blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1490635253' post='3266668'] That really doesn't make any sense - no band of any genre is going to be attractive to those who don't really care for gigging, is it? [/quote] I thought the question was, " why would anyone want to be a bass player in an indie band" Well, around here indie bands at the local level hardly ever gig. There's only a very small market for them. So, my initial thought was, a guy that does want to gig would be attracted to an indie band. Makes perfect sense to me. Blue

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1490390864' post='3264903'] Yes, i get the impression that your gigging style is more business orientated (and i mean no offence) than mine. Me, ive known these guys for 20 odd years, we have always been in bands together, so they are real mates first. I wouldn't take advantage of them, but that question has never really come up. [/quote] Yes, when I'm on my way in the road to a gig, I look at it as going to work. It's not a bad thing or any different than anyone else. Because while I veiew it as work, it's fun work. Blue

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1490610430' post='3266324'] Maybe because they want to? I can't understand why anybody would want to play blues or soul music but plenty of people do. [/quote] At least in my neck of the woods an indie band would be attractive to those who don't really care for gigging. Blue

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1490560714' post='3266014'] Why's that Blue? Also, have a 'whoop whoop' from me 😉 [/quote] In my experience, the wife that doesn't ever show up is also the wife that is non-existent and would prefer it if he was not gigging. Of course there are exceptions. Blue

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1490526643' post='3265662'] We have been auditioning recently and have chosen a new guitarist who was far fom the best player we auditioned. Its not only about how you play, but whether the band thinks that you want the same things from the band. [/quote] Excellent Blue

Great bar gig, packed room, 8-12. We went over and played till 12:30. I had been working on my pedal board this week and it worked great last night. No cut outs and pedal engagement was silent, no popping sounds. Blue

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1490554694' post='3265941'] Mrs2611 comes to most gigs in her capacity of photographer, roadie, gear babysitter and official wine taster! With the old covers band the girls used to use it as a social occasion. [/quote] I think that's cool. Blue

We gig 6- 7 times a month. Spouses actually are a big part of the band. Our lead guitarist who is also our lead vocalist/ front person and band leader husband runs sound and lights he's obviously at every gig. Our other guitarists wife does marketing, merch sales, interacts and builds relationships with club and bar owners and handles all the money and pays us. She's been at every gig for the past 5 years. She also helps with tear down. Drumnwers wife is at every gig because she so in love with the guy Me, not married and no girl friend. I prefer being alone at gigs. I'm always weiry of the guy whose wife never comes to a gig. Blue

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1490345302' post='3264403'] Unless we're talking signing in with a band with the income of Metallica... a good bass player would be already gigging with another band by the time the second audition came along.[/quote] Not in Milwaukee. Bands that have a decent book of business and gig consistanly are impossible to find. If my band were to fold, I'd never find another band with a decent gig schedule. And remember being a good bass player has little to do winning an audition. Most bands are looking for the best people not the best musicians. Blue

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1490430556' post='3265050'] Is that you in attachment Blue ? You certainly don't look your age sir. Well done. Must be all that good living Dave [/quote] That pic was taken from a distance, I look no different than most 64 year old guys up close. The nice thing about that pic is that early 2000s really cool Butterscotch MIJ Fender 1951 reissue Precision Bass. But thanks all the same. I'll take a compliment anytine I can get one. Blue

Best voice can change from week to week for me This week it's Paul Rodgers. Blue

[quote name='AdamWoodBass' timestamp='1490364718' post='3264625'] I do agree though, a good funk band by their very nature should be very entertaining and have no problem filling a dancefloor. Problem is not enough bands out there willing to take the risk. [/quote] Headlining regional and national acts (200-250 seat venues) might do well with funk, but IMO not at the local level. I grew up playing in East coast funk bands back in the early 70s when funk ruled. Not so much anymore. As my youngest son once told me; " Dad, nobody gives a rip about tight horns anymore." 😁 Blue

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1490358786' post='3264564'] Wow, ever heard of mate/friends etc? not everyone is as cut through as the people you play with by the sound of it. [/quote] I've been with my current band for over 5 years. We around each other a lot because of our gigging schedule. There all really cool fun people, however we are not friends or mates. We're business associates. Blue

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1490315707' post='3264318'] We've never told people "there and then", because we want to have a chat among ourselves first. But we always contact them within a day or so. If it's the right person, then why wait. If it's not the right person, why delay? Once you find someone who fits, that's it. [/quote] I had to audition 3 times before I was offered the job as bass guitarist with my current band of 5 years. IMO, if your offered the job on the spot, chances are you haven't been offered much. Blue

