EssexBuccaneer

This has been an interesting read. My covers (pub) band won’t play for free except for a couple of regular charities we play annually. We want to arrange a gig in Reading sharing the bill with a guy from work’s band, but we’re in Essex and Reading is obviously quite a trot for us. The first venue we spoke to said ‘we don’t pay bands, but can give you beer and sandwiches all night’ 🤐

We use some backing for synths/samples etc. For some songs it’s essential - born in the USA is an example. We’re have one guitarist, one bass, one drummer, and a singest. Don’t like the things we do? You’re free to leave the pub 😊

Immigrant song. It’s not totally defeated me because I’m not giving up, but the runs are *so* quick!

We played The Chadwell Arms, which is becoming something of a regular joint. The landlord now greets us with handshakes and hugs, and the punters are very friendly from the moment we walk in. Last night was a mixed bag - we went down a storm, with loads of singing along, rapturous applause and a double encore. We debuted ‘free Fallin’ and I brought an old custom bass out of retirement as a one-off. The down side? Our singer has a new ladyfriend, and he was in full-on showman mode (presumably for her). He upped the rockstar act, which went down well, but the distraction caused him to miss a couple of cues, come in too early, or too late, and generally be a bit mistake-laden. I loved the positive reaction, but I’m too much of a perfectionist to overlook the errors. Must do better.

Not sure if this is the right thread but I got a call asking em to join another band yesterday. A ‘proper’ punk band, pistols, clash etc. 26-30 gigs a year, established on the scene. Sadly I just can’t commit to a second band, with work, college, family time etc, it would just be too much. If you’re in Essex and like the sound of it, drop me a DM and I’ll put you in touch with the singer.

We played a 40th b’day party last night. Had punters up dancing from the first song - that’s a new and novel experience, so we enjoyed that. Except we later learned it was because the do started about 2.5 hours before we set up, and they were already well and truly lubricated with booze. By the second set, the families with young kids had gone home, and the remaining punters had largely passed out/thrown up or were harassing the pub staff. Total mess of a night - even though we played well. Not a family we’ll be working for again.

I’ll switch basses mid-gig because I refuse to tune on-stage. Horses for courses 😀

Not the same, but I have another niche hobby alongside bass - I fiddle around with RC cars and trucks. Yesterday I went to a radio control shop in Rochester. I was stunned at how little the staff cared, also the poor stock and general mess in the shop. You’d think in an hobby with such passionate, geeky fans, the staff would have a similar level of enthusiasm and actually *want* to engage, chat and help their customers. Sadly it seems the opposite all too often.

Great gig on Saturday night at The Chadwell arms, which is become a regular haunt of ours, now. The small crowd were singing and dancing from the off. I knew we’d cracked it when one older chap who’d been nodding along throughout the first set gradually edged closer, and by the mid point of set 2 was belting along with us and full-on dancing! 4 encore songs(!) was a first as well. Absolutely over the moon!

Our Encore is Rage Against The Maching ‘Killing In The Name’ where I take a wander out into the crowd (and climb a table if one is handy). Is one of the highlights of my night! Horses for courses, I s’pose 😆

I suspect that your experience is far from the norm.

Also Iron Maiden, at The London Stadium.

If you want to be in a band, you need a PA - so digging one’s heels in and saying ‘I’m not paying’ is unlikely to prove worthwhile or popular. However in this situation it’s different, with an already (presumably) decent PA that doesn’t need an upgrade. I’d be happy putting it to a band vote and if it’s deemed unnecessary then it doesn’t get bought. I’m always bemused by the pickles that some get into with shares of PA’s, and I own this and you own that, and you can buy me out etc etc. A PA, once bought (by band earnings ideally) is a sunk cost. Write it off.