Need input

tlwaps · #1 08-12-2008, 10:33 AM

Ok, i'm to lazy to go searching for my other post about an offer I recieved from a band signed to victory records to play bass for them. Here's the deal and what i've been told so far, they're searching for a new bassist and my old drummer (who i'm not on great terms with right now) is playing drums for them and really wants me to play for them. The deal is they get $10k upfront to record their album and they some left over which they're taking to buy a new van. They get about $200 a night guarenteed on tour, however, when they're not touring they're not making any money. Their merch and cd's to sell at shows are fronted to them and they have to pay it back to the lable. I'm already on track for law school plus i just found out that I have a buldging disk in my back which effects my back and neck. With that injury one of three things will happen: it'll get worse and i'll need surgery, it'll get better or it'll stay the same and i'm left to take pain pills, muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories for the rest of my life.

If you were in my situation, what would you do? My biggest fear is being financially unstable.

Drkwdsman@yahoo · #2 08-12-2008, 12:38 PM

It sounds like you have made your decision, but I agree that you shoudl say "no." Get out of Law School and start a band if you feel the need, or play in a local band for extra cash in Law school

**Stumbo** · #3 08-13-2008, 01:15 AM

How about the fear of being physically disabled and not being able to go to law school or gig in a band?

My wife went to grad school on pain meds due to an accident. It's tough road to hoe...can't sleep, disturbed sleep, lack of concentration, drowsiness, possible liver problems, constipation, going in and out of pain...etc.

Hey, law school requires that you sit,read,write for 15 hours a day while running between classes. Can you do that?
Is the campus where you've applied flat, hilly, lots of steps, etc. Can you handle that?

I say go to law school. Chances of getting well/not crippled are higher. Just be ready for the competitive environment.

Good luck.

GmanJeff · #4 08-13-2008, 08:26 AM

I can tell you from personal experience that law school is very demanding. And, the legal profession is competitive; you need to do well academically, at a good law school, to have the most professional options (and income opportunities) when you graduate. If you do that, you'll likely make far more $, more consistently and predictably, than you would as a musician. If you become a Big Star, that'd be another story, but that's also statistically rather improbable. Doing music full time is more likely to result in lower income than you'd have as an attorney, which may also mean more difficulty paying for insurance/medical care if you need it for your back or for something else.

I'd suggest you get your back taken care of, so that you can focus on academics in law school. Graduate, get a good job that you enjoy, and make time for music on the side. You'll be able to afford any gear you want, will be able to play only when and where you want (because there'll be no financial pressure on you to do things just for the $). You won't have the fun of touring, playing 6 nights/week, the remote chance of stardom, and all that sort of thing, but in practical terms the benefits of being able to afford a mortgage, food, reliable transportation, medical care, a comfortable future retirement, and a family may arguably outweigh all that.

It all depends on where you really want to be in the long term. It's a value judgment, without any right or wrong answer, but if you place a higher priority on financial stability than on the advantages you see from being a full-time musician, the choice might be relatively clear.

Thunderthumbs73 · #5 08-13-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwaps

Ok, i'm to lazy to go searching for my other post about an offer I recieved from a band signed to victory records to play bass for them. Here's the deal and what i've been told so far, they're searching for a new bassist and my old drummer (who i'm not on great terms with right now) is playing drums for them and really wants me to play for them. The deal is they get $10k upfront to record their album and they some left over which they're taking to buy a new van. They get about $200 a night guarenteed on tour, however, when they're not touring they're not making any money. Their merch and cd's to sell at shows are fronted to them and they have to pay it back to the lable. I'm already on track for law school plus i just found out that I have a buldging disk in my back which effects my back and neck. With that injury one of three things will happen: it'll get worse and i'll need surgery, it'll get better or it'll stay the same and i'm left to take pain pills, muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories for the rest of my life.

If you were in my situation, what would you do? My biggest fear is being financially unstable.

