blue

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1416962847' post='2615639'] You're wearing t-shirts too. Some T-shirts do look good on some people. Some people don't know this. Some people don't know recognise that they should never wear T-shirts. The thing is many folk are not t-shirt shaped. [/quote] That's a good point, I really think some guys don't know and it goes beyond T-Shirts. A guy might think I'll grow a beard or a mustache and for some guys that can grow decent beards ( I have almost no facial hair ) and it will look great. But beards and mustaches don't look great on everyone. You would think that guy would have a wife, girlfriend that would say, "lose the beard". Same with hair, there are guys with short hair that should wear it longer and guys with long hair that would look much better with shorter hair. And we have to give some stuff up, what looked good at 17 might not look so great at 61. Hey, if my T-Shirt looks anything like the ones those guys are wearing, tell me and I won't wear it again. Blue

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1416959601' post='2615607'] I don't think it's the jeans doing it. Unfortunately, some people will always look like they've just been pulled through a hedge backwards regardless of whether they're wearing jeans or a Saville Row suit. [/quote] I think anyone can find a "look", but you have to at least make the attempt. I'm 61 and I show a lot of wear and tear, but I will at least find a T-Shirt that fits. Now that I look at that pic, I think I've played that same gig on Lake Michigan. Blue

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1416959601' post='2615607'] I don't think it's the jeans doing it. I'm 50 and wear jeans. Two guitarists I play with are 60 and (almost) 70 and wear jeans. We are in the midst of the youngest 'older generation' we've ever seen. Unfortunately, some people will always look like they've just been pulled through a hedge backwards regardless of whether they're wearing jeans or a Saville Row suit. [/quote] I just have a hard time thinking any guy in a band, before a gig says; [i]"Let's see, what clothes do I have that don't fit."[/i] Blue

Why Don't Guys Care About Their Appearance? Am I now the old guy, like when my Dad ( from the WWII generation ) would rip on me for wearing blue jeans? Or is appearance on stage no longer important, not a priority for some, it's cool to look like this? Would love to hear your opinion. Blue

[size=4][font=Arial]Do You Have The Ability?[/font] [font=Arial]I love this stuff, to me it's a great example of putting a group of pros together and it just works.[/font] I think Raphael Saadiq has been around for about 20 years. Still looks like a kid.[/size] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4dyRzvA7D4 [font=Arial][size=2][size=4]I'm too old to be afforded this type of opportunity and not sure if I have the ability for it.[/size][/size][/font] [size=4][font=Arial]My question is, don't most of the band members look like they were recruited from some of the high end music schools. I don't think the powers that be pull this level of talented young musicians out of bar bands.[/font] [font=Arial]Comments?[/font] [font=Arial]Blue[/font][/size]

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1416874749' post='2614701'] Is it the guy wearing my jacket ?? [/quote] We have a winner! However, your jacket is actually a lot cooler than his. The guy was a good song writer however just an awful person and he couldn't relate to people and it came across on stage. Doing stuff like saying thank you in French and telling people he was from London. A real "tool". And example of his work, he's strictly a home recording guy. Geeeeez? By the way, I personally do not think any of those comments on the video are for real. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTXvnabcQbA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=sTXvnabcQbA[/url] Blue

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1416869748' post='2614644'] Err, they all look pretty shifty, except the dude with the T-Bird, of course! [/quote] Interesting, I was going to say the samething. Blue

[quote name='Bo0tsy' timestamp='1416832866' post='2613968'] I'm on both BC and TB... yet I don't gig period. I therefore don't really have opinions about gigging but I do have opinions and interest in many other things bass, music and effects related . [/quote] Probably the best way to keep it, if you don't gig and it sounds like you have no intentions on gigging or interest in it. I have a few bass player buddies that record at home , love the whole home studio thing but they make it clear they hate the thought of performing in front of people. I don't get that, but were all different. If you go see other bands I am sure you could share your observations. Blue

For my band, I should walk off the stage and take a listen for myself. I have no idea how I sound in the mix, I only hear the stage mix. I ask people how was our sound; [i]" Everything sounds great"[/i] yeah right. Blue

