My band, together more or less for 20+ years has just landed one. Two weekend nights a month, plus special events and one "open mic night" per month.
Anybody else doing this?
Anybody else doing this?
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How many have a "House Band" gig?
- Thread starter bassfootballguy
- Start date
In my last band, there were places we played every four weeks all year long, but none of them was ever a "house band" arrangement. I'm working on one now, though. Guitar player I know is starting an instrumentals-only Surf band. There is going to be a TIKI BAR opening nearby, and house band is our goal.
It is! The place opens in April and will have a substantial stage, built in light show, PA, really good BBQ, and is in our home town!
I'm the House Bassist. But only at my house! 
Sounds like a cool gig. Hopefully the venue cultivates a clientele that appreciates and supports live music. What genre(s) of music do you play? How many songs do you have on your list, and do you have a plan for keeping things fresh?
Not sure if you want to call it a "House Band" gig, but we do have a standing monthly gig playing a casino cruise Family Night.
thats awesome..havent played live in a while..i'm itching!....congrats on the "housebandery award"
I've been in house bands for jam sessions for a long time…one steady run of over 25 years finally ended in 2020 with COVID.
I've done many residencies (usually weekly), but those don't include backing up other players other than letting local players sit in. I really enjoy residencies, no hassles having to book gigs, usually playing on weeknights leaving weekends open for other stuff whether it's more gigs or some family time.
I've done many residencies (usually weekly), but those don't include backing up other players other than letting local players sit in. I really enjoy residencies, no hassles having to book gigs, usually playing on weeknights leaving weekends open for other stuff whether it's more gigs or some family time.
i've had two residencies like that. Every wed at a blues bar for a year or so and another one every other tuesday and thursday plus every special event they did. they got old fast
I spent a year as the bassist in an open mic backing band 3 piece that was weekly. We'd play 4 hours of covers or back any participants who wanted a recording with a band or just to have backing for their favorite bedroom solo tunes. We'd swap out any member on request. I may have sat out up to 3% of tunes as a bassist, but sat in on sax on some of those situations.
We did a house band gig for a year. Wednesday thru Saturday evenings. Wednesday and Thursday were 9:00 - midnight. 3, 45 minutes sets. Friday and Saturday were 9:00 - 1:00am. Every other week there was a Sunday open mic / jam session. That's what I call a house band! Plus really tired 5 guys! But, we packed the place and made good money. Owners were happy.
Seriously, though, I'm starting jam sessions here in a couple of weeks, if a band happens to evolve out of that, we'd be the "house band". Start with open jams, get a good set of regulars together, move on to open mics, and then who knows?I'm the House Bassist. But only at my house!
Already got my band name, logo, and t-shirt design!
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
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I've had many weekly "residency" gigs over the years. I had one that lasted over 10 years!! It's great for musicians to get a regular paycheck.
One venue wanted us to be the House Band and play every weekend Fridays and Saturdays. We politely turned them down. Playing every weekend at the same place would become old and boring real quick. Plus I think the clientele would probably grow bored of the same band over and over again. We currently play at 6 locations and I'm looking at adding two more to keep things fresh and exciting.
I had one during a summer 10 years ago. Played every other Friday night. Good pay, free dinner, always a good crowd. I enjoyed it!
That pretty much describes my current gig. A friend of mine hosts a monthly community theater (Theatre, actually) gig at a cool local pub with a performance space in back that seats about 60. He's a singer too, so in addition to being producer, impresario, and occasional actor, is in the band. We have a tight stage, house PA, and a good sound guy supplied by the establishment.
Each month has a new theme, usually something seasonal. They put on works by local playwrights, poets, and whatever the band comes up with. With that, each month we come up with a new set list and have 4-5 new songs to learn, rehearse, and get ready for performance in +/- four weeks. It's a challenge for an old group of hacks like us, but pretty dangerous fun.
We're always playing fresh material, have a regular audience, get paid (a little), and mostly get along well. It ain't bad.
Each month has a new theme, usually something seasonal. They put on works by local playwrights, poets, and whatever the band comes up with. With that, each month we come up with a new set list and have 4-5 new songs to learn, rehearse, and get ready for performance in +/- four weeks. It's a challenge for an old group of hacks like us, but pretty dangerous fun.
We're always playing fresh material, have a regular audience, get paid (a little), and mostly get along well. It ain't bad.
Did a house band gig many years ago. We were top 40 country so learning every new song that hit the charts took care of keeping the music fresh. Folks could come and hear the same songs they were hearing on the radio so crowd was into it. Gets to be a grind though, constantly learning every new crappy song that charts and seeing the same venue and patrons night after night.
Does this count? A year ago February (2023) my uke group of 35 played a gig at the WLA Farmers' Market (Los Angeles) as the closing act, an hour fifteen minutes. After that, they booked us every two months until the end of 2024.
