Would you join a band if you weren't into the music?

Chunk-O-Funk · #1 02-06-2010, 01:24 PM

Simple question and I've pretty much made up my mind. Just like to hear what the TB members would do. This mostly pertains to part-timers doing covers. If I were trying to go pro or be an artist in an original act the answers I think would be obvious.

Just to explain the situation a little. I was asked to join/audition/whatever with a couple of guitarist (one of which might play keys) I know and my brother on drums. AFAIK, the gig is mine. They want to get a female vocalist and do R&B. Cool, I thought. Right up my alley. Not the case at all. They would like to do "rocked out" versions of popular MTV style R&B and some current popular Rock. I can't say I even like one of the tunes pick out so far. Needless to say, my hearts not into it. My only conflict with myself is if I'm being short sighted or not.

Where does one separate what "you like to do" and "just getting an opportunity to play?" I've been out of the scene for a while.

The upside is getting to play out again, and doing it with people I already know. Down side, well,......you know that by my question.

PS,
The Girl they found has a great voice.

Discuss.

UncleFluffy · #2 02-06-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

Would you join a band if you weren't into the music?

Depends. How much you paying? What's the equivalent hourly rate including travel, gigs, rehearsing, setup + teardown? Do I get free beer?

Ozonbass · #3 02-06-2010, 01:29 PM

Some of my most enjoyable situations have been when I tried a style that I didn't really listen to. Gave me an appreciation for a different genre....met some great players and made some connections that have led to other opportunities, that I probably wouldn't have had if I hadn't "stuck my neck out", so to speak.

WookieeForLife · #4 02-06-2010, 01:30 PM

I love playing classic rock on bass. I listen to hardcore screamo when I'm not playing bass. I don't like playing new music on bass, except for a few. I say go for it.

Phalex · #5 02-06-2010, 01:34 PM

If I get to play with great musicians, I could care less what it is I'm playing. If I can lock in with a drummer for four hours, close my eyes and play bass from my "happy place" I'm in!

We tend to do a lot of music that I don't listen to. (I'm a recovering music snob) Apparently lots and lots of people like the music that I don't listen to, and as a result, I get more gigs, and more opportunities to lock in with my drummer, close my eyes and play bass from my "happy place".

MysticMichael · #6 02-06-2010, 01:38 PM

If you already know how you feel (you don't like it), and your mind is already made up, then my only question would be: What's the point?

I've been in too many band situations that just weren't gelling (like most of them), even when I thought it would be a good move prior to actually getting in. I would think that knowing beforehand that it's a dead end would be a great blessing - and a great time & energy saver...

Unless this is strictly a money-maker for you - and strictly a limited-engagement gig at that - I would pass on this "opportunity". Life offers far too much drudgery as it is. Why settle for even more drudgery in your musical life, when there's absolutely no compelling reason to do so?

MM

Chunk-O-Funk · #7 02-06-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

Depends. How much you paying? What's the equivalent hourly rate including travel, gigs, rehearsing, setup + teardown? Do I get free beer?

Hasn't been discussed yet, but both the guitarist forming the band have been playing consistently and have good connections.

I'll just say it's probably going to be typical bar-band gigs minus having to play dives with a once a week rehearsal. The money should be decent to good. It would be great, but it's not a big concern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozonbass

Some of my most enjoyable situations have been when I tried a style that I didn't really listen to. Gave me an appreciation for a different genre....met some great players and made some connections that have led to other opportunities, that I probably wouldn't have had if I hadn't "stuck my neck out", so to speak.

Good point, and was thinking the same thing. Just get back out there, kind of thing, but I feel more like MysticMichael. It would be a waste of time and I would eventually quit. Life is too short (at my age

) for bad music.

UncleFluffy · #8 02-06-2010, 01:49 PM

I suppose all I'm saying is: if you're not doing it for love, money, or self-respect ... what is the point?

snyderz · #9 02-06-2010, 01:56 PM

I joined a blues band a few years ago, and had never played blues in my life. Had never heard 3/4 of the songs they played. I have a blast in this band now, and really enjoy their company. We play a couple gigs a month (just what I wanted) so I couldn't be happier.

Chunk-O-Funk · #10 02-06-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

I suppose all I'm saying is: if you're not doing it for love, money, or self-respect ... what is the point?

Ahhh, okay. look up, over my head. There it goes.

I would definitely be doing it more for the love of doing it rather than making money. I don't think the love will be there in this band. Don't get me wrong. Money is a good thing and the extra cash would be nice.

UncleFluffy · #11 02-06-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

I would defiantly be doing it more for the love of doing it rather than making money.

That's cool. But I thought you'd said that your heart's not into it. Maybe I misunderstood...

