Q to non drivers ie rehearsals

[FretsOnFire]

As someone that doesn't drive I'm finding this is hampering my ability to find jam buddies/dept gigs and I'll be honest it's disheartening as I can't afford a car or even lessons

 

I can't be the only one that's faced this situation though surely? So for those who have dealt with this how did/do you get around it and get to rehearsals/gigs?

[Dad3353]

Our Eldest held down the role of Principal Guitar in a successful Rock/Ska/Punk band (Kiemsa...) for a few years, and has never held a car licence. It fell upon his conciliatory father (myself...) to fulfil taxi duties, to such a point that I ended up carting most of the whole band to gigs, all over France, in the 7-seater Renault Espace I had at the time. I hired a horse-box-sized trailer for the hardware (PA, lights, all the back-line and stage props...), and operated the FOH and lights for them during the gigs. Do you have a conciliatory father/neighbour/partner/buddy willing and able to do likewise..? 

Edited 16 hours ago by Dad3353

[Downunderwonder]

Bass players tend to be the ones giving drummers and guitards rides.

 

These days it's a lot easier to be a motorcycling bassist with the lightweight stuff available. I used to go to jams on my bike with a 210 on the rack and a Ubass.

[fretmeister]

Host rehearsal at your house.

 

For gigging though, the only people I know who have managed it have lived where public transport has been good enough to get home after a gig, and there’s not much of that outside of London.

[Mrbigstuff]

7 hours ago, FretsOnFire said:

As someone that doesn't drive I'm finding this is hampering my ability to find jam buddies/dept gigs and I'll be honest it's disheartening as I can't afford a car or even lessons

 

I can't be the only one that's faced this situation though surely? So for those who have dealt with this how did/do you get around it and get to rehearsals/gigs?

Moved to central London. But even then I only lasted a couple of years of trawling my amp on a little trolley before I gave up and bought a car again. 

[neepheid]

Sax player in the 'Spoons doesn't drive (but bless him, he's learning) - I just give him a lift to rehearsals, I'm going anyway. He gets the biscuits in, it's all good.

[Steve Browning]

Essentially, you need to be good enough to be worth the hassle. The drummer in my band doesn't drive, but is both less than 10 minutes away, and ridiculously good so I have no issue at all. 

 

Similarly, I'm in a van so no chance of wrecking the interior. 

 

You're expecting someone to add considerably to their evening. 

 

Jam nights and rehearsals should be ok as amps would be there. Gigging is another matter entirely.