Bluewine

Great keys!

I'd have " blown a gasket" Blue

Yes, it is changing. It's no fun playing low energy rooms. I don't think even the few Milwaukee originals clubs are doing " door money" anymore. These clubs are located right by the University Of Wisconsin. Those kids don't have any money. Money at the door doesn't work until your a professional signed regional or national act. And they struggle too. Many of the bars and clubs that provided local rock bands with work, are no longer providing live music. However, summers in the Midwest can be great because of the amount of lucrattive festivals and fairs. We had a great summer, but fall bookings for us are weak. Didn't mean to hi-jack the thread with " me syndrome". Blue

That's excellent advice. And once you decide or figure out your passion and what you want to do, be prepared to make a few compromises. Blue

Regarding PAs, in the States you have to pay the sound guy. Usually an originals club will have 3 bands on the bill. The 3 bands will pool their money to pay tgesound guy. These bands leave the gig with less money than they had when they arrived at the gig. I understand original bands are not in this for the money, but gigging should not be an expense. Blue

I was in a band like that. Great sounding band great material. I soon figured out the leader only wanted to play " rock star' in his basement. It's where I learned my lesson and focused on what I was looking for in a band. Paying gigs and lots of them. Blue

Depends on what you want. If you want to gig you should give them your notice and find an established band that has gigs booked. If your not that interested in gigging stay with them. Are there gigs in your area for an originals power trio? In my area there are no gigs for any originals band no less a power trio. For guys that are looking to gig there's only two question to ask a band before joining. 1. How many gigs did the band play last year? 2. How many gigs are on the books right now? I'm also hoping you are young guys otherwise a drummer without a proper kit is a huge "red flag". Blue

For those of us that are gigging bass face and all aspects of stage presence are really important. It's something I'm constantly working on. I'm usually shocked and disappointed when I watch myself on video clips. Blue

I've always felt bass solos are great in jazz arrangements on the double bass. Never been a fan of rock electric bass guitar solos. Blue

I was gigging my Gibson ES-335 Bass for most of the summer. Now I'm playing my Gibson Gold Top ( block neck) which has been really nice, cool looking and fun to play. Amp, 750 watt GK 1001 head through 2 10s. The Gold Top actually seems to like my pedals, especially my MRX M-80 Bass Distortion which is tricky to use. Hmmmmm, I guess I had already commented on this thread and there's a contradiction. I am enjoying the Gold Top. Blue

I'm "old school" love my Gibson , 1991 Thunderbird, Gold Top Les Paul Bass, Custom Shop ES-335. Blue

I wish I could find a pic my brother took of me standing in front of the diner where they filmed the closing end of the show scene. I was home on holiday in Bloomfield NJ. Blue

Do you know I'm from Montclair New Jersey where many of the Soprano scenes were shot. All the scenes of Tony dropping his kids off for school were shot at my old high school, Montclair High School. By the way, from growing up in Montclair when I first started watching The Sopranos my first reaction was: " This seems normal" Blue

Maybe it's me, we can walk off stage after a great set and everyone in the band is approached by punters except me. The only thing I can come up with is they think I'm famous or I'm some sort of Star and they know better than to try to engage me in conversation.😂 Blue

Punters probably think those are guitar parts.😂 Blue

I would think a bassist in a jazz trio would be noticed and understood more than a bass guitarist in a rock band. Blue

Corporate contract festivals are more than lucrative. Big stage, sound and lights and backline. Plus tents for dressing rooms and beverages/ sandwiches. A grand for an hour and a half. Bars and clubs are generally cheap when it comes to paying bands. We feel providing a 4 piece band with sound and lights for 4 hours is a bargain at $500.00. Blue

Who knows when I'll have to drop out of the gigging band scene. When it happens it won't be my decision or choice. My enthusiasm for gigging and being in a band is the same as it was when I was 12 years old. Couldn't be higher. I'm not married, no family, and I don't work anymore. So no responsibilities. I'll be tossed out due to the lack of gigging bands in my area and my age. I fully realize I'm part of a very small minority. Blue

That doesn't have to happen. Blue

Sounds like starting a new journey away from the " band thing" isn't a bad idea. Plus it's something you can come back to even after a long absence, lots of the older guys here have. Blue

For me it's always understanding my role in a band. For example, I was hired to play bass guitar and help with backing vocals not for booking, resolving song issues or volunteering ideas. Blue

I think it has to be a working band where your making money you need to eat to get fired. Otherwise what have you been fired from? Reason for getting fired? Not doing your job. Blue

Wouldn't the right band with gigs resolve some of your concerns. Unless you live in an area like me and the gigging bands are far and few in between. Blue

Less and less places to play and some of the places we use to play couldn't afford our new fee. Only good thing, we're playing less but making more money. The summer was fantastic. Blue

A good dependable drummer that understands his role in the band and a competent engaging front person. 4 grey haired guys over 60 years old merely standing up there thinking it's still 1971 would be a hard sell. Blue