Bluewine

Agreed, amateur is the way I'd decribe these guys. More than likely guys that haven't paid their dues and don't know how innapropiate and poor their communication was. I'd say this happens a lot, bands only care about solving their issue and others involved don't matter. I would bet there are guys here that have learned material, auditioned for bands never to hear word one back from the band. Blue

These guys seem imature. If you don't need the money, I'd diplomatically decline the gigs you have committed to and explain why. Blue

True, playing along with groove tracks can't hurt. My point, I wish I had a proper vehicle to employ what I've learned. Like discreet mentions, say you bulild up your chops and playing in tempo and then the drummer you play with struggles with tempo. 😢 Blue

My opinion, it's difficult for most local level bands to compete with; 1. A main bar that's in a separate room from where the band is playing or even a bar in the same room but considerable far away from the the band. 2. The clientele is not necessarily there to hear a live band. 3. Very active series of pool. 4. Major sporting events on loud wide screens. Those are just a few, there are many others. In my area not many bar owners put much thought into the logistics of live music. Don't get me wrong, few places are great and know what they're doing. Blue

I occasionally practice with backing tracks. The down side is your playing in pretty close to an ideal environment. Playing along to backing tracks can give some guys a false sense of their true ability. Many times I've felt great playing to backing tracks only to be jolted back into reality when playing with my band. Unfortunately unless your playing with high level pro studio musicians you may also find yourself dissapoinred. Blue

If my band folds, I'll be in an awful predicament. First of all my desire to play in 2018 is just as high if not higher than it was in 1966. You would think someone with passion and conviction would have gotten further than "bar band" level. It will be very difficult to find a band with steady good paying gigs in my area. And even if I found one, there would still be the issue of "fit". Thereis nothing none of us 60 plus guys can do about our age except hair dye. 😁 Blue

When I started playing bass in 1965-66 there were no 5 string basses. Hence, I never got the whole appeal of basses with more than 4 strings. Blue

Playing bass has been my life since 1966. When driving to gigs gets difficult and my playing starts to decline, I'll still milk it out for another 3-4 years.:) Blue

I'd say it's pretty dated. Blue

Wow! What a line-up. Blue

Yeah, I'm starting to question my memory for anything that happened in the 60s and 70s. Blue

Fun in the Sun? It's such a common phrase, I'm not sure what it actually means Possible connected to the "good life" hanging out with no real responsibility. You know merely frolicking about having a good tine in sunny weather Blue

Where I live , I've experienced 105 degrees. That's hot and not fun. Blue

Understood Blue

Nice story; Blue

Yup, but fortunately sunshine is not one of them. Blue

But why is the rain so consistent. Are you guys located in a space on the globe that's condusive to a lot of rain for a reason? Blue

Good point, however I'm sticking with " fun in the sun " Blue

In a way I feel a little sorry for you guys in the UK. Over here in the States our festivals are still "fun in the sun" events with scantily clad free spirited ladies. When I watch clips from Glastonbury it always looks rainy. As a matter of fact from what I see all your outdoor festivals are rainy. What gives? Blue

Yeah, I was a young teen at that time and everybody was stoned most of the time. If you weren't stoned you were getting ready to get stoned And after that get stoned again. In retrospect I'd be a lot better bass player and would have went further in life with music had I focused more on studying bass and the music business. But, I'm 65 now, as I remember it, we had a blast back in the late 60s and early 70s. Seemed like the ladies were a lot cooler ( easy) back then to. Blue

Yeah, that's the story I've always heard. Didn't things become a little dicey at your 1970 Isle of Wight Festival not too long after Woodstock. I heard some folks felt the music should be free and started futsing around with the fences? Blue

I'm going to work, and I happen to have a very fun job, playing rock music for money. I don't drink alcohol, but if I did, I would never drink on the job. No mind altering anything. I got into this business partly because I love being in control. With drinking or substance that alter the mind, I'm no longer in control. Gig nights, I'll have a light lunch and won't eat again until breakfast. I never eat at gigs even when great food is available and offered. Blue

Commitment can be hard to find. Blue

Keep in mind, regardless of the money, performing at Woodstock and if they were in the movie catapulted several bands into "Super Star" status. Huge return on a relatively small investment Blue

Good call by The Who. Blue