Just Having Fun and Enjoying the Extra Income

Drkwdsman@yahoo · #1 01-15-2010, 07:52 AM

After twenty years in this grinding music business playing in an all original band(s), I decided to join the cover band with a group of musician friends who decided to call it quits on the touring / traveling for gigs and whose bass player (and a good friend of mine) decided to go back to school.

That lasted about 2 shows before everyone wanted to go different directions which is cool b/c like I said we are all friends, but that left a void. I got geared up and ready to play out again.

So I joined an existing band which I never (ever) thought I would ever do, but never say never (since I did several times in this blog.

But now, we have gigs, we have a fan base and I had to learn songs (Classic Rock) which I never got to play since High School when you trying to learn to play these off the radio.

The fun is back, the passion is back and hey, the extra income can't be beat.

The moral of the story is never limit yourself or place yourself in a box and Never say Never (again).

Peace

Z

DeluxeRed · #2 01-15-2010, 10:01 AM

Welcome to Cover Band Retirement, where the music is fun again, the pressure is off, the stage mix is tolerable, and the crowds enthusiastic and forgiving. Oh, and the people are great, because of all of the above.

I'm lovin' it!

plankspanker13 · #3 01-15-2010, 10:15 AM

Yep, this is when music becomes fun again. Otherwise, she's like a high maintenance mistress who doesn't put out enough.

Drkwdsman@yahoo · #4 01-15-2010, 10:17 AM

No doubt.

My first show, which was New Years Eve, my new band mates asked if I was nervous, I said "Why would I be nervous?"

People are out to have fun and have a good time, lets do the same.

The only pressure is what you put on yourself to have fun and get the people into it.

Z

plankspanker13 · #5 01-15-2010, 10:17 AM

OK, I just had to do it, since the flyer says it all, and speaks volumes about the kind of unpredictable fun that can be had:

Medford Bassman · #6 01-15-2010, 12:07 PM

Good for you bro!!

Phalex · #7 01-15-2010, 01:07 PM

I find it's great therapy to be able to beat the living crap outta something on the weekends. (The dog feels safer too!) Free beer and a couple of bills are just icing on the cake.

Viva La Cover Band!

plankspanker13 · #8 01-15-2010, 01:35 PM

This just in from band-leader man (an hour after I got the recent songbook updates into the promoter's hands): "I have gotten word that a few promoters may be coming to the throwdown tonite. One books events on Mill Avenue. Here we go!!"

Our Saturdays are still somewhat flexible, and we'll be likely adding Scottsdale on Tuesdays. Throw in the occasional Sunday or Thursday, and the money/time/physical toll equation is superlative.

DudeistMonk · #9 01-15-2010, 02:12 PM

Just sucked it up and joined a cover group myself, after wasting 3+ years in the basement and another 2 waiting for originals projects to get off the ground...

First gig is coming up and I've been burning through tunes 30 down 30 to go. I'd still like to try my hand at originals one day (I'm still pretty young) but I figure I'll do covers first and absorb a whole lot of music and get some gig experience before trying that again.

mike costelow · #10 01-17-2010, 08:15 AM

I played in all original band for 12 yrs and had a cover band on the side, the cover band definitly gigged ALOT more.I do like playing originals so i found a band that does both,mostly covers and slips in originals here and there. To get gigs in most places around here you have to play what people want to hear(covers). yes it has been much more lucrative.

kickstand22 · #11 01-17-2010, 09:45 AM

Just like most of you.....I've done it too. I buddy was always on my butt about....."man, you've got some of the best gear in town, why not play out?" I finally gave in and he hooked me up with the guys I'm with now. No BS, no attitudes, no drama.....it's great.

Obe · #12 01-17-2010, 02:27 PM

Drkwds...
Sounds like me, over 2 decades in original bands, had a lot of fun but gigs were not great, mostly playing to the waitstaff, a few friends and family, and the other bands on the bill for little or no money.

