Band Member or Hired Gun?

[jmattbassplaya]

Different strokes for different folks.

I did the original band thing for a while, writing my own tunes and leading a band. It was fun, but turnout to gigs was low, gigging night after night for little pay, and all the rehearsals and organizing took their toll, and frankly; I didn't think the stuff I wrote was anything special, looking back.

I am much happier now playing covers/hired gigs. The audience is bigger and happier, I have more free time, and I'm getting paid close to what I think I'm worth.

YMMV.

+1 to those reasons.

I also don`t really care to do original bands because of the legal matter behind who owns the songs once they are written. I wrote most the material with the guitarist in my last band (came up with progressions, melodies, lyrics, etc) and we ended up writing about 9 good tunes. Long story short, he went behind my back and got all the tunes copyrighted under his name without telling me or the rest of the band. His justification was that as the guitarist he plays the chords to the song and as such the songs were rightfully his (regardless of who wrote them). After that I quit the band. I just didn`t want to put up with that kind of crap and that situation really killed the idea of being in an original band for me. That in mind, I still enjoy cover bands

 

[NathanTbass]

I don't have to rehearse Mustang Sally/Freebird/Margaritaville.
.

Ha! Amen...or God help us...Journey "More than a feeling"

 

[gm2_in_co]

I vastly prefer being in a band and playing with band members. But down that road lies pain. Its far easier to maintain distance and simply "sit in."

 

[peterpalmieri]

I wasn't necessarily speaking of a particular situation (local band vs. wedding/coverband vs. touring artist). I was actually just kinda interested in what others think about it. I know the decision I made years back, but I'm always intrigued to see what other people feel works for them and why...
so thank you to all who are answering and I hope it continues..im gaining lots of insight into the mind of bassists (as distorted and weird as our brains are)

Gotcha

In that case: I prefer in playing jazz to have no formal band affiliation. I think it's healthy to play with many different players and gain as many experiences as possible. Especially if for the most part it's real book tunes so we know we all have a common ground. Even within the quartet I have we encourage subs so we all get time playing with other musicians.

When it comes to covers & originals I prefer a band situation where we can take time to work out the tunes exactly as we want.

I also like to take on 3 or 4 theatre gigs a year to keep up my reading skills and meet new people.

 

[CapnSev]

Ha! Amen...or God help us...Journey "More than a feeling"

You mean Boston's "More Than a Feeling"? I didn't know Journey covered that.

 

[NathanTbass]

You mean Boston's "More Than a Feeling"? I didn't know Journey covered that.

Dang..good call...totally meant to say "Dont Stop Believing"...whatever...they're the same song

 

[TheVoiceless]

For me I always wanted to be a member of an original band and create music. And do it for the love. The thought of playing for a paycheck would turn me green with disgust. But as the years go by the idea of a walk-in and play situation seem so much more appealing.

Though I can't think of playing all of those dreadful cover band standards, it may be a good trade off for the drama and uncertainty that comes with being in an original band.

 

[CapnSev]

For me I always wanted to be a member of an original band and create music. And do it for the love. The thought of playing for a paycheck would turn me green with disgust. But as the years go by the idea of a walk-in and play situation seem so much more appealing.

Though I can't think of playing all of those dreadful cover band standards, it may be a good trade off for the drama and uncertainty that comes with being in an original band.

How about doing covers of a genre/artist you like? Typically those niche-type cover bands tend to do just as well, if not better than the top 40 types IME.

I'm playing in a soul/r&b revue, and the material couldn't be any more fun to play, and we can get people out in droves.

 

[bassbrad]

I do both depending on the situation.
My most profitable playing situation is as a sideman (C&W dance band), money is good and I am out of the turmoil the rest of the band seems to always be in, they have their own large PA, lights (couple of hours up & down) and band vehicles that are always some concern- they use IEM and everything is charted- so I show up, plug in, play, get paid and GTFO when the gig is over.
My most fun is my jazz 5, i"m the 1st and last one there, help everyone with their stuff and take an equal share and play my butt off.

 

[Kael]

I certainly won't dispute that. Im not sure I would call it an artform myself, but art is open to interpretation and sure, there could be some form of 'art' in all that effort. But, I would equate that art more to the person who paints copies of Van Gogh's work, not that it doesnt still take skill and an understanding of the medium to do so, but its certainly not the inspired work of Van Gogh himself. Sure, the copier is getting paid for his work (probably more so than Van Gogh made in his life, most original artists don't get fame until long after theyre gone) but he's really riding off of Van Gogh's work, and not his own.

Keep in mind, I have nothing against coverbands or hired guns. I just prefer to focus my effort, skill, and understanding of music to create something new and inspire others. I never found enjoyment in learning other peoples' work, though some may be fun to play. However, I find it a hundred times more fun to jam out and create awesome music in the moment. I understand as well that not everyone will feel the same way, and thats why I say to each his (or her) own.

