A painful reminder for some of us, ehem, older folks

[Jerry Ziarko]

Back in the day it wasn't uncommon to be paid not only the same amount of money per night as you are now, but often much more. Take that same amount, put in the year, and see what you SHOULD be making per night now. http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Jerry Ziarko

often much more.

^^^ that

[Tampabass]

but see, you know, the musicians who spend years learning their craft and put loads of $$ into teachers, schools, and equipment are really supposed to just play for the love of it.

and it goes without saying that the bartenders, doormen, servers, dishwashers and guys who sweep up after closing are the ones who deserve actual pay.

I'm afraid to look at that chart. It's astonishing that musicians are expected to be paid the same or less, today, as they were 20 years ago.

And it's kinda pitiful that club owners are surprised that musicians aren't happy about that situation. Imagine if your average bartender was expected to make today what the average bartender made in 1990, or was told that he would only get hired if he "drew a crowd."

[jumbodbassman]

+1 and a lot less places to play..........

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Jerry Ziarko

Back in the day it wasn't uncommon to be paid not only the same amount of money per night as you are now, but often much more. Take that same amount, put in the year, and see what you SHOULD be making per night now. http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm

Not gonna do it. You can't make me.

[TRichardsbass]

+1 here. I have been telling local cover bands that they are underselling themselves and have allowed clubs to under cut them too much.

Yeah, the economy sucks, but no, good DJs are not cheaper then a good band, and last I looked very few kids flock to a club for a specific DJ. A specific band always draws.

Only way to stop this is to slap the current cover bands silly!

tom richards

[I<34080]

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

+1 here. I have been telling local cover bands that they are underselling themselves and have allowed clubs to under cut them too much.

Yeah, the economy sucks, but no, good DJs are not cheaper then a good band, and last I looked very few kids flock to a club for a specific DJ. A specific band always draws.

Only way to stop this is to slap the current cover bands silly!

tom richards

I'd rather dance to a DJ than a cover band.

Well in theory...I don't dance. And I didn't know cover bands had loyal followings.

[jnuts1]

you rather dance to a DJ than a band? why are you on a bass forum?

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by I<34080

And I didn't know cover bands had loyal followings.

They do. I see the same ten people just about every weekend, sometimes both nights. There are plenty of other folks who'll show up when we're at a club near them, but there are some real diehards that will drive an hour each way to come out and party with us. It is kinda hard to wrap your head around, but they're all pretty cool people, and I know them all by name so it gives me someone to talk to between sets.

[I<34080]

Originally Posted by jnuts1

you rather dance to a DJ than a band? why are you on a bass forum?

I'm 18, when I go to shows I'm usually out to hear original music. If I'm wanting to hear music to DANCE to I want to hear either the master track or a good remix. Cover bands always seem to give lackluster performances, especially in the vocal department. The songs just don't sound "full".

Maybe I expect too much, and I'm too critical because I'm a musician, but a DJ provides better atmosphere than a COVER band for dancing.

[FritoBandito]

Back in the day (late 60' thru the 70's) there just weren't that many decent local musicians around, thus not a whole lot of good bands, so they could charge a higher rate and have a solid calendar booked up. By the time the mid 70's rolled around, alot of kids had picked up the guitar/bass and the list of bands got really big bringing down the money (that damn supply & demand thing). In the late 60' and early 70's San Diego area, we, and just a couple of other bands, had the market cornered.

[bucephylus]

Now, this is what I would call a generation gap.

When we were young and showed up at a social occasion, we would head for the doors if they were playing records. Live band and we would stay.

Times would seem to have changed.

[I<34080]

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Now, this is what I would call a generation gap.

When we were young and showed up at a social occasion, we would head for the doors if they were playing records. Live band and we would stay.

Times would seem to have changed.

If someone my age is out for a social occasion, they wouldn't want to be entertained by a bunch of middle aged guys playing cover songs. I'd like to believe that cover bands were never a thing that appealed to young adults.

[bigtiny]

Originally Posted by I<34080

I'm 18, when I go to shows I'm usually out to hear original music. If I'm wanting to hear music to DANCE to I want to hear either the master track or a good remix. Cover bands always seem to give lackluster performances, especially in the vocal department. The songs just don't sound "full".

Maybe I expect too much, and I'm too critical because I'm a musician, but a DJ provides better atmosphere than a COVER band for dancing.

God I miss the 70s!!!!! =:-)
I used to play in some funk bands that would make a DJ cry!

bigtiny

[bigtiny]

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Now, this is what I would call a generation gap.

When we were young and showed up at a social occasion, we would head for the doors if they were playing records. Live band and we would stay.

Times would seem to have changed.

Yeah...I've never understood why somebody would want to go OUT, get dressed, PAY A COVER, and PAY FOR DRINKS, so they could hear somebody PLAY RECORDS!!!! This is about the stupidest thing I could ever imagine doing.....

bigtiny

[ptolemny]

Originally Posted by Tampabass

Imagine if your average bartender was expected to make today what the average bartender made in 1990, or was told that he would only get hired if he "drew a crowd."

Point taken, but this doesn't seem a good analogy IMO. Bartenders provide an essential service, musicians don't. I suppose you could just have room with various machines dispensing booze to patrons, but until they do every bar will need a bartender.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

+1 here. I have been telling local cover bands that they are underselling themselves and have allowed clubs to under cut them too much.

Yeah, the economy sucks, but no, good DJs are not cheaper then a good band, and last I looked very few kids flock to a club for a specific DJ. A specific band always draws.

Only way to stop this is to slap the current cover bands silly!

I don't think that this is the problem. There is a glut of musicians in the market - too many musicians chasing too few gigs. It's simple supply and demand. If you try to jack up your price there is someone standing right behind you willing to play for less, or for free. It's especially bad in "music cities" like Austin. It's relatively rare here for a musician not to have a day job.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by ptolemny

I suppose you could just have room with various machines dispensing booze to patrons, but until they do every bar will need a bartender.

Once the booze dispensing machines become self-aware, it's either going to be the dawn of the apocalypse, or the start of one hell of a party!!!

[jnuts1]

"I'm 18" i would really like to know how many cover bands you have actually seen?

"If someone my age is out for a social occasion, they wouldn't want to be entertained by a bunch of middle aged guys playing cover songs. I'd like to believe that cover bands were never a thing that appealed to young adults." you are soooo wrong. my original band doubles as a cover band every thursday by depaul & a LOT of young kids come in & really dig us. & we are doing old classic rock & blues tunes. i can't believe the obscure covers some of these kids request too. it actually has been very refreshing.

[FritoBandito]

Originally Posted by bigtiny

Yeah...I've never understood why somebody would want to go OUT, get dressed, PAY A COVER, and PAY FOR DRINKS, so they could hear somebody PLAY RECORDS!!!! This is about the stupidest thing I could ever imagine doing.....

bigtiny

LOL!!!!! +1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111