• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

First gig with the new band.......

DWBass

DWBass

The Funkfather
Jan 24, 2003
24,618
1
22,452
67
Newport News, VA via NYC
www.facebook.com
#1
Well, I have joined a new band. Funk, R&B, Soul. Right in my wheelhouse. I was originally supposed to be a sub but was asked if I wanted to join so I did. Great bunch of cats. First gig for me last night. Unfortunately, we needed to use a 'sub' drummer. Hoo boy!! We got through the gig. I had to do some directing with the drummer. Some stuff he was right on but other songs...........it was rough. Wrong grooves, tempo issues and him not starting or stopping when directed to do so. Suffice it to say, the band will no longer utilize this guy (he's been used previously). Also he was a hard hitter on the snare!! My ears...my ears!! Some songs, I could barely hear myself. In any case, I'm happy to be on board. The regular drummer is killer!! My last band imploded last spring of 2025. I played a few sub gigs last summer. I always felt I'd get another shot with a decent band. Good, solid players will always get a call is how I felt. Let's see what the future holds.

Oh, and I thought I'd be the grandfather of the band at 67.....there's another member who's 68!! Whoo hoo, I'm no longer the oldest in the band.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Mastermold, Miles_ONeal, NitroBobby and 58 others
#3
DWBass said:
Well, I have joined a new band. Funk, R&B, Soul. Right in my wheelhouse. I was originally supposed to be a sub but was asked if I wanted to join so I did. Great bunch of cats. First gig for me last night. Unfortunately, we needed to use a 'sub' drummer. Hoo boy!! We got through the gig. I had to do some directing with the drummer. Some stuff he was right on but other songs...........it was rough. Wrong grooves, tempo issues and him not starting or stopping when directed to do so. Suffice it to say, the band will no longer utilize this guy (he's been used previously). Also he was a hard hitter on the snare!! My ears...my ears!! Some songs, I could barely hear myself. In any case, I'm happy to be on board. The regular drummer is killer!! My last band imploded last spring of 2025. I played a few sub gigs last summer. I always felt I'd get another shot with a decent band. Good, solid players will always get a call is how I felt. Let's see what the future holds.

Oh, and I thought I'd be the grandfather of the band at 67.....there's another member who's 68!! Whoo hoo, I'm no longer the oldest in the band.
Click to expand...
Congrats on the gig. I just left a band that did I this kind of material. 10 hour commute at age 73 was a tall ask. I don’t know who my replacement is, but If you’re in a band like I left, it’s great gig and a great bunch of guys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eli_Kyiv and DWBass
#6
DWBass said:
Well, I have joined a new band. Funk, R&B, Soul. Right in my wheelhouse. I was originally supposed to be a sub but was asked if I wanted to join so I did. Great bunch of cats. First gig for me last night. Unfortunately, we needed to use a 'sub' drummer. Hoo boy!! We got through the gig. I had to do some directing with the drummer. Some stuff he was right on but other songs...........it was rough. Wrong grooves, tempo issues and him not starting or stopping when directed to do so. Suffice it to say, the band will no longer utilize this guy (he's been used previously). Also he was a hard hitter on the snare!! My ears...my ears!! Some songs, I could barely hear myself. In any case, I'm happy to be on board. The regular drummer is killer!! My last band imploded last spring of 2025. I played a few sub gigs last summer. I always felt I'd get another shot with a decent band. Good, solid players will always get a call is how I felt. Let's see what the future holds.

Oh, and I thought I'd be the grandfather of the band at 67.....there's another member who's 68!! Whoo hoo, I'm no longer the oldest in the band.
Click to expand...
Drummer issues aside, you've described the kind of band I would prefer to be with. Unfortunately in Australia there's not so much demand and for guys our age blues or tributes are the prevailing gigs. I get to play some old school R&B but mostly blues tunes.
Congratulations and have fun.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass and JRA
#8
DWBass said:
Well, I have joined a new band. Funk, R&B, Soul. Right in my wheelhouse. I was originally supposed to be a sub but was asked if I wanted to join so I did. Great bunch of cats. First gig for me last night. Unfortunately, we needed to use a 'sub' drummer. Hoo boy!! We got through the gig. I had to do some directing with the drummer. Some stuff he was right on but other songs...........it was rough. Wrong grooves, tempo issues and him not starting or stopping when directed to do so. Suffice it to say, the band will no longer utilize this guy (he's been used previously). Also he was a hard hitter on the snare!! My ears...my ears!! Some songs, I could barely hear myself. In any case, I'm happy to be on board. The regular drummer is killer!! My last band imploded last spring of 2025. I played a few sub gigs last summer. I always felt I'd get another shot with a decent band. Good, solid players will always get a call is how I felt. Let's see what the future holds.

Oh, and I thought I'd be the grandfather of the band at 67.....there's another member who's 68!! Whoo hoo, I'm no longer the oldest in the band.
Click to expand...
That’s why you make the big bucks. :)
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Spidey2112, DWBass and joeLowB
#9
May you have a long, satisfying run. It’s great when a plan comes together.

(I’ve played with that sub drummer you describe, whose dynamics are stuck on wide open. Fortunately those experiences are few and far between anymore.)

Age ain’t nuthin’ but a number.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass
#14
Ostie said:
At 70 I thought I was the oldest member in any Band except the Rolling Stones.
Click to expand...
In the late sixties when Spanky and Our Gang were in their heyday, Nigel Pickering was thirty-nine. We high-schoolers and collegians thought that was Jurassic. Nowadays, the Rolling Stones have to exhume Keith Richards every time they go on tour.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: DWBass and MegaSwing

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back