Being in a band with someone from a well known...

[NancyJohnson]

I'm not going to go into specifics, but last weekend I was asked whether I'd like to take up bass duties in a band fronted by someone from a band I adored in the 80s/90s.  I saw them maybe a dozen times...Hammersmith Odeon was probably the biggest place, but they played bigger.  They were on TV a lot, loads of albums/singles.  I'm a little conflicted here, on the one side there's the positives (playing, creating etc.), on the negative it's two hours each way to the studio (other side of London from me), I'm not entirely sure what the timetable is (gigging/recording), so I need to firm this stuff up.  I'm not even sure I want to do another band.

[wateroftyne]

I had a similar quandary recently, but the commute would have been Newcastle > Liverpool.

 

I really had to think long and hard and eventually decided not to... in my heart I knew it wasn't practical, and I didn't want to be in a position where I'd have to leave them in the lurch.

 

It went against all my instincts, but it was the fairest decision for them.

 

(Note: if there had been a big tour or something at the end of it, the outcome might have been different, but it was all a bit tentative.)

 

YMMV etc.

Edited March 19, 2022 by wateroftyne

[mr4stringz]

Seems there’s still a fair bit to iron out. If not held yet, an initial session plus full info on the schedule would likely put you in a better position to properly make an informed call?

 

 

[Nail Soup]

Sounds like a great opportunity, but of course not so straightforward.

I'm not in a position to advise, but I do suggest you take into account the old adage(cliché even) : you regret the things you don't do more than the things you do do.

 

[skankdelvar]

I suppose one could assess the opportunity as if this were a 'normal' band that's based at some distance from home:

 

* What's the money? How many gigs are lined up?
* Will it get in the way of my day job and would I be away from home at times?

* How much say would I get or will I just be playing someone else's lines?

* Are they nice people or deluded monsters?

 

In this specific circumstance one might add:

 

* Do I trust the band management?

* Salary or split of income? Do I get to submit my own songs and what's the deal on publishing?

* Can I bill travel expenses to and from rehearsals? Time's one thing, cost is another

* Will I find myself in a Pete Best situation where hard-core fans compete to throw abuse at the newbie?

* Can I bill hookers to the touring expenses ledger?

[Old Horse Murphy]

I was asked a long time ago to join a well known charts band from the 60's who were still touring regularly (I was recommended by a guy I played in a band with previously as they wanted a bass player who could also play guitar and ideally some sax).  I won't mention names, but it was one of those famous bands that didn't have any original members in it, but were made up of people who played in other famous bands around the same era and still played the nostalgia circuit. 
 

I would've been the youngest member by 30-odd years and I also would look shockingly bad in a hussars jacket (their stage uniform). Their itinerary was also akin to what I'd imagine a long distance lorry driver's would have looked like and they basically played every holiday park in the UK. Even then, it would have likely been quite a significant cut in pay for me too, together with all the uncertainty that goes with it. 
 

I politely declined and they had the decency to ask me a few more times before finding someone better and more committed. Still, it was nice to have been asked 😊

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2022 by Old Horse Murphy

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

My policy, never turn a paying gig down if you’re available. I don’t know whom it is, but I’d do it if I could.

[Guest]

Can the singer still sing the material? 

[oldslapper]

A 2 hour journey to spend time in a studio with an artist you like?
I’ve done the same playing for people I don’t like. 
😂
 

[Rayman]

If it was me.....

 

If the answer was yes to the following:

 

Do I like the music

Does it pay money

Am I available 

 

Then I'd be all over it.

 

If no to any one of those points, then not on your nellie captain.

[la bam]

As said earlier by someone else, you can either:

 

Regret doing it.

or

Regret not doing it.

 

or 

It works out well.

 

[Downunderwonder]

If I read it right this guy has been writing and wants someone to play the bass for a new studio album. There's any number of ways that could pan out.

 

Only one way that works in your favour is if you are getting paid enough for the studio work that it is worth your while. If you count the working for hero factor as pay then the maths changes.

