blue

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1479202388' post='3174645'] Channel 4 Sunday at 11pm. Following them on their South American tour. Will we see them throw a mini bar out the hotel room window? [/quote] That's 60s urban legend, outside of Keith Moon I don't think many bands behaved that way. Plus The Stones probably own the hotel. Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1479216670' post='3174793'] Sorry Blue, starting a new project is a blast and not really that hard at all. Unless you have a ready pool of musicians, you advertise, make a few calls, set a date, book a room and play. The hardest part is trying to get shot of someone who doesn't work out. [/quote] Hard is a relative term. A blast for a sharp connected cat yeah it might be a blast. Starting a band for the average every day people cat is usually a big pain in the arse. Blue

[quote name='la bam' timestamp='1477830099' post='3164655'] Just thought id ask as this issue came around again with me after buying a new bass.... When I got my first few basses they were second hand and well used. They used to sit in the house unprotected not on stands and picked up whenever for a play. They had dints all over them and I didn't care. Then I got an immaculate fender isa p bass. And I couldn't have looked after it more. It lived in its hard case, was only used in clear spaces so it could get bashed. I did 3 years in a band before the drummer pointed out that I needed to get some dings and bashes on the bass for it to be a 'proper' rock n roll bass (all be it tongue in cheek - more a laugh at how protective I was of it). Then I Did get a ding in the headstock, and forever more it bugged me until I sold it 7 years later! I've since had 3 different basses that didnt really bother me, but now I have a metallic red Yamaha I've noticed I would absolitely hate any kind of scratch or ding in out! Does anyone else get this on certain basses?! They prob should get dings in them if they're gigging instruments! [/quote] Some dings are fine for me even cool, as long as their my own personal dings. However dings on the back of the neck that you can feel when your playing are not cool at all. Blue

Doesn't look like a bad bass to me. If the action is good and the electronics are sound offer him $200.00 which according to the experts here might be closer to what it's worth Blue

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1479056550' post='3173590'] He wants to enjoy himself, meet a few players and see what comes out of it. Good luck to him. It ain't brain surgery or a cure for cancer. [/quote] I can't argue this point. Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1479061921' post='3173637'] Quite so. In fact, I'd imagine the percentage is substantially higher if one assumes that [i]all[/i] bands are start-ups at some point in their existence. Of the hundreds of thousands (possibly millions?) of 'rock' based bands that have been formed across the planet over the last 60 years I suspect relatively few are still going. Apart from the Stones, obviously. As for the advertiser's self-effacing approach to recruitment: well, it may be better than 'Only apply if you're a toadally rock'n'roll dude who wants to go all the way to the top'. But not much. [/quote] Might be different in the States because we're so focused on money, which you need to attract competent players. I think start ups might be easier and more successful for 18-24 age group with high energy all the time in the world and not a care in the world. And I do agree you have to define success. I guess if you can get 4 guys to stay together long enough to put some tunes together and have little fun is success to some and that's fine. Even I'd call that success Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1479035808' post='3173403'] This is a bit of a strange and all-sweeping statement. If you're in it simply for the money and trying to make a living off it, then I'd say the success rate thereof would be in the fractions of a percent. In the main though, what qualifies as failure? Four guys making noise in a room who decide not to take things past a second jam session? Insofar as ability and resources go, I'd refute that anyone can do it irrespective of ability. You use the term 'start up' out of context too; it's not a business, it's supposed to be fun. [/quote] Being in a band is fun. Starting a band is not,it's hard work which most are I'll equipped to do. Blue

Leon, one of the best. He's way high up on the list of only once in a lifetime artists. This one got me sad. Blue

[quote name='Rocker' timestamp='1479139923' post='3174249'] I love the sound of a bass but am increasingly finding it difficult to practice my bass playing. It is the lack of melody content in the bass that is the problem. Bass is essential in a band situation but how do you practice songs, songs that only feature root G, C and D notes? Even if it is more challenging than that, it is still hard to practice. All suggestions and advice welcomed. Thanks. [/quote] Learn all the Panatonic and diatonic scales till you own them. It will open up a new world. Regardless of genre you don't have to limit yourself to root notes. There's no excuse theses days for unproductive practice. There are so many top notch tutorials on YouTube and free apps, practicing should be productive. If you're having fun ,more than likely your playing stuff you already know,which will get you nowhere. Blue

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1478940772' post='3172801'] How is it that songs with chord sequences such as I, V, IV and I, V, VI, IV continue to be written and recorded? Surely any songwriter or artist with any integrity or artistic worth would avoid such overused, over-familiar changes in favour of something less cliched. [/quote] People love familiarity and simple. Blue

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1478943807' post='3172825'] I know both songs Blue. This is the point ot could get interesting as some bands have 1 hit in one country,m but multiple in others [/quote] Yeah, good point. I forgot about that nuance. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1478912225' post='3172729'] Build me up Buttercup is fairly well known over here, I personally don't know sky high but to be fair we live in different countries so it's not surprising that we have different one hit wonders. [/quote] Agreed, however Jig Saw they look like a British band for some reason. There is a YouTube clip. Very pop sounding. Blue

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1478832933' post='3172023'] We haven't had top 40 radio in decades. No top 40 means no hits. Not in the sense of the hits I grew up with in the 50s, 60s & 70s. "Sky High" by Jig Saw "Build Me Up Buttercup" Did The Foundation have any other hits? Blue [/quote] This is where age is a factor. I have not heard of any of these hits others have posted and no one has heard of mine. Well, maybe Dave has. Blue

