Too old

mattblissett · #1 05-12-2007, 12:54 PM

At thirty,am I too old to make my mark in a band, at a level past bars and clubs? I am also considering the effect it might have on my wife and family, as well. But I want this so much, and I feel that, if I do not, at least try, I will die inside.

zero_cool · #2 05-12-2007, 12:56 PM

all I can say is go for it!

DistortedBass · #3 05-12-2007, 01:12 PM

Are you kidding. It's ridiculous that people thing there's only on decade of value in they're life (20's).

Do what you want, never look back and think "what if"?

Depth_Charge · #4 05-12-2007, 01:45 PM

James Hetfield said in a Metallicdocco "I would rather regret doing something, than not doing something".

I'm sure he is not the only one.

Go for it.

tycobb73 · #5 05-12-2007, 02:13 PM

I think the bassist in Godsmack is in his 40s, and they've only been around for 10 years or so

**tommyr01** · #6 05-12-2007, 02:28 PM

Age doesn't matter. You do what you feel. it's already been said, but I ll say it again...don't go through life regretting what you did not do or try...... GO FOR IT BROTHER!

deaf pea · #7 05-12-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattblissett

At thirty,am I too old to make my mark in a band, at a level past bars and clubs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DistortedBass

Are you kidding...Do what you want, never look back and think "what if"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

James Hetfield said in a Metallicdocco "I would rather regret doing something, than not doing something".

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyr01

Age doesn't matter.

FWIW, I joined the band that I'm in about 13 years ago, when I was 49 years OLD! Since then the band (www.haraganycompania.com) has released 8 MORE CD's (in addition to the one that I played on before joining up with them) for a band career total of 12 CD's that have sold reasonably well. We play out pretty regularly, both in Mexico and the in the USA (most recently headlining at the Los Angeles Sports Arena) for crowds of 2000-6000 fans (all-ages - from 3-4 year-olds up to and including GRANDPARENTS!). It's a GREAT LIFE! And my wife KNOWS (and accepts) that I HAVE to play music, regularly, in front of a crowd . . .
And if not, I will just GO CRAZY!!

Go for it, you won't regret it!

IanStephenson · #8 05-12-2007, 05:52 PM

Being realistic, you're not going to "break" as the next pop/rock sensation. You've also got commitments which mean that quitting your day job to go on tour for zero money isn't an option.

BUT that shouldn't stop you being the best musician you can be. If you're over 30, and still think you're going to be "discovered" then it's time to grow up, but you can get out there and play. If you work hard enough, then you can produce stuff that's worthwhile - thats all you can ever hope to do. Maybe people will like it, maybe not - but thats out of your hands.

On the plus side, with online distribution, there's never been a better time to be in an unsigned band.

Ian

Werdna · #9 05-12-2007, 08:19 PM

Wasn't Sting a teacher for like 10 years before he decided he wanted to play bass for a living?

Also the offsprings singer was a college professer and didn't get famous till his late 30's.

roger winkler · #10 05-12-2007, 10:08 PM

UUHH, Refer to the Bowflex t.v. commercial "I'm 40 years old and playing in a rock band". WELL, I'm almost 56

and playing in a rock band. www.recklessunion.com Dude, go for it. You WILL have the time of your life.

mattblissett · #11 05-13-2007, 12:58 AM

thank you so much, I needed to hear this. You're all such a source of knowledge and inspiration.

Crazyeelboy · #12 05-13-2007, 01:07 AM

Mattblissett - it is your life - live it! Don't think for a minute that 30 is too old for anything.

Depth_Charge · #13 05-13-2007, 01:19 AM

30 is too young for a lot of things too!!!

Crazyeelboy · #14 05-13-2007, 01:21 AM

Good point! I was a total tool when I was 30.

Depth_Charge · #15 05-13-2007, 01:53 AM

34 and still going strong on the tool status. Going for "powered" this year

QORC · #16 05-14-2007, 06:45 AM

heck, I took most of my 30s off when I got married and began a family!

I'm 45 and didn't get back to the gigging thing until I was around 40!! And I'm playing in bands, clubs, and no shortage of offers when I've been without a band.

Their IS an annoying ageism out there though. You see SO many ads from bands that don't want to talk to anyone over 30. Whatever. They are posers. Losers.

Good music is good music, no matter the age. We are all over 40 and we get plenty of 20-somethings coming to the gigs and digging us.

Brian S · #17 05-14-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger winkler

UUHH, Refer to the Bowflex t.v. commercial "I'm 40 years old and playing in a rock band". WELL, I'm almost 56

and playing in a rock band. www.recklessunion.com Dude, go for it. You WILL have the time of your life.

Actually the guy in the commercial says he's 49 years old. So am I. I don't have a bowflex body

, but I've just started playing in a prog rock trio. Your never too old. Go out and have some fun!

Bayou_Brawler · #18 05-14-2007, 07:35 AM

you're never too old. just keep in mind forming a succesful band...on the national level or local level for that matter...is about one of the hardest roads you can go down...but also the most fun! the fact that you are a little older with a wife, kids, and responsibilities will make it even that much harder.

honestly i wouldn't have "making it" in mind. just get out there and play your ass off. it will be fun.

Relic · #19 05-14-2007, 07:51 AM

Stop thinking too much. Just do it.
You're never to old to rock and roll and you're never to old to let dreams die.

Eilif · #20 05-14-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattblissett

At thirty,am I too old to make my mark in a band, at a level past bars and clubs? I am also considering the effect it might have on my wife and family, as well. But I want this so much, and I feel that, if I do not, at least try, I will die inside.

Go for it.

The two leaders of the band I am in now formed the band in their mid-late 30's they haven't "made it", but they are cutting an album, and playing large gigs.

Remember that "making it" would probably involve touring, and that would probably not be the best for your kids, but there are quite a number of bands in around here whose members past 30 a long time ago, and while they may not be touring, they don't just do bars and clubs.