Have any of you had thoughts that you where too old?

Ajrocks · #1 04-29-2007, 07:40 AM

I just turned 40 and have found my self in another original band. Periodically I think I should just join a cover band. Here's why...

1) amount of money and shows spent to play at clubs and 10 people show

2)Is this the band that everyone is really serious and we can make it? (I've been in about 20 bands that have played out)

3)How many more gigs must we do before we make it?

4)What age are the oldest bassplayers/bands that finally made it?

5) When do you finally just give up and do the cover/tribute thing?

Just thoughts I have and sometimes, Sometimes they wear on me. Just wondering if anyone else has these thoughts.

Thanks for the input.

Busker · #2 04-29-2007, 08:30 AM

Cover bands are the way I'm trying to go. I don't write good music. I'm 48 and trying to get a gig. And yes, I'm beginning to feel like I'm too old. I've tried out with a couple of bands - they don't call back (they are in my age group too, except for this metal band which were younger than me - they asked me to try out, I didn't ask them. I didn't really want to play that stuff anyway). Talk about working on your confidence. Is it my personality? My apperance? OK, I could use a haircut and could lose a few pounds.... LOL. And I can play OK I think (everyone tells me I'm doing well), I just have no band experience and don't know a million songs yet, but I've played guitar for decades - I learn fast. But it would seem kinda weird to others I guess, a guy my age not having any experience playing in a band situation.

I met a drummer recently who has a lot of experience and said he wanted to work with me on an up and coming gig, a gig that we had plenty of time to prepare for. I knew I could pull it off, and he said he knew I could do it. All he needed was to get one of two guitar player/singers to agree to play. I haven't heard back from him either. That will probably fall through and I had high hopes on that one.

Tell you what though, maybe I should try starting a band and enlist some good people with experience. That would take some doing though and would take a lot of time. I was more hoping to get into a band already established.

Ajrocks · #3 04-29-2007, 12:51 PM

I've thought the same thing, joinng an established band, I'm from CT now in NJ and I don't care for most of the covers people are doing.

If I started a cover band I think I would start of with a list that I've done that got great reviews....

But I was wondering from others if they have doubts being older and doing the originals thing, the band I joined was looking for a temp, now it seems like it might be more permanent and I'm torn staying with them for the long haul....

Here's one, those in cover bands that sell out crowds, how much do you earn in a night, total and each. Also interested in NY/NJ mainly cause the prices will fluctuates around the states.

Thanks

SteveC · #4 04-29-2007, 02:17 PM

I'm 41. I'm in a cover band with guys 10-15 years younger than me. I don't think that would work as well in an "originals" band. Sometimes I even think I'm a little old for this band.

Folmeister · #5 04-29-2007, 02:26 PM

Heck yes! I'm 43 and have completely given up on "making it." Ever. But, now I can play all of that music that no one wanted to play when I was younger. Country? The Carpenters? Fleetwood Mac? Bask in the Fuddy Duddy. Until my tendons snap and I can't get up!

JPJ · #6 04-30-2007, 06:11 PM

I thought I was too old last year, but not this year.

Ajrocks · #7 04-30-2007, 06:24 PM

why what happened and what changed your mind? I checked your profile, was it when you turned 30? yea I had that problem then too!

CamMcIntyre · #8 04-30-2007, 06:56 PM

I say keep at it. I'm learning through music school that the definition of "making it" varies quite a bit. I'm going to be in debt enough to get a pretty nice house back in Lafayette for the amount i'll have in loans when i'm done here. Granted, i'm about half your guys' age, but-hear me out.

I'm playing bass for nearly any gig i can get-i've got a pop/alternative gig this weekend with a guy i met through doing a musical. Right now-the pay is minimal at best, often times i actual lose money when you count the time i have to take off from work. I've played in bands where it's been "wow....this bites" because the difference in personalities/goals. I'm actually a jazz major-i've done 1 jazz gig since i've been in college...with guys that i play with in a musical [musical is currently a freebie too, the trade is i'm in it till it folds/takes off essentially].

I'm not sure if i'll ever "make it" in a rock band setting. I play rock for fun & as a different release than playing jazz. Will i ever "make it" playing jazz? Honestly-i doubt it as most of the jazz guys that i've met are also teachers/have other full time jobs. However, i WILL make it playing music in some regard, more than likely a combination of genres, teaching, and possibly some sort of "normal" job.

So what is my message to you guys? Keep playing. I've said this numerous times to friends & family, as soon as i quit having fun playing bass and performing-i'm putting it down/taking a break because i play bass because it is what i love to do.

Here's another point of reference: in school-i've taken a few business related classes [law, economics, etc] and i get really good grades in there without trying. In my core curriculum of music theory and music history-i'm getting my head handed to me. I have no intentions to become a business major despite how it seems like i would excell at it faster.

take it easy.

rosanne · #9 04-30-2007, 07:02 PM

You guys *think* you are old. I *am* old! 65! One finger bent from arthritis. The band I play in does mostly orriginals - we all write. No, I don't have 50 years of experience (wish I did). Only started playing 3 years ago. I'll continue as long as I can hold the bass and move my fingers.

Ajrocks · #10 04-30-2007, 07:05 PM

WOW, okay, great thanks Rosanne, I guess I'm a youngin then!

Jonny B · #11 04-30-2007, 07:17 PM

You. Are. Never. Too. Old.

Ever.

And for the record, any band I have ever been in has been a pain in the ass, originals or covers. Someone always quits at the worst possible moment (or goes to jail), someone always develops an attitude, and the list goes on.

Current band same deal. One guitarist quit to join a tribute band, replaced him and now the next one quit because he decided- ready for this? -He's too old! WOOOHOOOO!

Man I hate guitarists.

