TimR

I think it is lack of imagination from the 'artist' who is covering the song. Although it very much depends on how the 'song' was created. If there is a strong hook, melody and lyrics then you can copy the song on a piano or acoustic guitar. The rest is just, as you say, production. Often the band covering the material will get too hung up on copying the production and overlook the actual musical content (if there is any) to the detriment of what they are producing. I played with a drummer who's first comment on hearing a new tune was always; we don't have an X in our lineup so we're not doing it. Very short sighted and close minded.

Minecraft. All the 11 year old boys want to be famous YouTubers like Stampee

Blue is talking about the overnight sensation in the U.S. While similar things have happened in the UK when I was a kid and we only had 3 TV channels. Blackadder and The Young Ones are TV shows that we were always talking about and couldn't await until the next episode. For people slightly older it was Monty Python. Gangnam Style, that's just a one off viral hit. Similar to the Ice Bucket challenge. Plus the Beatles already had a string of songs ready written to hit the U.S. with. Overnight they reached 20million more people than the entire population of the UK.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1441188642' post='2856705'] Ugg didn't change the world overnight. The Beatles did. I think the point Blue is trying to make - and I agree with him, even though I didn't experience it first hand - is more about the intensity of the change. [/quote] I think undiluted TV has a massive role in this. The U.S. had three TV stations. You'll never get that reach again. Look at the viewing figures for that show. 73 Million viewers!

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1441188165' post='2856698'] Yes, but when Kanye said he was going to take over the world, he was talking [i]literally[/i]. We all thought he meant through the medium of music, but he was referring to the huge army of indestructible killer robots hidden away in his top secret mountain headquarters, poised and waiting to enslave all who comply and unleash a hideous electric death on those who do not. Mwa-ha-ha-ha-haaaa, and so on. [/quote] Or just maybe just running for President. http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/31/politics/kanye-west-2020-running-for-president-vma/

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1441186379' post='2856681'] Yes indeed... sadly now One Direction have split this generation needs a new pop music hero. [/quote] I was referring more to his recent statement of taking over the world.

Frightening it could all happen again with Kanye West...

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1441176823' post='2856590'] I would rather not have to go over this stale old topic yet again, with the same participants marking out the same territory and hijacking a thread that has nothing to do with it, but hey you cant always get what you want....wait, didn't someone already say that? [/quote] It's not off topic. The OP is feeling pressured into doing a gig for free. Others have said that's borderline exploitation. If you'd rather not go over why this is happening then either don't read threads that have a financial basis or ask a Mod to ban talking about money. I gave a single one line answer. .

Quite. Just maintain a professional attitude. It's not your fault that the original bass player isn't available. Which is where the real problem lies.

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1441128797' post='2856307'] And I was just trying to point out, as I did in an earlier post, that this topic (bands playing for little or no money, festivals, charity gigs yadder yadder) is still running in another recent thread so do we have to do it all again. The OP's original point was that even if the band wanted to do the non-paying festival type gig should he, as a dep, still get paid. The general feeling seems to be that the answer is yes unless he chooses to waive his fee, which is his choice not theirs. The wider point about free, charity, festivals etc etc is not relevant as he, as a dep, has no part in the band's decision to take the gig unpaid - he should just be another expense like travel etc. for the band to consider - and just drags the topic down a very well worn road. If the cost of having him as a dep causes them to reconsider, or ask him to play for free as otherwise they can't (don't wan to) afford to do it, it's his decision what to do. Do it for expenses (fuel etc.), do it for free, or insist on his regular gig rate that they usually pay him. Not an easy one, but his decision none the less. [/quote] I would rather you had directed your comments to the person who bought the subject up. I was only answering his question. Thanks.

I was only trying to answer the question.

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1441110496' post='2856082'] Here we go again...... [/quote] Sorry, it's actually because the cost of musical equipment and the cost of living have dropped so much that we are able to pass the substantial savings on to the customer.

And why not. They've had an actor.

