General Music Chat

In a perfect world, musician type #3 would NOT exist. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world. I am almost a type 3 and it's because of my love of music. I've devoted much of my life to music. Every decision I make depends on music...never lived in an apartment, only taking jobs that allow me to play when I want (except when I got married and took a job on the railroad to support my family and was on call all the time and couldn't be in a band, not knowing when I could play or not). Since moving here in '84, and getting divorced in '89, I've sacrificed some good paying jobs for lesser paying jobs just for the freedom for my music. I've settled for cheaper used cars (and vans for hauling the stuff) so that I could put more money into PA and lights and now recording equipment, so that I could have everything a band would need to get the bookings we would need. I would always be the one to go to the clubs and talk to the managers and usually sit in with the band and get gigs. I did it all because I love music and couldn't imagine not playing on weekends. For years I played 40 something weekends out of the year and usually some weeknights too and if I had a weekend off, I would go listen to other bands and while there get some more bookings. And since I always had flexible job hours, I would usually go to the clubs early and set everything up so the other guys wouldn't have to be in such a hurry when they got there. And guess what? Now it's all expected of me. And the first time I said anything about maybe taking a cut off the top for equipment and gas, my fellow bandmates turned on me saying, "What for, you've never done that before?" It started going downhill from there. I'm a nice guy and always hoped that if I divided the money evenly, the others would say, "Here, take an extra 20 of mine for doing all you do." Never happened. Then, whenever I would get into a band, I would say up front that if I had to furnish the PA, there would have to be extra pay. The past few bands I've been in told me, "Oh, no. We have PA equipment. You just have to play." Then we'd rehearse in my studio and record in my studio (all for free, for the good of the band) and then when the gigs came, all of a sudden we needed my PA because the others were too small which made me the onstage soundman too so I was concentrating on all that instead of just being able to play and have fun. And no extra pay. That's what I'm burnt out on now, not the music. So lately I haven't been keeping a band going. I've been just going out to parties and jams and trying to turn it back into fun (although a lot of times I still have to bring the PA). I'm going broke, but it's more fun than playing clubs and doing all the work and splitting the money with ungrateful members. And now my ranting is done. AAAHHHHH!! I feel SO much better.

Whew! I feel better too! Thanks for sharing that R.S.

You see Jeff, I am much like yourself in personality I believe.
I go that extra mile, always have. As a Martial Artist I did. As a musician I do, as a band member I do as well. I am amazed by the support I am getting from my bandmates. I suppose I should not be as they are all good men. But I always offer to haul the equipment, mostly because I am a freak about logistics. I always get help from the guys, without asking. I almost have to push them back and say "No man it's cool, I got it" or " Tony and I can handle it, we'll see you guys at the gig."
(Tony not only sings BU for us but is one of my long time kung fu brothers, a second generation from my original Sifu)
At the last show, when Tony and I arrived with the equipment, there were six other guys helping us unload, two of which are "friends" of the band.
The point I am trying to make is there has to be those kind of people out there for you too Jeff.
I pray you find them. You have to great a talent to lose.

Yeah, well I'm not giving up.. just recording in my home. Back as a younger fella I took karate and joined the Air Force etc and did a lot of sht. Played a lot. In a lot of bands. It's just now I'm feeling tired-er and probly couldnt keep up. When I said #3 I didnt say giving up on music.. I may yet find another band way out here in the stix..
-sorry to interrupt-
-back to you and Jeff, Sans..

Hmm, well I'd really have to think on it. I don't think I can define myself in actuality as a type of musician. Sure, there are certain things I like to play as a performer at this point in time, but I definitely enjoy and play a wide variety of music. To try to define what I am as a musician would put me in a box. I'd prefer not to be.

Ok

I'll simplify this again

1. You are doing what you want musically, performing, recording,writing or combinations of the above.

or

2. Your not doing anything but talking about it

The bottom line is make a plan and head in that direction. Its fun posting on here, but its not going to help your playing or gigging. As others have said you have to put yourself physically out there and get in the game. I feel bandmix and other forums are basically support groups for our addiction, MUSIC!

Just do it!

I think there are only two kinds of musicians.

1. Ones that want to get out and play!

2. Ones that are out playing!

The question to me is which are you, if you want to get out and play then point in a direction that will take you there. If you are out playing good for you!

What difference does it make what genre you play, you are either doing what you want or your not. The choice is up to you.

Bingo!

Double Bonus Bingo!

www.myspace.com/blunderingeye
www.myspace.com/445175001
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/6039/

"my dog is a bitch"

Ratsass, I feel your pain I know exactly what you are talking about as I am in the same situation I am a whole lot like you. A friend once told me nice guy's not only finish last they finish dead last LOL, still that will not stop me I am like the terminator I am unstopable my desire to play good music with good musicians outways my frustrations and the ungratefullness. I believe all people have there imperfections I was in the situation to where not only were they not helping they were giving me all kinds of grief so I just slowly weeded out the ungrateful trouble makers one at a time (methodically) now I have surrounded myself with people that are a pleasure to play with and they help as much as they can which is really alot but still no one does as much as me but I am fine with that. I am playing the kind of music I want to play and while there are occasional gigs that don't go exactly like I would have wanted, but that is part of the buisness being able to put on a good show and play good music consistantly and even on your worst night being better than 95% of the other bands because you pay so much attention to the details every person I have played with in the last 10 years regrets leaving this situation sometimes by choice and sometimes not. But because of the proffesionalism that we put forth and that my man translates to a good reputation and what more could you want.

