Does age matter?

[DJpullchord]

I’m looking for a new band to play bass or guitar in. Current band are just too busy for me. In the last four bands, I’ve been the youngest (I’m currently 43), by about ten years usually. When we play it obviously doesn’t matter but with the other stuff it does, musical references, inspiration, song selection (I really don’t like ‘brown sugar’),

Am I wrong to enquire about the age of band members when looking for a new band? As we all know age doesn’t matter...

[Silvia Bluejay]

In a gigging band (covers or function etc.), age doesn't matter - what really matters is what the audience/client likes. In a hobby band, usually what the band members like matters more than anything else, and that's where age may well influence the choice of repertoire.

Guess which of the above types of band gigs regularly and gets paid...

[Mykesbass]

That's not an age thing. Musical references and inspiration for many are far older than they are. I'm looking to break out of the Blues Rock genre so am starting to look around for people with different interests rather than different ages.

[lownote]

Unfortunately it does in extreme doses, but in pedestrian ways.  I was in a band where I was the youngest by eight years.  We lost loads of time due to one member or another having hearts attacks,. knee ops, ear ops, etc etc.   And we never rehearsed anything the same way twice because none of us could remember how we'd done it 1/2 hour before.

Musically, we all tend to reference the music that was hip when when we were about 14. So a big age difference shows in music choice. And while my last band leader's choice of music was awesome for me, I've also played with older people who quite naturally prefer music that was around when I was however much younger I was than them.  

My taste now is very much younger than my age group, but you're not going to persuade the average 25 year old funk or jazz influencer let a 65 year old in the band, even though I like what they do. 

 

Edited February 14, 2020 by lownote12

[Lozz196]

I think it matters more in bands that are mainstream famous and doing it as a career, less so in others. 

[hooky_lowdown]

I've seen many band mate ads where age is listed, but I know teenagers who are into 60s bands and I know pensioners who like modern music.

The important bit isn't age, it's bands and influences you like. You need to list bands etc you like and find like-minded band mates! 👍

[Delberthot]

I tend to favour 70s music (I'm 44),  our 51 year old singer likes modern music, our 41 year old drummer likes 80s and our 43 year old guitarist likes cheesy 90s rock and country so there's not always a correlation between age and musical tastes.

Edited February 14, 2020 by Delberthot

[DJpullchord]

I like all periods of music, off to the opera tomorrow, currently got Anthrax on the headphones.

I’m finding that with cover bands, they’re reluctant to do much after 1980? That’s when they’re playing to people in their twenties, too.
I met some guys in a psych covers band recently, they were unaware that there’s loads of new psychedelia out right now. Firmly stuck in the 60’s, the music of their youth.

Do you people just find their comfort zone and stay there until they keel over?

 

[Cat Burrito]

Society is far too hung up on age. As ridiculous as it now sounds, I stopped playing at 25 because I thought I was too old. I had 4yrs out. We'd grown up with the Rolling Stones being told they were too old as they were 38! Times have changed. 18 months ago I was front row at a Stones concert watching Jagger put on a show that most people 1/3 of his age couldn't manage.

I've had two near death experiences which made me realise you are only as young as you feel. It's a mindset. I'm 47 next month, fitter than I ever was in my 20s and I weigh the same as I did 25yrs ago. As Lemmy said, if you think you're too old for rock 'n' roll than you probably are.

I'm keeping going now until whatever ailments force me to stop. 

[BigRedX]

Age only matters if you (and the others in your band) let it matter.

Having similar musical influences and ambitions (however big or small) are far more important.

In The Terrortones I was by far the oldest member of the band (in my 50s) and by contrast one of our many drummers was only 17 when he joined the band, but we all wanted to play the same kind of music and be out there every weekend gigging so the difference in ages didn't matter.

Same with my two current bands, although we are mostly much closer in ages we share a love of the same kind of music and want to be creative and gig.

[Al Krow]

2 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

I think it matters more in bands that are mainstream famous and doing it as a career, less so in others. 

^^ this

Not really an issue, unless you're trying to convey a specific image, but even then...for originals and covers bands - it's not as though there are only 20 somethings in a pub or at a wedding, is it? 

But I'm not sure this chap could really have considered...

