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Did You Stop Gigging for a While and How Long?
- Thread starter Gravedigger Dav
- Start date
Played 2 gigs since the 1st of this year. Have a few more in the fall. I guess it's a semi-hiatus for me. I've tried to quit many times, but I can never stay gone too long.
Yes. I walked away from gigging back in 2004ish, mostly because we fired the drummer and couldn't find a new one. A few years later, in 2007, I moved back to where I grew up. In 2008ish, I decided to maybe give it a go and even went to an audition, but it didn't pan out. I decided then that it just wasn't meant to be and decided to focus my time on my kids and getting them through and out of school. In that time, I also gained a new wife and her boy from a previous relationship. The only playing I did after that, was on the worship team at church.
When the second of my two biological kiddos graduated in 2021, I decided it was time, and after talking it over with my wife (who had never seen me play live outside of the worship team at church), I decided it was time. I landed with a group that was doing original metal songs. It wasn't long before we started working on some really great stuff. However, about a year later, it became clear that the drummer of the group was sabotaging us because he had "crippling stage fright".
About the time I was getting wise to that drummer, I was contacted by a member of my car club that had a band looking for a bass player. They were doing classic rock covers, which were right up my alley. I decided I'd give two bands at the same time a go. So, in August of '22, I signed up with the cover band. In December of that same year, I walked away from the original group because it was clear they were never getting out of the garage because of the drummer.
TL;DR: Yes...for about 17 years.
When the second of my two biological kiddos graduated in 2021, I decided it was time, and after talking it over with my wife (who had never seen me play live outside of the worship team at church), I decided it was time. I landed with a group that was doing original metal songs. It wasn't long before we started working on some really great stuff. However, about a year later, it became clear that the drummer of the group was sabotaging us because he had "crippling stage fright".
About the time I was getting wise to that drummer, I was contacted by a member of my car club that had a band looking for a bass player. They were doing classic rock covers, which were right up my alley. I decided I'd give two bands at the same time a go. So, in August of '22, I signed up with the cover band. In December of that same year, I walked away from the original group because it was clear they were never getting out of the garage because of the drummer.
TL;DR: Yes...for about 17 years.
Only gigged maybe twice in the last 10 years, and those really didn't count as far as I'm concerned. Basically, I just got tired of everyone's $***. I'm very picky now about my musical endeavors, and if that means I don't play out anymore, so be it.
Gigged a lot between 1989 and 1992… took a break in 1993 when I moved to Colorado. Fast forward 30-odd years and I was gigging two summers ago for a bit, but the expectation's of the band were grossly underestimated and that stopped. Then my dad passed away last summer, some personal issues earlier this year. Hoping to get back at something casual this year again. We’ll see.
Involuntary hiatus for about 8 years. The bands I'd been with for decades finally faded out. Three kids with a slate full of activities didn't really leave much time for things like putting a new band together. Hit the empty nest stage, got a phone call from a working band needing a bassist and have been working ever since. I'm 62 and plan to keep playing until I'm physically or mentally unable.
I never really gigged consistently owing to having a "proper career," but I had never really gone more than a year without being in a band. That is, until I moved to the Middle East. I didn't play in a band for the 2 and a half years I was there. When I moved home, getting in a band and playing shows was a priority. I had some difficulty getting established, but I've been playing a show about every month or two for the last few years.
Gave up for about 4 years do to arthritis. RA doc helped with a treatment to get hands limber. Don’t play near as much anymore but usually 2-4 times a month.
May be down for good now due to health concerns (76 in 2 weeks) Been gigging since high school, changed instruments several times: bass, keyboards - especially Jon Lord style crunch B3. Only time not at least occasionally gigging was 2009 to 2015 working as a night club DJ (EDM/House) - only time I've actually made any money in music and all I had to carry was a USB hard drive. But every second on stage and every note played was worth it.
I'm glad there was an upside. I wanna be clear that I mean that sincerely, since tone doesn't translate well on the internet.
I stopped when my first child was born 7 years ago. Now he and his 2 younger siblings get to come see the new band play since we finally managed to find an afternoon gig. They've never been to "a real concert" so they're all super excited.
I started playing in bands at 13 and never stopped until the kids were born when I was 29. I'm happy to be back in it.
I started playing in bands at 13 and never stopped until the kids were born when I was 29. I'm happy to be back in it.
Was out for a few months due to a hand injury, then during the pandemic it was about two years. My gig schedule has yet to recover fully since then.
