Would you join a band if you weren't thrilled with the music?

[::::BASSIST::::]

My current band seems to be going nowhere. We've had about 4 gigs in the last year and I booked them all. Seems I am the one who does most, well actually all of the work and I am tired of it. So I thought I'd scale back my involvement a bit and think about joining another band.

I have gotten some good advice which was just join a band with all their "ducks in a row" play bass and then you wont have to deal with the other apects of a gigging band. I dont mind doing some stuff, but not everything. Anyway, I responded to this online ad looking for a bass player and the guy/leader sounds like he really has it together. He says he has lots of connections as he is a DJ etc etc etc. This is the kind of situation I am looking for. Dont have to deal with making posters, promo stuff, hunting down gigs, organizing setlists etc... just play my bass.

Problem is this new band plays 50% country. I really dont like country. I mean I could stomach maybe one or two songs but over-all yuck is the word.

So would you join a band who's music you werent thrilled with but who is gigging steady and where all you do is play bass?

[cnltb]

I tend to find something in any gig.
If you are not "thrilled" with what's on offer musically perhaps ask if it's paid.
In my experience, most people say that they "got it together" when looking for muicians to join their band.
Do not be blinded by anything you hear.I fyou are not interested in the music make sure you get something else out of the gig-perhaps check out the band's track record and don't sell yourselve too cheaply.There needs to be something in it for you.

[fretless Bob]

well i definetely agree with you for wanting to get out of this other band, when people leave you to do everything it can make the actual gigs less fun,

about the country stuff, i personally cant stand listening to most country but i think i personally could live with playing it on a gig, you never know you may even become a fan


Dave

[Albot]

The last two bands I played in I wasnt thrilled with the material. I liked the guys a lot, it just wasnt my style. The nice thing was is that Ive been in the mode of playing in a serious act for the past year and a half. Finally the type of gig i have been hoping for has come along and I kept myself totally prepared. It is hard to play tunes you dont love. Especially when you dont feel like the songs "represent" you. But there are gains to be made by taking these gigs.

[guy n. cognito]

I am also not a big fan of country music. However, my current band's songlist is about 25% country. It is just a pitfall of being in a cover band in surburban Nashville. It seems near impossible to me to find a cover band in which I like 100% of the songs. In my case it's worth it, because I'm in a good band that is willing to learn new songs at my suggestion.

However, 50% seems like alot, especially if you don't like the music. Unless you need the gig, maybe you should hold out for something that fits you better.

[Metropolis_488]

Dude I am in the EXACT same situation!

I moved from Manhattan 2 yrs ago, where I had NO problem finding a bass gig whenever I wanted, to Walla Walla Washington (i.e. middle of no-where).

I play with a group of guys that are trapped in a time warp that places them permanently in 1984 with modern country (80's butt-rock with a country twang) as the only other style they are interested in.

I F***ING HATE 80's butt-rock and country!
I used to be in Tool influenced prog-rock original band that would also swing the blues, Hendrix, Sabbath, U2, SRV...anything that rocked and was fun to play.
Right now I play "Pour some sugar on me" and Kenny Chesney "Your my Better half"! EEWWWWW!

I am actually finding that I am becoming a WORSE bass player for playing with them!

I have NO options. I actually found a real good drummer that we both enjoy playing with each other and we really click musicaly...BUT, I can't find a guitar player if my life depended on it!...a friggin dime-a-dozen guitar player!?!?!?!?

To make matters worse...these guys that I play with have NO CONCEPT of music...they are hacks that have some physical proficiency, but don't understand music....they can play quick riffs real fast, but they can't do anythign within the context of a song. ALSO, they think that playing in a bar has to be an event- one that requires programed lighting, smoke machines, etc. etc.

The guitar player keeps harping on the fact that he wants to get paid hundreds of dollars for gigs to pay for all the equipment (lights, etc.) he bought (mind you he is very well-off financially)....I'd play for free because I love performing live and sharing something with an audience... he's playing for the wrong reasons.

Everynight I pray that I find someone that plays guitar and has a clue.

[Nick man]

If I wasnt thrilled with it I would go with it as long as it wasn't my only gig and I still had my own music.

If I disliked the music, then I wouldnt do it no matter what.

To me it seems more like you dislike the music.

[Aaron Saunders]

If it pays, yes.

Then again, I am getting DESPARATE for any musical contact with another person. Because the band's breaking up and we didn't have any more gigs lined up, we haven't gotten together for another practice since the last gig (halfway through July.) It's been a month since I really played with anyone, and I am going nuts. My only consolation is that after this week, I'll never stop playing with other musicians. It's just that I am going *nuts* right now. Aebersold playalongs are just not enough.