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1441027266' post='2855433'] Just seen someone post my thoughts Basically, yes, you've set a precendent as a dep by playing so many freebs, that they now expect it. As a dep, you are not part of the band, so disregard you play more gigs than their regular bassist. Unless you put your foot down, ( ah 1 ah 2 ah 3 and a 4 ) it will go on as they've got it sweet. While you keep accepting freebie gigs, they'll keep on not paying you. They're not daft are they ? Slight off topic To me, and i know this is the same for all musos, i'm wondering why gig money hasn't gone up with inflation. Everything has increased, yet gig money is either worse, or at best the same as 25 years back or more I know in '91 our band was getting roughly £250 per gig for pub work, and clubs paid a bit more. I'm sure it was at that level before then, and its still that way now [/quote] Because too many people are prepared to work for free.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1441018491' post='2855302'] Sterling SUB Ray 4 - active beast. The problem is with this bass. I also have a Squier VM Precision PJ, which is passive and doesn't give the same problems. [/quote] Audition with the PJ then when you get the gig and have a couple of practices under your belt tell them you want to try out the Sterling to see what it's like.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1440973669' post='2855095'] How am I ever going to get through an audition if my playing is littered with squeeeeeeeekrattlehoooooooo, though? [/quote] It won't be. The ringing of the snare and high hat will mask most of the percussive noises. What will be harder for you to accept is having to change all your tone settings to fit with the guitar and bass drum. So more than likely the nice clear tone you're getting in your bedroom will sound wrong and the string noises will be the least of your concerns.

I was paid and put up in a hotel for one dep gig I did. This is precisely why I say (see the other thread) bands should think very carefully about committing to low paid or free gigs. It really depends on what other plans you would have for the day and whether they'll give you a lift there.

Well, the boy has floppy hair if it helps.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1440871642' post='2854490'] Not for much longer though. The Grim Reaper crooks his spectral, bony finger for the older generation and today's lazy, self-entitled, narcissistic floppy-haired youngsters are mostly too busy getting tattooed and drinking alcopops and indignantly protesting about the [i]desperate[/i] [i]unfairness[/i] of modern life to identify music as anything but a cheap, disposable personal soundtrack. ... [/quote] We were listening to the car radio the other day. On one of those radio stations for old people - Radio 2. My 15yo daughter remarked that she knew the tune being played, it was really old, but she liked it. The tune? George Michael - Careless Wisper. I believe one of his influences was Freddie Mercury. Anyway. My point? I can't remember now. Oh yes. My kids have been trained never to say "It's not fair." So your observation is a fairly general one.

It was my impression that the brewery pays the entertainment budget.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1440848153' post='2854304'] Couldn't agree more, which is precisely why I'm not worried about the keeping time app. Music is feel, not manufactured ! Well some of it is manufactured, but the less said about that, the better! [/quote] Micro timing is different to keeping time. But then we had this conversation before didn't we

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1440772063' post='2853746'] I think that at some time it will be repeated, but perhaps not with music. Or not with music as we know it. [/quote] What like digital watches or PCs or mobile phones or the Internet or Facebook or something?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1440772198' post='2853748'] and that is where my patience would run very thin... I'm happy for an equal split...IF all things are equal, but in the real world, they generally aren't. If we use a truly exceptional drummer..and sometimes we do... we might have to pay for the 'priveledge' and pay petrol and exes over and above but we make a point that he will not earn more over a year per gig that the rest of us core members, That means for big payers, he is still on a wage...but you can see how it can get tricky etc etc .. Basically we pay him what he asks and can afford with in reasonable limits...but that is the price you get for a 'world class player'.. [/quote] And this is where I got quite badly burned doing a wedding gig at mates rates in a past band. The drummer and singer pulled out a few days before and we had to get in deps. Who wanted a premium. The fee of £500 was £200 each and then £25 each for the rest of us. For what was 12 hours out of the house and £20 in fuel. If the keys player had dropped out we'd have been seriously out of pocket.

It really depends on the gig. They schedule is quite big. Covers travel over a certain time and distance and waiting time and rehearsal and performance rates.

Lots of cash exchanging hands. No employment contracts. No tax. I'm not sure minimum wage or union involvement is very high on the list.