blue

[quote name='MarkW' timestamp='1421875030' post='2666169'] They all get played regularly, and all but three of them get gigged regularly too. The attic is a proper conversion with central heating and is essentially another room like all the others - it's just that the upstairs radiators have been removed whilst the walls are plastered, which has suddenly made it very chilly up there. Combined with the extra moisture in the air from the plastering it meant I came home from work to a very unpleasant surprise! [/quote] I get it, however, for me none of my basses will ever see my attic or basement. They sit within an arms reach of my bed (pictured). Oh yeah, and if I have a lady over, she is not allowed on that side of the bedroom ( I would actually prefer that she not even look at that side of the bedroom or think about that side of the bedroom ) Blue

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1421879154' post='2666260'] Take your pick... Punter (Oxford English Dictionary...)...[list=1] [*][size=4]A player who ‘punts’ or plays against the bank at certain card-games.[/size] [*][size=4]transf. A small professional backer of horses. Also, one who gambles in stocks and shares, or on football pools. [/size] [*][size=4]slang. A name for a member of various classes of criminal, esp. one who assists in the commission of a crime. [/size] [*][size=4]slang. The victim of a swindler or confidence trickster. [/size] [*][size=4]colloq. A customer or client; a member of an audience or spectator; the client of a prostitute. In some contexts almost synonymous with person (but [/size]deprecatory[size=4]...).[/size] [/list] Also...[list] [*][size=4]In earlier use, one who goes fishing or shooting in a punt; often = punt-gunner; later, one who punts or manages a punt.[/size] [/list] ...or...[list] [*][size=4]In various forms of football, one who punts.[/size] [/list] [/quote] Ok, looks like number 5 is the way it's used on this forum. Blue

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1421880393' post='2666286'] If there's one thing that's likely to put me off a venue it's a bad load in/out. I don't mean having to fight your way through the drunken door-blockers at the end of the gig (which can happen anywhere), I mean: - loads of stairs, especially narrow stairs; - long walks from the car through multiple sets of doors or across gravel; - having to park on double yellow lines whilst loading; - having to park 10 minutes' walk from the venue; and - a location that becomes drunk-fight central at load-out time. These things can mar an otherwise excellent evening! Oh yes, and being expected to cram into a tiny space next to the main traffic route to a toilet. [/quote] Yeah , we have a few like that. The venues that can clearly see the band is struggling with load in and they offer absolutely no type of help. Blue

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1421878177' post='2666227'] Fans? That would be a novelty! Seriously, when someone comes up and compliments me on my band's performance, I always take the time to thank them and chat with them about what they like. Of course it is polite to do so, but it is also a source of valuable feedback on what is good about what we do and how we do it. [/quote] Agreed, I say if your not interested in why people come back to see your band, your in the wrong business. Blue

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1421877448' post='2666212'] Is it really on the way out where you are? I would consider that fairly normal fare where I am [/quote] Not here, Milwaukee is now Katy Perry & Bruno Mars land. It's why I wish we could do a 6 week bar tour where you are. Blue

[quote name='Bassnut62' timestamp='1421877306' post='2666209'] Hey Blue, I like the way you treated those fans....that's very classy to buy them a round. We're always civil and friendly and interested to chat with anyone interested in what we're doing. [/quote] You bet, and I like the way you phrased it. For all of out there working, we thank our lucky stars that there are people interested. Blue

My band provides and plays a genre that's slowly on it's way out. We play 70s style hard rock and blues, think Cream, Mountain, Green, Mayall, along with catchy classic covers with a hard rock twist. It's a tough market but we do well. 70 shows last year. The band has been in business for over 8 years, I've been with them for 3 years playing bass guitar and providing back ground vocals. Keep in mind we have a 29 year old female front, playing lead guitar and singing lead vocals. The rest of us are in our 60s. We pick up new fans slowly but surely. I noticed this couple at a Friday night gig that stayed for the whole 4 hour bar gig, that's really unusual. I saw the same couple the following Saturday and they stayed the entire night again. At the end of our 3rd set at the end of the night I went down and introduced myself and thanked them for coming and purchased a round for them. I also asked them why they had an interest in the band. Their response, they like 70s rock and love seeing bands that actually play instrument without technology. What do you guys do when you notice the more than above average fan? By the way, I got a nice joke out of our discussion to bant in between songs. [i]"You might have noticed that we don't play to any sort of loop or anything computer generated. All are mistakes are real. " [/i] Blue

