Driving Long Distances to Band Practice

[canadian bass]

I was driving to band practice last night, and thought to myself I wonder how many people travel to great lenghts to get to band practice?
I moved 8 months ago but before I moved band practice used to be 240 KM or 149Miles one way and I would often leave work on Friday dive the 240Km in 2 and half hours, practice for 3 hours and drive back making for a total of 8 hrs.
Now my current situation is 130km or 81 Miles one way and 1 and half hours for a total of 6hrs.
Does anyone else travel long distances for band practice?

[bigtexashonk]

I joined a band late last year that requires me to drive an hour each way to practice once a week. They're good musicians and good people, but if there weren't very good paying gigs on the way, I wouldn't even consider it.

[canadian bass]

For me it's not so much the pay of the gigs. I have been playing in one form or another with these guys since High School. These guys are my closest friends and it's like we can read each others mind. I have often thought about joining a band closer to home but I think I am too scared to play with other people. I am the weakest link in my band I am not saying I am a bad player but the few times I have played with others I don't know any of the songs they play and I am the type of person who has to go home sit next to the computer and play the song over and over, so in a practice enviroment with new people I feel I hold everyone back. I think thats why I drive crazy distances to practice it's a comfort thing.

[Dragonlord]

Originally Posted by canadian bass

Now my current situation is 130km or 81 Miles one way and 1 and half hours

That's my distance too. I used to study and have this band with friends (very talented ones too) and we were trying to get a steady lineup for years... now that we (almost) have one, I can't leave this band. I've been playing with the guitarist for seven years now, he's one of my best friends, this band is like our child. I usually go there by train on weekends, takes a couple of hours, then I stay at his place, we do a couple of rehearsals and I return to my town on sunday or monday morning to go to work.
It can get a bit tiring, but there's nothing like a good band with good friends.

Edit: we don't get paid, we rarely gig, it's purely for the fun of it and the creative process

[kobass]

I drive about 60 miles each way once a week. With no traffic, it takes about an hour as it is mostly highway. However, I do sometimes get caught in traffic when I go through the city. That can add another half-hour or so.

I've been in this band for about 2 1/2 years now. My bandmates are all very talented musicians and great people to boot. It's hard to find a situation like that, so I put up with it.