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1416819037' post='2613781'] Interesting one: I don't want to join a band and be hit with a bill to cover a repair on the PA, on day 1, for wear and tear from the last 10 years use. Isn't it better to simply agree that the owner of the PA (as there is inevitably a single owner; the guy who would keep it in the event that the band splits) should charge an agreed "rent" for the gear for each show. [/quote] I got the bad taste in my mouth for band funds when I joined a band, and Originals band back in 2009. The band leader wanted me to help pay off the bill for their completed CD. I never contributed a cent. I knew the guy was a crook right then and there. We played Shank Hall ( Spinal Tap ) and pulled in $900.00 and he didn't pay anyone. I quit the next day. Live and learn, Pick or guess who the crook was (band leader) is in the pic. Blue

[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1416801789' post='2613710'] By the way Blue, I find your stated refusal to participate in band funds perplexing. The bands I'm with don't have a fund, but there is a small float (mostly gig money from awkward payment splits kept aside for band emergencies). But if there is a band fund, with an agreed purpose, with a realistic timescale - demo costs, PA upkeep, for instance - what's wrong with that? [/quote] Yeah it was pretty perplexing. Don''t get me wrong and this is really silly. I would rather pay any cooperative band expense out of my own pocket, right then and there. I'm small time and use to getting paid in full at the end of each show. Blue

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1416799260' post='2613707'] You raise some good points there. I would expect to be paid less I were backing a know artist. But I'd like to see sone evidence of box - office value to the writer if this was performing in a local bar band. I guess the next point is; how many original tracks do the band have to play in its repertoire for that writer to start expecting an enhanced cut. [/quote] I see where your coming from and it's a good question. Hopefully someone else can chime in on it because I don't know how that would work. Referencing the equal split question, I was more thinking about that singer or lead guitarist that feels, even at the bar level, people are coming out to see him/her specifically, the[i] "local star"[/i] type expecting a larger cut. I get that, and if that person really is the draw, that full into that " local star" category (and we have local heroes like that here) Then a larger cut is fair. Blue

There are many guys that will join a band without doing a thorough study on the band first. A lot of guys will even skip, how much does the gig pay, how and when will I be paid. All bands are not equal splits. And most originals bands involve a band fund. I never participate or contribute to band funds. Blue

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1416650095' post='2612202'] How did you come to this conclusion ? [/quote] I met a long term TB guy once. he was playing at a bar down the street from where my band was playing in Fort Atkinson and he shared the statistic with me. What do you think it is on Bass Chat, I have read several posts where guys say they haven't gigged in years. Blue

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1416772073' post='2613452'] Interesting topic. Seems to me that band dynamics can sometime be more important than individual talent (well, to a degree) - no "I" in "team" and all that stuff. We're way down the musical food chain so a lot of the discussion points are not really an issue for us and "[size=5][font=Arial][i][size=4]The band is a low priority in their life"[/size][/i][size=4] is probably our defining characteristic. [/size][/font][/size] [size=5][font=Arial][size=4]But it's not really a problem in practice because we all pretty much feel the same way[/size][/font][/size] - which is probably the important thing in terms of keeping things together. Sure, there are some things I'd like to change - as I'm sure is true for the others - but not enough to make me want to put much (any?) effort into changing them. Keep calm, carry on and something better may turn up but no big deal if it doesn't. Probably not the best recipe for musical stardom, but it makes for an easy and stress-free life. [/quote] Yeah I agree, if the band is not a priority for any of the members, then your all on the same page. No problem. The problems come into play when being in a band is a guys main priority in life and finds himself in a band with members with things other than the band higher up as a priority. Blue

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1416771768' post='2613446'] Tell me to "slink my hook" out of this thread if this is an unwanted hi-jacking... JTUK, I'm a "Gigging Noob". I know enough that joining a band I need to be guided by the more experienced in the band. I know any track I suggest needs to appeal to our audience and have a good potential interest for everyone in the band. I know I need to commit to the band and turn up in plenty of time and be prepared to help others out to work as a team and get the show on the road. Added to that I need to have put enough effort in to learning the numbers and have the gear so my contribution to the act is good enough for me to earn my place and ADD to the entertainment; for all the right reasons. Can you tell me what else I'm likely to mess up enough that you wouldn't want me in your band? (No hard feelings. I'm only asking so I learn) This is an open question for anyone to answer. Many thanks [/quote] You have the basics down. But believe me, there are guys out there in bands that don't. Blue

