Bad Reason to Join a Band?

[JoZac21]

That sounds actually quite interesting... Any link to the website of your band? (I found the band Cosmolingo in your profile, but the Youtube clips I could see of a livegig in NY doesn't really sound like No Wave/New Wave to me...)

Yeah, Cosmolingo is certainly not New-Wave/No-Wave lol...

My current band can be found here: someawfulbridge.com... although I'm not playing bass on any of the recordings...

If you want to actually hear me play, this, from Cosmolingo, is probably the best example online: http://vimeo.com/16045092

 

[Exploiter8]

Why do I picture the OP as Frazier Crane?

Kidding aside, just do it!

X8

 

[rimbaud]

Been playing for 12 years, completely stop everything music related for 6/7 years and restarted last year, but more seriously this year. Never done any "high music school" but learned with heavy skilled guys who teached me some unbelievable things. Last year I've been asked to play in a metal-band, really not my cup of tea so I declined "hey why the f... do you decline? you are a good bass player, you have no gig, aren't we as good as you'd like ?" humm... well you know what I mean...

Just after, been called for a "delta blues band", didn't really know that style, it didn't make it. And worse: the band leader wanted us to rehearse 3 days a week, 4/5 h each for a complete year before looking for dates ! That sucked me, he saw it, fortunately we had a gentle talk he was completely destroyed, ready to stop everything, I told him that in fact that was true: I wasn't feeling anything good in his band, it was my issue and not his one, so I told him to continue without me, and I found him another bass player who suits him perfectly now.

Been doing jam-sessions most of the time, and finally came to that point: I want soul/funk in a rock town? can't find people? ok I'll do it on my own, find the guy (or girls!) I need for that, even if it takes time. And to feed myself with some "earth food", I've been replying to some "wedding's bands" that are searching for a bass player: 40/50 dates a year, all paid! that will give me the "freedom" I need for my personal projects. Not even my cup of tea too, but it gives freedom. Don't want to go back to the "factory" ya know... bored with 50h/week jobs that drive you crazy....

In less words: create your own thing, band, style, anyway, while doing the "job".

 

[JoZac21]

Why do I picture the OP as Frazier Crane?

Kidding aside, just do it!

X8

HAHAHAHA!!! I love it!

I have a tendency to write very formally, for some reason. I can't help it. If you met me, you would never think Frazier Crane - I'm a slobby geek with a mohawk...

(I do have a good friend we call Niles, though...)

 

[klokker]

I don't think you're selling out in a bad way if you take the gig. We all know the issue you're dealing with, but what's wrong with having a little success playing music that draws a crowd? You've paid your dues and can always "go back".

Rush didn't play for 17 years to a few dozen people.

We all sell out in order to live in one way or another. As long as your struggling with it, your fine. You don't have to be a selfish SOB of course, but don't miss out on life taking the high road.......it's not worth it IMO.

 

[craig.p]

TL;DR - I'm thinking of joining a band that plays music I wouldn't normally want to play, but they look like they may become successful, and my sell-out-self likes that possibility. Is that bad?[/B]

Sorry in advance if this repeats something others have said. Don't let "music I wouldn't normally want to play" become a barrier. You may find it grows on you. Five years ago, having both feet firmly planted in neotraditional country (Dale Watson, Dwight Yoakam, The Blasters), I'd have told you there was NO WAY I'd ever enjoy playing music from the likes of Lady Gaga or Katy Perry or Adele or Rihanna. Or music by Evanescence or Paramore. Or indie stuff like KT Tunstall. I would've said no way in hell am I playing that. But today I like that stuff ten times more than the stuff I cut my teeth on. All I'm saying is, give the music you "wouldn't normally want to play" a chance, let it settle in, then judge. You may not know what fun you're missing!

 

[bluewine]

Yup, the age old dilemma: do you want to be an "artist" or an "entertainer?"

Both

blue

 

[jaywa]

Lots of full-time professional musicians spend most of their careers playing music they really don't care for and in fact, sometimes hate. It's part of the deal.

Making a good living playing music you actually love is a privilege that only a very small subset of the musician world ever gets to enjoy for any length of time.

Not trying to be a downer, but that's reality.