...applying to join them:

[BigRedX]

But would he want to?

Musically they are on different planets.

[Al Krow]

4 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

But would he want to?

Musically they are on different planets.

Nope. And not sure how many of us would want to join them tbf! Lol!

But my point is that you can substitute pretty much anyone several decades apart in age from the rest of the band, where they are targeting a certain audience or market, and know that it ain't going to work from a marketing point of view for a pro band. That was Lozz's point and I agree. For covers and originals bands which 99% of BC'ers are involved in, age most likely ain't gonna matter musically or presentation-ally, although it may well impact on other issues relating to "fit", socialising etc. and that's gonna vary in importance from person to person.

[SH73]

Does age matters? Don't think so.

 

Edited February 14, 2020 by SH73
.

[chris_b]

Does age matter? Depends on the target audience. If it's a bunch of assorted herberts down the pub or a bunch of heavy metal orcs then probably not, but for anything else? Maybe.

I first ran into age discrimination when I was 20. I phoned about a gig advertised in MM and was told I was too old, because the band leader was 13!! I know a great guitarist who was told he was too fat and a brilliant bass player who was told he was too ugly. Presentation does matter in many instances. If you're old enough to be their Dad, then you probably won't be fitting in on many levels.

[ambient]

I’m the youngest by about thirty years in the jazz thing I sometimes play for. It’s only relevant if it’s important for you or them, otherwise it’s not.

[IainS]

I think if I were looking for a new band I’d ask what type of music they played, some example songs, and take it from there. Hanging out with a bunch of people twenty years younger or twenty years older can be pretty fun as long as you’re all on the same page musically. 

[PaulWarning]

I'm the eldest by 10 years (over 60 is all I'm admitting too), our drummer is 30, and our dep guitarist 17! the important thing is we're all into the same sort of music (punk), so no it's not vital but you've all got to be liking the same genre, and your audience has as well

[fleabag]

There's over a 20 year difference between our youngest and oldest band member.

Hasnt made the slightest bit of difference as far as our band goes.  As it happens, the genre we play , everyone of us loves it

[jezzaboy]

I`m 54 and our rhythm guitarist is 33. Sometimes I start talking about the 70`s only to be reminded that he wasn`t even born then! Boy it makes me feel old.

But it shouldn`t matter in a band context unless you want to be the next big thing.

[mikel]

1 hour ago, jezzaboy said:

I`m 54 and our rhythm guitarist is 33. Sometimes I start talking about the 70`s only to be reminded that he wasn`t even born then! Boy it makes me feel old.

But it shouldn`t matter in a band context unless you want to be the next big thing.

People saying music is not their era because they were not alive then? Where would that leave classical music? Or blues, or lady Day, or Frank  Sinatra, or the Beatles. He needs to get real. Music is ageless.

[Woodinblack]

9 hours ago, DJpullchord said:

I’m looking for a new band to play bass or guitar in. Current band are just too busy for me. In the last four bands, I’ve been the youngest (I’m currently 43), by about ten years usually. When we play it obviously doesn’t matter but with the other stuff it does, musical references, inspiration, song selection (I really don’t like ‘brown sugar’),

I am the same. I am about 10 - 20 years older than the other members of the group and it makes a difference as I don't like the rubbishy old stuff that they want to play, blues and stuff.

[Al Krow]

1 hour ago, mikel said:

People saying music is not their era because they were not alive then? Where would that leave classical music? Or blues, or lady Day, or Frank  Sinatra, or the Beatles. He needs to get real. Music is ageless.

Music may be ageless.

But fashion and tastes change.

If it didn't we would still all be listening to Frank Sinatra or the Beatles.

I think a band wrote a song once, something about "My Generation". Can't remember Who...

[Ricky 4000]

Small Faces? 😁

[Dan Dare]

Age does matter. I wouldn't apply to join a band of 20 or even 30 somethings, because they wouldn't want me and I wouldn't wish to put them in the embarrassing situation of having to say "Sorry, grandad". Given that I play as much for fun these days as anything else, I want to be able to relate to/get on with the people I play with. That means we need things in common and that means in most cases that we need to be of a broadly similar vintage. Music may be ageless, but musicians ain't.