blue

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1509380308' post='3398457'] I agree. My band can set up in 10 minutes and get off stage in 5, no problem, but lots of others just seem to take ages. If every single band were as quick as we are (and some have some complicated setups) then 15 minutes changeover would still be too tight. [/quote] Surely you must have lights and sound set up by a third party. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1476705454' post='3156419'] Good drummers and good bass players are in short supply.[/quote] In my area, we have a lot of drummers & bass players and they're in high demand. But only for "for fun" non-gigging opportunities. Blue

I hate to say this. And it's not a bad thing,I say it's more fact. I've read most of the responses. Not exactly the answer to the OPs question but can be derived from the responses. The consensus IMO. gigging is not very important to most and life circumstances certainly trump gigging. I think gigging a lot, 3-4 times a week is only truely fun for those that have it in their blood, live in an area with a scene that supports viable venues/ places to play and for those who can devote that much time to it. Plain and simple, regardless of where you live there just aren't as many places for bands to play anymore. Most have better and more important things to do with their time. Blue

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1509308632' post='3397994'] No one at a lot of live gig's notice the bass player because the sound engineers eq the bass drum so it takes up all the bass frequencies, and you cant hear the bass guitar at all. [/quote] I have no idea what sound guys do to my signal or what the house heard. However in small clubs/bars most folks are going to hear my amp. Blue

[quote name='lownote12' timestamp='1509299533' post='3397892'] Well now, this following is true... after we played a set at the Dereham Blues Festival this summer, out of the blue I was assaulted by an attractive woman of middle years who gave me a great kiss and then disappeared before I could get my mojo together. This goes to show that it is possible to pull being a bass player even if you are fat, bald and the wrong side of sixty. And no she wasn't my wife, who was there and touchingly amused by the incident.[/quote] I'm on the wrong side of 60. I have to admit, my mojo said bye bye years ago. Lol Blue

[quote name='markdavid' timestamp='1509225684' post='3397474'] Just to add my recent experience to this thread, advertised on join my band for a drummer, got a reply from a guy claiming to be an experienced drummer,spoke to him on the phone and messaged him to arrange rehearsal, all seemed ok, long story short it was a no show , no notice given at all just literally did not show up. [/quote] Not unusual Mark. There are guys out there that simply like responding to ads with no intention on actually following through. Blue

Unlike last weekend we struck gold last night. We played Ariba's in Butler WI last night. We play there every Holloween. Great crowd, over $125.00 in tips alone (I know you guys frown on tips, but tips are a big part of our culture). The band was really burning it up to a packed and very engaged crowd. Packed is around 75 people.A rival band even came out to see us. It was 7-11 show. Gigs like this make it all worth while. Blue

It's why I position myself front stage with a mic,right along side of our lead singer/ lead guitarist and the other guitarist and play with a pic. People think I'm a guitar player. They certainly can't tell the difference. When I joined 6 years ago, I made it clear I was not a stand in the back by the drummer kind of guy. I'm a poser. Lol Blue

[quote name='Yank' timestamp='1509095032' post='3396533'] I've got a gig tonight. Hopefully lots of costumes. I've got a good stock of candy for Tues. night. I get at least 100 kids every year and enjoy seeing the little ones all dressed up. Man, as a kid that was the coolest night. You had free reign of the town with your buddies, and came home with a sack of sweets. [/quote] All retired folks in my condo association. Kids steer clear of us. We don't have any candy. Blue

Some of the most talented Musicians are not the kind of people you would want to be in a band with. You will hear many pros say; "We never look for the best musicians, we look for the best people" Blue

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1476701184' post='3156344'] I'm surprised SO many people here seem to be in bands. If you asked the same question on a guitar forum I bet it would be much much less [/quote] Regardless of where we live finding fun , consistanly musicians to play with is extremely hard. And if your looking for consistent gigging with money unless your on the "in" it's just about imposible. As I've said in the past, if my band folds I will be amongst the ranks of the non-gigging bass players. And for me that will be simply devastating. I have no other interest in life. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1509030875' post='3396178'] I have to say that it saddens me to read about those of you who think you "arent good enough for a band". We all started out being crap players and struggling to learn the ropes. [/quote] I was lucky, none of my gang could play back in 1965. We were all around 12 years old, *we just bought guitars, basses and drums and all learned together. Blue *Actually our parents bought the instruments.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1509002058' post='3395849'] I know you are asking about bookings but you may have opened up a can of worms with that question Blue. To answer your question briefly, yes. It is a big deal for many reasons. To address the actual question, I don't have gigs (yet) as I am a hobby bassist. There are however lots of musical events put on during the week around 31st October every year. To expand on the notion of Halloween being a big deal as you put it - we now have children doing that awful Trick-or-Treat thing. It has replaced collecting pennies for the Guy on the run up to the more insensitive Guy Fawkes Night that was commonly celebrated every 5th of November during my youth. Instead of children preparing for the November 5th "celebrations" by gathering firewood and old clothes then going door to door with an effigy asking for a "[i]penny for the Guy[/i]", we have children going door to door in random groups, sometimes with parents, doing that intimidating thing of begging on the doorstep for sweets while wearing face masks. If you don't give-in you get victimised. Neither practice is tolerated here because we don't have children in the household. We don't even answer the door on Halloween night. I'd be much better off performing during that silliness. At least I'd get something useful out of it to compensate. Did I not mention that I am a part-time miserable old git? [url="https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/penny-for-the-guy"]https://www.activity...nny-for-the-guy[/url] [/quote] I guess I should have asked "Is Holloween gigging a big deal" I'm pretty detached from other elements of Holloween. Blue

