Loss of Enthusiasm

**powmetalbassist** · #1 02-23-2013, 10:07 AM

So I went out to a friends show last night. Paid the $5 cover and hung out with some of the guys I knew at the show. Opener stank, Co-Headliner was ok (though not what I expected) and my buddy's band [generic rock] closed. They were pretty good, and I'd been meaning to make it out to one of their shows. I felt at the end like I was missing something. The live show wasn't as exciting or fun as I remember it. Am i just lossing my love for music or just getting old?

I've been in music one form or another since 1998 when I joined my first band (rock/grunge/punk) at age 16. Since then I have played rock, punk, metal, etc. in about 8 different bands, and also had a 2 year stint from 2007-2009 where I just booked shows for local bands and loved every minute of it. Recently things have changed. Quit my last band, in November and tried to hook up with other bands over the winter (nothing really panned out). I find myself looking at musicians in my area and realizing a few truths about musicians in my area when I started and now

1. Musicians are arrogant
2. Musicians are lazy
3. Musicians are unreliable.

Is it just me or did I grow out of the whole music thing? Im almost 31 and these three truths apply to both kids and people my age (or in some case 10 years older than me).

Anyone else relate to what I'm seeing/feeling?

Hounddog · #2 02-23-2013, 10:22 AM

I totally disagree. I know a lot of musicians that are highly motivated, professional ( in all parts of their lives ) Not arrogant and extremely skilled. Some ppl are just lazy, arrogant and unreliable but it has nothing to do with them being a musician.

20db pad · #3 02-23-2013, 10:23 AM

I can and do relate. At the end of the day, I genuinely love music as a generic reality. This sphere isn't connected to people or their shortcomings, even though the art form is created by people. I try to establish at least a little "disconnect" to the negative aspects of the world of the business connected to performing and making music and just enjoy the process and results of it.

Given the high number of flakes, no-talents, and unpleasant people in this pursuit, it always serves as a reminder to value the individuals who are good, reliable, and professional in their affairs, and to try to do most or all of your work with them. There are a lot of great musicians that are good people out there, but a string of encounters with their opposites are a discouragement for sure.

Muttleybass · #4 02-23-2013, 11:09 AM

I find that in any artistic en devour there is at least a 99% flake factor. Sifting thru the crap to get to the serious talent is the biggest challenge. Especially as you mature. You tend to put up with less and less crap as you get older.

Also, you start to see bands as they really are. Instead of this wall of noise and energy you used to think was music, you start searching for melody and song structure. You begin to realize that most (not all... there are a few awesome young bands out there) of these young, self-entitled, arrogant punks can't play or sing and just get drunk at practice and bitch about "Older people stealing their gigs".

Perhaps if they wrote better songs, they would get better gigs. Just sayin'.

...but I'm not bitter.

Schmorgy · #5 02-23-2013, 11:31 AM

It seems unfair to judge ALL musicians based on your bad experiences. It could just be a geographical/demographic thing for you. We're people that play instruments, not musicians that are sometimes people, and because of that, we're going to have the same human traits (good and bad) as anyone else. Same as outside of the music scene, obnoxious and unpleasant personalities seem to stick out the most and are most memorable, so it's hardly reasonable to make that assumption of everyone else.

SunnBass · #6 02-23-2013, 11:37 AM

You went to a sub-par show and it made you question your enthusiasm?

My diagnosis:

Go to good shows.

Kmonk · #7 02-23-2013, 11:41 AM

I'm 52 and went through a period of time when I lost interest in playing in a band so I spent time working on technique and playing songs that I usually wouldn't listen to. It helped me to become a much better player.

As far as your comments about musicians, I have found that most of the highly motivated musicians think that they are much better than they are. Some musicians are not motivated but are very good. There are a few who are good and motivated. It is rare to find a good musician who is motivated and easy to get a along with. When it comes to bands, I find that most of them are not very good.

duff beer · #8 02-23-2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muttleybass

Also, you start to see bands as they really are. Instead of this wall of noise and energy you used to think was music, you start searching for melody and song structure.

Exactly. It's always been about melody and song writing for me. That's my definition of "music". Some artists/bands just don't have the capability to write good melodies or good songs, and regardless of how popular or technically proficient they may be, I have no interest in them.

**powmetalbassist** · #9 02-24-2013, 09:54 AM

I guess I should elaborate on the past few months. The show mentioned above is just the latest show, also most shows (since I was 16) have been like that. Openers are not really that good, co-openers are good (most the time) closers are good as well. Recently I think I just notice more.

Also to add to this loss of enthusiasm is meeting people my age who still act like they are 18. I once had a drummer reply to an add ZI had online with "40 going on 18" that should have been a sign, then he came over, drank a bunch of cheap beer, and berated the rest of the band.