All good examples of band issues and some of them can take a whole band down. I think this thread will be helpful to those scouting gigging bands. First and foremost you have to know yourself, second a very clear and concise idea of what kind of band your looking for. For example;[list] [*]If your looking for $$$$ and a band with business on the books, you wouldn't want to entertain the idea or waste time on a band with no gigging or very little gigging history. [*]If your looking for high end gigs, you don't join a bar band. [*]If being in a band where the band is a priority for all members, you wouldn't want to join a band with members with young families, clearly their family is their priority. [/list] There are other examples. If your offered a position with a band make sure you ask the questions that are important to you. If you don't ask questions, you only have yourself to blame when things go sour. A good question is why is the position open. Blue

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1416686446' post='2612682'] What's that supposed to mean? That as a "once a monther" I don't get to have a valid opinion about gigging? Surely playing gigs once a month is still "gigging", no? What a bizarre thing to say. [/quote] It just means you probably have other priorities. However, your opinions on your gigs and your gigging experience is just as valid as the guy that gigs 6 times a month. Blue

[size=5][font=Arial]As you all know being in a working band for some of us comes with pros and cons. At the core is how we came into music and where were at now. For many of us, were in bands where the members differ[/font][/size] [size=5][font=Arial]in age, race, culturally, education, economics, musicale taste, ability and expectations.[/font][/size] [size=5][font=Arial]Here are a few bullet points you might be familiar with;[/font][/size][list] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Age difference, the members that can only relate to music of their generation[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Bring songs to the band based on what they personally like not what fits the band or your audience[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Does not understand the [i]"entertainer[/i]" piece of being in a working band[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Does not maintain or invest in appropriate gear[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Inconsistent performances[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Doesn't understand how to work as a team[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Great musician, but not band material[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]Not available for all gigs[/font][/size] [*][size=5][font=Arial]The band is a low priority in their life[/font][/size] [/list] [size=5][font=Arial]Those are just a few examples there are many more.[/font][/size] [size=5][font=Arial]Where are you coming from and what issues are you dealing with when it comes to members of your band?[/font][/size] [size=5][font=Arial]Blue[/font][/size]

That solo makes the band sound dated. Blue

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1416522152' post='2611236'] Many years after that i worked with an old guy who lived in the fifth house in that road. He could never get over that he missed out and because they didn't use his house in the film he lost out on a good pay day! The day they filmed the Ringo bit in the pub i had to go to the dentist which meant a rare few hours off school and that's when they were filming. I stood and watched Ringo (no other Beatles were there) go in and out of the pub while filming. The funny thing is i can still remember how bright those lights were. I've only ever been to Shea to watch Baseball but each time i was there i did think of the Beatles and tried to imagine what it was like. I've sat in a lot of different places in that stadium and it always surprised me how steep the upper seats around the outfield seem looking into 1st base. [/quote] You know, I went to HS with Chuck Burgi ( Billy Joel's Drummer ) and played in a band with him. When Billy played Shea and Paul came out for a few songs. When I saw Chuck up there on drums with Paul, I was thinking; [i]"Well, that's it. It doesn't get any better than that."[/i] Blue

A lot of decent guys on TB. However, if you diplomatically disagree with a mods position on any topic, they ban you. Also I would say that about 90% of the members are non- gigging bass players including a few once a monthers. Only 10% are out there gigging on the front lines. But that 90% sure have a lot of opinions about gigging. Blue

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1416505354' post='2610997'] Me, I'm a tart for the happy smiling faces so I'd go for the covers band and the easy ride but you may have a different perspective.[/quote] +1 Blue

[quote name='Stu-khag' timestamp='1336577378' post='1647826'] Loving the minimal set up. And not a monitor in sight! I am in awe of how well they gel. They epitomise the importance of gig fitness! [/quote] Isn't it amazing how big 2 and 3 part harmonies made them sound. Blue

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1416489184' post='2610729'] I was only 5 when they split up, although I think they were a huge influence on young bands in years to come. Even if you dont like them, you must accept that before the Beatles nobody wrote their own songs. BTW I was in Abbey Road studio 2 recently, where they recorded most of their stuff, and I was surprised at how small it was! [/quote] Man do I get ticked when some younger guitarists rips on George. I told one uninformed guitarist,[i] "First of all the guy was like 17 years old and didn't have much in rock guitar history to draw from so he did what he had to do. He blazed the trail for you.You have over 40 years of rock to draw from and your sitting in your bedroom noodling and you can't sing or write"[/i] He stood there looking down at his shoes. Blue