General Music Chat

You can always get back into cover stuff.

And there's the rub.

I would have a hard time getting back into if I left.



The biggest problem with where I live is that we have a dearth of musicians. Our area here is just not musician-rich. I check the Craigslist musician sections in the bigger cities that are 2-5 hours away, and those Craiglist sections are busy - lots of musicians looking for each other. Here - our Craigslist is practically dead by comparison.

And the musicians we *do* have either want to play country or classic rock. Part of the reason I've invested 22 months of my life in this band - and why we've only played out once - is because it is so rare to find other musicians in this area who actually want to play more modern, non-classic rock.

So, there's an investment there. A lot of time and effort to learn the material, sure, but even more time and effort spent trying to cultivate the right people.

And then, I don't know if this is unique our area or other areas, but I've witnessed some real bridge burning among the musicians here. I know of several musicians who, when I float their names around, other musicians will not work them. I don't want to be one of those musicians; I don't want people to hear my name and not want to work with me, but I fear if I abandon my cover band then that is exactly what will happen; I'll get bad-mouthed and future opportunities could be limited, which would really suck in an area where opportunities are already limited.


So... lots to consider. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do. I am starting to consider staying in both bands, but only if the cover band can get their act together and start practicing on a schedule that fits my lifestyle, with a passion that fits me. That's one of the things I love about this original band - they have real passion, and you can hear it in their music and you can see it with how they prepare and how they practice. I love that...

Think about it like a relationship/girlfriend.

Your current one seems less exciting because familiarity breeds contempt. The new one is all nice and exciting, because it's a change of pace and she's still fun in the sack.

So is this a "hump" to get over with the first GF, and you are infatuated with the second? Or is it true love?

Once again I think if you are a competent musician jumping in and out of cover situations is no big deal.

If you want to be modern and progressive you probably need to go in an original direction.

Good Luck Colors with whatever choice you make its cool with me.

Hump em both and see who has the goods, dump the other? lol

Well, you're not gigging now but cover bands make money or at least that's supposed to be the usual "business model". Bands doing original material have a hard road if you want to make money at all. If it bars you're thinking of, all they care about is if you pack the house and keep 'em dancing. Have you asked this new band about their gigging history and potential?

However, as you said and I noted you're not gigging now, so there's no reason why you shouldn't follow your desire at this point, "if it makes you happy", to use a song title.

I would go for the 'new band'. It sounds like they are everything you are interested in, while the band you are with is more or less, just kinda there.

And there's no reason you cannot stay on a friendly basis with your old band. I think they would totally understand.