blue

I came up in the 60s and had my share of fun with every substance you can think of. However I stopped everything at age 23 and performing became a lot clearer, better playing and more fun. That was over 40 years ago. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1430260966' post='2759704'] Yea, but does Peter Noone turn up at his own rehearsals wearing an Edwardian suit?? The best is to stick with your strengths and play the ageing rocker card (you’re in the same boat as me there)! I would suggest that you are trying to give off a vibe of an experienced musician who has been round the block a few times. I wouldn’t worry about the age thing; it’s hardly a boyband that you’re trying out for! When it comes down to it, the only things that they are bothered about is can you do the gig and will you fit in with the band (both musically and personally). Just make sure that you know the stuff, be friendly and show that you’re interested in the gig without being too over the top. Personally, I would put more thought into what bass you take to the audition than what clothes you are going to wear as they are more likely to judge you on that… [/quote] I see where your coming from, however, first of all I doubt that Peter would be involved. When I auditioned for Cher, she wasn't a part of the process. The other thing is, if Peter was involved he's not selling himself to me I'm trying to sell to him. So I would go with the suit. The aging rock guy thing, I agree 100%. I hate to admit it but it's probably my strongest card. Regarding the bass, I agree. However, it bugs me because I don't make judgment on guitars even though I would rather see a Custom Les Paul than a Fender Strat or Tele. I won't audition with my Hofner, most people don't get the whole Hofner thing. I'd go with my G &L or one of my Fender Ps. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1430262202' post='2759716'] And it is hardly very rock and roll, even for a function band...! [/quote] Pete, I'm still working the 70s rock and roll look and for the most part it ain't working at all. Now that I think about it, when I think I'm dressing for the part, I'm probably merely dating myself. Blue

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1430248113' post='2759540'] I've done a few auditions for established but essentially weekend worrier functions bands. Everytime I've turned up and played the pre agreed songs as close to a recording as pos, been on time , in everyday causal gear etc and never had a problem. [/quote] [i]"Never had a Problem"[/i] Does that mean you always won the gig? Blue

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1430249253' post='2759561'] Smart casual attire, turn up a little early (not good to look too eager/desperate), be nice and see how it goes. [/quote] Agreed Don't take a long time to set up your rig. Move it, bust your but and get set up quick. I like the idea getting of wanting them to want you and be cool. Blue

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1430200004' post='2758754'] I was in San Francisco at the end of the 80s, visiting his family with a mate of mine, and we were followed out of a restaurant by the Manager, as we hadn't left a tip - deliberately. The service was awful, from an uncaring rude waitress, who couldn't give a sh*t about he diners, but he still seemed to think this was unreasonable. My friends brother in law explained that he was happy to tip for even passable service, but he wasn't going to reward someone for being uncaring, unprofessional and basically sh*t at their job. It actually looked at one stage as if the Manager was going to throw a punch, but he settled for shouting after us in the car park : "Cheapsket Limey mothef**kers" - nice. [/quote] When service is awful a lot of people will leave 2 pennies on The table. Blue

Festival & Fair season is right around the corner. Anyone have anything cool booked you would like to share with us? Blue

[quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1430242019' post='2759434'] Last time I auditioned for a functions band (2011), I took my rig and a couple of basses. Clothes-wise just a T-shirt, jeans and trainers - I'd gigged with the drummer and the vocalist before, so dress code wasn't an issue. When it was up and running, dress code was just as important as the music on the gig... [/quote] Yes, for some bands dress code is a big part of their offering. Blue

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1430221490' post='2759071'] I doubt any band rehearse in shirts and ties. You would forever be remembered as 'that guy who turned up to audition in a dinner suit'. [/quote] This would be an audition, not a rehearsal. If I researched the band and found they performed in tailored suits depending on the caliber of the band I would consider wearing an appropriate suit. To me it's the best way of saying ,[i] "this is the complete package, this is what you would be getting if you hire me."[/i] I can give you an example, if I were auditioning for sideman position with Peter Noone, I might wear and Edwardian style suit. Blue

You might be surprised but there are guys out there right now on the verge of being fired because their personality isn't the right fit for the band. The guy that's always complaining, says he can't make certain gigs and brings a bad vibe when ever he shows up. With that in mind, I like to introduce myself say a proper hello to everyone and I might give a brief bio and tell them why I'm interested in the band. And I might even do those things after I have auditioned the songs. If you know and your confident you [i]"aced"[/i] the songs and they're in [i]"blown away"[/i] mode your suddenly very credible. Be personal and polite don't talk too much and be careful with coming off as an introvert, that alone can set off all sorts of alarms and whistles. I remember we auditioned a drummer who was quite good, but the guy was so introverted he scared us off. Blue

[quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1430202579' post='2758766'] I would do my research on the band and dress appropriately. They see you before they hear you and they'll already have an opinion before you play a note. Saying that I wouldn't audition for a band where I felt the presentation was outside of my comfort zone. [/quote] Agreed 100%, they will even make assumptions about you on how you look;[list] [*]It's an old guy, did he know how old we were [*]It's a young guy, did he know how old we were [*]He looks homeless [*]This guy is sharp and out of our league [/list] Blue

Back to the topic. For example; Would you audition in your office clothes or what you might wear to a gig? Blue

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1430169627' post='2758676'] Make sure you know where it is, you're on time, strings are settled in and you can set up quickly and efficiently. If you haven't learned all the audition songs properly have a few print outs of chords for the songs you don't know too well. Have a positive and friendly attitude. Don't audibly twiddle around on your strings while someone is talking, concentrating, or tuning up. The only "audition" I really had involved playing at a pub (that was closed) for what I thought was an established local covers band... turned out it was a guitarist running X Factor style auditions. The keyboard player took forever to set up his four keyboards, kept talking about how he plays massive stages and festivals... then could barely play a note. He had hardly heard of any bands ever but had a big bag of cassettes at his girlfriend's house (this was only 7 years ago and cassette was already dead) so might have some new tunes on those..... The guitarist proceeded like this for the next few weeks. I was the only bass player and the guitarist and singers liked me and my gorgeous Warwick bass, I was in. Weeks of random guitarists, including a guy who can't have been playing more than a few months, keyboard players and metal drummers (for an alleged funk band) came and went with the whole "pretend you're packing up, then when he's gone get your gear back out" until one night I packed up and just went tired of the charade but stupidly came back. The singers (yes, two) were good, nice girls and we got on well but the kindest thing was when she ended it (I've said that a few times before). Turns out the established funk covers band was a guitarist who knew of a girl who was a signer with a friend who was a singer... and all he wanted to play was Stereophonics covers. Main thing I learned - do your research, ask loads of questions, and if it doesn't feel right make your excuses and go. [/quote] To me, or I should say my definition of established means;[list] [*]A band that has been together for several years with very little personal change [*]A band that you have probably heard of or seen perform [*]A band that has a historical book of business [*]A band that is heavily booked through 2015 going into 2016 [/list] Unfortunately in the States these types of opportunities are far and few in between and are rarely publicly advertised. Word to the wise, always ask; [i]"Tell me specifically what you mean by established?"[/i] Blue

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1430150323' post='2758406'] I just discovered this youtube video after youtube auto-played on from something else. I enjoyed this, and this thread seems as good a place as any to put it. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAuOzC3JX1g[/media] [/quote] As much as I'd like to go negative on this type of stuff I really can't. Not my kind of thing, but whatever he's doing he's good at it. Blue

Me, I'm not real "keen" on solos on the electric bass guitar. I think bass solos are better suited for those playing jazz on the double bass. A lot of guys ruined what little appeal slapping and popping ever had by over using and abusing the technique. It's to "in your face" and people think they have to respond. It's cool and a lot of cats are good at it, but like I said to many armatures ruined it for them. Blue

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1430166369' post='2758625'] Occasionally if they do something that is above and beyond , but generally no. [/quote] Wow! Very different culture. Here's how we are with tips in the USA. I was in NYC and saw a cab driver stop the cab after his customer got out and through a coin at him and yelled [i][b]"Keep your effing quarter!"[/b][/i] Blue

A lot of you guys are connected, on the "in" and well networked. You don't have to audition. Which is awesome. However some of us are not and have to go through the traditional audition process. For guys that have or maybe will auditions for a lets say a second tier functions band, how do you present yourself at the audition, whats your mind set for performance and presentation?[list] [*]I'll play bass to the best of my ability and nothing more [*]I will research the band and make sure I'm somewhere near a match for them (age) [*]Make sure your vocal abilities are auditioned and considered [*]Bring the whole package as in how you would sound and look on stage [*]Position yourself to get an offer, then it's your decision [/list] For a functions band i will do as much research as possible, looking at video clips to get a sense of their stage presentation. There is potential money on the line here, so just I would do for interviewing for a traditional office /professional job, I would where a contemporary dark business suit. For a functions audition I would dress the same way i would dress for the stage. Share your thoughts Blue

