New Dilemma

bluewine · #1 04-07-2011, 07:51 AM

Play in a Pop Rock Band with;•2 sets of Awesome original material

•Nice guys to play with

•Reasonable commute for rehearsals (gas 4.00 per gallon)

•Great Rehearsal Studio

•Questionable management (hasn’t booked much and never obtains business details on what he trys to book)

•Very few gigs and no promise of that ever changing, it’s an all originals band

•No money

Play in an established Cover band•I don’t like performing covers

•Nice , very professional clean operation(husband and wife operation years of experience and connected)

•15 minute commute from my home (gas 4.00 per gallon)

•Great rehearsal, production and recording studio

•Festival, fairs and hotel, casino shows all booked

•The opportunity to play out 4-5 times per month

•Make some money for once.

1x12 · #2 04-07-2011, 07:58 AM

I know which I would choose but I am not you, bluewine. The two phrases I see you have typed that may be steering you are: "2 sets of Awesome original material," versus, "I don’t like performing covers." How long would it before you get bored performing covers if that leaves you no time for anything you consider more exciting?

jkramer5 · #3 04-07-2011, 08:00 AM

One will pay back your rehearsal gas money with gig money, one won't.

friskinator · #4 04-07-2011, 08:07 AM

Why can't you do both? Especially since you say the original band isn't going to be booked much, if at all. That's assuming you really like the original band's music enough to invest time and gas money in practicing.

aztomr · #5 04-07-2011, 08:49 AM

judging from your other posts, I suspect you'll go where the money is best

dannylectro · #6 04-07-2011, 08:56 AM

I play in both a fun cover band that makes me money, and a great original band where I don't. Both have gigs, and once a week rehearsals. So far, not many conflicts.

bass_snake · #7 04-07-2011, 08:58 AM

I' d say do both. But if you have to choose. If you' re unemployed get the paying one. But if you have a job. Take the first. Good luck!

Fred

bluewine · #8 04-07-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friskinator

Why can't you do both? Especially since you say the original band isn't going to be booked much, if at all. That's assuming you really like the original band's music enough to invest time and gas money in practicing.

That's a possibility, if I get the offer from the cover band I will have consider if I have the time for both.

Guys keep in mind I really want to play out more. I'm 58, so I don't have the options of a 20 year old.

thesilence · #9 04-07-2011, 08:59 AM

I play for the enjoyment of it and occasionally get paid for it, but that's just me money may be more important to you. In the end I would say you gotta look at what is more important to you playing what you enjoy or play for the money, or could you play in both?

bass_snake · #10 04-07-2011, 09:00 AM

Take the cover band if you wanna play more.

Passinwind · #11 04-07-2011, 09:01 AM

Join a jam band and play jazz and blues.

Oh, wait, you still have to go through the cover band phase first....

bluewine · #12 04-07-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_snake

I' d say do both. But if you have to choose. If you' re unemployed get the paying one. But if you have a job. Take the first. Good luck!

Fred

I have a regular professional career,however I am still concerned about the expenses incurred from the originals band where I see no compensation at all.

bluewine · #13 04-07-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Join a jam band and play jazz and blues.

Oh, wait, you still have to go through the cover band phase first....

?

leonche64 · #14 04-07-2011, 09:58 AM

If you personally did not write the song, you are "covering" it anyway. Life is too short to spend performing for your buddies in the basement when you have a chance to share your music with other people. If you can do both, great. If not, choose the second option.

Jason P Bass · #15 04-07-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

I have a regular professional career,however I am still concerned about the expenses incurred from the originals band where I see no compensation at all.

Dude, this is redundant.

Every year, the salmon run up the river to spawn.

Every 28 days there will be a new moon.

Original bands will consume all of your money and give nothing back.

This is nature. If you're concerned with lions eating antelope, don't go to Africa. If you're concerned with losing your money in an originals band, join a cover band.

bluewine · #16 04-07-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonche64

If you personally did not write the song, you are "covering" it anyway. Life is too short to spend performing for your buddies in the basement when you have a chance to share your music with other people. If you can do both, great. If not, choose the second option.

Thanks, your get right to the point, this will be a tough decision if I get the offer.

I was impressed with the organization and how professional the cover band leaders presented themselves.

I am not sure if I have the time for 2 bands. Plus that will be more gas money, at 4 bucks a gallon it starts to add up and pretty soon your talkin real money.

lucas vigor · #17 04-07-2011, 10:36 AM

Join a "jam band" and end up playing mindless, noodling neo-hippy music, is more like it.

Chuck King · #18 04-07-2011, 10:55 AM

I'm kind of surprised to see, that after you were so excited about that originals band, you're already thinking about quitting. I mean, for a couple weeks there you couldn't say enough good things about that band.

An original band not getting frequent good gigs? Not making much money? Well, what did you expect? Don't buy a goldfish and get mad because it's not a dog.

You should do what you want, but, going from being SO excited about that band to now thinking it's not what you want in such a short period of time seems a little flaky.

Passinwind · #19 04-07-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucas vigor

Join a "jam band" and end up playing mindless, noodling neo-hippy music, is more like it.

Tell it to the Allman Bros and Medeski, Martin, Wood.

Get a cape and play pretentious Prog Rock. Hire a rapper and fake to tracks behind him.

Do whatever moves you, what a concept.

StuartV · #20 04-07-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

That's a possibility, if I get the offer from the cover band I will have consider if I have the time for both.

Guys keep in mind I really want to play out more. I'm 58, so I don't have the options of a 20 year old.

Wow! 8 whole posts before bringing up your age "problem"!

Man, not trying to rag on you, but it sure sounds like you make your age your own biggest hurdle in your musical career.

I'm 45. In the last few years, I have played with people all the way from mid-20s to mid-50-somethings. I have yet to see anybody's age be an issue. Not saying there aren't people out there who have an age issue. Just saying, it seems like you constantly make a big deal out of it when, for the rest of the world, being an issue is, by far, the exception, not the rule.