blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1410726692' post='2552508'] Amen to that. [/quote] Me, I'm just your average guy so, having that $200.00- $300.00 cash in my wallet at the end of the week is nice. Blue

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1410602823' post='2551125'] I doubt I'd own an bass if I wasn't gigging. IMO, I'm playing and sounding better than ever, but I don't play for fun. The "fun" is the satisfaction of doing a good job, playing with good players, in a good band and in front of an audience. That's always been the buzz. I'm on for about 110 gigs this year, which is down on the last 5 years, but that seems to be the way things are going these days. I've got to improve my networking. [/quote] You know, I have a saying about the whole playing for fun thing. At my age, 61; [i]I certainly have fun playing gigs, however I don't play for fun I play for money and proud of it.[/i] Blue

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1410605233' post='2551166'] If I didnt gig, I wouldnt play. I got no interest in sitting around playing to myself, and rehearsals feel like an expensive chore these days. [/quote] Agreed, however even after 42 years I'm always learning and still sit and practice new riffs and songs with the headphones in the bedroom for hours on end. Keep in mind, I'm fortunate to be in a gigging band and I get to apply all the stuff I practice. However, I jammed so much as a youngster back in the 70s I have no interest in the whole concept of jamming even though some good stuff can come of it. What do you think? Blue

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1410587864' post='2550994'] I've played some dives in my time but I've (nearly) always enjoyed the playing, even if the venue is a toilet. [/quote] Been playing at the bar/club level for over 42 years, however we ( my band) get our share of the bigger Fair and Festival business and I can't get the thrill of being on stage grooving a crowd out of my system. Now, with that said I'd rather play one of the dives,toilet type venues with a good size, appreciative responsive crowd than a nice venue playing to the uninterested and unresponsive. I'm sure some of you guys know what I mean. Blue

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1410560620' post='2550924'] Gigging and jamming are two of my three favourite things. [/quote] Cool, do you gig? Blue

It's no secret that my passion is gigging and I work hard to stay busy with gigging at 61. Carefully choosing bands in line with my goals and requirements has helped.However, I have had to make some compromises. If your going to gig and get paid it goes with the territory By the way, I'm a one band only type of guy. Always have been always will be.. I understand that gigging is not for all musicians especially the 4 hour back breaking bar gigs I do. But here's my question, me I have never lost my passion for gigging it's the same as it was when I was 17. Now I have a few musician friends that complain about not being in a band. they are all great guitarists in my opinion but they all have one thing in common. They won''t make any compromises. One guy, for example if the band isn't playing shredding 80s hair rock he want's nothing to do with it. Another lives in a small market area and won't move. To be honest, I don't think the whole gigging thing, the love of playing live to an audience is in their blood. Comments or what can I tell these guys. Blue

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1410365054' post='2548612'] ok then, like Paramore who headlined Reading / Leeds? They were from this century with a few double platinum albums. My Chemical Romance likewise (ok, now split), got their break this century. [/quote] The young lady that fronts Paramore is talented and has a very hot stage presence. Blue

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1410186402' post='2546916'] I actually like Gene Simmons / Kiss but he's a 65yr man who is acknowledging that things have changed. The days of Elvis or the Beatles had gone by the time Kiss cam along and it is different again now. I do see some sense in what he is saying but there are enough people coming to gigs etc for rock music to continue for a very long time. It's just the old "things ain't what they used to be" line. [/quote] Maybe it's the venues my band plays or the genre ( Hard 70s Blues/Rock ) I'm still concerned when I see the 20 somethings come in and as soon as they see our band they leave. Fortunately we have a strong following with the 50 and 60 year old folks. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1410367847' post='2548653'] My mate works down in Florida and he says the playing times are killer ( 4 plus hours ) If a band has to play for that time in a pub, then they aren't there for the band... and you will have quite a flow of people coming and going, IMO. Not so good for the band itself and very good for the bar owner... but then he will have people working the bar for tips so its seems quite a business to be in if he can undercut costs to that degree [/quote] True, most bar level bands are not playing to crowds that came their to see them or live music which can be a drag. Off Topic, Sad , but when I see the 21-25 year old crowd come into a club/bar were playing or any where there is a live band, they usually leave.and I mean leave immediately Blue.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1410367087' post='2548640'] But that is just under £250 - about the same or a little bit more than the standard pub gig fee for most places in Blighty for 2x45 min sets...! [/quote] Wow, I would love to do 2X45 min set club/bar gigs. Blue

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1410375324' post='2548790'] Does anyone have a gizmo that they can jam through headphones with but still get a good sound? Alas my 200 watt valve rig is too loud for home use [/quote] Pandora 4X from Korg http://www.zzounds.com/item--KORPXMINI Blue

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1410336463' post='2548181'] we get £100-£150 to split between 5 of us... [/quote] We are a 4 piece, we won't turn the car ignition on for less than $100.00 US green backs per man. Again, it's a little different in the US most bar/club gigs are 4 hours. Blue

Bar bands over here in the US, standard is 4 hours and maybe two 15 minute breaks. 8-12 isn't so bad. This Friday we have a 9:30pm-1:30am and not on the best side of town. Blue

We played at a large outdoor hot rod show. The weather was great and it's the type of deal where there's thousands that walk by and party and stay for a few tunes and party then move on. Blue

[quote name='Old_Ben' timestamp='1409901415' post='2544377'] we practise once a week if there is nothing major happening to get new songs / ideas going, when we tour or go into the studio we kick up to 2 a week to iron out any bits that need work. We always find if we havent practised together for a couple of weeks we are sloppy as hell! [/quote] I thought that was just my band. Blue

