Had to quit my band...

[Trevorus]

Kinda sucks. I really couldn't afford it. I was having to take time off of work and then shell out money to get to gigs, and then not making much at said gigs. I really hadn't been playing with them that long, but it's still kind of a bummer.

Anyone else had to call it quits for similar reasons?

[bothroysnvts]

What kind of music do you play? How long did you play per gig? How far away were your gigs?

I used to be in a cover band that played parties, bars, etc. we seemed to make pretty good money and played for 4 hours per gig. We usually got free drinks, and sometimes free food. I had to quit because gigs were cutting into work time.

The last band that I played in was a punk band. We played free gigs, and 1 bar. The paying gigs were showcase style where we played as one of 4 or so bands. We were on for one 45 minute set. As for pay.... we got peanuts... at the end of the night, I owed the bar money.

[Trevorus]

It was just kind of an indie rock band of sorts. It is the band in my sig, actually. Just couldn't justify it when I just bought a car, and am trying to save for a house as well.

[Zappstorius]

Trevorus, sorry to hear that you had to quit. I check out your ex-bands myspace page briefly and it looks like they are playing all over Ill...and traveling to other states as well to play.

My question to you is: were you in on the original plan to play out that much/that far away? Or did things change as far as goals for the band?

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Kinda sucks. I really couldn't afford it. I was having to take time off of work and then shell out money to get to gigs, and then not making much at said gigs. I really hadn't been playing with them that long, but it's still kind of a bummer.

Anyone else had to call it quits for similar reasons?

Yep. I briefly played with a cat in NYC for about 4 months back in 1999. I lived about 50 miles away and i usually paid more in travel than I made at the gigs! Just wasn't worth it no matter how @$$ kicking the band was!

[magnusdeus123]

Am I wrong in saying now that I felt the bad had quite good music ??

They sound kinda like Athelete . They could make it big . Maybe .

[Bassbasixx]

Just turned down a real cool offer for a original band with a old singer of mine. Rehearsal one hour drive + gas at 4.79 a gal no can do. Now I am looking for something local that is fun with just a few gigs a month.

[bwv1013]

Originally Posted by Bassbasixx

Just turned down a real cool offer for a original band with a old singer of mine. Rehearsal one hour drive + gas at 4.79 a gal no can do. Now I am looking for something local that is fun with just a few gigs a month.

i am in the exact same boat. i am positively ITCHING to get out and play, tons of bands out there but everyone has a lockout in hollywood. been there done that, no thank you. if it's more than 20 minutes away i gotta turn it down, it just gets too expensive.

keep your head up OP, you made a choice that will pay off in the long run. bass is great, but you've got your head on straight with the big picture. besides, just think how much better you will sound playing bass in your own house

[bonzo4880]

damn and i thought 4 ucks a gallon where i am was bad. i think that is about the national average right now. thank you citizens of CA for subsidizing gas prices for the rest of us!

[dvh]

If you think of playing music as a hobby and don't plan/hope to make much or any money it is the same as many other hobbies with no payback, some of which may be expensive hobbies. One example: restoring a vintage car you don't plan to resell.

Maybe that makes it easier to swallow some of the expenses?