IMO, it's our responsibility as individual musician to resolve boredom not the bands. We play songs that I dreaded playing that are now songs I look forward to playing. If your bored with a song, figure out a way to make your part fun and one that you can commit to. Blue

Those that follow ny posts know I never audition for bands that are auditioning friends of the band It's not a bad thing, however friend's often will win over the better bass player. I lost out to a guy that admittedly didn't bother to learn the audition material, but he was a good friend of the guitarist. Lucky for me, turned out the band rarely had gigs. They ended up letting the other guy go because he did not have reliable transportation. Blue

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1490296618' post='3264121'] It's already been said that it depends on where you are on your musical journey. It's great to hear so many BCers have arrived at a place of contentment i.e. the pleasure of making music with like-minded colleagues. And I am also such, and it's a great place to be. [/quote] Yes, were lucky. However I did not arrive here by luck. I sincerely hope those that are in frustrating band situations eventually find a place of contentment. Blue

[quote name='pbasspecial' timestamp='1490296892' post='3264128'] Stupidly I didn't really ask about the decision making process as they were super keen to get me down to the first audition [/quote] Bands can easily tell us what they want to do. We want to record a CD, we want to gig, ext... I always say it's better bet and more realistic to have a clear understanding of what a band has done or successfully accomplished. Then are those accomplishnents aligned with what you as an individual are looking for in a band. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1490296788' post='3264123'] Aren't yours the 50s stlye ones with the non-split pickup though? Do they sound the same as a split pickup P? [/quote] I contend I sound the same regardless of what bass I'm playing. Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1490258802' post='3263617'] All cool in their own way, but I have the delight of driving home with my other half, another well-known Basschatter, who is there for every gig. It makes for a lively conversation all the way back. [/quote] That's cool. Blue

I have and gig with several basses. 2 are MIJ Fender Ps. I sound the same on both. Blue

[quote name='pbasspecial' timestamp='1490293246' post='3264072'] Quick update: just sent them a text saying I thought I might of heard back by now. So the singer phones back and says flaking sorry but I forgot to call, you were the best one so far but we have another audition in 3 weeks. It's probably yours, etc. Had to laugh, the arrogance of amateurs. I was the best player, easy to get on with, played with passion (their words) but we want to keep our options open. It's like getting 20 at blackjack and twisting for 21! I have 3 better offers! [/quote] Did you know or ask anything about they're decision making process and when they would be making a decision prior to your audition? Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1490285094' post='3263955'] 2 - playing 6 nights a week is heaven, the loading in and out driving the length of the country in a van with a hole in the floor through the night having not had a shower in 3 days.. not so much. i've done it, and the being on stage element meeting new people is great fun, but the logistics are a nightmare. i did one where we did a 2 week 13 show tour, and could only afford to have one day off my day job... it is somewhat draining and not for everyone. [/quote] Mixing a full time job with a band that works that much would be tough, no doubt. Me, I'm lucky, I'm retired and my longest gig commute is 45 minutes. I get home late but I get home and in my bed by 3:00am. My gig this weekend is 9:00-1:00am and a 15 minute commute. I fully understand that I was extremely lucky to find and persue a local bar band with good business sense, good honest trustworthy fun and flexible people 5 years ago. The down side, if I had to do it over again finding a band like this would be impossible. Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1490285094' post='3263955'] 1 - whilst research and attempts to mitigate frustration are generally carried out, realistically you don't know everything until you are in that space, week in, week out. for example, i've been in bands that have been like "yeah we want to play as regularly as we can" then when you get into it and they start saying "oh yeah but we won't play there".. that's stuff you just don't get from research. [/quote] I would never make my decision based on how often a band wants to gig. I simply ask how many gigs did the band play last year and how many gigs did they play the year before that. Blue

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1490172495' post='3262751'] You've never been in a band with a drummer or singer then Blue? I get frustrated in bands quite often because the difficult one is me if I'm honest. Luckily I am working with another awkward sod and we seem to be able to write songs. It would be different if I was joining a band. But when I'm forming one I don't want the ideas compromised. If I was joining a band like yours Blue I'd do the homework, fit in and be happy. I just get my musical kicks in a different way. Some folks like a water. Some folks like a wine... I understood the OP in that sometimes bands get carried away with pipe dreams and forget about what's fun. Doesn't mean you don't take it damned seriously but the balance has to be right. [/quote] I've been around the block a few times and have made poor I'll informed decisions on bands. Over time I learned how to make much better decisions, how to judge musicians and how to clearly define what I look for in a band as well as my personal band requirements. Blue