General Music Chat

Yeah, I hear you.
I understand the whole image thing and all . . .
I just want to wear my jeans and Shirt, that's all . . .
No biggee . . .

Well, this topic itself has gotten a bit (dare I say?) "old" and I'm chiming in here a few weeks after my 1st posting. It is pretty cool to read all your comments though and I'm impressed by the level of staying power most of you have. Rock on Garth!

But getting back to my main point, which was the "older" guys (40+) for some reason mainly just want to play old stuff and are not into creating new. Hey - I'm all for staying in the game until my Depends won't stay up and I can't remember who I am anymore, and... I certainly agree with the talk regarding the best musicians are usually the oldest, most experienced. But I'm just tired of the old music. I want to play something really fresh, new, weird, wild, funky, fun, psycho and delic.

Perhaps it is my Bandmix profile? Maybe the word is out on me? (though I didn't think I was that famous). But so far, the players I keep hooking up show up and want to jam on some 30 year old tune. There's just no desire in them for originality and doing something competely different and fresh. Plus, most of them are married with children which prevents them from being able to play more than 2 hours a week. Yea, like that's going to produce anything solid.

So, the logical thought is to hook up with younger players who do want fresh grooves and don't have commitments which require them to be in bed by 9 or home on Saturdays. However, they don't want an old (naturally) bald dude in their band. I don't blame them, they are young and have their own generation to blend with.

Too bad. They should hear some of the crazy-ass grooves I can play.
So for now, it's solo-producer time. Hopefully I can get enough stuff together on my own. Then I will just bring in the hired guns as needed to play the gigs.

Anyways, great dialog. You all rock!
Best of luck in your Golden Years... ooh ooh... mmm bop bop.

I,m not so shure age has anything to do with the desire to create new.
When I was in my 20's, All I ever did was try to play others music I thought was "cool". Now pushing 50 I dont care if I ever do a cover.
I want to write and create or facillitate others to create. Could be my chosen genre' at this time in my life. Maybe I am just insane like my friends keep tellin me.

Spiritually we`re all a bunch of spring chickens. Ya gotta love it!!!!

Hey SF you really hit the nail on the head with a few different issues.

I'm in a similar boat with my band. I keep telling them we shouldn't be doing anything over 25 years old, that's prior to 1983, eesh. IMO anything older is "oldies", not even "classic rock" anymore. As we're getting older, they don't seem to realize that the "new" stuff they want to approach, like Pearl Jam and STP, is now .... CLASSIC ROCK. It's old news.

Yet each week I still hear things like, hey, let's add "free ride" or "paint it black" to our songlist... Personally I want to do the same thing as you, originals, but not classic rock and oldies rehashing... Something new, fresh, and yes, progressive or psychedelic...

I got really lucky that our band landed a 22 year old singer who also wants to do NEW and original material, so now it's just grind time.

As far as "looks" go, yeah, many of us were part of the MTV generation, so it's just par for the course. If you are losing your hair, maybe think about getting plugs, wearing a wig, you know, give a little to get a little. I hate that music has become such a popularity and beauty contest, but it is what it is, and we can't change that. I've been working on losing weight and shedding off that unfit "approaching 40" look, it's tough as we get older, but a necessary evil. Maybe I will even start shopping at Hot Topic and get some stage clothes!

Yeah Im down to what about 450 lbs now, I should be good to go in a month or so.

Seriously, on the age of the music, I dont care if its 100 yrs old if it works it works. Our songs range from late 60s to mid 90s and I consider it all classic rack, well I consider Aint Yo Mama classic hard rock. The only current thing we worked up was Rockstar. But I do like current music its just the shelf life is too short for me, so I rely on the basics.

hey i like it i have always liked the 50s sounding rock but one question i know your keyboard has a bass synth why didnt you put some bass on there

http://www.myspace.com/chaoscom

Perhaps I should take some roids and pump iron to go along with my new wig. Nah screw it, they are just going to have to look at my old bald self.

I'm zooming towards old, and I ROCK!!!!!

No kid whose future is unwritten wants to saddle up with someone whose dreams never materialized. I'm 54, but hell, let's be realistic.

r

Rick, just because some "dream" has not materialized does not mean it wont.
You can play untill its time for your dirt nap brother, you may be discoverd the day after. You would not be the first.
I just dont believe anybodys futureis "written" age irrelivent.
After all you and I were those kids not so long ago.

U B right, sans! From now on, I'm gonna go by my house music DJ hip hop gansta rap name, "P-Mo." I'll hafta get me some baggier drawers, though. I'll get me a couple hot tight be-otches, dress 'em up like nurses, & tour doing the "old man rap" to techno & drum machines. Every song will start out "When I was your age..." & just kinda ramble on from there.

"When I was your age, back in the day
Didn't slap no ho when I was tryin' to sco'
We smoked butts & poked butts & didn't worry 'bout no AIDS.

"The pigs left us be 'less we were rallyin' fo' peace
We'd drink & we'd drive but somehow stayed alive
And you could find a good spliff on just 'bout any street

"The women unshaved & our roads weren't all paved
Your pants was so tight that your junk was in sight
It was easy to go out & get laid!"

P-Mo - "Back In The Day (What WAS That Noyz?)" 2008
from the CD "Old Fat Men Have Feelings Too!"

It's number "0U812" on the Golden Age Retirement Community Center juke box.

Remember when Sinatra did that fairwell concert at age 86 or so? What the hell will these artists be doing in 40 years? Will they be able to do one like that? I think it would be about the funniest thing ever, if they do.

dude never forget it's about the music!!!!!!

Haze I think your wrong, making a name for yourself really has nothing to do with the music.

Why do I say this? If you are out trying to play gigs, then your music should be good no matter what it is. TO me there is no excuse to get out in front of anyone halfcocked.

I think you have to create a total package that sets you apart from the pack, an image is #1, figure out who you want to play to and go after them, make a plan and execute it.

Yea you have to be able to play, but if all you really want to do is make "great" music with no consideration for the other elements then you just need to stay locked up in your house and play "great" music for the sake of art. If you are trying to get paying gigs you are an entertainment entity.

I know 5-6 bands that I almost joined over the last couple of years, some of them are good musically, but all they are doing is sitting around wondering when they will do a gig. They are waiting for the skys to open and with no effort get discovered. They think its all about the music too, and they will continue to do that cause they really arent serious enough to ever get off the porch.

Im not flaming you Im just stating Music Business 101, it takes a lot of hype and effort to make a dent even on the local level.

That is an EXCELLENT point JW...Its taken yrs for me to "except" the fact that the "HYPE", and the preparation to promote the "hype" sells the great act..I was shocked all through my yrs in Nashville cause it seemed to be all about hype and I couldnt stand it...Why didnt really good bands work as much as the mediocre???,,I COULDNT GET IT...It pissed me so bad that I moved to Alburqueque. ..NOOOOOWWWWW, I understand..I see local bands now with a good promo pack, pics, CD, Bis cards being handle out left and right that are musically mediocre at best..They're workin more than the ole raod vets , Like you said JW, waitin at home , ever progressing musically and keepin thier chops up, BUT, wonderin why those old clubs , fest promoters,etc aint callin..Yeah , I had to chime in here cause my mentality and atittude towards this needed severe RE-adjusting..

John