I see ads for band members 'preferably in 20s'. One wanted only 18s. That's up to them, but is likely to miss them out of good players, and I've been attacked for suggesting it might. My two-man band is 21 and 58. Neither of us cares about the gap.
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Age matters if you're a cheese
- Thread starter themickster
- Start date
Mötley Crüe are a great example as well. Mick Mars is almost 20 years older than the rest of the band.
If they wish to have all members within the same age, and they wish it so much that they feel the need to express that in their ad, then they may have their reasons for doing so. And I daresay that it is most likely that things would not work out if they took in someone three decades older - musically each party could benefit greatly, but maybe they want someone 'speaking the same language'.
Paging @Dr. Cheese - is this true?
I think age matters in some situations and not others. Over the years, many great and leaders like Miles Davis and Chic Corea loved to hire the hot young players. Gospel constantly is bringing in young players. I think that garage bands are often bands of peers who are the same age and have the same interests in music. Finally, among pros, it seems some great sidemen get jobs despite advancing age.
It’s not unreasonable to want to engage in your hobby with people your own age.
I’ve been both the old guy and the young guy in various bands. It really depends upon the situation and the goals of the group. The music industry - the whole entertainment industry, really - has always been ageist. That’s nothing new. Whether or not that matters within a group’s dynamic depends on the group.
I’m extraordinarily fond of cheese.
I’m extraordinarily fond of cheese.
I'm certain I could hang with more younger folks musically and physically...but I am also certain there are a LOT of things I would not tolerate as an "oldie" that I would and did when I WAS young...
Maybe it’s about “the hang”. 
If I were the old guy, I’d probably be the one vetoing free gigs for exposure, battle of the bands, or that 22min time slot at the festival.
I’d be less fun to be around having already made many mistakes and learned lessons that nobody wants to hear about.
I’m the old guy. So yeah, I get it, and I’m OK with it.
If I were the old guy, I’d probably be the one vetoing free gigs for exposure, battle of the bands, or that 22min time slot at the festival.
I’d be less fun to be around having already made many mistakes and learned lessons that nobody wants to hear about.
I’m the old guy. So yeah, I get it, and I’m OK with it.
It’s their age too. I’m closing in on 40. For me it’s normal to associate with plenty of people 20 years younger and older. For them it’s different. They were children very recently.
It matters to some people and not to others. It can definitely be about the hang, because a band can also be regarded as the respective musicians social circle. If people are at different stages in their lives, or have certain expectations for the project in terms of the time they can devote, or the ability to drop things and get in a van, then I can appreciate that particular consideration. It’s not a universal thing, but I get the place it comes from.
Case in point? I used to play with a duo - they sang and played guitar and keys. The drummer and I were in murky territory as quasi band members / sidemen. The duo were in their late 20’s, I was in my late 30’s, and the drummer was in his early 50’s. We were all a decent hang in the practice room and on stage. But getting a bite to eat? Or going on the road for gigs out of town? That’s where the conflicts started popping up because we were in different places in life.
Case in point? I used to play with a duo - they sang and played guitar and keys. The drummer and I were in murky territory as quasi band members / sidemen. The duo were in their late 20’s, I was in my late 30’s, and the drummer was in his early 50’s. We were all a decent hang in the practice room and on stage. But getting a bite to eat? Or going on the road for gigs out of town? That’s where the conflicts started popping up because we were in different places in life.
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100% - very little to bond with outside of the music. For both parties.Maybe it’s about “the hang”.
Of course they are missing out on great musicians, but they don't know that yet. Not that it makes any difference - they don't need great musicians, they need the right musicians which has it's own set of parameters. And alot of 20 or 30 something artists are already fantastic.
It's OK in some situations to do this, in others, not so much. Honestly, it's their loss if it goes beyond their High School/College band years.
I play church gigs, and one of the guitarists I work with regularly (at different places, we're both free lancers) is 20. I'm 63. A couple of the worship leaders I work with are 22. If we didn't have each other, all of us would be worse off - the energy of youth is undeniably powerful (the 20 year old can also flat out PLAY), but the wisdom of experience is also very powerful. It's not one or the other, it's all of the above.
I play church gigs, and one of the guitarists I work with regularly (at different places, we're both free lancers) is 20. I'm 63. A couple of the worship leaders I work with are 22. If we didn't have each other, all of us would be worse off - the energy of youth is undeniably powerful (the 20 year old can also flat out PLAY), but the wisdom of experience is also very powerful. It's not one or the other, it's all of the above.
Church is unique that way and powerful that way. Y'all are coming together for a common good, it's not a band vision or a vision of a primary songwriter. It's a great platform for those worlds to emerge.
more like 8-10 years older, but yeah he’s older
More to do with life stages. I’d find it hard to play with 20-somethings as I have family, job, property, etc responsibilities.
As a 20-something, those things are still off on the horizon for a good chunk of us.
As a forty-something, I played with guys decades older than me. There wasn’t a huge gap - although these guys often wanted to practice mid-afternoon on weekdays. Working full time, I couldn’t commit to that.
As a 20-something, those things are still off on the horizon for a good chunk of us.
As a forty-something, I played with guys decades older than me. There wasn’t a huge gap - although these guys often wanted to practice mid-afternoon on weekdays. Working full time, I couldn’t commit to that.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Depends on the goals/image of the band. If I were doing originals, playing places that catered to a certain age groups, and had a goal to get to a certain level, I would want the member to be/appear cohesive. Motley Crue is not a great example. Under all the makeup, who can tell. Do you think One Direction or the Spice Girls we're considering middle age people when they got started?
It might also be a social issue. When you were in high school/college, you likely weren't hanging out much with 40 year olds.
If my goals were more modest, my restrictions would be more modest (other than music ability).
It might also be a social issue. When you were in high school/college, you likely weren't hanging out much with 40 year olds.
If my goals were more modest, my restrictions would be more modest (other than music ability).
In the immortal words of Michael Rhodes: "You tend to play with the guys you came up with."
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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At 52, I'm one of the two 'old guys' in our band. The dude older is 56. The rest are 30-somethings. We're buds and bandmates. Nobody cares. Sorry, but that sounds like a shallow invitation to me. Just me.
