Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
Ha ha, yeah the "young crowd" pre drinks 6 shots and then nurses a pint for 2 hours...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Age Discrimination
- Thread starter Biggbass
- Start date
Man! After reading five pages of this thread I am so glad I’m completely out of the club scene. 
Fascinating thread. From the comments so far, age does seem to be the dividing factor among bass players at least.
The comments about the entertainment level of the band are spot on. You are there to entertain, not to play. Entertainment draws people regardless.
The comments about the entertainment level of the band are spot on. You are there to entertain, not to play. Entertainment draws people regardless.
Got that right. It’s hardly surprising I suppose. But that still doesn’t make it any less disappointing.
But there you have it. It is what it is.
Let's see how that kid-stuff works out for them.
I just saw Al Di Meola in Chicago Park West - with large inflatable Rat right by the front door ( Trade Union vs. Jam Productions, but that's another story... ).
I was standing in a pretty long line with a lot of grey hair musician types like me. The place was packed with mostly grey-hair types ( except for Al's offspring, which I thought was pretty cool ). This might be his last Chicago show, too bad ( he said it, he's 63, and I don't think the rat helped either ).
The tickets were only $45 ( which is why we don't see him enough around here! ), and I think I am not alone in saying that I would have paid twice that to see musicians like that perform.
Young kids often think a $10 cover is too much. Not sure what the solution is, but that sure is a problem.
OK, sure, the problem is that we are getting too darn old too fast!
Best of wishes going-forward.
I just saw Al Di Meola in Chicago Park West - with large inflatable Rat right by the front door ( Trade Union vs. Jam Productions, but that's another story... ).
I was standing in a pretty long line with a lot of grey hair musician types like me. The place was packed with mostly grey-hair types ( except for Al's offspring, which I thought was pretty cool ). This might be his last Chicago show, too bad ( he said it, he's 63, and I don't think the rat helped either ).
The tickets were only $45 ( which is why we don't see him enough around here! ), and I think I am not alone in saying that I would have paid twice that to see musicians like that perform.
Young kids often think a $10 cover is too much. Not sure what the solution is, but that sure is a problem.
OK, sure, the problem is that we are getting too darn old too fast!
Best of wishes going-forward.
Funny thing is in my area the best local musicians are in their 50s. Those are the guys that started playing before DJs hit the mix in the 80s and people got less interested in learning to play a guitar and more interested hiring a DJ to save a buck.
I'm happy to say that my "dad band" has a couple records in local bars for the highest bar take. Seems people that like our music have the most disposable income, they don't fight, and generally speaking they know how to tip bar staff.
I'm happy to say that my "dad band" has a couple records in local bars for the highest bar take. Seems people that like our music have the most disposable income, they don't fight, and generally speaking they know how to tip bar staff.
I went to a local German style bar once where a friend of mine was the drummer in a polka band and observed young and old people ......some old and young dancing together, having a great time, I ask you....anything wrong with that ? I don't care what age you are, if the music moves you let it loose and have some fun. Your phone will be there when you get back
Ditto. I was lucky enough to connect with a drummer (we both left a band st the same time). I’m in my mid-40s, he is in his late 40s. We live in the Philly suburbs. Can’t find a guitarist in our area who wants to write and perform originals. I’ve resorted to putting together a Royal Blood rig setup and that’s actually been really cool. Still would be nice to find one more cat to play with and possibly gig now and again.
And the Groove. Which comes with time, like a fine glass of Thunderbird wine
Blues = nothing but three chords and the truth right?
Kinda funny - a couple venues hereabouts cut back on the hippity hoppity DJs after parking lot stabbings threatened their alcohol licenses 
.
.
I'm a GOF and I play in clubs. I don't wear shorts, sandals, good buddy hats, or cruddy t-shirts. Even the most famous musicians who are older wear mostly all black. I wear black pressed jeans or slacks, black leather shoes, and a nice black shirt. I'm clean shaved and try to present a professional attitude onstage. I've always hated the dad band and granddad band look.
One time many years ago my band was playing at a local animal horns club and we were winding down our time there and a single act was coming in after us. The guy was older than us, but slender and well dressed. He had 11 x 17 hall cards to put in the displays and tent cards with his picture on it and a little about himself. He had a small light show and all his equipment was very nice looking. He played Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and we played Thursday-Saturday. So we went and saw him on a Sunday night. He came onstage in a crisp black outfit and black vest/white shirt. His stage was clean and his song list was older music but well rehearsed.
Getting older doesn't mean you are no longer wanted. If you package yourself as a professional product, you'll be asked to play again. Play the part of the performer/entertainer. If you want to be Jimmy Buffet, start looking for dive bars.
