has cost us a lot of gigs. So much so, that we are considering an alternative lineup for Sunday stuff and August etc. [/quote] Yeah, and there are other scenarios. Take a guy that's married, very active family and owns his own business. Generally this type of guy is usually not a good candidate for a heavily booked bar band. Blue

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1451180710' post='2938736'] Very similar here - my wife has served her time seeing me play and nowdays if she doesn't want to come she doesn't...and neither of us are bothered about it. [/quote] I get that, and over here bar gigs are 4 hours. If a wife has seen the act and if she doesn't drink that's a long 4 hours. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1451210381' post='2938764'] 2 Comments: "Yes, provided we get paid enough to preserve the illusion that we are professionals" - My buddy Bernie who worked as a full time pro from 1975 until fairly recently. "Well it beats having a proper job" - (grin) also Bernie Both very true. And I hate to say it but the best money I ever made in the UK was touring as a solo act and later as part of a duo. I retired from "serious" full-time pro stuff in 2006 and find it pretty sad the way work in all areas has dried up since. Been a very long time since there was enough real money out there to support even functions bands [/quote] Yeah, it's tough a lot of work has dried up and it's not getting any better. The only thing that saves my band is the fair and fedtival season in the summer. Fairs and festivals are huge in the Milwaukee WI area. We're known as the City of Festivals. Blue

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1450880198' post='2936650'] That bassist you're sacking, is he a Beatles obsessive who likes asking essay questions?[/quote] No, he does this for a living and really enjoys making money and gigging as much as possible. He wasn't sacked , he left because he found a much more lucrative band with a lot of stable consistent bookings. I don't know where he stands on The Beatles, he never mentions them or any other band. That's not what he was hired for. Blue

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1451081212' post='2938214'] 1. Is it OK if I play my 10 string? 2. Can my wife come to the next rehearsal? 3. Would one of you be able to pick me up for gigs? 4. Can I take a selfie with you? Do you think I'd get the gig? [/quote] Not with any band I'm in.😀 Blue

I forgot about these question; [list] [*]Will I be given the opportunity to sing, not do I have to sing [/list] [list] [*]Where is my spot on stage ( I have always been a center stage up front guy. I would have issues with being relegated to standing in the back by the drummer). [/list] Blue

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1446217603' post='2897850'] I wouldn't bother playing in any project that didn't suit me musically or contained anyone with half the attitude some on BC describe their bandmates as having... Then again I am not playing bass for my living... If I was I'd put up and shut up and get on with whatever gave me the most money regardless of the other guys in the band.[/quote] That would be me, playing for a living. I could care less creativity, because all of us should be able to be creative with what we play in songs it's a given. The ability to put on the best bar show possible and weak bookings are the only things I'm really concerned with. Blue

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1446381773' post='2898884'] Am so fortunate with my band. All great people, and amazingly for an 8 piece outfit we all get on fine. Any problems are dealt with in a businesslike and adult manner, so every gig it is possible just to concentrate on putting on the best performance we can. Even our sound / light crew are fantastic team players too, who I enjoy being around. Sickening eh?..... [/quote] Cool, I always say when you're in a working band the business approach always deters silly interpersonal issues. I think a lot of guys think when you treat a band as a business it's no fun, That couldn't be any further from the truth. Playing rock n roll is always going to fun regardless. Blue

[quote name='mingsta' timestamp='1446216168' post='2897821'] While there are plenty of entertaining posts from people in bands with various personnel/politics/money disagreements, I was wondering is anyone in a band with NO issues and if so, what do you think are the reasons that it just works for you guys? [/quote] We are a working 70 style Rock & Blues band. The band has been in existence for 10 years, I have been with them for the past 4.5 years. The band is a business, a fun business but still a business. As member we are not friends, and there is no hang. We only see each other at gigs and the rare rehearsal. We have no issues because were not friends and the band is a business not a social outlet. Blue

