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ohhh the ticket!

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by raised_fist, Jul 27, 2003.

  1. Jul 27, 2003 #1
    raised_fist

    raised_fist Guest

    Dec 16, 2002
    okay people, I need your help here... I'll explain something.
    I am in a band at the moment, a band I love more than anything. I guess I could describe it best as Ben Harper-ish stuff crossed with Fleetwood Mac-ish stuff. I love this band because it is full of so much talent from everyone, plus the BEST drummer I have ever played with (we clicked instantly, & he has been playing since he was 5). We are starting to gig more and more, and people seem to tell us we are the shizit. We have so far played a handful of gigs, and whenever we do we have producers galore come up to us.
    Anyway enough of that...Okay well 2 bands are now in need of bassists where I live. They have both asked me to do it as there other bassists have other things to pursue. One of the bands has already secured a contract with Sony, and if I accept, then I fly across the country to record for sony and shoot a video. The other band is DEFINATELY on thier way up also, and I believe that they have just been signed as well, a matter of days ago, exactly. People seem to think I am stupid for wanting to turn these offers down, as flattering as they seem, in order to pursue my other band. I honestly can say that my current band has must as much, if not more than these other 2 bands have. Not to mention that both of these 2 bands are very much so one of these cool new, "The..." bands that are around now, with stupid haircuts and, "yeah yeah yeah!" chorus's (yeah, you know the type)... Where as my current band allows me to play the kind of bass style I like... hmmmm...help guys! Please offer me your opinions, or stories like mine, as I need to put my mind at ease:) Do I take the ticket to instant success, or turn it down for what I truly believe in?
     
  2. Jul 27, 2003 #2
    SuperDuperStar

    SuperDuperStar

    Sep 22, 2002
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Make a name for yourself playing with an established/signed band. Then when that's done and over you can go back to playing music that you want to play.
     
  3. Jul 27, 2003 #3
    dragonbass

    dragonbass

    Feb 17, 2003
    N.Y.
    ........................................EX-Sadowsky Guitars Builder..........................................................
    You know...why don't things like this happen to me?:bawl:

    I would take the gig with the first band that asked you to( the guys with sony).

    Question........

    Are you going to part of the band or are you just laying down the bass tracks? if so then do them all, and this way you still get to keep your other band.
    I wouldn't turn down any of the gig's. even though you said the your band has IT, it all depends on the record companies. Your fate is in their hands.

    If you are having a hard time choosing between the 2 bands that are signed...which of them do you like the music from better?
    Are you going to enjoy playing with them?

    Hope this helps...........Good luck with your decision....Keep us informed!

    OOHH...last thing ..........If you need a Bass Tech, let me know My bags are packed and ready to go! :D
     
  4. Jul 27, 2003 #4
    Mike N

    Mike N Missing the old TB Staff Member Supporting Member

    Jan 28, 2001
    Spencerport, New York
    The grass always looks greener on the other side. Imo just because the one band got signed by Sony (and the other by another big name label) doesnt mean theyre going to be the next big thing and rule MTV. Im sure ther are alot of bands that have been offered major-label contracts and have flopped. And, the fact the Bassists for these bands have bailed out leaves me suspicious, too. Perhaps they didnt want to be puppets to the record companies?

    Theres more here than meets the eye, imo. You may want to look deeply into this before leaping in.
     
  5. Jul 28, 2003 #5
    raised_fist

    raised_fist Guest

    Dec 16, 2002
    yeah see, that is the point... in my current band I write, say 50% of the music, and being a lot more sort of Acoustic Rock/funk/r&b based, it leaves room for so much more bass - of course, the kind of bass that I enjoy playing. Bass lines that can stand up by themselves and actually OFFER the songs something. Both of these other bands are very much so guitar and vocals based, and I would just be copying the guitar and playing what I am told. That is basically the deal... I would love to do both, but these bands are too full time in order for me to do both, plus I don't think that they would straight up let me do both! I wouldn't feel like a part of their band, I would just be playing what I am told... which trust me, would not be very much at all!
    oh and dragonbass, thanks for the offer but I live in Australia, so you gotta pack your bags for good bro'! haha
     
  6. Jul 28, 2003 #6
    dragonbass

    dragonbass

    Feb 17, 2003
    N.Y.
    ........................................EX-Sadowsky Guitars Builder..........................................................

    Hey.......My aunt lives in Australia....Bags are packed and awaiting the call:D
     
  7. Jul 28, 2003 #7
    NV43345

    NV43345

    Apr 1, 2003
    Never,,,and I say Never...Turn down a paying gig.
    This is such a hard biz to make money in. Ask all
    the guys that you play with now, over to your house for a cookout sunday, and after they have stuffed there faces and drank all your beer, tell them you want to go and check out this other project, cause it may be a real good oportunity.
    And maybe invite a Bass player buddy over that may be able to fill in for you.
    :)
     
  8. Jul 28, 2003 #8
    skie`

    skie`

    May 4, 2003
    Corvallis, OR
    do you have another job besides the band? if its a choice between no money & money, you gotta support yourself somehow... but if you already have a job that supports you & you're happy playing where you are, i'd say wait until you get a deal with that band for music that you like. the 'mtv' band styles come & go quickily, this one may be fine for a year & then completely die - if you're not playing music you enjoy, then whats the point?
     
  9. Jul 30, 2003 #9
    raised_fist

    raised_fist Guest

    Dec 16, 2002
    yeah, bass isn't my job, I have other income... and at the moment I am thinking in the way of what skie said, "if you're not playing music you enjoy, then whats the point?"
     
  10. Jul 30, 2003 #10
    Obsolex

    Obsolex Guest

    Nov 17, 2002
    I mean, if you literally think that this band (your currently gigging with) is the one, but you kind of want to go check out the other projects, just invite them over and talk to them about it. If they say something like, your out if you go, or a little something, then it's your choice to go with your band, or someone elses.
    If one of the bands signed with Sony, and you each got a big check for your first cd, I would probably stick with them until I got the money, and then run, lolz. But if it's good music, and fun to play, i'd most likely go with them if they were better than your current band...
    hard choice man, sorry man.......
    but good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  11. Jul 30, 2003 #11
    Mr.QuakQuak

    Mr.QuakQuak

    Jan 23, 2003
    New Jersey, USA
    I believe you answered your problem yourself.

    Do what your heart desires. If you love the music you already play and all have good relationships in it, stay. These new bands might piss the hell out of you and most likely won't even go through a first cd or a second. I would stay where you are, but you did answer your own question. Good luck
     
  12. Jul 30, 2003 #12
    Osama_Spears

    Osama_Spears

    Jan 7, 2003
    Baltimore,MD
    i hate you....follow your heart:)
     
  13. Aug 1, 2003 #13
    raised_fist

    raised_fist Guest

    Dec 16, 2002
    Thanks guys for all your help, and luck... and to Mr.QuakQuak and Osama_Spears, I was hoping that someone would say that :D
     
  14. Aug 1, 2003 #14
    Mr.QuakQuak

    Mr.QuakQuak

    Jan 23, 2003
    New Jersey, USA
    No problem.




    (god my name sounds "gay", it was better as serene :p)