 

[bluewine]

It sounds like over the years you have not been open to other styles of music. This has obviously held you back. I have played with some pretty amazing musicians over the years. Ones that could easily have gone pro. They had the looks, the moves, the tone, and the chops. Their main hangup? too narrow minded. I think playing for this band will broaden your horizons, and accomplish what you have been wanting to do for 20 years; play in front of larger crowds.

The guys I know that are narrow and will only play what they like are all bandless noodling in their bedrooms. Which is where they're going to stay.

For those of us that like gigging , we acept that we might not be playing in our ideal band in terms of genre and band culture.

One good friend really disapointed me with how narrow he is.

He talks about getting out there again.I have presented him with several opportunities with gigging bands and he has been criticle of all of them. He has been bandless for over a year and has not auditioned with anyone, not even called anyone.

He's younger than me and came into playing in the mid 80s. I thought he was a band guy ( like me) but I'm finding he really isn't. He's still a good friend.

I have to hesitate at times because I feel like telling him;

" Man, don't you get it that unless you open up to new genres and maybe cover bands, your never going to gig again"

 

[tahoebass92]

I would honestly say do it. I was in a similar situation last year where I was asked to join a band that was literally nothing like the kind of music I was trying to play. I wanted to play jazz or R&B or funk or something like that. Instead, I ended up joining this alternative pop band. That said, it really clicked for me on so many levels. We all play extremely well with one another, and we get along flawlessly on both a personal and professional level. A year later, we have a record almost completed, we're booking plenty of gigs and developing a good following. We even have 2 clothing sponsors, tour prospects, and are starting to get a slight bit of attention from major record labels. And I couldn't be happier with where I'm at.

I would say give it a try, and if it doesn't work out, then at least you gave it a shot!

 

[Samsound]

What the hell is wrong with me that I think that I need to constantly play music that "challenges listeners"

That's just it, isn't it? Most of your paying audiences don't go to a bar, club, or venue to be challenged. They go to get their drink on and rawk out. They're challenged enough at work, home, by the kids, etc. They just want to kick loose and de-stress come Friday night. So, yeah you have to decide what's more of a priority for you, challenging an audience that doesn't exist, or entertaining one that does...

 

[Itzayana]

I don't call it selling out. I call it paying your dues. Make a name for yourself and then you can do what you want in terms of the kind of music you would rather play.

 

[TBrett]

Good for you, OP, for seeing how you got trapped in a mindset, and for being willing to step out of it. Now go out there and make some noise!

And don't forget to let us know how it goes. Best of luck!

 

[JimiLL]

This reminds me of myself. Last night I put an add out looking for people to form a modern country cover band.

I dont even listen to country. But I am tired of playing to 10 people at my Hard Rock shows

 

[jaywa]

This reminds me of myself. Last night I put an add out looking for people to form a modern country cover band.

I dont even listen to country. But I am tired of playing to 10 people at my Hard Rock shows

Smart choice. I can tell you first-hand that modern country is where the money... and the hottest chicks... are at today.

None of the guys in the band I play with are really in love with the genre... but we sure do like the benefits.

 

[HolmeBass]

I say give it a shot. While it may not be your favorite music, you say it is well-done and professional. I think working in a project like that is perfectly professional. And if it turns out you really dislike it, you give your notice and move on. The experience and contacts you make could be extremely positive.

 

[jaywa]

I say give it a shot. While it may not be your favorite music, you say it is well-done and professional. I think working in a project like that is perfectly professional. And if it turns out you really dislike it, you give your notice and move on. The experience and contacts you make could be extremely positive.

Precisely. You get better by playing/hanging with better musicians and sometimes the better musicians in a particular geographic area are working in a genre with which you're unfamiliar or don't particularly care for. But there are still things in terms of working a crowd, personal preparation, handling the business side, and general overall "musical professionalism" that tend to transcend genre boundaries and those are things you can pick up on.

 

[JoZac21]

Thanks for all of the feedback and support... I know I can always count on the talkbass community to voice some reason (well, usually )

I'm going to be talking to the bandleader tomorrow... I'll keep you guys updated. Wish me luck!

 

[thudfromafar]

Try it.

Could you be in both bands?

(Probably has been suggested already but i only read the first post)

 

[thudfromafar]

Ego

Not necessarily though. Nothing wrong with wanting to play different/challenging music either, if thats what you prefer, and if thats what you want to bring to others. But that is a different discussion and i heavily digress.