[Psychicpet]

if it pays...play it

...if not..... i don't have a Country gig right now............

I do get what you're saying, putting time into anything that is based not on really digging it or merely on the paycheque isn't really a fun or enlightening kind of thing. BUT there is some Country that isn't too terribly bad and kinda ok to stomach

[peekster]

Back to the original question, and Mr Saunders has touched on it: darned right I would!--based on simple greenbacks.

Understand: there's a distinction in my mind [and yours too, I bet] between 'music that doesn't thrill me', and music that just plain *bites*.

Most of the 'happening' pop acts today would be tolerable for the right paycheck, and they could sure pay it. Could I cut the gig?--maybe, except I'm a square-looking geezer. C'est la vie.

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by Psychicpet

there is some Country that isn't too terribly bad and kinda ok to stomach

Hahahaha stop yer killin' me!
Come on, admit it, you LOVE IT!!

[RLT]

Well I played disco and 80's hair rock when they were the rage. So I guess that answers that.

[Marcus]

Um, isn't that what being a musician is all about ^_~?

[Aaron Saunders]

Originally Posted by Marcus Alan

Um, isn't that what being a musician is all about ^_~?

Nope -- it's what being a professional musician is all about .

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

So would you join a band who's music you werent thrilled with but who is gigging steady and where all you do is play bass?

Why? What would be the point? If it's all about the paycheck, then there are lots more straightforward ways to earn a buck - and often a lot more money that playing gigs will provide.

On the other hand, if it's about the music itself, then shouldn't it be music that truly inspires you and moves you? Or music that at least is fun to play? And if it doesn't and if it isn't, then my question remains: Why? What would be the point?

MM

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Why? What would be the point? If it's all about the paycheck, then there are lots more straightforward ways to earn a buck - and often a lot more money that playing gigs will provide.

On the other hand, if it's about the music itself, then shouldn't it be music that truly inspires you and moves you? Or music that at least is fun to play? And if it doesn't and if it isn't, then my question remains: Why? What would be the point?

MM

Some people enjoy entertaining the crowd, even it they sometimes play music that isn't their favorite.

I don't sit at home and listen to "Baby Got Back", but I LOVE to watch women dance to it.

[The Golden Boy]

Somewhere around the turn of the century (I can't believe I never said that before...) I took a job with a nu-metal band. I'm so not nu-metal. I hated the music. I even hated the music I helped write. I really liked all the guys in the band, but musically I didn't fit in with it. I still did my thing- the vaguely melodic thing, but perhaps a bit more percussive. I approached it like "how would Tom Petersson approach this?"

[mrmoonjam]

I was in your spot 19 years ago. I'd been self-learning bass, jamming with rock & rolling buds and gigged with a 50's-60's band a little. A friend of a friend asked me to audition for a country band that was established. I had no interest in country, and a little bit of an attitude about it. On the other hand, I saw an opportunity to gig regularly (2-6/ mo.), decent pay, and a chance to play bass a lot. At the audition a realized that I had never heard 80% of their songlist, and never played any of it except for 4 old rockers.

So I got the job. I decided that not particularly liking country music was MY issue, and if this band had a big enthusiastic following, then maybe I could learn to appreciate the tunes they were playing. They were all better musicians than me; between that and not knowing the material I had a fair intimidation factor. But thay were all supportive and I was willing to take suggestions. Believe me, it's not as simple as Root-5 all the time, and even then it's still got to be in the groove. I found out that while country songs may sound alike if you're not familiar with them, in fact they're all different.

I was in the band 6 years, got fired (story for another thread sometime) got back with them 18 mo. later, and we've been together another 11 years. The lead singer has always been in the band, I'm second in seniority. I'm an infinitely better player now, and have acquired an appreciation of a genre I kinda looked down on. The lead singer and drummer are like brothers to me. We're on a hiatus right now, may or may not get back together. I've always continued to jam with R&R friends and the 50's-60's band has gotten back together, but I'm incredibly grateful for the experiences and gifts that came from playing in a country band.

[badstonebass]

I have been in your boat. hell, anybosy playing covers gets to your point.

I am an above average guitarist. I am an adequate bassist. I don't particularly find the bass in the music we play challenging. Some of it is downright boring. it does allow me to jump around a lot!

I really like the guys in the band I am in. However, I don't always enjoy their choice of music. I DO like the extra $500 -1000 bucks a month. Someone earlier said there are other ways to turn a buck.....BUT playing in the Village people would beat any "real job" I have had.

I use my recording and original projects to satisfy my real creative juices.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

So would you join a band who's music you werent thrilled with but who is gigging steady and where all you do is play bass?

yes

I love to gig & play bass.. the style of music wouldn't matter to me too much