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1508923558' post='3395318'] when we were looking for a drummer earlier this year, we thought we found one. Could talk the talk, lived fairly close and was available. He had some demo stuff up which sounded good as well. Reading further down he stated that because he has been out of playing live for a while he only owns cymbals and sticks, but (and this is the killer) would [b]consider[/b] buying a full kit if any gigs came along.[b] Consider?????[/b] You cant blame the website for that, although maybe the parents. [/quote] Wow! Not surprising. When we were looking for a drummer I didn't want to audition anyone without a lot of recent 4 hour bar band experience.I was also concerned about young guys with young children. For some the idea of being in a working band is appealing until your faced with a 3 gig weekend. Blue

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1508961969' post='3395706'] As long as you can put up with the nutters, these sites are perfect for us weekend warriors without a network or the professional contacts.[/quote] Depends, in my area we have Milwaukee Rocks, not even of value to the weekend warrior. Blue

[quote name='Krysbass' timestamp='1508912327' post='3395227'] I've found that its essential to be very detailed in your post on what you are and aren't looking for. A lot of posters on jmb barely write a sentence. When I formed my current band; my post covered the genres we'd be playing, where, when and how often we'd be rehearsing, average number of gigs per month, no divas need apply, experience level, the rule that songs are to be learned at home, so that we are all ready to play them at rehearsals - to name but a few things. The band has come together well and, touch wood; heading into our 2nd year with some great gig bookings. [/quote] Nice! I hope the band continues to move forward. No divas, do divas know they're divas? Blue

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1508684824' post='3393754'] Hercules user here (mic stands and guitar stands). Can't fault them. [/quote] Live my Hercules guitar stands, especially for my Gibson 1991 Thunderbird. Blue

As long as the OP thinks it's cool, that's all that matters. For me, it's not bass playing. Even for slap it's very marginal. IMO Blue

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1508881810' post='3395182'] Blue is right. The jobs worth having are usually by invitation only. [/quote] Yeah, in my area any opportunities where your going to be making good money have guys waiting in the wings. I really think for guys looking for money, you really should be scouting working bands you like even if the band isn't looking at that particular time and introduce yourself and network. That's how I got into my band 6 years ago. On the flip side, if your not looking for money it should be a little easier to find some people that are at least committed and serious about their "for fun" project. Blue

[quote name='The59Sound' timestamp='1508833418' post='3394640'] I have given up on JMB - messages never lead anywhere, auditions are always below par and most the people on there have no idea how a band works! Is there a similar site where you can actually meet good musicians? [/quote] Can't speak for JMB, however most realistic opportunities are never advertised to the general public. Blue

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1508831708' post='3394625'] Hallowe'en is on Tuesday this year so there probably won't be that many gigs in the UK on the actual night.[/quote] There won't be many gigs on Tuesday in the States either. All the Holloween gigs will be this Friday and Saturday night. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1508798782' post='3394564'] The Wirebirds have had a Halloween gig every year since we started, and this year it is at the Blunsdon Arms in Swindon on Saturday. There will be fancy dress (our drummer is especially keen on this, he also decorates his kit) and hopefully a lot of audience participation. [/quote] Nice one Dave, I've been lucky. We've played the same Holloween gig for the past 6 years. Ariba's in Butler WI, 7:00-11:00. Nice hours and nice pay. It's also a great sounding room. Thinking about gigging the 1991 Gibson Bird. My quarter inch lead seems to pop out for some reasons. Do I have to tighten the nut around the input? Hope there's a lot of Sexy Nurse costumes. Lol Blue

Always a big gig night for bar bands in the States. A lot of fun and nice size crowds. Is it a big deal in the UK? If yes, tell us about what you have booked. Blue

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1501685814' post='3346570'] Played at an Oyster festival the other weekend. This was the only video the Guitarist put up so I'm assuming he sounded the best on it https://youtu.be/ZrcR_ug_YW0 [/quote] When the trio thing works it's great. Very nice job! Blue

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1501685814' post='3346570'] Played at an Oyster festival the other weekend. This was the only video the Guitarist put up so I'm assuming he sounded the best on it https://youtu.be/ZrcR_ug_YW0 [/quote] When the trio thing works it's great. Very nice job! Blue