"Boys Night Out" Is This The New Niche For Bands?

[blue]

Hi,

Just looking for comments and insights from you guys.

I been at this bass guitar, rock and roll thing for 50 years now. I'm fortunate to be in band with a really nice book of business (bars, clubs, functions, festivals and fairs) with good, honest and trustworthy organization. We play about 75 shows per year.

From talking to other musicians especially those over 40 it seems the drive to gig has diminished for many. Guys have other things going on in the lives, the business is tougher to get for most bands.

Many of the ads I saw read like this;

[i]"Bass player wanted, we are all over 40. We play classic rock. We rehearse once a week and gig once a month."[/i]

I'm sure some will challenge my opinion. To me this is not really a band, but more of a "Boys Night Out". A chance to get the bass out again and get out of the house for a little "me" time.

This is merely my personal opinion. I know there are multiple reason why guys might not want to gig as much as they once did.

Not sure what you guys think about this. Take it any direction you want.

Blue

Edited November 30, 2015 by blue

[LayDownThaFunk]

10 gigs a year, 100 gigs a year. What's the difference? A gig is a gig.

Could say the same thing about sexual partners.

[blue]

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1448917487' post='2919224']
10 gigs a year, 100 gigs a year. What's the difference? A gig is a gig.

Could say the same thing about sexual partners.
[/quote]

I just see as part of the trend in the decline of the market for live rock music. There are probably reasons why some bands play 10 gigs and another 100 gigs a year.

I should mention that I see nothing wrong with a "Boys Night Out"

Blue

Edited November 30, 2015 by blue

[uk_lefty]

As long as everyone has a similar level of commitment its all fine with me...

I make it clear to people: I'm not a pro quality player, I don't want to give up my job to try to "make it big", and if I am having a busy week at work and home that prevents me learning new songs properly then I say pretty quick

[Bigjas]

It's not always just about the gigs. I like the social side of being in two bands and getting together every week. I gig about 40 times a year which is just right for me at this time. A few years ago 15 gigs a year was what I enjoyed. Also, quantity is not always better than quality. I would rather do 10 decent gigs a year than 60 poor ones.

Jas

[blue]

Trolling?

No, not at all. Only in the sense that I wrote the post with the intent on generating responses.

Blue

[blue]

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1448918237' post='2919238']
As long as everyone has a similar level of commitment its all fine with me...

I make it clear to people: I'm not a pro quality player, I don't want to give up my job to try to "make it big", and if I am having a busy week at work and home that prevents me learning new songs properly then I say pretty quick
[/quote]

Yeah, I don't think many older guys are looking to make it big. I'm certainly not. Do I want to gig Friday, Saturday and Sunday, yeah I really do. but that's just me.

blue

[Twigman]

We've played the sum total of 2 gigs this year!!

Both were in Italy back in March....

We've got I think 11 booked for February and March next year though....

Edited November 30, 2015 by Twigman

[ahpook]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1448918435' post='2919246']
Trolling?

No, not at all. Only in the sense that I wrote the post with the intent on generating responses.

Blue
[/quote]

Well I'd say this - instead of knocking those practicing once a week and gigging once a month, how about doffing your cap to them - they're still rocking it when many have given up, they find time in their lives which might be busy with familiy and jobs and who-knows-what to strap on guitars, make some noise and have some fun. This forum is replete with them, I'd imagine.

They're still at it and that should be celebrated, not derided for not being in some way 'the real deal'.

Edited November 30, 2015 by ahpook

[Hobbayne]

I think Blue has mentioned before that he plays bass for a living. I dont think there was any malice intended in his question.
Anyhow, I am quite happy to gig once a month. That is enough for me. Music is a hobby, I have a good job and lovely wife and home, and sometimes I prefer to stay in and enjoy them.

[Dad3353]

There are less and less participants every year in the village Maypole celebrations. Once almost 'the event of the year', life has moved on, for better or worse.
My elder brother was, for several years, an avid member of a slot-racing club. Every small town had one; bigger towns had several. A shop or arcade, with a huge track layout; 6, 8 or more parallel tracks, run by professionals, including my brother, for a while. For a certain fee, one could compete one's latest jewel against others, with re-wound motors, 'slick' tyres, moulded plastic bodies of Can-Am or GT racers. Where are they now..? I'm pretty sure (I've not checked...) that there's one or two, somewhere in the UK, but it's had its day. Back later..? Maybe; life is like that.
Some things have a certain 'life span' Rock, and music in general, is one of them. It's normal, and surprises me not at all. Back in the day, there were half a dozen 'Marquee'-style clubs around Hounslow alone (RickyTick, anyone..?). I don't think there's one left, nor has been for years.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Dad3353

[rjs1909]

For me, I would love to gig as often as possible but Mrs rjs1909 tells me I don't have the time. In fact, she tells me I don't have the time to be in a band at all

[blue]

"Then why are you dismissing people for being in bands that you (dismissively in my opinion) describe as 'Boys Night's Out'.