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1478648791' post='3170691'] Does anyone ever read that Gigs page regularly out of interest? [/quote] I don't, seems General Discussion is the only forum where posts and threads don't get buried Blue

Very few musicians have the ability or resources to start a rock band. It's why 95℅ of all start ups fail. Blue

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1478857433' post='3172127'] Yup. A hassle, but better to find out right at the start so you don't waste more time... I don't get why people are ok behaving like that. [/quote] Exactly, they have given you a red flag before you've met them. Move on, they're obviously a second rate operation. Blue

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1478875680' post='3172319'] To quote an old Jewish saying, don't take it so heavy. Look at joining a band in a similar light to joining a sports club or similar. Sure, you might gel/improve and win a major trophy/get on telly/get famous/get laid, but try to enjoy the journey and then win or lose, you win. "Joinabanditis"/joining a band for its own sake/for the fun of it is perfectly valid and needs no justification. Lighten up, peeps. [/quote] I've never heard that saying. Absolutely not. Joinabanditis means joining any band with no thought put into it or no questions asked. Just join a band so you can say your in a band. And it's certainly is not valid for those looking for more than fun. Joining a band without a plan or an understanding of what you want or what the band has to offer does not lead to fun, it leads to disappointment and a negative band experience. Your "don't take it so heavy" approach is actually why many younger musicians develop a dislike of bands and playing in bands. Blue

We haven't had top 40 radio in decades. No top 40 means no hits. Not in the sense of the hits I grew up with in the 50s, 60s & 70s. "Sky High" by Jig Saw "Build Me Up Buttercup" Did The Foundation have any other hits? Blue

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1475931646' post='3149863'] One of those nights where a great gig is spoilt by a couple of twunts! We have a girl that comes to see us and many other bands and just dances all night. Of course there's a knob who decides to try and dance with her and writhes around trying to copy her moves. No problem so far, she's got a lovely temperament and gets it all the time. It's going well, good response, people up dancing and cheering. Get to the penultimate song and right at the end the above twunt gets pushed by his twuntish mate straight into our guitarist and they're all over the place, guitarist regains his balance, finishes song, puts down his guitar (top end PRS) and goes for them! Our singer (his missis) sees what's going to happen and manages to cut him off at the pass before it all kicks off. Damned shame, always a good gig there but spoilt by a couple of knob ends!! Let's hope tonight is less eventful!! [/quote] So you guys have "nut jobs" (people oblivious to others and don't know how to act in public)in the UK too. Happens occasionally over here. It's why my pedal board is wrapped in plastic. Blue

Pretenders? Blue

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1478806605' post='3171842'] Sorry Blue. I was simply saying I thought your post was interesting. I was saying your post is interesting (The first one quoted here) What I didn't say was why I find it interesting. I think this sums up my situation quite well. Bands I would be attracted to join would generally be ones playing what i might consider to be simple music I can handle and cope with learning in the limited time I have available to me to learn the numbers. What's wrong with this it that sort of music doesn't really light my fire. So it would really be a case of "joinabanditis". The other stuff I wrote was simply general comments from reading other posts in the thread. I apologise for any confusion. [/quote] No problem, cool. Just to reiterate, to all beware of "joinabanditis". Only entertain opportunities that are a match for you personally. Blue

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1478721625' post='3171243'] That's interesting. So taking what's being said here in the thread. The way NOT to do it is answering small ads. So I look at the musicians I know: 1 - Mrs G who plays piano and has zero interest in performing 2 - Mrs G's brother, who's a professional classical cello player and no interest in performing anything other than classical. So the access is somewhat limited. I could start a band, but even though I'm 57 I have zero knowledge about running a band. That said, I'm no numpty, so I can imagine a lot of the logistical and marketing stuff. I would also need to invest in a PA and lights etc. The other thing I would need is time - to invest in getting the play-list together with sheets etc to hand out, marketing.... Exactly. [/quote] I'm not sure what this has to do with my comment about joining a band. Blue

[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1478722262' post='3171248'] Failed an audition recently but wasn't fussed as I didn't care much for the guitarist. I learnt my songs pre audition and then the guitarist wanted to throw several extra tunes in that he knew well and I ended up looking a right dick trying to find my way! I had a great audition a couple of weeks ago, played my socks off and had a fantastic couple of hours - the band folded a couple of days later due to the drummer quitting (at least that is what I was told) ;-) [/quote] Interesting, for those auditioning beware. Some bands are auditioning as a last ditch attempt to save a band that's falling apart. These are usually not good opportunities. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1478717941' post='3171201'] But... You don't get to play with and learn from other musicians; you don't get to meet like minded people from all sorts of backgrounds that you otherwise would not have met; the camaraderie you get from being a gigging musician; you don't get the opportunity to travel the country to entertain different crowds; you don't get to make lifelong friends from people you've played in bands with or have come to watch you; you don't get the immediate reaction from an appreciative crowd; you don't get comments from punters, the vast majority of whom are massively well desposed to you for entertaining them; you don't get the mainly positive effects of low level local fame & recognition; and of course you don't get to experience the magical moments when everything clicks into place and the band becomes more than the sum of its individual members... I'm sure that there are a few other things that I've missed... [/quote] Agreed Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1478719613' post='3171219'] Nope, not at all.... You just have to play with grown up people. [/quote] This is in line with many of my comments. If you join a band just because you have " I want to be in a banditis "without any personal requirements or thought into what your looking for, your setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. No offence, but I'm not sure the OP understands band culture or his own responsibility in choosing a band to play in. All of his complaints can be avoided with more personal thought and preparation. Blue