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1430129075' post='2758140'] I don't think bands look down on tips it's just unusual (though certainly not unheard of) here to get any extra over the pre agreed fee, we are still not a tipping culture in the UK. [/quote] When you guys order a pint you don't tip the bartender? Blue

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1430146259' post='2758368'] So I put my rig back down in the backstage area and plug into the supplied backline. It's very quiet. The gain is on 2, so I try to turn it up, and the knob just spins freely. I get the sound guy on the case straight away, because I don't want to be held accountable for breaking someone else's amp. He's convinced there's something wrong with my pedals, or the bass in my battery is flat (it's passive). Eventually, by turning the gain knob past 10 he gains enough traction to actually have an effect. He seems surprised that the gain setting that worked for the other bassists during soundcheck doesn't work for me. "Your bass is really quiet" he says. "Maybe, but that's why we have gain knobs" I think to myself. Later on, after we've played and the second band have taken the stage, he approaches me again. "Had to turn the gain back down for them. I think you should get your pickups checked out." I smile and thank him for his suggestion. S.P. [/quote] I think he should get his pickups checked out. Blue

[quote name='stuckinthepod' timestamp='1430134099' post='2758201'] Pretty poor gig on Saturday night. Arrived at venue to hear nothing but northern soul playing on the juke box as we set up our classic/heavy rock show. That crowd left before we started. All the bikers were allegedly "away at a wedding" meaning we played to around 12 people and virtually no applause until the encores. Poor bar takings meant we took home half of an already reduced fee. Plus points- we played pretty well and onstage sound was good so we took the view that it was a paid practice. [/quote] Cool, the paid rehearsal. It's not what any of us likes ,but it happens to all gigging bar bands. However, when it happens, we do not discount our fee. We have that occasional bar gig where the place books bands , but their clientele is not really into live music. Either you pack the place with your own people or accept a lame evening. It's a part of the bar band business. I say don't let it get to you and have fun regardless. Blue

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1430129075' post='2758140'] I don't think bands look down on tips it's just unusual (though certainly not unheard of) here to get any extra over the pre agreed fee, we are still not a tipping culture in the UK. Probably more likely to get a bit extra at a private party or wedding than a standard bar/pub gig but it does happen occasionally. Glad you had a good gig, though even with tips your band has had to play for 4 hours for the equivalent of about £100 per player. Some guys here might be prepared to play that long but a lot wouldn't. [/quote] Over here unless you achieve regional or national headliner status or maybe the occasional festival where you would play 80 minutes. At the bar band level it's a 7-11, 8-12 or a 9-1am proposition with no exceptions. It's just the way it is. When we play Mamie's it's 9:30-1:30am. As you probably know, here in the USA we are a big tipping culture. Now, understand we don't pass around a hat and basically hold punters up for cash. It's a tip jar (unlabeled) stage left sitting on top of a sub or on the the stand for one of the mains (discreet). Blue

We had a really fun night at Ariba's, an 8-12 bar gig. We play there every couple of months in rotation. There was a huge birthday party there and we were sure that crowd would leave when we started our 1st set. The place remained packed they stayed for the lion's share of the evening. Ariba's is one of the bars where the people come there to see live music. Very responsive and appreciative. BTW, *93.00 in tips, which turns a $500.00 gig into a $600.00 gig. Not bad pay for a bar gig. Blue * I understand tips are looked down on by UK bands. Is it true and is this a cultural difference?

Last night I got a huge applause after my solo in "Them Changes", I could have bowed, however all I did was look down at my shoes. At break a punter told me it was the best bass solo he ever heard? My response; [i]" Hey , thanks a lot, good to hear because I was really struggling up there."[/i] And I was. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429860337' post='2755558'] Maybe I'm just in denial about my age, but I think any perceived barrier to opportunity is in one's mind, obviously. Imagining age stops you from doing anything makes you feel old and is a negative feedback loop. IMHO of course. [/quote] Keeping a positive attitude is always good and maybe it works on the age front too. I say the age front because I notice that when we are booked at some of this piss holes I would have not the best attitude days before the gig. Last weekend I tried something different, as soon as I got to the gig I told said to our BL; [i]"This is going to be a fun gig[/i]" And you know what?, It was. Agreed, the mind set applies to just about everything including age. Discreet, my pics are recent and not photo shopped. In person I look 62, it's why I don't post any close ups. Blue

I get it. I admit I think to much about my age. However,it is barrior to some opportunities. Blue