I'm not dismissing it, what I was looking for was discussion on the overall decline in live rock probably at the bar band level.

Blue

[blue]

[i]"Well I'd say this - instead of knocking those practicing once a week and gigging once a month, how about doffing your cap to them - they're still rocking it when many have given up, they find time in their lives which might be busy with familiy and jobs and who-knows-what to strap on guitars, make some noise and have some fun. This forum is replete with them, I'd imagine.

They're still at it and that should be celebrated, not derided for not being in some way 'the real deal'"[/i]

I guess I could have said that, however that's not the way I think. Your very generous and so am I, up to a point.

For me, rehearsing more than you gig get's into the whole "Boys Night Out". Guys that love the the [i]"hang"[/i] with the boys and have fun thing. It's cool, but not for me. Even with my band, really cool talented people, however I hardly ever see them or talk to them except for at gigs. And to be honest, I think it's why we get on so well with each other. Again, just my spin, my take, my opinion.

Blue

[blue]

[quote name='rjs1909' timestamp='1448930427' post='2919415'] For me, I would love to gig as often as possible but Mrs rjs1909 tells me I don't have the time. In fact, she tells me I don't have the time to be in a band at all [/quote]

That's why I'm not married and why I don't have a girl friend. Nobody tells me what I have the time for or how I spend my time.

Blue

[blue]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1448930423' post='2919414'] There are less and less participants every year in the village Maypole celebrations. Once almost 'the event of the year', life has moved on, for better or worse. My elder brother was, for several years, an avid member of a slot-racing club. Every small town had one; bigger towns had several. A shop or arcade, with a huge track layout; 6, 8 or more parallel tracks, run by professionals, including my brother, for a while. For a certain fee, one could compete one's latest jewel against others, with re-wound motors, 'slick' tyres, moulded plastic bodies of Can-Am or GT racers. Where are they now..? I'm pretty sure (I've not checked...) that there's one or two, somewhere in the UK, but it's had its day. Back later..? Maybe; life is like that. Some things have a certain 'life span' Rock, and music in general, is one of them. It's normal, and surprises me not at all. Back in the day, there were half a dozen 'Marquee'-style clubs around Hounslow alone (RickyTick, anyone..?). I don't think there's one left, nor has been for years. [/quote]

This is exactly the type of astute commentary I was looking for.

Blue

[blue]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1448920899' post='2919283'] I think Blue has mentioned before that he plays bass for a living. I dont think there was any malice intended in his question. Anyhow, I am quite happy to gig once a month. That is enough for me. Music is a hobby, I have a good job and lovely wife and home, and sometimes I prefer to stay in and enjoy them. [/quote]

Exactly, this again has to do with how we all come at life and music differently.

I'm not very good at what would be looked at as traditional careers. And I'm not a family man or relationship type guy either.Both of those things are cool, but not for all of us.

I excel at getting home at 3:00am and off to the next gig a few hours later and repeating that. That's just a very natural way of getting from day to day for me.

Gigging all the time is a complete drag for some, I look at it as my calling.

Blue

[blue]

[quote name='Bigjas' timestamp='1448918412' post='2919243'] It's not always just about the gigs. I like the social side of being in two bands and getting together every week. I gig about 40 times a year which is just right for me at this time. A few years ago 15 gigs a year was what I enjoyed. Also, quantity is not always better than quality. I would rather do 10 decent gigs a year than 60 poor ones. Jas [/quote]

Cool, were all different. This is what works for Jas.

Me, I have no interest of the social side of this. I look at it as a business. The band members are my co-workers.

Quality and quantity are relative terms. And what makes a good gig and what makes a sh*tty gig are different to all of us.

To me, quality can happen anytime and anywhere. It's when all the pieces come together.The band is playing on all 6 cylinders, the sound and lights are where they're suppose to be.And your playing to a full house of respectful and responsive people.

Blue

Edited December 1, 2015 by blue

[ahpook]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1448932131' post='2919423']
I guess I could have said that, however that's not the way I think. Your very generous and so am I, up to a point.

For me, rehearsing more than you gig get's into the whole "Boys Night Out". Guys that love the the [i]"hang"[/i] with the boys and have fun thing. It's cool, but not for me. Even with my band, really cool talented people, however I hardly ever see them or talk to them except for at gigs. And to be honest, I think it's why we get on so well with each other. Again, just my spin, my take, my opinion.