I am somewhat perplexed by your stance. You are focusing on experimental improv, but you want to play in a band with the same people regularly? While there is something for being able to read others easily due to familiarity, most of the guys I know who are heavily into improv actively seek out new people to play with regularly. New people = new musical ideas to play with. Easiest way to find new people is to work as a fill in hired gun. The jazz world is a prime example of this.

I do both. I hate not getting new material periodically. I also like playing every genre I can get my grubby mitts on. Makes me a more rounded player and better in the other styles I play. I could care less when I do hired gun work if it is original or covers. I get hired for both.

I also strongly disagree with comparing people playing as hired guns to people copying others art. If that's the case, we should completely discount every jazz player who is playing a standard. For that matter, we should discount everyone who is playing in an original band where they didn't write the song they are performing. After all, if they weren't the sole author, they are just covering a song by someone else in the group. Nope. Doesn't work that way. The idea is to take musical ideas someone else gives forth and play with them. Even on a straight cover gig I don't play "like the CD". No one ever cares as to be frank people rarely recognize the bass line from a song. That's why I prefer bass over other instruments. I can step into a hired gun/cover position and create my own interpretation.

PS: I've gone on the road with original bands where I was the only one to come back with money in my pocket. The members took a loss, but as a hired gun I got paid a set amount regardless.

 

[MatticusMania]

I am somewhat perplexed by your stance. You are focusing on experimental improv, but you want to play in a band with the same people regularly? While there is something for being able to read others easily due to familiarity, most of the guys I know who are heavily into improv actively seek out new people to play with regularly. New people = new musical ideas to play with. Easiest way to find new people is to work as a fill in hired gun. The jazz world is a prime example of this.

Sure, there is another thing to be said about jamming with other people and the new ideas that can be shared between them. But our band is a little different than that. We're a cohesive unit. We work together to create a sound that is simply 'us'. We can pull it off if someone can't show up or whatever, but we wouldnt work as well if we had some other 'stranger' sit in with us. I dont seek other to play with because this is our band, and we work toward a common goal.

I also strongly disagree with comparing people playing as hired guns to people copying others art. If that's the case, we should completely discount every jazz player who is playing a standard. For that matter, we should discount everyone who is playing in an original band where they didn't write the song they are performing. After all, if they weren't the sole author, they are just covering a song by someone else in the group. Nope. Doesn't work that way. The idea is to take musical ideas someone else gives forth and play with them. Even on a straight cover gig I don't play "like the CD". No one ever cares as to be frank people rarely recognize the bass line from a song. That's why I prefer bass over other instruments. I can step into a hired gun/cover position and create my own interpretation.

While it might not be perfect, I dont think the comparison is too far off the mark. A person copying a famous painting wouldnt be 'playing like the cd' they'd be reinterpreting it through their own skills, which you described pretty well there. Thats not to say that their is no merit in it, its just not what I want to do.

 

[troy mcclure]

I have done both and each have their advantages.

If you are a band memeber you get a say in the material and know you will have steady work.

As a hired gone, you don't have to deal with band politics and load in and load out other than your gear. You can pass on gig that don't appeal to you. I enjoy stage time, but I am not huge on the before and after gig hang.....

 

[jmattbassplaya]

As a hired gone, you don't have to deal with band politics and load in and load out other than your gear. You can pass on gig that don't appeal to you. I enjoy stage time, but I am not huge on the before and after gig hang.....

That`s why I love hired gun work. Get payed 25-50% at the one rehearsal before the gig, get payed the rest at the gig before I even play a note, and then I have no obligations to stay afterwards.

Love it

 

[StyleOverShow]

Currently I'm for hire by the hour. It has lead to a number of great situations where you play with some amazing players and there are 'lightning in a bottle moments' that are hard to achieve playing the same old sets, even if they are originals. That is probably the upside for me.

The downside is that I also play in many 'vanity' bands put together so the singer/songwriter/player has to showcase their material, or re-live their glory days, or even pretend that these gigs are glorious. Sometimes it is pretty weak and you look at the set list and just sigh...

I'm a sideman and I've learned how to play tired tunes with lousy bands for hours hoping for a spark, a shimmer of light, something that all too often doesn't happen.

I don't play for money although I do get paid.

In terms of the band drama thing, it is usually offset by band buddies which I sorely miss. When I run into players from other gigs, it is like seeing an old friend.

I will tell you it is challenging. You have to be good at what you do or you will not get a reference or call back.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Currently I'm for hire by the hour. It has lead to a number of great situations where you play with some amazing players and there are 'lightning in a bottle moments' that are hard to achieve playing the same old sets, even if they are originals. That is probably the upside for me.

