blue

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1491859188' post='3276011'] Im with you Blue. I love the groove. But i wouldn't say he's the direction that bass playing is going. There are so many directions. I think ears should always be open, but yeah I'm with Rocco and Mr Rainey. Don't forget Willie Weeks [/quote] Yeah, I don't want to be an "old fogey". However, some of these new guys are way to busy for me. And when they fade the old school strong dead in the pocket groove guys will still be around. Trust me, I'm right on this one. I believe Willie, Chuck and Rocco are still working steady. Blue

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1491858726' post='3276007'] yep we do too, but all to often the venue hasn't even bothered to put them up [/quote] Sure, that happens. I think that might have been the case Saturday night. Guys, it's really just another example of how some owners and managers are completely detached from the bands they hire. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1491856731' post='3275974'] I think he's pretty unique, he's more a jazz guitarist who plays a bass than your standard bass player. I really enjoy his stuff, but I couldn't emulate it if I tried. I'm guessing not many of us could. [/quote] I can't. Even listening to it is a challenge for me. Blue

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1491591488' post='3274213'] I have had one of these hand trucks in the trunk of my car for 5 years. I have never used it. Blue [/quote] I haven't used it, but I'm certainly not going to get rid of it. It'll stay in the trunk of my car. Sooner or later I'll be thankful it's there and I'll use it. Blue

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1491825909' post='3275608'] I think this thread should have been titled "Whats left to do when you have health problems" as most of the reasons for not doing stuff, so far, seem to relate more to that as being an issue. I am 65, fit and healthy and I can pretty much do what I did when I was 20, only better. Mostly because I want to. Our keys player is 73 and one of the best I have ever played with, despite his IBS. Age, health issues aside, is just a number and if you really want to do something you pretty much find a way. I know arthritis is trying hard to stop me doing stuff, my family have a history of the condition, but I refuse to be a victim and modified my diet and exercise regime years ago to compensate. I cant run anymore because of knee problems but I can knock out a 100 mile cycle ride most weekends, no problem, and lift weights three times a week so I am fitter now than most 30 year old's. Use it or lose it. [/quote] Awesome story. 64, I'm in good shape no major health issues. I work hard , the 4 hour bar gig business here in the States can be grueling. I have scaled back on gear. 750 solid state GK watts into a small 8 ohm GK 2 10 cab is perfect for bar and club gigs Blue

Definitely talented and I guess he's an example of the direction bass playing is going. Me, I'm an older guy. I'm taking a pass on Thundercat and staying with my friends like Rocco Prestia and Chuck Rainey. Blue

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1491839061' post='3275772'] tricky call if you have plenty of other commitments and if all your concerns are falling on deaf ears then maybe thats an indicator of a possible future predicament [/quote] Agreed Blue

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1491825142' post='3275599'] What shall I do? I’m very much the band New Boy and I certainly don’t want to be obstructive or awkward 4 weeks in. However, neither do I want to go to a studio ill-prepared. My priority right now is learning the setlist for the gig. If the band continues to insist on the studio recording next weekend, despite me suggesting that it's postponed, I'm close to saying I won't be there. Steve [/quote] Depends on why you joined the band in the first place. In my band I'm a commissioned sideman. I joined the band to make money (I'm a Yankee 😁). I don't make suggestions and my priority is to do what I'm told. You guys have heard me say a million times, have a clear understanding of what your looking for in a band and why your joining before you join. Blue

[quote name='Bassmonkey' timestamp='1491816713' post='3275496'] We do OK these days, venues call us however, a few years ago we played a pub which was outside of our usual areas. When we arrived, the landlady told us was usually pretty quiet on band nights. It turned out to be a complete stormer, people who can stayed and we all had a great night. Our error was not to book follow dates while we were there. We tried to call them several times afterwards to rebook but never got to even speak to the landlady - the last time they answered and said they'd see if she was in when we heard her muted voice say "who is it?....tell 'em I'm not in" Needless to say we never rang back. Who knows - stupidity plays a part I guess? [/quote] That's a great example of how important it is to rebook while the iron is hot. Also an example of how some managers are completely detached from the value some bands bring to their business. Blue

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1491813267' post='3275461'] yep, pubs do get a reputation for putting on certain types of band but if a pub can't advertise what band is on in these days of social media they don't deserve to be successful, plus if they have a band on every week they should have posters of up and coming gigs, but I know some don't, I think we've all played at pubs where you've gone to the trouble of giving them posters and they can't even be arsed to put them up ,or out of date posters all over the place, those sort of places don't deserve and usually aren't successful, then, back on topic, don't book you again because of a poor attendance. [/quote] We send out posters to the clubs we play a few weeks in advance of the gig. Blue