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1451174014' post='2938714'] How about Jerry Jemmott with Aretha? (I understood he did famous late 60s albums). I understand the point being made about the rawness of Stax - but the point is it's meant to be a soul genre - getting close to rock is something quite different - I don't think I've ever played with other musicians who have ever played Hard to Handle correctly with a soul feel - the chords in the turnarounds are invariably played incorrectly and the feel often turns into something akin to a rock song. Quite irritating for a soul fan like me as the original is great!! (IMO). (Not that I don't like rock as well - I just don't feel the need to convert every song in existence to that genre). [/quote] I don't think there's an incorrect way to play/perform "Hard To Handle". I think some bands might play it poorly but incorrect, no. Just my honest opinion. I love Otis's version, it' the tops to me. However I dig Tom singing it and I also like the way The Black Crows rock it. Blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1450886755' post='2936738'] I hate both. [/quote] "Needs to get out more" Agreed Blue

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1450995083' post='2937788'] My wife comes to almost none of my gigs. She's seen most acts once and then that's enough. It's not that she's critical of them, it's just that there are very few bands she'd watch twice. Just for the record, I believe I may have the coolest wife in the known universe. (And no, she doesn't read my posts ). [/quote] That's cool, I think I'm talking about the guy where you know his spouse can't stand and despises the fact that a guy is in a band. They're out there. Blue

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1450990784' post='2937757'] I'm just compelled to do it. I love listening to those bands and feel inspired and creative when I do. That's as far as my analysis goes. [/quote] It's fun, the band I played with in the early 70s played a ton of Meters. Blue

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1450974616' post='2937576'] And whether your partner is into it / supportive or not. He's been with us about a year, she's never been to a single gig (even one of really nice afternoon outside ones in the summer) and I get the impression she'd rather he didn't do it at all, which make things quite awkward at times, to say the least. Moan over: Tomorrow is Christmas! [/quote] Except for me, I'm single, all spouses of the band members are actually a part of the staff, one is our sound and light tech. They attend every gig I always raise an eye brow to the guy whose wife never shows up to even 1 gig. Blue

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1450951889' post='2937256'] Thinking about it though, I'm not doing this because I think it will be a commercial success. That is not something that is even considered or is important. [/quote] So your doing for you own personal enjoyment and appreciation of the genre. Blue

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1450950759' post='2937243'] Well after my 9 hour drive yesterday I gave it a lot of thought. I'm going to aim to record an album as much as I can on my own although I do know a few great musicians who I could ask for help on some tracks. and then if I can get it together with some other guys go and gig that material. I think the appeal here is greater than you think. I know Cory Henry is a super hero but his funk/jazz band have sold out venues all over the world. [/quote] I don't doubt that there's a greater appeal in your neck of the woods. Over here, not many want to hear the great funk genres of the 70s. Depressing how such a great genre fell out of grace. Blue

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1450917286' post='2937103'] Blue, I'm not sure that's totally fair. The likes of Jamerson were on a salary and the books written suggest he and his family were comfortably off - certainly at the height of the success. The real upset started when they moved to LA, and soul music started to morph into other things, which some of the guys found difficult to adapt to - along with other issues. One would have hoped that people would have looked after these guys when hard times happened but history has shown the music business has not been able to prevent a lot of tragedy over the years. [/quote] Sounds like you know your history, something I really admire. Yeah, the west coast move and the sale of Motown probably was not good for a lot of the staff. However, I'm not to sure how well off Jamerson was. Well,he didn't have to work at the motor car plant. So he was a step up from most. If Gordy had him on salary it was because it was his cheapest option. He was not in the business of making artists rich. Blue

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1450923198' post='2937116'] But you will only get one side of the story by asking the band, so take the reply with a pinch of salt. [/quote] Bands tend to get real guarded when they're asked that question. I think even hearing their side of the story would help. Blue

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1450913076' post='2937077'] There are countless occupations which entail one or other (sometimes both..?) partners being absent for long periods. It can be dealt with, given the willingness to do so on the part of all concerned. Family is, I would agree, important; perhaps primordial, but that doesn't preclude absences. High seas fishermen..? Soldiers on active service..? Road haulage drivers..? Touring musicians..? Mountaineers..? Round-the-world yachtsmen..? The list is long... [/quote] You must have a totally different history with women than me. Blue

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1450911685' post='2937062'] I heard a lot of good stories about Stax and the ones that are left are good friends but I know nothing about the dealings in Motown. It would take an insider knowledge of both to say. [/quote] I don't think it takes an insider to know Barry Gordy President of Motown, while he provided opportunity he was not fair in financial compensation. A lot of those 60s icons were left with nothing. Including Jamerson. Blue