Down & Out

[bluewine]

I am no longer in a band. 2 months since my band broke up.

My last 2 auditions failed. ( I was willing to give 100%, they didn’t want it)

For me everything in life is about being the bass player in a decent band, it’s the only thing that is important to me. It has always been that way for me.

While the reason given to me by the bands I auditioned for were vocals. I secretly think it was my age, 57, not really a match for Pop/Rock.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this temporary void in my life?

BTW, I have no interest in joining or auditioning with a blues, jazz, or country band. I like jazz, country and blues, it’s just not my thing in respect to being in a band.

blue

 

[Jim Campbell]

I am no longer in a band. 2 months since my band broke up.

My last 2 auditions failed. ( I was willing to give 100%, they didn’t want it)

For me everything in life is about being the bass player in a decent band, it’s the only thing that is important to me. It has always been that way for me.

While the reason given to me by the bands I auditioned for were vocals. I secretly think it was my age, 57, not really a match for Pop/Rock.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this temporary void in my life?

BTW, I have no interest in joining or auditioning with a blues, jazz, or country band. I like jazz, country and blues, it’s just not my thing in respect to being in a band.

blue

maybe you could start your own project.....i bet there are people out there that would be interested,but are in the same boat......

 

[JohnMCA72]

Same problem where I live. I'm trying to be as visible as I can, doing subs, 1-off gigs, etc. whenever I can find something. I'm also going through the process of building whatever band I can, from scratch. That's a tedious process, with lots of dead ends. It was a pain to have to do it 30 years ago, never mind now!

 

[Ed Goode]

Blue, I'm 59 and can appreciate what you're saying about the age vs. music style choices. Fortunately, for me, I gig steadily with a classic rock band and do a fair amount of "popular jazz" brunch-type dates, so at least my playing chops stay in good shape.

But what I really want to be playing is more of a funk/R&B/jazz thing, and at my age that isn't an option in my area. So I put together a band on my own ..... took about 6 months of PITA work, but now it's well worth it.

There are players out there with demographics similar to yours, but it takes a while to locate the right people. You've gotta be patient (not one of my strong points ) .... tried 11 different drummers before finding the right guy ....

Hang tough, it can be done ....

 

[Drop-the-One]

Blue, what kind of pop are you into? Like, Paramore/Owl City type or Beatles/Hall&Oates ish?

I doubt you'll find a 20year old Poprock band because they think they're gonna get famous, they will worry about age.

With that in mind, start your own project. You may have to find the players through doing other types of gigs and getting out there like that, but it may be all the more worth it.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I am no longer in a band. 2 months since my band broke up. Any suggestions on how to deal with this temporary void in my life?

Enjoy the temporary break. Use it to refresh, rethink. Then think about starting your own band. I'm not convinced that time off (forced or not) is ever the worst thing that could happen to a musician.

 

[bluewine]

Same problem where I live. I'm trying to be as visible as I can, doing subs, 1-off gigs, etc. whenever I can find something. I'm also going through the process of building whatever band I can, from scratch. That's a tedious process, with lots of dead ends. It was a pain to have to do it 30 years ago, never mind now!

Yeah, I don't have the organizational skills to start anything on my own.I probably have lots of ideas, but would not be able to execute them.

I guess it's back to open mics and net-working all over again.

I really wish these established bands that are making $ wouldn't even advertise their openings.I am convinced they usually already have someone in mind and alomost 100% of the time thats who they go with.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

got any kind of recording set up?

you could just start writing your own tunes...

I use a Line 6 Toneport I got for like $150. Super simple. Everything goes direct in, but you can obviously mic amps and whatnot.

Sonar comes with a plug-in called Session Drummer, pretty real sounding drum loops IMO.

Start writing your own music, and who cares about anyone else? Next thing you know guys will be knocking down your door to jam

 

[crijan]

I really wish these established bands that are making $ would even advertise their openings.I am convinced they usually already have someone in mind and almost 100% of the time thats who they go with.

Get out there and network with those bands. In your downtime, learn their setlists and let them know that you can sub for them with no rehearsal required. Then when they do have an opening, you'll be the first guy they call.

 

[Jeff Roller]

For me everything in life is about being the bass player in a decent band, it’s the only thing that is important to me. It has always been that way for me.


Any suggestions on how to deal with this temporary void in my life?

blue

I feel your pain, I don't know how I would react if suddenly I didn't have an outlet for all these skills I've developed, toys I've bought.

What troubles me is the statement above in bold. Seek balance in life, find other things you enjoy doing. If I lost my right arm (horrid thought) life would go on without playing bass. I jokingly tell people I am going to live forever because I can't possibly squeeze in everything I want to do in life. Try new hobbies, volunteer, take a trip, do something. Live a little! We only have a short time to squeeze life in, make the most of it.