 

I am pretty sure you don't need the old singer songwriter scams musos into writing and playing all the parts before touring the album with pickup band routine explained.

 

 

[chris_b]

Never mind that the guy was a "name" in the 80's. What's the band like now? A lot of guys haven't aged well.

 

If the band is good enough join it.

 

If you're not interested, give them my number!

[NancyJohnson]

I think @skankdelvarraised all the salient points (with the exception of the prostitutes).

 

I've been playing long enough and am old enough in the tooth to see this is not going to be a get rich quick/cash cow thing; it shouldn't impact on my day job and I don't see touring on the horizon.  I could see them playing second or third on the bill at Rebellion.  If I lived in East Landaan, I'd feel more excited about it.

 

The main thing here is the travelling, expense thereof and the loss of my recovery time (weekends).  I can record from home.  I'm already shattered most of the time and this will just contribute to that.

 

As things stand, I'm just waiting for the phone to ring, so to speak.

[Lozz196]

The mention of them being a Rebellion type band makes me even more eager to find out who it is.

[Guest]

On 19/03/2022 at 16:57, NancyJohnson said:

I'm not going to go into specifics, but last weekend I was asked whether I'd like to take up bass duties in a band fronted by someone from a band I adored in the 80s/90s. 

Black Lace?

[peteb]

15 hours ago, NancyJohnson said:

I think @skankdelvarraised all the salient points (with the exception of the prostitutes).

 

I've been playing long enough and am old enough in the tooth to see this is not going to be a get rich quick/cash cow thing; it shouldn't impact on my day job and I don't see touring on the horizon.  I could see them playing second or third on the bill at Rebellion.  If I lived in East Landaan, I'd feel more excited about it.

 

The main thing here is the travelling, expense thereof and the loss of my recovery time (weekends).  I can record from home.  I'm already shattered most of the time and this will just contribute to that.

 

As things stand, I'm just waiting for the phone to ring, so to speak.

 

Personally, if it is at all viable financially, then I would just go for it. 

 

Life's too short not to take advantage of opportunities like this if you're lucky enough for them to come up! 

 

[Raymondo]

10 hours ago, Bassfinger said:

Black Lace?

 

Nah...

 

Colin is still playing his bass and singing the hits in Tenerife.

 

[stewblack]

I was in precisely this position once and it is a source of constant regret that I turned it down.

Say yes, do it, and if you don't like it bail out.

[Marky L]

23 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

The mention of them being a Rebellion type band makes me even more eager to find out who it is.

Me too!

 

What do we have so far?
Rebellion - must have a punk edge to them.
Big in the 80's and 90's.
Likely a London band.

Hmmm...

Edited March 21, 2022 by Marky L

[White Cloud]

I'd do it.

 

Life is about experiences and I've learnt what the word 'regret' actually means: 'the things I've never done' not 'the things I did'.

 

Edited March 21, 2022 by White Cloud

[TimR]

Is it a full time job that would pay enough to warrant staying away from home? Or is it evenings and weekends and you are holding down a full time day job?

[Joe Nation]

tl;dr. Do it. Or at the very least go and meet everyone and do a jam or something to get a feel for the vibe. As others said further up, you'll regret it more if you don't than it you do.

[NancyJohnson]

4 hours ago, Marky L said:

Me too!

 

What do we have so far?
Rebellion - must have a punk edge to them.
Big in the 80's and 90's.
Likely a London band.

Hmmm...

 

I love sitting here reading this.  Can't say yet.

[MacDaddy]

4 hours ago, Marky L said:

Me too!

 

What do we have so far?
Rebellion - must have a punk edge to them.
Big in the 80's and 90's.
Likely a London band.

Hmmm...

 

5 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

 

I love sitting here reading this.  Can't say yet.

 

Looking at the 2022 Rebellion line up, there may not be any traditional punkyness, and people from a band big in the 80's and early 90's may be living in that London now, so not necessarily a London band.

Bearing in mind the size of venues, I'm gonna plump for Billy Duffy (coz Ian Astbury lives in LA).