My biggest worry would be that if I didn't pay attention to my body and in the process, I crippled myself. The health comes first, as through it, other things in life are manageable/possible. Law school is VERY expensive, and you will be a very in-debt Associate at some firm when you get out of law school. This will be very unsettling, and there is no guarantee that you'll be picked up by a big firm in which you can pay those debts immediately. Still, if you like law, do that. In the long term, if you like it, you'll be fine. The debt will work itself out, and you'll have plenty of opportunity to spend long hours at the office.

In your particular situation, I advocate that option as "the road" is no place to be dealing with serious medical issues or exacerbating them via the road grind of playing shows at god-knows-where and lugging equipment/gear around, constantly agravating your back which is already in trouble.

I hate to disuade someone from taking the shot at becoming big and all, and I love music as much as anyone. But health comes first, and finances come second-unless you have no health care. Then finances should come first so you can get the care you need.

My two cents.
Best to you.

tlwaps · #6 08-13-2008, 10:20 AM

To those of you who've replied, thanks for your input. My injury is a huge concern for me. When it first happend I had to have my parents help me to get out of bed and even then I was screaming in pain. I may regret this but I'm going to have to pass on the gig, unless something drastic happens between now and when I tell the guy. Sucks to because being in a signed and touring band was a dream of mine.

eotpr · #7 08-13-2008, 10:27 AM

I have to go along with GmanJeff and Thunderthumbs. Go to Law School.

Depth_Charge · #8 08-13-2008, 11:05 AM

I'm concerned that someone who can't be bothered executing a simple text search for five minutes wants to get into law so they can spend hours wading through volume upon volume of legislation, witness statements, evidence etc etc sic ad nauseum

Then again, the thought of billing people in 6 minute intervals is quite appealling

Sorry, I digress...

Health comes first IMO. Get that sorted, otherwise you might be doing neither. . .

OtterOnBass · #9 08-13-2008, 11:22 AM

You probably won't have this opportunity again. Take it. Ride the adventure. You won't come out rich or famous, but you'll have a wild ride and make some deep relationships (friends or otherwise). If you're not married or committed to something else, do what it takes to care for your back problems. Higher Education will be waiting for you and your money when you get back.

My band opened for a couple of national touring bands, and I was pretty jealous. They kept talking about the van breaking down, eating peanut butter sandwiches, running out of money, and sleeping in the van, but they were traveling the country and playing their music every night. It's not always a cushy time, but you'll look back at it and long for those days.

MysticMichael · #10 08-13-2008, 02:31 PM

I agree that you need to sort out your priorities first. Being a musician takes commitment and sacrifice, even in the best of health. But no desk job can ever compare with it - regardless of the pay.

If you're too risk-averse and you've just gotta have the financial security, you'll never be happy playing music. Your health is a separate issue.

For the record, I'm recovering from two serious spinal injuries I sustained about 18 months ago - a herniated disk and spinal stenosis. I received a spinal decompression and fusion procedure for about 12 inches of my lower spine - followed by four months of in-patient physical therapy to help me regain the ability to walk, as my legs had become paralyzed.

The good news is the nerve injuries are gradually healing, so also is the paralysis. I now can walk with only a cane, and look forward to being made whole in time. Plus, my surgeon has assured me that now that the damage has been done - and repaired - I'm unlikely to have any serious issues with my spine again...as long as I take care of myself.

I'm not ruling out the possibility of transitioning to a music career - which has long been a dream of mine too. I'll just have to be smart & careful about avoiding heavy lifting, twisting, or other reckless, stupid behavior. It can be done...

MM

Thunderthumbs73 · #11 08-13-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwaps

To those of you who've replied, thanks for your input. My injury is a huge concern for me. When it first happend I had to have my parents help me to get out of bed and even then I was screaming in pain. I may regret this but I'm going to have to pass on the gig, unless something drastic happens between now and when I tell the guy. Sucks to because being in a signed and touring band was a dream of mine.

The dream is not over. You have just been sidetracked for a damn good reason.

MysticMichael · #12 08-13-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

The dream is not over. You have just been sidetracked for a damn good reason.

Agreed. I would add only that in the long run, the main thing is to follow your bliss - whether it's law or music or anything else.

Don't go to law school just to make money - there are far easier ways of doing that. Go to law school if what you really want to do is practice law.

MM