RWP · #12 04-30-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosanne

You guys *think* you are old. I *am* old! 65! One finger bent from arthritis. The band I play in does mostly orriginals - we all write. No, I don't have 50 years of experience (wish I did). Only started playing 3 years ago. I'll continue as long as I can hold the bass and move my fingers.

Now THAT is cool!

bassicinstinct · #13 05-01-2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajrocks

I just turned 40 and have found my self in another original band. Periodically I think I should just join a cover band. Here's why...

1) amount of money and shows spent to play at clubs and 10 people show

2)Is this the band that everyone is really serious and we can make it? (I've been in about 20 bands that have played out)

3)How many more gigs must we do before we make it?

4)What age are the oldest bassplayers/bands that finally made it?

5) When do you finally just give up and do the cover/tribute thing?

Just thoughts I have and sometimes, Sometimes they wear on me. Just wondering if anyone else has these thoughts.

Thanks for the input.

Interesting that you define going the covers/tribute route as "giving up".

I recently worked with a drummer in a pro tribute band which was working 5 nights per week playing to capacity audiences for a good financial reward and HE felt that he was a "failed musician" because he wasn't playing "originals"!!

Each to his own I suppose. I've been involved with the tribute scene for many years now (I'm 51 now - silly old sod!!

), and I've never felt like anything other than a jobbing/journeyman player and, so far as I'm concerned, there is certainly no shame in that.

Busker · #14 05-01-2007, 04:03 AM

Thank you for posting, Rosanne.

Ajrocks · #15 05-01-2007, 04:55 AM

there is a difference between the two, I have done both, cover/tribute bands are fun don't get me wrong. I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Just doing originals and trying to get people out, hearing your tunes on the radio is what I meant.

Sorry if I offended

Edwcdc · #16 05-01-2007, 05:01 AM

Why not do both?
I play in a cover band and I also write music. I do the cover band to get out and gig. Also it doesn't hurt to make $150 a night doing something that you love doing and would do for free.
A guy contacted me about playing bass for his original band. I'm still going over the material to decide if I want to join.
BTW I'm 42 and have been playing bass since I was 14.

NickyBass · #17 05-01-2007, 05:18 AM

I'll start off by saying that I'm still a young guy (28). But things sure have changed in the last 5 years. When I was 23, I could just take off when I wanted and come home 2 months later. Now, I have to worry about my mortgage, health insurance, a retirement plan, supporting a family. I still gig, but I'm not interested in 'making' it. I just want to make good honest music.

I'm leaving my current band because we have different priorities and responsibilities. I've been running around, chasing that elusive record deal for 15 years and, quit frankly, I'm sick of it. I made a good living, in college, when I was playing full time. I did cover gigs, pit gigs, one-off jazz gigs, studio gigs. But, never MY own gigs. Now that I have a demanding day job, I don't have to worry about how much a gig pays. I'm just keeping music and money seperate, and while I'm not always as happy as I was when I was a free-loading bast@rd, at least I can finally be happy with the music that I make.

evan_phi · #18 05-01-2007, 06:46 AM

i felt old when i found out my sister got caught drinking...

and i'm only 19

Benjamin Strange · #19 05-01-2007, 07:22 AM

I know that I'm too old to "make it"... I'm 30. These days it's next to impossible to make it big when you're older than 25.

I remember reading an interview of a really big A&R person who was asked a question like this: "If you found an awesome band, with great songs, awesome chops, good following, and a great stage show, but they were all over 30 years old, what kind of chance do they have?" His answer? "Not a chance in hell." Sad sad sad.

The days of the old and/or ugly rockstar are long gone. Andy Summers joined The Police when he was 38 - I believe Stewart Copeland and Sting were around 30. They got huge, despite their age. I don't think that kind of thing can happen ever again.

Play music because you love it - there is no higher calling.

Relic · #20 05-01-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajrocks

I just turned 40 and have found my self in another original band. Periodically I think I should just join a cover band. Here's why...

1) amount of money and shows spent to play at clubs and 10 people show

2)Is this the band that everyone is really serious and we can make it? (I've been in about 20 bands that have played out)

3)How many more gigs must we do before we make it?

4)What age are the oldest bassplayers/bands that finally made it?

5) When do you finally just give up and do the cover/tribute thing?

Just thoughts I have and sometimes, Sometimes they wear on me. Just wondering if anyone else has these thoughts.

Thanks for the input.

All thoughts that I've had as well. 41, also in NJ.
Ideally, a band that does both (and does them well) is the way to go.
I posted in another similar thread that you need to decide for yourself what "making it" means to you, then pursue that with a veangence. It can mean a variety of things, but you have to look at it realistically. To respond to your points:

1) Start networking - get in touch with other bands that have a bigger draw and ask to open for them.
Learn mounds of covers and play cover shows. Take the $ from them and throw that into recording origs, marketing, publicising etc. Look for Pop festivals, and the like and play them.

2) How do you feel as a part of this band? Do you have similar views and direction? Are they go-getters or are they waiting for good fortune to come to them rather than going out and actively seeking it? If they're not serious and you are, it may be a waste of your time.

3) Gigs are not the key IMHO, it's recording, marketing and shopping your music to various mediums. Gigs are just a part of original music. That's where it differs dramatically from cover bands. In cover bands, the gig usually IS the whole shabang and rightly so. In original bands, it's the creation of new music, it's the rush of hearing it on the radio and such and it's also the gigs.

4) Dont worry about age, worry more about attitude and energy.
You could very well be the one to set that record!

5) Whenever you want to. Only you alone can answer that.
I simply wouldn't be happy with doing that, however as a side project in addition to the originals? Hell yeah! Playing covers to a hoard of cheering, dancing people is a major rush!