Blue
[/quote]

That's fine.

I've really nothing to add.

Edited December 1, 2015 by ahpook

[CamdenRob]

I'm sure we've done this thread before.

Some people like doing lots of gigs - others don't...

... life goes on.

[FuNkShUi]

Yeh i think it's just that some people have other jobs which prevents them from gigging three times a week.
I would love it if i could make music my full time living, and have enough to fund my family.
As it stands, i cant, so i dont.
Once a week is about what we aim for.
Keeps it fresh and enjoyable for us then.
I totally get what you're saying though Blue.
It's your main source of income (from what i gather), so you need it to be regular

[Phil Starr]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1448917178' post='2919217']

From talking to other musicians especially those over 40 it seems the drive to gig has diminished for many. Guys have other things going on in the lives, the business is tougher to get for most bands.

Many of the ads I saw read like this;

[i]"Bass player wanted, we are all over 40. We play classic rock. We rehearse once a week and gig once a month."[/i]

I'm sure some will challenge my opinion. To me this is not really a band, but more of a "Boys Night Out". A chance to get the bass out again and get out of the house for a little "me" time.

Not sure what you guys think about this. Take it any direction you want.

Blue
[/quote]
[quote name='blue' timestamp='1448931521' post='2919419']
"Then why are you dismissing people for being in bands that you (dismissively in my opinion) describe as 'Boys Night's Out'.

I'm not dismissing it, what I was looking for was discussion on the overall decline in live rock probably at the bar band level.

Blue
[/quote]

You can see why you were misunderstood, I think describing another's band as "boy's night out" sounds dismissive even if it isn't meant to be. It may be something lost in translation, in the UK almost all our most cutting insults are understatements and it was you who introduced the term. To my British eyes it did look like you were looking down on people who gig less than you.

Anyway, decline in live rock in bar bands. I think your ad is a good summary. [i]"Bass player wanted, we are all over 40. We play classic rock. We rehearse once a week and gig once a month."[/i]

We get a load of these over here, though many specify once a week or even more. I suppose my heart sinks a little when I see these, especially if you add the words 'classic rock'. To me it is the music of the past, admittedly a good past, and my past but it is the music of the 60's and 70's, the music of the over 40's. In my teenage years the pubs were full of 50 year olds playing Trad Jazz, the same 20 songs played by most of the bands. Good musicians often, and good fun but people playing 40 year old music with the odd new song played in the style of the late 1920's. We'd moved on through the Beatles and on to Zeppelin and Hendrix and a burst of creativity. Good fun but out of touch. Now we see the 50+'s me included playing the 40 year old music of their youth wondering why more people don't come to see them.

Don't get me wrong there is still an audience out there and people still have a great time but it is inevitably a diminishing audience. Why would you expect that not to be the case? Even on a personal level this 63 year old wants to see something a bit different when I get to go out. If a band advertises itself as classic rock they will have 20 other bands playing similar sets within a 20 mile radius. I've heard enough of them, so I cross those off the list and look for something a bit different. In my band I wish we'd learn newer songs with different musical challenges, but that's just me and I love the people I play with. We put on a good show with lot's of commitment and an hour spent in their company is an hour well spent.

[peteb]

Can I just say that some people here are a touch too eager to write live (rock) music off! There is still a pretty decent audience out there and a good band will still pack a big pub / club out. It's just not the dominant entertainment option for most people that it was 20 or 30 years ago...!

I know plenty of people who gig as much as Blue. However most of the bass players in that category are not on Basschat or if they are, don't post. There are also loads of guys (like me) who probably gig about half as much, but can't take every possible gig due to work or family commitments. Then again there are guys (especially who post on forums) who just want to keep their hand in and play once a month or so - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Actually I think that all rock bands should have that 'boys night out' feel - I grew up with bands like Thin Lizzy and that was definitely part of their appeal...!

[Twigman]

When we're not gigging we write at rehearsal...To be honest we seem to be only meeting up once a month these days. That's why this album is taking so long.
It's not a boys' night out.
If one of us didn't have such a busy schedule and adtually be in the country a bit more often I'm sure we'd do more.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Twigman

[cheddatom]

I'm not sure about the US, but I think less people are going out at night in the UK. This would explain the amount of pubs closing for a start, before we get to the amount of empty gigs. I think better quality and more choice in home entertainment means that more people stay home instead of going out to socialise. I play in bands with a few guys 10-20 years older than me, and they reckon 15 years ago there would be well attended gigs every night of the week in Stoke and it's surrounding towns. It's just not like that any more

So, I think any decline is more to do with the audiences than it is the bands

I like to hang out with my bands but I don't think I've ever seen them outside of a gig/rehearsal/studio time