Newfoundfreedom

I've only heard of three of the acts in the whole top 40, none of which I'd listen to. If that means I'm getting old then I'm perfectly happy with that. Give me "Dad rock" any day.

For me on a purely personal level it boils down to one simple thing. I'm not a professional musician, music is my hobby, and if you're not enjoying your hobby, then why the hell are you doing it? You just have to figure out which parts you do and don't like, and work accordingly. I'm still trying to keep an open mind in the hope that gigging with the new, originals band will be a much more pleasurable experience, time will tell. I definitely enjoy the music more, but I suspect the crippling anxiety and imposter syndrome will still rear it's ugly head.

Good stuff. That's pretty impressive for a new originals band over lockdown. 🤘

I've done the same and absolutely hated it. So it's horses for courses. To be honest I don't even really understand the obsession with "getting the audience up dancing". I've been to hundreds of gigs and never once got up dancing. I go to listen to the music. I suppose again it largely depends on the type of band your are and the music you're into. Yeah if you're playing covers on a Saturday night down the pub, that's probably your mission. But if you're, for example, trying to carve out a bit of a niche in the local festival scene, it's a totally different ball game. I'd personally much rather play something I enjoy to a disinterested audience, than play something I hate to a bunch of drunks dancing. In my last (covers) band, the rhythm guitarist insisted on doing Rocking in the Free World. It was usually the last song in the set and went down a storm, but after about the third time of playing it, I knew I'd pretty much done with the band. If there's no creativity and we're just there to be a Jukebox to drunk punters, I'm just not interested.

Yes. I'm writing / rehearsing most weeks with my new (actually about 2 years old now minus interruptions) originals band. Now that Covid is settling down a bit, we should actually be able to get out and test the waters. First "gig" which is actually a small Festival in my garden with another couple of bands (or in my barn in the weather's bad) is in 9th April.

I could theoretically gig every weekend if I wanted to. (maybe even in the week too) the reason I left my old covers band was precisely because I didn't want to. Things are a lot different here in Bulgaria (and probably most of Europe) in that live music is very much still the in thing, and most bars, cafes and restaurants are happy to have live music pretty much any time. Especially through the summer months. Getting paid for it however is another matter entirely. The bars are happy to let you have a whip round or charge a small fee to the punters. If you can pull a few in you can actually do reasonably well this way and it's a win win for both the venue and the band. But actually getting paid by small venues (at least where I live) isn't really done. My old covers band are now playing a lot of clubs and larger venues in the surrounding cities and are getting paid, but split 5 ways it would barely cover the cost of fuel and a couple of drinks. If you're in it for the money here, you're probably going to be disappointed. I think you've got to really love it, and sadly, up to now at least, I just don't. However, what people have said about crowds responding to original music. I think that, if it ever happened, could be a turning point. I can't imagine a better buzz than a crowd enjoying, and singing along to something you've written and created. I think if / when that day happens, it'll be a gig I enjoy.

Yes. Although I assume that relates to I.Q rather than age.

Great turn of phrase. Yes indeed. Over two years ago since I started this thread, and in all that time I've played two "gigs". I use the term very loosely. They were actually private parties at my house with and half a dozen close friends during lockdown. I have my first proper gig in a couple of weeks time. I'm actually hosting a small festival at my house with another two bands and probably around 50-100 guests. So at least I don't have to worry about lugging the gear very far. It will be interesting to see if I still feel the same after this, as we're now doing all original material, which is something I'm far more passionate about, but likely to get a lukewarm reception from an audience who doesn't know the music. At this stage I'm not sure if I'm excited or nervous. But I know on the day I'll be bricking it. Hopefully not to the extent where I'm unable to enjoy it. At least we're first on, so if we're terrible by the time everyone's had a few, and watched the other two bands nobody will remember anyway. All three bands are breakaways from the covers band I was in when I started this thread. Myself, the singer, one guitarist and the drummer are now doing originals. Another of the guitarists formed his own band and they're also doing originals. The lead guitarist is in a third band still doing covers. So it will be good fun to get the gang back together as it were. Even if we're now split over three bands.

I normally hate stickers on basses, but that looks rather smart.

To be honest, I don't know the names of many bass players (or guitarists, and drummers) even in the bands I do like. I tend to listen to bands as a whole, and don't dissect individual parts. I've been a big Sister fan for years. I've been listening to them since the late 80's when I got Come Out And Play on vinyl, complete with popup Dee Snider coming out of a man hole cover. I must admit the bass has never particularly stood out for me. Maybe because i was listening to them before I even picked up a bass, or, as I said, maybe because I just don't listen to music that way. I'll have to dig out my old albums and give them a listen with fresh ears. Seems like as good an excuse as any. 👍

Good point. I personally wouldn't get much enjoyment from that. It would be a hard work learning all the songs, just like being in a covers band, except at least maybe you get to put your own spin on the bass lines. But then again you would have no reference point. As far as being in an originals band, for me I have to be in on the ground floor and part of the creative process. The only caveat would be, if I was invited to join a band who's music I really, really liked. Then I'd maybe feel inspired enough to put the work in.

