blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1492792252' post='3283302'] I would (will) be devastated when I have to stop playing, it really is the one thing I really enjoy in life. I've stopped drinking, no longer ride bikes after my accident 16 months ago, all my energy goes into the music. I hope that day is a long day coming, for all of us who live to play. [/quote] Agreed, And all gigs are not going to be great, it's still a gig. There are guys out there right now that are frustrating. Not only do they not have gigs they can't even find other like minded musicians to play with. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1492851237' post='3283615'] That's the sort of gig most of us Brit pub players can only dream of! [/quote] It doesn't happen very often. I think it's the only club of it's kind in my area.Very well appointed for a club that doesn't book headliners. Blue

Really nice gig tonight. New venue for us. Top notch operation. We sent the sound engineer a stage plot earlier this week. On arival he introduced himself and he made sure he knew everyone's name in the band. He knew our stage set up and got us set up on stage really quick. Again top notch including a cool "green room " for the band. The room was perfect for live bands and the sound and lighting was superb. The stage moniters were awesome. I could hear everything ctrydtal clear. Great crowd with lots of dancing. Hope we can come back. The place is booked through 2017. They have bands on Friday & Saturday night. Blue

[quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1458042808' post='3004110'] I saw Chic live at the Apollo in the 70s. Bernard was using a BC Rich with a single P-bass pickup. His sound was awful - muddy and boomy. None of that lovely burp I heard on their records. It became obvious to me that it was all about getting the sound on tape in the studio. The same went for Tom Barney with Steely Dan in 1996 at the Birmingham NEC. Every instrument was clear except the bass, which was that boomy mush. [/quote] No matter how big you are, I guess it could happen. I saw The Stones in a small 23,000 seat Ampitheater 2 years ago and Daryl's Bass signal was also boomy and muddy. Blue

It's too bad that some bad poorly run charities have made it bad for some of the good charities our there. Blue

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1492796313' post='3283340'] Are they really that different? I tried an Epiphone last year and truely hated it, I don't tend to sell many basses yet got shot of that as quick as I could, I didn't mind the sound but the bass just felt huge and unwieldy I would imagine the Gibson must feel the same? [/quote] To me there's a huge difference. The neck and the sound of my Epiphone was not what I was looking for. When I traded up to my 1991 Gibson Thunderbird with ebony fretboard, I had the quality and sound I was looking for. I know have the kick ass bass I fell in love with back in the early 70s but couldn't afford at the time. Before someone brings it up,I don't believe in neck dive. I've never experienced it and never have understood what anyone was talking about when it has been pointed out as an issue. I'm sure the Epi Birds are fine but they are not the same instrument as the Gibson IMO. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1492790134' post='3283281'] Our standard response to requests for charity gigs is to offering them a discount on our regular charge. Some of them accept that gratefully, others are never heard from again. I could probably guess which are the genuine charities and which are get-rich-quick chancers! [/quote] I will gladly play for reputable on the up and up charity because I believe in the cause. At 64, I don't really care about exposure. You are exposed to opportunities at paid gigs just as much as a freebie, probably more so. Blue

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1492760769' post='3282900'] Came across this on Facebook thought i would share. [attachment=243556:Hire a musician.jpg] Dave [/quote] Excellent post, especially for those that might not completely understand their own value as a musician. Blue

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1492702101' post='3282538'] Sounds sensible to me. The phrase that stuck out was "I'v just stopped enjoying it" [/quote] When and if I stop enjoying it, It will be a sad day. I'm encouraged by close friends to mentally prepare for when I can physically no longer do this. Blue

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1492787486' post='3283256'] Yes, we're all different blue. The money is nice, but I do it primarily because I love learning and playing different music. Plus, I see learning a few new sets of music which are out of my comfort zone as a challenge. [/quote] Cool, me I'm also always learning and approaching exercises out of my comfort zone. However, for me those are things I do outside of my personal band experience. Learning and improving is always great regardless of where it comes from. The band experience is fun, but for me it's really a business and an income stream to pay bills. Blue

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1492679829' post='3282185'] Really? I suppose it depends how much time you have on your hands, but I'm in the process of doing exactly that right now for a couple of gigs with one band. I might be doing it again for another band later in the year. All good fun and a great learning experience in my opinion. [/quote] We're all different. 64, been playing in bands since 1966. While I always have fun and still learning, I'm not in this for fun or a learning experience. Blue

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1492753132' post='3282846'] I've always played originals, but in the past we threw in covers to pad out the show. It leads to confusion. Audience member: Is that one of your originals? Singer: It depends on whether you liked it or not hehe Now, our songwriter is so prolific that we have more than enough originals,so we don't need the covers. Playing both is like being non-commital, playing only originals is a statement. It also means playing for no money to no people, we are OK with that in our old age hehe We are not snobs about covers though,we are toying with starting a covers band as well, one off shows doing one complete album....but that is a lot of work for just one show. [/quote] Understood, I keep forgetting originals bands don't haul and set up their own lights and sound playing 4 hour shows. Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1492769355' post='3283024'] 2016 was a bit of a wilderness in the purchase department, I suppose I was happy for the first time ever although my work situation (redundandancy in September) had a detrimental effect on things. Early two month back, I landed a great job (with a decent package) and I'm excitedly compiling a short list of things to watch out for. While the Tech21 Geddy Lee Sansamp tops that list, I'm also really interested in the Epiphone Classic Thunderbird (blaaaack!), am making some enquires about another Lull and, once I can get my Hartke stuff sold, I'll get another Barefaced. I'm also looking to get LEDs installed on my current Lull. 2017, I think, will prove a bit cathartic, once new gear starts dropping it'll be some gear out, some new gear in. I've got a ton of stuff I rarely touch now. [/quote] I hope you truely want an Epiphone Thunderbird and not a Gibson Thunderbird. IMO these are two very different bass guitars. I've owned both. Many make the mistake of thinking the Epiphone Thunderbird is an affordable less expensive Gibson Thunderbird. It's not, it"s an Epiphone Thunderbird. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1492357065' post='3279633'] For anyone interested, we have just put up a complete recording of last night's gig on soundcloud, and intend to add future gigs there. We'll probably add some from the last few months as well when we (well, me in this instance!) have time. https://soundcloud.com/finndave-1/tap-n-barrel-15042017 [/quote] Nice! Loved what I heard Dave. I also love that there is still a local market for the genre on both sides of the pond. Blue