A guy recently sold me a Fender Illustrated Guide. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1421761315' post='2664624'] A new venue will want an established band ..or who ever they book..to pull in people. Any old band can tell the bar how many ppl they will bring but there is really no point saying you expect to bring 50 and bring in 4... That is not the way to start a new gig relationship and tbh, if bands pull those tricks they'll not survive....or deserve to, IMO. Landlords talk so they will swap stories about the best bands and the good pulling bands. The upside of this, ....is that average ability bands can still get gigs if they can deliver the people. One of the worst bands I've seen recently pretty much set the 'record' for attendence at a local pub. Not entirely sure how they did it but the LL was delighted on his 'punt' on a new/unknown band with no track record. The fact that muso type people went to view 'blind' and will very unlikely go again may or may not cost the band. I am tempted to go to their next gig just to see if they pull off those numbers again.. [/quote] The thread is really about bands picking venues that are good for the band, not about exaggerating the truth about your draw to get a gig. Regarding draw or attendance, I agree. Same thing over here. Some of the worse bands musically have huge draws and some of the most talented have nothing. Most of these everyday people/punters ( I don't actually know what a punter is, but I think I'm using it in the right context) are not going out to see talent they are going out to see what they like. You also mentioned that a new venue will go after an established band. That gets tricky, established means only one thing here in Milwaukee. It means an agency represented functions or corporate band playing classic rock hits. And it doesn't matter if their any good or not. Blue

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1415800239' post='2603897'] I wouldn't be in a band that had revenue as a goal. It's all about the art dears... [/quote] Were all different, I don't believe there's a right or wrong direction. However; [i]"I wouldn't be is a band that had art as a goal. I play bass for people that pay me money".[/i] Blue

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1415789926' post='2603729'] Are you saying that you would never join a new, unproven musical venture? [/quote] Yes Blue

I hope none of your basses are permanently damaged. My advice is a little different than the rest of the responders. I say to everyone, play your basses regularly, don't collect and let them sit and don't leave or store bass guitars in basements or attics. Blue

Hope they read your post. Blue

Here is what we have in Milwaukee WI. Milwaukee Rocks http://www.milwaukeerocks.com/ Blue

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1421623466' post='2663471'] Yes. I'm 57 and I have both a Zoom B3 and a Zoom MS60-B. They're very good. [/quote] Cool, I just looked at some of the YOUTUBE demos on the MS60-B. I like what I see and am considering buying one and adding it to my board. I'm not sure that I will use it. There are 1-2 effects I might use from time to time.The delays sound good. Some of the effects might have better tracking in the lower registers than my pedals. My MXR Bass Octave has to be used up in 12th and 13th frets. It turns to mud in frets 1-10. This, BTW is not what I would consider a traditional Multi Effects unit, it's more like a pedal as far as I am concerned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceZl6tpMpy0 Blue

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1421540757' post='2662634'] Yes, the guy who runs and gets paid needs the money more than me and I learn loads of Jazz stuff from him. It's a win-win. [/quote] Well I guess that's a form of payment. And fair. Many times I will here this [i]"I don't need the money " [/i]story. Then I will always ask, ok are you giving your cut to the guys in the band that do need it. Sounds like you actually doing that. Which to me is cool. Me I have to many years invested in this business, I don't necessarily [i]"need the money"[/i], however I do [i]"want the the money"[/i] and I take every penny coming to me. Blue