So my advise to you is don't let the negetivity bring you down and don't compare yourself to others for there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself and when you find yourself in a moment of weakness and do compare yourself to others you will become vain and bitter. Keep on rockin in the free world Bro.


Jeff....

Ive been playing with some of the same guys for 20 yrs or more. Theres been a lot of good and bad in all of it. I have been dissappointed a lot by the attitude that we are doing it just for fun. Hell I want to leave something behind when I have to leave this world. And I know as time gets shorter I have to try harder and find the people I need that have the same goals Ive set for myself musically. Since Ive gotten older a lot of my goals have changed but the addiction gets stronger as the time passes. I love playing the bass, the guitar , and the radio !!!!

And its just another day in paradise !

The few times that I've participated in good bands makes all the frustrating times worthwhile. My biggest disappointment is never recording a legitimate CD. We've always had decent demo recordings that got us jobs. Also most of the bands I've been in never really developed enough originals for my taste. We always seem to get just enoug covers together, play a bunch of gigs, and then somebody quits the band for one reason or another and you have to start all over again. I'm just hoping this new group wants to seriously record and develop some more originals (I've got enough waiting for them). I've played countless covers, and for the most part I enjoy them, but the ultimate for me is what I can create. I want to have my own CD with my ugly mug somewhere on it, so I can tell people "yes Virginia there really is a fisherman bob"...

The music or band scene most of the time dictates what kink of musician you are, during the 70s and 80s i was the musician that I wanted to be, gigs were planty and the money was good, now the tought of being in a steady band has lost its appeal, playing covers no longer satisfies, venues are shytty and the money is lousy, people who still enjoy that kind of routine more power to you.

Now I am the musician that I want to be as far being in a band is concerne, I.E. a journyman... I get a call to fill, in I show up mostly to hang out with my buddies who still get a kick being in a steady band in spite of the fact they go home with $50 bucks in a good night playing in places with barely enough space to set up the equipment while people who are there mostly for eating and drinking more so then for the music or the band.

Making up shyt and recording them is my new found love, it's something new and fresh and more satisfying then playing Sweet home Alabama, No way out, Smoke on the water and other covers for the 2000th time.

I've had few invitations through Band Mix to join a band, I politely turned them down, howerer if a bunch guys call me or I find a group of guys who want to make a CD of originals even if it doesn't go anywhere, I'm in... that's the kind of musician I want to be now.

The few times that I've participated in good bands makes all the frustrating times worthwhile. My biggest disappointment is never recording a legitimate CD. We've always had decent demo recordings that got us jobs. Also most of the bands I've been in never really developed enough originals for my taste. We always seem to get just enoug covers together, play a bunch of gigs, and then somebody quits the band for one reason or another and you have to start all over again. I'm just hoping this new group wants to seriously record and develop some more originals (I've got enough waiting for them). I've played countless covers, and for the most part I enjoy them, but the ultimate for me is what I can create. I want to have my own CD with my ugly mug somewhere on it, so I can tell people "yes Virginia there really is a fisherman bob"...

Yeah, FB, good bands do make it worthwhile, just hasn't been happening lately. It will again someday. Know what you mean about replacing members. We used to do some pretty intricate songs for a 3-piece, but over the years every time we replaced a member, we'd work up the easy stuff to keep gigging and then nobody wanted to rehearse the hard songs so the list got smaller and more boring.
Maybe I'll have my studio finished by the time ya'll work up some originals and I can cut you a good enough deal to offset expenses for coming down to Ozark, AR. (close to Fort Smith). I'm not a fisherman, but I hear the fishing is good around here.

The music or band scene most of the time dictates what kink of musician you are, during the 70s and 80s i was the musician that I wanted to be, gigs were planty and the money was good, now the tought of being in a steady band has lost its appeal, playing covers no longer satisfies, venues are shytty and the money is lousy.

Sad but true.

For the past 15 years I've played in your typical "bar band", playing the same ol' covers every other band's playing. I always pushed for those more obscure hits that people say "hey I remember that song", but they usually got pushed back in the shadows.

I also had a couple experiences with an original heavy metal band that mostly practiced and had a handful of gigs, and a country band that played at a VFW.

Mostly demo recordings. I left the last band for a few reasons. The main reason being my wife had been in a car accident and suffered a broken ankle and our son was only 1. Our keyboardist was leaving the band, and the other guys wanted to modernize the set list and start auditioning quickly. I was too overwhelmed at home to focus on the band. And they didn't want to wait a few months for my wife to get back on her feet.

I was also tired of one of the egos and constant talking during gigs. The audience was just as annoyed. And I would hear the feedback, and mention it to the others only to fall on deaf ears.

After a year off, I might be hooking up with a new more promising endeavour. Gotta keep my fingers crossed.

(oh... and I also like -in no paticular order- Star Wars, Weird Al Yankovic and boobies... or should I say "I'm a fan of...")

yah pus, around here you gotta play covers and into the bars or do VFW's which I can't say I'll see myself doing, its terrible, original bands get one night a week for probably "publicity not profit" good luck with your new endeavor, otherwise I'd like to try and get in touch with ya for real, I mean how far away can we be?
bewbies are always good (unless they are the size of small children) original star wars and some of the books are good, and weird al is awesome