I'm confused, what exactly is he touring? What does he do on said tours?

There's definitely merit to both. I wasn't trying to start the age old "which is better" debate again. That's been done to death, and the answer is neither. As I said, it was more of a, which do people, on an individual basis find easier / harder. I know most seasoned musicians won't bat an eyelid either way. But I find it really difficult to learn covers. It always feels like hard work, grinding through a song. I know some people absolutely love it, and get great satisfaction from nailing a part. For me personally, I get far more pleasure from the creative side of writing and creating my own parts. There's absolutely no snobbery in that, in fact the opposite is probably true. I'm probably not good enough to nail a lot of the parts I would have to play in a covers band. I guess to sum it up simply for me. Covers feel like work, originals feel like leisure.

I've just been watching back a few videos from my old, and current bands. The first was a covers band, the second and current band does all originals. It got me thinking. Which is harder? To clarify, I'm not talking about which is harder to play. That very much depends on your own personal ability and the type of music. I'm thinking more psychologically. I know for many of you, especially semi professional, professional, and seasoned musicians, it probably won't make much difference, and you can probably play anything with your eyes closed and enjoy every minute of it. But, from the perspective of someone who really struggles with putting themselves out there (see the "performance anxiety' thread). Is it harder to play original music, and bare your heart and soul, and put your own personal creativity out there for all to see, or is it harder to play covers that people know, and will maybe notice every wrong note and lyric you play, and have something to judge you against. (Maybe "harder" is the wrong word.) Personally, I find it much more enjoyable to create a new song, than to spend hours learning a cover. But when playing original music livе that the audience doesn't know, the feedback can often be minimal. Whereas playing a cover (even badly) will often get the crowd going. Personally, I hate learning covers. It's like doing homework at school. Yeah, you get there in the end, but I get absolutely no enjoyment from it. I'd much rather put my time and energy into creating something new than learning an existing song, whereas the audience generally love something they know and can sing along to. But if nobody spent the time creating original music, then there would be no music for covers bands to cover. So which do you prefer?

I don't get it. Can people even hear bass frequencies that low, especially in a mix? I very rarely even venture into low B territory because it just becomes an inaudible mud. I can't imagine ever wanting to go lower.

Yup. I was talking to my guitarist yesterday and he's just been "panic buying" a load of valves, just in case. I've got a few knocking around. I might put them in a safety deposit box. They might be worth a small fortune after the nuclear holocaust.

OK, I'm just reviving this thread, because I've had a couple of drinks, so please forgive me if I ramble. But I'm just re-watching a performance of my band from a few weeks ago which we recorded. At the time I thought we were rubbish and was mortified at every little mistake. But watching it back with fresh ears, having had a couple of sherberts, I think we sound great. Maybe because the drink allows me to get out of my own head and stop listening to the bass and my own mistakes, and listen to the band as a whole. I don't know, but now the mistakes sound almost imperceptible, whereas at the time they felt enormous! I don't know if I'm explaining myself very well. Please don't think I have a drinking problem or anything like that. I like the occasional social drink, but when I do drink it feels like I can be more objective of the band because It allows me to listen to the music as a whole, rather than just listening for my own part and my own cockups. It's almost like being a member of the audience. I don't usually drink before or during a gig, because it makes me really sloppy. But I wish I could find the confidence in myself and the band that I get when I listen back after having a few. Maybe there's no wonder that so many artists have a problem with drink and drugs. But that's probably a discussion for a whole other thread. I envy those of you who don't suffer from anxiety I would really love to love being on stage. I love being in a band! I love the creative process of making music and writing songs! I wish I could learn to love performing. I keep hoping it will come one day. I'm generally really confident in life and any social situation, so I don't even understand my own anxiety at performing. I'm hopeful it will come with more experience.

It means the bass is good for metal.

They're basses. It all sounds like bass innit.

Yup. Definitely seen this on here before.

That's probably the tamest song on the album. 😆

I love Bloodhound Gang's Hooray For Boobies. It's extremely purile, which would normally be a big turn off for me, but it's so well written and just so damn catchy! Also Tenacious D. I've always thought Jack Black has too good a voice to be in a comedy band. One thing I don't like about humourous bands is when they have talky bits between tracks. It soon gets really old after repeated listens.

Well that went off on a tangent 😂