There will be others that will spend months of their time with bands and experience the same marginal results. Know what you want out of a band, observe everything to determine if the band has what you want. Whether it be merely fun get togethers in the basement or a full gigging schedule. Blue

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1492671636' post='3282092'] Rather than quit should you not lay your cards on the table and discuss your expectations with them in full especially as you point out they are all good guys. Maybe all they need is that little kick in the ass to motivate otherwise they will be looking at taking on a new bass player and starting from scratch again. By sound of it you've virtually made your mind up so nothing to lose and that way you have at least given these "good guys" the opportunity to buck up their ideas and get on with whats needed in a working band. Dave [/quote] If they are really good guys, it's probably more of a can't learn the material in a timely manner than won't learn it issue. Blue

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1492660366' post='3282046'] I feel your pain band said they want to do Silly Love Songs. So I learn Sir Paul's bassline note for note, it has a set order of little interludes all thru it. Band start playing it, missing a few of the intricacies and changing the order.....SO.....we don't play it anymore, but then again we are an originals band hehe, this song helping set the 'no covers' rule lol [/quote] Is there a business reason for no covers or is it more of an idealogy? Blue

Off topic, I would never committ my time to learning 33 songs for any band unless they had 6 months of decent gigs booked in advance. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that could ever happen in a "start up" Blue

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1492645205' post='3282026'] You are right, and although I might come across as being a bit impatient, the opposite is true, this has been going on for a very long time, I've not said too much in the past and just accepted it because they are all good guys, but I take your point that they have different ideas from me, so I guess it really is time to call it a day. [/quote] Sounds like your light years ahead of these guys in the band experience business. Blue

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1492585155' post='3281313'] If all the component parts of the band are there but not slotting together, you can't really call it a band. Whether the aim is to replicate a song as in a tribute or to do an original arrangement of a well known song, the band has to gel and appear as one entity. That's fundamental. [/quote] Agreed. You won't get an argument from here. Blue

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1492510208' post='3280764'] It's the failure to go away and learn the basic structure of the song that frustrates me the most, if there is say, an 8 bar intro followed by verse/chorus, verse/chorus, then a solo, then verse/chorus, outro, why is that so hard to get right? I'm not looking for everyone to play their parts exactly as the original, I just want them to get the structure right, the original recording is the basis of the whole band getting all the parts in the right places, even if it was an original song we wrote ourselves, we would still have a structure that we all agree to work from. [/quote] Some people just refuse to do it. They just don't see the value in preparing for new material. Blue

Overall take away from the OP The scenario presented by the OP is also an example of why new band or "start ups" are tough. Also how they can turn young players off and leave them with a negative and wrong impression of being in a band. When you have guys in a start up many times they may only have limited band experience and ability. So, you will have some member that are good with learning and understanding the importance of learning the material with some degree of accuracy. But, all it takes is those member that can't or won't learn material in a timely manner. This slows down band progress and they're ability to actually gig. Guys become disappointed with the bands progress and quit. Most start up bands can't support the loss of even one member and fold. Sadly, 90% of "start ups" never see their 1st gig. I'm not bashing start ups, because we need them. However,I strongly believe my position is reality. Blue

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1492206707' post='3278744'] Maple Road, all those bands listed are "headliners" were a local support act and damn lucky we're able to get in. We've been booked for the past 7 years. Many local bands never get to play Summerfest, it really is a "big deal". And sad and unknown to most local young bands, it's not how good your band is, it's who you know. We have a very high level corporate connection. Still waiting for confirmation of our slot. Rumor has it we have a great slot and date this year. Blue [/quote] We're still waiting on what date, time slot and what stage we will be on this year. Blue

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1492384871' post='3279863'] Out of interest, what qualifies as "premium alcohol" in the States? [/quote] Gareth, I'm not sure because I don't drink alcohol. And now that I think about it, I should know what qualifies as "premium alcohol". I'm suppose to be in the business. I think it means the higher priced cocktails and brand name labels. Blue

[quote name='ians' timestamp='1492339001' post='3279465'] Back in the dim and distant I can remember gigs like these and the ensuing arguments afterwards with said landlord at closing time. The impression I always got was consistency. Landlords don't just want one or two good gigs they want YOU the band to gaurantee a money night everytime you play at there establishment. In fact Im pretty sure I can remember one who told us that we had lost him money cause everyone was dancing having a ball and not buying drinks! [/quote] Premium drinks and lots of them. That's the name of the game. They don't like to see the guy nursing a beer for an hour. I don't drink alcohol, so it's interesting to see how much cash people depart with over the course of an evening. Blue