When I went out searching for bands I got a similar response. Half assed attempts at professionalism, drunks/stoners with little ambition, and people my age with no real direction (musically or in life). Looking back I realize it has always been like that around here, and I look out at the local musical landscape and see this. I don't know, maybe just suffering the mid-winter/semi-bandless (I'm in another band, but there is a lack of communication without my first initiating it) blues.

Duuuuuuuuuude · #10 02-24-2013, 10:30 AM

I hear ya man. I have a one strike policy when it comes to playing with new people. I'll do my best to play their music but, when it comes time for me to put something on the table, if they show little interest I'm out the door. I'm not interested in the shut-up-and-play-what-we-tell-you bass player role. There's other ways I can spend my time

plankspanker13 · #11 02-24-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuuuude

I hear ya man. I have a one strike policy when it comes to playing with new people. I'll do my best to play their music but, when it comes time for me to put something on the table, if they show little interest I'm out the door. I'm not interested in the shut-up-and-play-what-we-tell-you bass player role. There's other ways I can spend my time

Me too.

Mykk · #12 02-24-2013, 11:14 AM

Yes.

I am 30, have been playing since I was 14. As a teen I used to go out every weekend to the local clubs not knowing who was playing. I didn't even drink or smoke. I'd pay the door cover and I'd leave hearing at least one good band and felt privileged that I had the opportunity to hear great local music. I was happy just being there.

It gradually changed as the bands started taking a turn for the worse and I would leave the clubs feeling disappointed in the quality of the bands, it was happening so consistently that I just stopped going out.

Two years ago I moved to Los Angeles. I have not been able to find a solid, inspirational, hard rock band here at all. It's nothing but crap. Generic talent less crap. I joined a couple of bands out here so I can keep working, playing shows, have some fun with groups of people. But it's nothing I can call "Mine". I am very thankful to have performed the few shows that I have. Likewise about the people I've met. But the music, I can't even bring myself to promote it.

I just recently moved to Arizona a couple days ago, I couldn't justify staying in L.A. with the cost of living, lack of jobs, and poor music. I have a few seeds planted and when I get a call I can cruise that way. But I'm not holding my breathe.

I just had two shows in Az this weekend. The first show was in Flagstaff Az at a new all ages venue. Small room, but the audience felt genuinely appreciative. We had fun, they had fun. The next night we played a bar 180miles from Flag, the worst energy I've ever experienced in my 15 years of playing shows. A totally detached audience with their backs to us sitting at the bar or playing pool. The manager kept asking us to play quieter to point that my volume was just above mute and the drummer was barely hitting the heads. At one point the bar owner came out and said no more originals. Covers only....

I'm still working on getting the taste of out my mouth from this one.

**RaginRog** · #13 02-24-2013, 11:22 AM

Bars expect bands to do too much for the s**t money they pay us. Not in ALL cases, but it's been my experience in sevral places in Maryland. That in itself drains me of my motivation at times.

**RaginRog** · #14 02-24-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mykk

Yes.

The manager kept asking us to play quieter to point that my volume was just above mute and the drummer was barely hitting the heads. At one point the bar owner came out and said no more originals. Covers only....

I'm still working on getting the taste of out my mouth from this one.

I would have packed it up and rolled. Unprofessional...not really. If my cut is at least $100...I can put up with it. Anything less, I'd leave and lose that bar's number.

RustyAxe · #15 02-24-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powmetalbassist

1. Musicians are arrogant
2. Musicians are lazy
3. Musicians are unreliable.

I suppose some are. But they don't bother me as I don't have much to do with these types.

plankspanker13 · #16 02-24-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mykk

I just recently moved to Arizona a couple days ago, I couldn't justify staying in L.A. with the cost of living, lack of jobs, and poor music. I have a few seeds planted and when I get a call I can cruise that way. But I'm not holding my breathe.

I just had two shows in Az this weekend. The first show was in Flagstaff Az at a new all ages venue. Small room, but the audience felt genuinely appreciative. We had fun, they had fun. The next night we played a bar 180miles from Flag, the worst energy I've ever experienced in my 15 years of playing shows. A totally detached audience with their backs to us sitting at the bar or playing pool. The manager kept asking us to play quieter to point that my volume was just above mute and the drummer was barely hitting the heads. At one point the bar owner came out and said no more originals. Covers only....

I'm still working on getting the taste of out my mouth from this one.

Welcome to the neighborhood. This LA transplant is in his third decade, here in AZ. Sounds like that second AZ gig was somewhere in "the Valley" (metro PHX), and I can think of a few venues where the ownership/management is that skittish. Would you mind sharing the venue identity via PM?