One time many years ago my band was playing at a local animal horns club and we were winding down our time there and a single act was coming in after us. The guy was older than us, but slender and well dressed. He had 11 x 17 hall cards to put in the displays and tent cards with his picture on it and a little about himself. He had a small light show and all his equipment was very nice looking. He played Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and we played Thursday-Saturday. So we went and saw him on a Sunday night. He came onstage in a crisp black outfit and black vest/white shirt. His stage was clean and his song list was older music but well rehearsed.
Getting older doesn't mean you are no longer wanted. If you package yourself as a professional product, you'll be asked to play again. Play the part of the performer/entertainer. If you want to be Jimmy Buffet, start looking for dive bars.
Hey, there's no shame in that, none whatsoever. Pretty awesome in my opinion.Depressing thread, but mostly hits the nail on the head. I'm 67, played my first nursing home gig a few years ago. A guy I used to play with, 1 year older, plays in a jazz band that does nursing homes somewhat regularly.
No seems to care whether classical and jazz musicians are old. Maybe it's because those types of music have been around for a long time. Rock has only been around since the 50's and people aren't used to seeing old rock musicians. But I think that will change with all the old musicians like the Stones and surviving Beatles that are still in the game. It's just that so many famous rock musicians died young from booze, drugs, and the lifestyle before they could get old.
I feel, as I get older, I need to give back. Lucky to be alive and I've led a very interesting and mostly enjoyable life. People who are old who can't get out still think back to when they were young. I know I do. So for me to give back by showing up and playing some old standards enriches my life and theirs. Payment? Some older folks swaying in their chairs. Bonus? If an old couple gets up and dances to one of my songs. This is my blessing.
EDIT: Forgot to mention. If I play at 1:00pm I'm invited to a free lunch!
I'm in a Dad and Sons band. Two pairs. So, we hit both ends of things. I completely enjoy gigging with younger cats. They bring fresh ideas to the scene. The older cats teach; the younger cats bring the energy. Its a formula that Motown made a lot of money on.
Regarding clothing, at the last gig, the two younger cats turned up in the shorts and flip flops. The older folks were in cool muso duds. And, all are in shape. Nevertheless, we kept the dance floor packed, had a wide age range raving about the band at the end of the night; and then the club manager explains that he's going to try a few other bands over the summer (club manager speak for "you're fired").
So, forget your stereotypes. People are certainly tribal and discrimination based on age, gender, skin pigment, and religion etc etc is alive and well. It just comes naturally. Forget about the rules. They mean nothing anymore. People are morons.
Club managers are still buttheads. Gigs are competitive and don't pay squat. It's a wonder we do this stuff at all.
And, then through all this train wreck human behavior, every now and then, you do get the gig where it all comes together.
Regarding clothing, at the last gig, the two younger cats turned up in the shorts and flip flops. The older folks were in cool muso duds. And, all are in shape. Nevertheless, we kept the dance floor packed, had a wide age range raving about the band at the end of the night; and then the club manager explains that he's going to try a few other bands over the summer (club manager speak for "you're fired").
So, forget your stereotypes. People are certainly tribal and discrimination based on age, gender, skin pigment, and religion etc etc is alive and well. It just comes naturally. Forget about the rules. They mean nothing anymore. People are morons.
Club managers are still buttheads. Gigs are competitive and don't pay squat. It's a wonder we do this stuff at all.
And, then through all this train wreck human behavior, every now and then, you do get the gig where it all comes together.
--------
Now you might find my clothing in this shot not to your liking depending on your culture, locale, or whatnot, but what you see here is a 60 year-old kid that routinely runs circles around youngsters when we play muti-band gigs. I'm in better shape than half the young bucks in my area and I work hard to keep it that way.
PLAY THE GAME, full-tilt and all the way, right up to the bitter end when you suddenly clutch your chest, lash out your leathery old tongue, and fall onto your axe.
Age ain’t nothing but a number, getting old is an attitude.
Well, there are legal limitations with the first statement. Heh.
Awesome pic!I'm in a Dad and Sons band. Two pairs. So, we hit both ends of things. I completely enjoy gigging with younger cats. They bring fresh ideas to the scene. The older cats teach; the younger cats bring the energy. Its a formula that Motown made a lot of money on.
Regarding clothing, at the last gig, the two younger cats turned up in the shorts and flip flops. The older folks were in cool muso duds. And, all are in shape. Nevertheless, we kept the dance floor packed, had a wide age range raving about the band at the end of the night; and then the club manager explains that he's going to try a few other bands over the summer (club manager speak for "you're fired").
So, forget your stereotypes. People are certainly tribal and discrimination based on age, gender, skin pigment, and religion etc etc is alive and well. It just comes naturally. Forget about the rules. They mean nothing anymore. People are morons.
Club managers are still buttheads. Gigs are competitive and don't pay squat. It's a wonder we do this stuff at all.
And, then through all this train wreck human behavior, every now and then, you do get the gig where it all comes together.
There's really no excuse for not being in shape. It's laziness and gluttony.
So my wife the fitness instructor keeps telling me...