Interesting discussion. It's tough for me to get a consensus on why under certain unknown circumstances when bands do well but are not asked back. I guess forgetting to ask for future dates could be a reason.And I can see that happening with certain bands. Musicians are generally not known as being astute business people. Money rules in the States unless you piss someone off, complain about something, or behave in an unprofessional manner. And that change in ownership or management applys to the States too. Blue

Here's another one that can get you in "not being asked back" status. The band member that assumes alcoholic beverages for the band are comped or complimentary. He has a couple, the drinks are not comped and it gets back to management. Blue

Here's another reason why local bands might not get rebooked after a sucessful first gig at a new club. Not being professional and complaining about anything. Blue

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1491724705' post='3274953'] I think the secret to getting regular work at the venues you want to play at is to have someone hustling for you. Whether it's a band member, manager or agent no matter.[/quote] I couldn't agree more. If you want real work you have to have more than good musicians in a band at the local level. Blue

And then there's the club owner that wants to boost up the revenue stream and wants to try out live music. He trys out a band on a Friday night and it bombs. Like a miracle was going to happen after giving it one shot. It takes a lot of time to establish yourself as a place that features live music. It won't happen overnight. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1491674928' post='3274738'] Yes. In the UK people put a lot of stock in doing things they like over making money. We have a long history of a socialist society compared to the US. We don't need money as much as you guys do. A lot of the things we need are provided by the state from the taxes of rich people. It's a fairly unique society. You should visit.[/quote] I definitely should. Over here if you don't have money they want you to die. And it's getting worse everyday. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1491674591' post='3274732'] No. We have clubs with background music quite a lot. I went to a wine bar last week they had a jazz band. A rock band would not have worked. People were there to socialise. It's a cultural thing. [/quote] Yeah, well I mean we have those places and they'll feature a jazz trio or an acoustic duo. No Marshall stacks.😁 Agreed Blue

Even when the turn out is poor due to bad weather conditions, a band playing a new club for the first time will take the hit. Blue

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1491663016' post='3274647'] Mostly asked back.....our gig last night the Landlord said was one of the best live music nights they've had.....i'll take that kind of compliment any day [/quote] Did you rebook, if yes, excellent. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1491662173' post='3274642'] I've found a lot of managers are too busy doing whatever they do to be replying to emails explaining why they don't want you. [/quote] They don't have to explain, just say "No". Blue

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1491663060' post='3274648'] The old adage of "Play stuff they can dance too, sell more beer; Happy landlady/lord" is sometimes too simple to be true. Over the years I have found that the personal taste of the venue owner has much to do with whether or not you are re-booked. [/quote] Again, must be cultural. Over here the LLs I know, their personal taste is a genre known as "Money". Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1491664561' post='3274656'] Yep, a lot of it seems to be down to what the LL likes to listen to, regardless of its effect on sales over the bar. [/quote] That must a cultural thing FinnDave. In the States LLs are only concerned with money. If a band is great and people are not buying alcohol you won't get rebooked. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1491661922' post='3274640'] I think some landlords have an image of what their pub should be and if your style of music doesn't fit with their 'brand' then you're on to a loser regardless of how many people you draw. That's their choice and it may be that a pub full of people leaping about and drinking beer is more hassle, hard work and less money than people sitting quietly eating food and drink red wine by the bottle while listening to smooth jazz. Which is what the landlord wants to listen to anyway. [/quote] That's complicated. Over here they generally don't book rock bands in restaurants where people are sitting down eating. The landlords don't listen to anything except the sound of the cash register opening and closing. Blue

Interesting how some of these managers and owners would rather not answers calls, voice mail messages or text instead of answering and just telling you "No". Blue

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1491608541' post='3274351'] We played a Saturday every month at a venue, for 4 years. Sold a sh*t load of booze and filled the place up (you have to pay to get in). The crowd loved us and danced the night away. The owner, loved the money we made for him (even though he was a Jazzer and probably wasn't really into our music) and kept on booking us, as we pulled a crowd. Unfortunately he passed away and his daughter took over the bar. Since then we haven't been booked for any gigs and she ignores our emails. Now she books muso Jazz bands, which are not going to appeal to an under 30s crowd, on a Saturday night. Good luck to her, I hope she doesn't go out of business.. [/quote] Yes, change in management or ownership can get a band thrown out, back into the streets. Thing is, is to know ahead of time that a management or ownership is coming and get a proper introduction and re-sell the band. Blue