 

[bluewine]

Blue, what kind of pop are you into? Like, Paramore/Owl City type or Beatles/Hall&Oates ish?

I doubt you'll find a 20year old Poprock band because they think they're gonna get famous, they will worry about age.

With that in mind, start your own project. You may have to find the players through doing other types of gigs and getting out there like that, but it may be all the more worth it.

I would say, more like, Paramore/Owl City.

 

[bluewine]

got any kind of recording set up?

you could just start writing your own tunes...

I use a Line 6 Toneport I got for like $150. Super simple. Everything goes direct in, but you can obviously mic amps and whatnot.

Sonar comes with a plug-in called Session Drummer, pretty real sounding drum loops IMO.

Start writing your own music, and who cares about anyone else? Next thing you know guys will be knocking down your door to jam

Thanks good idea, but I did the home studio thing several years ago. I am a club guy, I have to be on stage, thats what does it for me.

And Club season is right around the corner ,and I have nothing. And I am not sure how excited I will be about playing with bands that love me to sub, but would never give me the the full gig.

 

[bluewine]

Get out there and network with those bands. In your downtime, learn their setlists and let them know that you can sub for them with no rehearsal required. Then when they do have an opening, you'll be the first guy they call.

Hey thanks, that's a good idea and something you can really leverage against a band. I am usually up practicing late at night, it would be a good idea to focus on the set lists of some of the better bands.

 

[bluewine]

I feel your pain, I don't know how I would react if suddenly I didn't have an outlet for all these skills I've developed, toys I've bought.

What troubles me is the statement above in bold. Seek balance in life, find other things you enjoy doing. If I lost my right arm (horrid thought) life would go on without playing bass. I jokingly tell people I am going to live forever because I can't possibly squeeze in everything I want to do in life. Try new hobbies, volunteer, take a trip, do something. Live a little! We only have a short time to squeeze life in, make the most of it.

Well, I was not a full time musician making a living from playing.I have a straight career, GF and stuff.

For me, it's got to be Friday or Saturday night, 11:00PM Show Time in a decent club. I was doing that when I was 16 and it has never gotten old for me.

 

[bluewine]

Same problem where I live. I'm trying to be as visible as I can, doing subs, 1-off gigs, etc. whenever I can find something. I'm also going through the process of building whatever band I can, from scratch. That's a tedious process, with lots of dead ends. It was a pain to have to do it 30 years ago, never mind now!

Interesting, you know, there is a little more to this story.

I have had offers from a few other bands.However they were struggling bands with weak material, no bookings or plan for bookings.

To top it off they were the baggy cargo shorts and T-Shirt types which some of you know is not my style.

Now I am off to the gym, a good work out always makes me feel better

 

[MegaSwing]

Make up some business cards. Market yourself as a hired gun. Stay sharp.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Interesting, you know, there is a little more to this story.

I have had offers from a few other bands.However they were struggling bands with weak material, no bookings or plan for bookings.

To top it off they were the baggy cargo shorts and T-Shirt types which some of you know is not my style.

Now I am off to the gym, a good work out always makes me feel better

if your search is too narrow you may be in for a long wait........how many bands in your area fit the bill,and need a bass player......how many players out there do you have to compete with.........if you don't feel able to start your own,then maybe your experience would be what a struggling band needs to move up.....

 

[jive1]

I feel for ya Blue.

In my 20s, I was broke, at loose ends, and my life was in chaos. A coworker asked me, "Is this the first time you've ever been in a situation like this?" My answer was "no". He repsonded by asking me "You did manage to get out of that situation in the past, correct?" My answer was "yes". His next question was "Did you lose what you had to get through the situation?" My answer was "no". And his advice from there was "Well if you still have what was able to fix the situation in the past, there's no reason why you can't get make the best of the situation at hand." That was some of the best advice I ever received, and remind myself of what he said anytime when things are looking down.

 

[thehangingmist]

i was there a couple of months back, but today i have so many exciting things to practice that i dont feel like going to most useless non paying jams. i got some lessons and its all good now

 

[tycobb73]

This was an email I got for my band looking for a drummer:

What songs are you doing ?? what are you looking for in a drummer ??
616-...-....
Michael

This was my response:


Hi Mike. What's important to us is that you see our vison and want to be part of the band. We don't care how old you are or what you look like or who your influences are. We care that you show up on time for rehearsal and gigs and learn the songs. This is the list we're dong. Can you tell me about yourself?

Now if they try and hide their age or get all defensive about it I pass. They have to be confident in who they are. Beyond that, age and race don't matter. We have a 52 year old black drummer auditioning for our rock and country band this week. If he fits the criteria I listed above he'll be a great fit.