Newfoundfreedom

Good point. I personally wouldn't get much enjoyment from that. It would be a hard work learning all the songs, just like being in a covers band, except at least maybe you get to put your own spin on the bass lines. But then again you would have no reference point. As far as being in an originals band, for me I have to be in on the ground floor and part of the creative process. The only caveat would be, if I was invited to join a band who's music I really, really liked. Then I'd maybe feel inspired enough to put the work in.

I'm confused, what exactly is he touring? What does he do on said tours?

There's definitely merit to both. I wasn't trying to start the age old "which is better" debate again. That's been done to death, and the answer is neither. As I said, it was more of a, which do people, on an individual basis find easier / harder. I know most seasoned musicians won't bat an eyelid either way. But I find it really difficult to learn covers. It always feels like hard work, grinding through a song. I know some people absolutely love it, and get great satisfaction from nailing a part. For me personally, I get far more pleasure from the creative side of writing and creating my own parts. There's absolutely no snobbery in that, in fact the opposite is probably true. I'm probably not good enough to nail a lot of the parts I would have to play in a covers band. I guess to sum it up simply for me. Covers feel like work, originals feel like leisure.

I've just been watching back a few videos from my old, and current bands. The first was a covers band, the second and current band does all originals. It got me thinking. Which is harder? To clarify, I'm not talking about which is harder to play. That very much depends on your own personal ability and the type of music. I'm thinking more psychologically. I know for many of you, especially semi professional, professional, and seasoned musicians, it probably won't make much difference, and you can probably play anything with your eyes closed and enjoy every minute of it. But, from the perspective of someone who really struggles with putting themselves out there (see the "performance anxiety' thread). Is it harder to play original music, and bare your heart and soul, and put your own personal creativity out there for all to see, or is it harder to play covers that people know, and will maybe notice every wrong note and lyric you play, and have something to judge you against. (Maybe "harder" is the wrong word.) Personally, I find it much more enjoyable to create a new song, than to spend hours learning a cover. But when playing original music livе that the audience doesn't know, the feedback can often be minimal. Whereas playing a cover (even badly) will often get the crowd going. Personally, I hate learning covers. It's like doing homework at school. Yeah, you get there in the end, but I get absolutely no enjoyment from it. I'd much rather put my time and energy into creating something new than learning an existing song, whereas the audience generally love something they know and can sing along to. But if nobody spent the time creating original music, then there would be no music for covers bands to cover. So which do you prefer?

I don't get it. Can people even hear bass frequencies that low, especially in a mix? I very rarely even venture into low B territory because it just becomes an inaudible mud. I can't imagine ever wanting to go lower.

Yup. I was talking to my guitarist yesterday and he's just been "panic buying" a load of valves, just in case. I've got a few knocking around. I might put them in a safety deposit box. They might be worth a small fortune after the nuclear holocaust.

OK, I'm just reviving this thread, because I've had a couple of drinks, so please forgive me if I ramble. But I'm just re-watching a performance of my band from a few weeks ago which we recorded. At the time I thought we were rubbish and was mortified at every little mistake. But watching it back with fresh ears, having had a couple of sherberts, I think we sound great. Maybe because the drink allows me to get out of my own head and stop listening to the bass and my own mistakes, and listen to the band as a whole. I don't know, but now the mistakes sound almost imperceptible, whereas at the time they felt enormous! I don't know if I'm explaining myself very well. Please don't think I have a drinking problem or anything like that. I like the occasional social drink, but when I do drink it feels like I can be more objective of the band because It allows me to listen to the music as a whole, rather than just listening for my own part and my own cockups. It's almost like being a member of the audience. I don't usually drink before or during a gig, because it makes me really sloppy. But I wish I could find the confidence in myself and the band that I get when I listen back after having a few. Maybe there's no wonder that so many artists have a problem with drink and drugs. But that's probably a discussion for a whole other thread. I envy those of you who don't suffer from anxiety I would really love to love being on stage. I love being in a band! I love the creative process of making music and writing songs! I wish I could learn to love performing. I keep hoping it will come one day. I'm generally really confident in life and any social situation, so I don't even understand my own anxiety at performing. I'm hopeful it will come with more experience.