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1421531664' post='2662481'] Some great Basslines at a Jam Night.... I go to a couple of these and am usually the unpaid bassist too. That said at both venues they also put on live artists and will book someone/or a band based on their showing at a jam. [/quote] Unpaid bassist? Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1421536405' post='2662565'] Well there is that, but I would have thought a well-rehearsed band with proper sets is going to draw more paying punters than a mixed bag of drifters, students, alcoholics, drug takers and the wildly-deluded unemployed all making it up as they go along and creating a terrible racket. [/quote] No, not really live rock music is a real hard sell in Milwaukee even the well rehearsed bands with proper sets. It's why our niche is in the 55-60+ folks that still remember what we think were the[i] "good old days" [/i]and like to go out and see musicians that actually know how to play guitar, bass guitar, drums and keys. Thing is, slowly but surely that generation is fading fast where they no longer go out any more and they're in bed by 10:30. Not me, I'm 62 and I'm going to run the wheels off this frame. If I'm not gigging I'm still out late at concerts checking out bands. But over all the few good rock bands with any type of following are only playing the bars that truly support and understand the live rock bar business.These would not be the places that hold open mics. I will always use Greg, our local guitar hero as an example of the top of the heap for guys still playing bars. Great act, but he doesn't have it any easier than the rest of us. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL5UuukdnQY"]https://www.youtube....h?v=qL5UuukdnQY[/url] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQQIT4SJHpY blue

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1421532905' post='2662506'] But in France they will always lay on a meal for the band as it has always been that way. So, the band accepts that it's always part of the evening / gig. Personally, I find it makes the whole experience that much nicer and laid back. Anyone who performs live in France is usually afforded the utmost respect. I don't need that in order to do my job but I think it's a lovely sentiment. [/quote] That's really what this thread is about. There are bars over here that understand how to treat bands. They will help out with storage space as soon as you start loading in. Let you know what the comp is on drinks. It's usually around $100.00 for the band. Pay in cash at the end of the night. And then some bars that don't have a clue. blue

Over here, all it takes is confirmation of decent paying gigs to attract experienced musicians. Your ad would work fine for finding replacements. Blue

What do most of you guys think about this food and being fed thing. In some cases when a band member presents a new gig to us he will say "It's 4 hours, $500.00 and we can eat free of charge". Personally, I could care less about food. Just let me know what the pay is. I never eat at gigs either before or after the gig. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1421495270' post='2661938'] Just being Devil's Avocado for a moment... does it really matter? Isn't it better to have some kind of live music than none at all? [/quote] I know many of the folks on this forum are not gigging musicians and have no interest in gigging, so the perspectives to me as a gigging guy are interesting. I have to say "No!" it isn't better than no live music at all. A bar owner once told me [i]" Why would I hire a band for $400.00 when these guys will come in here and play for $100.00"[/i] After hearing that comment, I'm broad stroking all open mics. I won't play them or patron them. Regardless of what day of the week it is. They have the right to run their business as they see fit and I have the right to have nothing to do with it. Back in the early 70s when I was a young guy, we had jam sessions usually held in someones home. we would jam with all sorts of musicians to the wee hours of the morning and everyone would have a chance to play. Not restricted to the friends of a hosting band at these things called open mic. Truth is , most are not open at all. Especially to bass guitar players. Those jam sessions were great for developing your improvisational skills and style. It's funny how many younger guys don't know how to improvise or jam. You start a riff or a lick and they are just baffled. I don't get it. Blue

At the end of the day, I think we all know that pedals are big business for good reason and there here to stay. Most guys I know even guitarist use pedals, even some that use multi effects units use them with pedals. blue

[quote name='The Saint' timestamp='1421474081' post='2661671'] The four hour gig seems to be the norm for American bars. I think two gigs a month would finish me off.... So how does that work? We start around 9pm and normally end around midnight with a 20 min break. Depends on the clientele of course, but that's the general rule. UK gigs were usually 2 x 45 mins. What time would you start and finish?[/quote] We usually start at 8 or 9 and play until 12 or 1.We have a couple of 9:30 starts that have us playing until 1:30 which depending on the crowd can turn to 2:00am.( actually playing there this Friday night ) Place is called Mamies, pictured below. They like us and they treat us nice and always book at least 3 dates at a time. This bar understands bands.We usually have two 15 minute breaks for 4 hours. It's interesting how different we all are and how we come at music and gigging. One week last summer we were booked 6 nights in a row. I loved it wish it would happen more often. blue

I think the amount of time you guys play makes this issue a tough comparison. You know, over here, you go out on a limb and play a questionable bar where your not sure if it's a match for your band. You get there, the owner isn't there and your treated poorly by management. Many times the manager doesn't even know what the band is suppose to be paid. Any way your there playing and the place is empty at the beginning of your second set and your hoping for a crowd to magically walk through the doors. It rarely happens. At least you guys can pack up and leave after two 45 minute sets. We have to stay for the full 4 hours. Blue