Chunk-O-Funk · #12 02-06-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

If you already know how you feel (you don't like it), and your mind is already made up, then my only question would be: What's the point?

MM

Right. Forgot to mention this.

Like mentioned. I know what I'm going to do.
I would like to hear from other TB'er in a similar situation.

That's pretty much it. You know, a thread to discuss.

I know "it's about me", but other peoples perspective is always good.

tycobb73 · #13 02-06-2010, 02:06 PM

Here's my theory, which I've been told a number of times is F'd up.

My favorite music is thrash. As a 13 year old I heard Master of Puppets when it came out and my jaw dropped. I listened to it nonstop. Its what got me into music. But I don't know how to play one note on it. Why? I find it boring to play what you listen to all the time. There is so much music out there I want to play stuff I don't listen to.

But classic rock is played so much here. I don't like Lynard Skynard. But I can't tell if I don't actually like them or if I'm just bored with hearing them 50 times a day. So I started a cover band doing 80s to now. i don't know most of the songs until someone suggests them. I don't own any of the CDs and outside of practice/rehearsal I don't play them. But this is the music I want to play.

So you can stay inside your box or you can expand your musical tastes a little and learn new stuff.

Chunk-O-Funk · #14 02-06-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

That's cool. But I thought you'd said that your heart's not into it. Maybe I misunderstood...

Sorry, (will edit post)

"It" would be playing again, making music. Not necessarily with this band.

Haysoochreesto · #15 02-06-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

I suppose all I'm saying is: if you're not doing it for love, money, or self-respect ... what is the point?

How about experience, making connections, staying active, and learning about music that he's never paid any attention to before? Oh, and fun. Don't forget how important that is. Also, it sounds like the band is going to be doing some amount of creative work so chalk that one up on the wall too.

There's more reasons to do it than not as far as I can tell. But tell them in advance that you don't plan on doing this forever but for the time being you'll play with them.

I'm in a cover band and I don't listen to most of the stuff we play but I will say this, every song that we do, even if I don't like it that much, I come to have a little bit of respect for. It might be a song that contains all of 4 notes for me to play, but just taking the two or three run-throughs to learn it is fun.

Righteous Thunderer · #16 02-06-2010, 02:11 PM

When I first started playing bass, I got wind that our Brigade's Chapel needed a bass player, so I rocked the Sunday Protestant services for a while. Mind you, I'm not a Christian, I primarily listen to metal (all sorts) and rock, and I'm mostly interested in playing jazz and funk, so it definitely wasn't anything anyone expected, nor anything I MYSELF would have ever thought to do if it weren't for a strange gut feeling. You know what though? I had a great time (at least for a while), met some cool guys and learned a good bit in a short period of time. At the same time, the songs themselves grated on my nerves, and it got old quickly, but at least it was a fun experience as well as a learning experience while it lasted.

#17 02-06-2010, 03:00 PM

Please allow me to relate two completely different stories...

Most recently, I was in a cover band, mostly playing music I wasn't very fond of. However, it was a well thought of band, an garnered a bit of attention for myself. So I hated it every gig, hoping to parlay that to another opportunity, because you never know where or when it'll happen...

The big difference between you (OP) n me is my heart wanted to play, just not with that band and songlist... It paid off in many ways... But I'm sad to say I still haven't found THAT place I want to belong to and am still looking...

Long ago, I was invited to join a Blues band... BEST damn thing I ever did! They were all friends for many years, so even after 17 years in that band I was STILL the new guy! I'm thinking that was prolly my "15 minutes" and I've been trying to replace it ever since...

On a separate note, you can almost tell the age of respnoders here just by the answers... I'm aging slowly... just 55, going on 34... I really want to play in a band... Just haven't been able to match that blues band yet...

If your heart's not in it, find what your heart IS into, and do that. Time is just a-flyin by!!

Gunnerhea86 · #18 02-06-2010, 03:05 PM

As long as the music is good and not totally ridiculous I'll play it, bottom line for me is i just like to get together w/ people and play my bass.

TortillaChip520 · #19 02-06-2010, 03:09 PM

i play what is fun to play.

What i like to listen to and what i like to play are completely different things. Always try something new

Deathwatch · #20 02-06-2010, 03:14 PM

here is my answer...I am in a band right now where which mostly plays a mixture of Southern Rock and Hardcore (think Maylene and the Sons of Disaster with The Devil Wear Prada) now I like metal but I usually listen to bands like Lamb of God, Black Dahlia Murder, and so on...but I still love playing for this band...here is what I do to keep my style going in the music, I still play bass lines similar to Metalcore/Deathcore bands that I named earlier, but I make it work with the band, and thats what everybody does in the band, they right their own stuff (yes our sound mostly comes from the lead guitarist and drums) and make it work!