It means the bass is good for metal.

They're basses. It all sounds like bass innit.

Yup. Definitely seen this on here before.

That's probably the tamest song on the album. 😆

I love Bloodhound Gang's Hooray For Boobies. It's extremely purile, which would normally be a big turn off for me, but it's so well written and just so damn catchy! Also Tenacious D. I've always thought Jack Black has too good a voice to be in a comedy band. One thing I don't like about humourous bands is when they have talky bits between tracks. It soon gets really old after repeated listens.

Well that went off on a tangent 😂

I'm offended that you feel that way.

I've only quoted this post so I can like it twice 👍

Indeed. I'm a fascinating person. If humour doesn't cause offence to someone, you're probably not doing it right. Just my opinion of course. Feel free to cancel it at your convenience.

Or indeed Jimmy Carr. His latest show was hilarious, but the cancel culture brigade's reaction to it was even funnier.

I'm not in the least bit offended. Just extremely bored with people who seemingly spend their entire lives looking around for something to be offended by, so they can whine about it on the internet. If you want to be offended, put down your phone, turn off your computer, and look out of the window. Seriously! There's far more important things happening in the world.

Yeah. There's definitely some truth in that. I think maybe it's a safety in numbers thing. My last band was a six piece covers band. So much less likely to be singled out. Weirdly, I was often approached after gigs and told how great the bass sounded when I didn't think anyone would even notice me in the mix. Now we're a four piece originals band, I have much more opportunity to shine, but I feel far more exposed.

The weird thing is, is that a that a lot of people who are perfectly comfortable in social situations, are very uncomfortable when performing on stage, and vice versa. I definitely come across as loud, and even obnoxious in social situations (as some have you may have gathered from my posts on here 😂) Growing up I had more friends than I could ever count, and I can definitely hold my own against anyone, in any social situation, whatever the conversation. I'm a proper big brash northern lad. I was doorman(bouncer)for several years, and I'm built like the proverbial brick privy, so there's very little that can phase me when it comes to confontation, but put me on stage in front of a crowd of people, and I'll go to pieces every time. Conversely, my wife, (who is the singer in my band,) was an awkward child with very few friends, and will generally shrink away, or at least be extremely quiet in social environments, but she's an absolute supernova when you put her on a stage in front of a crowd. I honestly feel so proud of her, and embarrassed at my own failings at the same time. Luckily the two things balance each other out. Honestly, I can't get my head around it. Why anyone so brash would be so timid, and why anyone so timid should shine so brightly in front of a crowd. As I said earlier, this is even the case in front of a small group of friends. Luckily I'm just the bass player so, on balance I can sit back and let my amazing wife Impress the audience. Because if it was up to me. Well.......

Another thing that people don't seen to be getting, is that the anxiety is nothing to do with the fear of getting something wrong (not for me at least) I can quite easily laugh off mistakes, as others have said, nobody dies, it's just not that important. But that doesn't stop the anxiety being almost crippling. The only part of I gig I really enjoy is the very last song. It's almost a feeling of getting away with it. There's something called imposter syndrome. Where you always feel like you're winging it and getting away with it, rather than actually doing it on your own merits. For me, it's more akin to that. It's like waiting to be found out.

All perfectly true and logical. Unfortunately, when dealing with nerves and anxiety, logic plays no part. I can have the song lists, know the material inside out, get on stage, and literally can't feel my fingers, or I'm shaking so badly it's almost impossible to hold down a tight rythm. The logical part of my brain already knows that all of this is utterly ridiculous. But I'm sure everyone with any kind of phobia knows in their rational mind that it's pretty ridiculous. It doesn't stop them being terrified. Not that I'm saying I'm at the same level as someone with a phobia, only that's it's just as uncontrollable by applying logic to the situation.