Commuting to and from rehearsal?

coop · #1 08-01-2006, 08:04 PM

I never thought I would be posting one of "these" type of posts, but stuff has a way of happening.

For reasons I won't go into here, I've come to the end of the line with the band I've been in for the past 5 years. Out of the blue I get an e-mail from a band in a town about 60 miles away.

Everything sounds pretty cool with the guys in the band. They are all younger than me, but they seem to have their sh!t together. The main thing I like is this town has a happening music scene, it's been called "North Austin" and even "West Nashville". The only drag is having a two hour round trip everytime there is a rehearsal.

With gas up around $3.00 a gallon it could start to eat into any gig money pretty quick. But mostly it's the time thing. I've got a family and a pretty good career, so music is something I do just to entertain myself. Any money I make from gigs goes straight back into more gear.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Does anyone else have any experience with a long-distance (band) relationship?

anonymous38457747 · #2 08-01-2006, 08:08 PM

I have a similar situation here in being I live near the Wis/Ill border and rehearse/gig mainly in Chicago. I simply made the comute for about a month and once I knew we(members of group) were comfortable with each other I asked if they were willing to find a space that was more half-way between us. We actually ended up saving money on the new space and are doing quite well with it.

Just a thought, it might work for you.

Zilla

Larry99 · #3 08-02-2006, 12:16 PM

It all depends on how much you want to play with those cats. If it's THE perfect situation and you feel the time spent commuting and the $$$ for gas, etc is worth it, then ...well, it's worth it!

That said, I am currently looking for a band and commuting long distances is definitely somthing I'm not going to do. I've been there before with only a 45 minute commute (each way) and it gets old. fast.

good luck.

Ed Fuqua · #4 08-02-2006, 12:24 PM

What are your playing opportunities? If you have a lot of options close by, you don't need to travel. If you don't, you might need to spend some time in the car. Or just not play. It's kinda up to YOU to set your own priorities, innit?

txbasschik · #5 08-02-2006, 12:52 PM

Unless the band is playing stuff that you really love, *and* y'all will have plenty of good gig opportunities, *and* you really fit with them...it won't be worth it.

If you feel it *will* be worth it, then I like Schillzilla's idea of finding a practice place more halfway between you all. That way, you get to play with a band that you feel great about, without shortchanging your family.

Cherie

guy n. cognito · #6 08-02-2006, 01:06 PM

That would get old for me very quick. I just recently quit a band that required 90 minutes of round trip driving, twice a week. If you think you have other opportunities close by, I would hold out.

invader3k · #7 08-02-2006, 01:17 PM

Yeah, I'd personally see if there were any opportunities closer, or if the band in question would be willing to meet you halfway or something.

To me, that's just too much driving for a band, unless you're getting a lot of good paying gigs, at which point you probably wouldn't have time to practice every week anyway.

MarkMyWordsXx · #8 08-02-2006, 01:32 PM

[quote=coop]

With gas up around $3.00 a gallon it could start to eat into any gig money pretty quick. QUOTE]

im highly offended by that comment. move to new york and try complaning about gas being $3. try 3.27. count your blessings.

guy n. cognito · #9 08-02-2006, 02:47 PM

[quote=MarkMyWordsXx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by coop

With gas up around $3.00 a gallon it could start to eat into any gig money pretty quick. QUOTE]

im highly offended by that comment. move to new york and try complaning about gas being $3. try 3.27. count your blessings.

Did you forget a smiley? I'm guessing you're not really "highly offended" by him complaining about the price of gas, right?

coop · #10 08-02-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkMyWordsXx

im highly offended by that comment. move to new york and try complaning about gas being $3. try 3.27. count your blessings.

If you are "Highly Offended" by that comment, you'll go completely POSTAL When I tell you that the actual price here is $2.79 a gallon!

For the rest of you, thanks for your thoughts and advice. I'm going to meet the guys this Saturday at a gig I'm doing with the "current" band close to their neighborhood. We'll just see how it goes.

Some have asked about local opportunities, there just doesn't seem to be very many left. Most of the clubs are going to DJs, jukebox, or the worst of all Karaoke!

The new gig would be in Stillwater, OK. Big college town. Groups like the All American Rejects, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Toby Keith, and some guy named Garth have come out of that scene in the last few years. But I'll just wait and see if I dig the music first, everything else will just work itself out.

tplyons · #11 08-02-2006, 05:12 PM

I used to do it. But we made a day out of it.

Rehersals once a week, six hour rehersals.

Kael · #12 08-02-2006, 11:08 PM

Are you in OKC? The trip to Stillwater from OKC isn't all that horrid. PM me the name of the act and let me know when you start gigging with them.