Started a cover band, still having fun, a small crowd is 50 people who actively listen and dance, I get to be just as creative because in addition to bass I sing and play keys (sometimes all three at once, ahaha). Plus, I make myself in one gig what the original bands make in an average year, no exaggeration. Makes it easy to justify purchasing gear.

I do still have one very active original band and 3 others that play occasionally so I never hear the word "sellout"

rtslinger · #13 01-20-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drkwdsman@yahoo

After twenty years in this grinding music business playing in an all original band(s), I decided to join the cover band with a group of musician friends who decided to call it quits on the touring / traveling for gigs and whose bass player (and a good friend of mine) decided to go back to school.

That lasted about 2 shows before everyone wanted to go different directions which is cool b/c like I said we are all friends, but that left a void. I got geared up and ready to play out again.

So I joined an existing band which I never (ever) thought I would ever do, but never say never (since I did several times in this blog.

But now, we have gigs, we have a fan base and I had to learn songs (Classic Rock) which I never got to play since High School when you trying to learn to play these off the radio.

The fun is back, the passion is back and hey, the extra income can't be beat.

The moral of the story is never limit yourself or place yourself in a box and Never say Never (again).

Peace

Z

Welcome home your life has come full circle like many of us have done throw some of your stuff in the mix in is always a great feeling to see the people swaying to your words. It is strange when you think about it you start out honing your craft playing songs off the radio and cd's of your fav groups and dream to be on the big stage someday touring the planet and when it happens you are disillusioned by what it is really like compared what you thought it was going to be and after years of living your so called dream you walk away from it.Mostly disappointed to say the least and that is when you find out that the most pleasure you had playing came from sitting up all night trying to learn that bass line from your fav band now the question hits as a pro player am I a sell out if I join a cover band and you sit back for years some of us 10 years till you say what the heck no one remembers me now and you join and kick yourself for not doing it years ago! Because once again your are out there playing and enjoying what you are doing gig after gig people dancing and have a great time because of you and your home every night in your own bed. and smile before you go to sleep ahhh the FULL CIRCLE... RTS

Drkwdsman@yahoo · #14 01-21-2010, 09:19 AM

Great points by everyone. I still enjoying talking to the younger guys and sharing experiences and explaining to them the highs and lows and that I would do it all over again. I am more well rounded and I got to play various genres of music (live and studio) in front of thousands (and that random five people that hang out in that one bar and you ask that question, do you ever go home?) You get to meet great people, some your heros, some are just respected musicians, some are jack-leggs, but you understand b/c you have been there before.

NOW, I get to play out whenever I want, playing the music I love and walk out with cash (and yes, my wife gets 30% of the cash so she can buy her pretties and I can buy mine). Everyones happy, the wife, the dogs and your family can come check you out when they want to.

To all the young guys, practice/know your scales and know what key your in (Tell your guitarists to stop writing songs in Eb).

Z

mward69 · #15 01-21-2010, 09:13 PM

Welcome to the "other" world of jamming. I LOVE the cover thing. AT 40..we play from the 80's to present, The bars like us for the fact we cover 70% of the new rock/pop stuff.
It's a no pressure, easy $$, watch drunk chic's dance, FUN ass gig!!

Haysoochreesto · #16 01-22-2010, 08:59 AM

Yep. I agree with all of the above. I stopped playing when I was around 24 or so. I was sick of playing clubs with about 13 people in them who didn't give a damn that we'd spent so much time and attention to the songs we'd written. That and life's priorities made me give it all up for about 15 years.

Then a buddy of mine called, wanted to start a cover band and now I'm having more fun playing than I ever have in my life. I don't pay to play, I get paid to play. Not always a lot but that's fine. The crowds are good and they always dig the music.

duff beer · #17 01-22-2010, 11:11 AM

I've found that the cover songs I don't really care for are still much better songs than most of the originals I have been forced to play. And I have yet to play an original song that was better than the best of the covers.