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1409689700' post='2542344'] How often, how structured and how do you go about adding new songs? We have two pros in the band (we do weddings / general functions) and three non pros (including me). The pro guys prefer not to get together to rehearse too often and prefer to run new stuff in sound check and talk through structures. The other two non pros would rather rehearse week in week out and polish everything to perfection before playing it at gigs. I sit very much in the middle and can happily run simpler new stuff at sound check but rely on rehearsal sessions for more tricky stuff. I'm interested to know how others work. [/quote] I like the way the 2 pros approach rehearsing. However, it depends on the level of musicianship of all the band members. It wouldn't work with my band. We gig 5-6 times a month. We only rehearse if we are learning new material. Unless there is a musical agenda rehearsals get shot down. As a band we don't really socialize with each other. Blue

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1194791104' post='86873'] Saturday night at the Fleece in Bristol... always a good night there, but the placed was absolutely rammed to the rafters last night... they hit the fire limit and were turning people away by 9 o'clock. Support from a very good covers band The Collective, nice guys and some unusual covers well played. We had one or two new tunes in our set, seemed to go down well. Crowd were in good voice, brilliant atmosphere and god it was hot! Too funky in heeyar..! A great night. Bassist's eye view of the punters: [/quote] Now, that's what I call a crowd. NICE! Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1409856621' post='2544080'] Sounds ok.... so now depends on the finer detail of the work once you have reconciled their credentials.. You going for it? [/quote] No, I'm not on the market right now. I'm a one band guy and my blues/rock band is booked through the end of the year and into 2015. The band apears to be in their 30s. I'm probably to old for them even if I was interested. Blue

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1409792895' post='2543477'] Second one is a start up and pretty much tells you most of what you need to know to see if you fancy it. First one is "we are" but doesn't tell you the name of the band. I'm not interested in mystery bands, I want to see your video's, photo's, set list and web site before I'd pick up the phone. In return I'd have no problem sending you video/photo's etc. [/quote] I did some research. I found out who the band is. They are a legit female fronted pop cover band represented by a major agency. For a guy looking for work and money these guys are worth a call. Interesting, these agency represented bands don't usually advertise publicly. Normally these agency bands have folks waiting in the wings for these opportunities. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1409828389' post='2543657'] Would look more into the 1st ad, wouldn't bother with the seond. Local knowledge would help here as I have no idea what the ageny/agencies are like, what the local scene is and what those gigs are..? Around here everyone is doing a beer festival but only a few do things properly ( IMO ) and hire in the stages and P.A/lights so these are chalk and cheese compared to a gazebo in the beer garden. So, the general description goes a LONG way and so you have to look between the lines. The same applies to the ad, baring in mind that they aren't going to undersell themslves but how much have they 'embellished'...??? [/quote] There is only one or two major agencies in Milwaukee. I will tell you they provide top notch lighting and sound, they also control all of the higher profile, higher paying sponsored gigs in town. For example all the Harley Davidson and Miller events go to these agencies. These agencies also own some of the larger stages at our large fairs, for example WI State Fair. Blue

[quote name='CHW' timestamp='1409835869' post='2543789'] If you were wanting a bit more creative input maybe the 2nd one would be more attractive? [/quote] [i]"If possible critique from the perspective of a guy looking for work and money".[/i] In the Milwaukee market with few exceptions creativity means no gigs and no money. Sad, very sad but true. Blue

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1409850941' post='2543981'] My interpretation of that part was that they'd like to see you playing, not that they'd necessarily be looking how "cool" you are. After all a band doing rock, pop and country aren't exactly going to be looking for a boy band member. [/quote] True, but some pop cover bands are not looking as hard at the aged, grey or frumpier candidates as they do at the young and pretty. Blue

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1409792895' post='2543477'] Second one is a start up and pretty much tells you most of what you need to know to see if you fancy it. First one is "we are" but doesn't tell you the name of the band. I'm not interested in mystery bands, I want to see your video's, photo's, set list and web site before I'd pick up the phone. In return I'd have no problem sending you video/photo's etc. [/quote] Agreed. Blue

[b]Ad No. 1[/b] [u][b]Established Rock/Pop Cover band Seeking Experienced Bass Player ASAP[/b][/u] [i]We book through a major agency.[/i] Ok, but keep in mind there is only 1 major agency in Milwaukee and they have their own A, B and C list clients. [i]Only musicians with video submissions will be considered. Thank you.[/i] Sounds like code for [i]"Are you cool enough to be in our band?"[/i] There are other ways to screen for the cool factor if that's important to a band. A side note, when it comes to money most bands are honest and have a disclaimer in their ad. Something like this; [i]"If your looking to gig 5-6 times a month and a new source of income, were not what your looking for".[/i] Blue

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1409706472' post='2542541'] From the perspective of wanting work and money....... The first ad, if they are as established as they say, could be worth a call. They might only be wanting to do a couple of gigs a month but it leaves time to do other stuff and gets you some extra cash for some shopping. Wanting video submissions would put me off though. I wouldn't be interested in the second advert though. They are a start up band, so there is potential for lots of rehearsing but with no gigs for a while. They play hard rock with their own personal touch? Probably means they don't ( can't?)learn the tunes properly (I could be wrong, but that's what I assume). [/quote] I'm sort of on the same page, established could mean anything. It might mean they have a drummer, guitarist and vocalist in place. And I think they might be missing out with that mandatory video requirement. There are some outstanding local bass players out there that don't have video. I have video, lots of it, but it's not very good and it doesn't represent me very well. Start-Ups are not usually for a guy looking for work and money. A start up might be good for a new guy with little to no band experience.. Blue