The downside is that I also play in many 'vanity' bands put together so the singer/songwriter/player has to showcase their material, or re-live their glory days, or even pretend that these gigs are glorious. Sometimes it is pretty weak and you look at the set list and just sigh...

I'm a sideman and I've learned how to play tired tunes with lousy bands for hours hoping for a spark, a shimmer of light, something that all too often doesn't happen.

I don't play for money although I do get paid.

In terms of the band drama thing, it is usually offset by band buddies which I sorely miss. When I run into players from other gigs, it is like seeing an old friend.

I will tell you it is challenging. You have to be good at what you do or you will not get a reference or call back.

That's depressing

 

[butchblack]

I like the tightness that comes from playing in a band with the same lineup. I play blues so I occasionally get a call for a fill in gig which is fun and I get to play with some great players. I don't know if the OP considers a fill in gig to be a hired gun situation. I don't have the skills to go into any situation and play ok so being a serious hired gun is out for me.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I do a mix of both. I don't have a preference.

IME covering songs can be a heck of a lot more orignal than many "originals' that I've heard. It depends on whose playing them. I did a hired gun gig last week and we were by no means tied to playing covers just like the original (that's what many people think cover bands do). We took the songs we were playing and in many cases completely turned them on their head. All it takes are adventurous, competent musicians who listen. I play with those types of musicans in hired gun and band situations. Life's too short...


And tightness is there in either situation for me. That's why I tend to play with seasoned musicians whenever I can. No drama, people try to play as an ensemble vs. a vanity play and we've come up with killer stuff on the fly that sounds like we rehearsed it. Listening is highly underrated.


I'm not going to play in any band that requires a ton of rehearsals to do relatively simple music. It's boring and kills spontanaity IME.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Which do you prefer? What are the pros and cons that affected your decision?

Well... I'm a semi-pro weekend warrior, not a full-time pro, but for the past 5 years I'm sort of a hired gun because I've been working and subbing for many different projects (bar bands who mostly play covers). I'm no $150 minimum guy, but I usually get at least a C.

Why? In the early 00's my primary band worked 4-6 times per month, but that dropped down to half. There is a bit of a shortage of bass players in my area, so even a non-singing blue-collar player like me was able to find gigs elsewhere.

Pros of being a bass ho' (IMO, bro):

• Lots of variety in songs and styles! I'm a hack at jazz and don't wanna do tux/wedding gigs anyway, but I get to play pretty much anything that's related to rock, from punk to funk and pop to metal.
  
• The more songs you know, the better your ear, and the quicker it is to learn new ones... it's easier it is to fake your way through requests... you become more versatile in many ways
  
• Playing with different groups (particularly drummers) helps you become a better player. And different groups can have very different styles - so even if you do have to play Mustang Sally for the bazillionth time, with luck, the band will put their own spin on it
  
• Fortunately I don't work with any true jerks, but if I did I could just quit the project without having to worry that I wouldn't have any gigs on my calendar. Same would be true if I were replaced, or the band broke up entirely
  
• The gratitude you get when helping a band out when their bass player becomes unavailable on short notice
  
• It's interesting play a wider variety of venues
  
• It's fun and challenging overall

Cons:

• Some bandleaders/members bitch that I am disloyal
  
• Some bandleaders/members bitch that I am a pain to schedule around (I try to find a sub for me if they can't)
  
• It can be a challenge to juggle all those songs. I keep a library of YouTube bookmarks grouped by band in case I need a quick brush-up before a gig. Yes, this is low-tech... having a fully-stocked mp3 player would be much better. Better still would be the ability to sight-read and write (I can't)
  
• I guess there are others, but I can't really think of any

 

[fdeck]

Hired gun, playing mostly jazz. No strong preference, but the sideman thing just works for me. I enjoy the variety, the chance to meet a lot of good musicians, and the sense of the unknown. At this point in my life, I can't commit to a rehearsing or traveling band.

Besides, working as a sideman lets me market some skills that I have picked up over the years such as fluent sight-reading and knowledge of the standard repertoire.

At the stage that I'm at as a musician, I get a lot of the "dues paying" gigs such as weddings and corporate parties, but there is always something to gain, such as the chance to learn new material, hang out with other musicians, and improve my craft.

Another thing about the freelance scene is that the jerks, druggies, and wannabees get weeded out pretty quick.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm not going to play in any band that requires a ton of rehearsals to do relatively simple music. It's boring and kills spontanaity IME.

Ugh. The band I gig with most will schedule rehearsals even if they're not learning new songs... and they play straight-ahead rock. Fortunately they've been learning lots of new songs lately, but they gig a few times a month so they have no excuse to rehearse the old stuff.