So my Brand X tribute band idea isn’t ever going to fly?
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People/musicians are so strange...
- Thread starter glocke1
- Start date
I would think a Squeeze tribute band might attract an audience of several.
They are SO weird.
Some dude wanting to start a Squeeze tribute band doesn’t scratch the surface of how weird musicians are.
Is your friend a Pulling Mussels guy or more of a Black Coffee guy? Can’t be both.
Some dude wanting to start a Squeeze tribute band doesn’t scratch the surface of how weird musicians are.
Is your friend a Pulling Mussels guy or more of a Black Coffee guy? Can’t be both.
I know a few ppl of a certain age who put out albums. I think it provides an artistic outlet and 30 years ago, he wrote some great songs so I guess he thinks he still does.
I got burned there so I want no part, plus I dont rate the songs so much anyway.
I have no idea if he covers his costs..i doubt it so in itself, its his indulgence.
He asked me to sub for his cover band but I dont like playing the material but thats as weird as it gets.
All musicians have an ego, imv, but I'm pretty bemused at some of the other scenarios you see crop up here. Don't get me started on Bandleaders..
There is quite a music environment here, but the worst you mostly come across is the delusion that some rate themselves pretty highly...when no one else does, but for the most part you never really come across them...only if you unwittingly find yourself at one of their gigs etc.
No real harm done, they manage to blag gigs but even to the musically deaf, they make everyone else sound so much better.
I find ppl mostly go with what they like..which is fine...but even they really get it when they hear a band a few cuts above.
I got burned there so I want no part, plus I dont rate the songs so much anyway.
I have no idea if he covers his costs..i doubt it so in itself, its his indulgence.
He asked me to sub for his cover band but I dont like playing the material but thats as weird as it gets.
All musicians have an ego, imv, but I'm pretty bemused at some of the other scenarios you see crop up here. Don't get me started on Bandleaders..
There is quite a music environment here, but the worst you mostly come across is the delusion that some rate themselves pretty highly...when no one else does, but for the most part you never really come across them...only if you unwittingly find yourself at one of their gigs etc.
No real harm done, they manage to blag gigs but even to the musically deaf, they make everyone else sound so much better.
I find ppl mostly go with what they like..which is fine...but even they really get it when they hear a band a few cuts above.
In LA, in the 90’s, there was a guy wanting to get a Van Der Graaf Generator tribute band going. I was wondering what ten other people(if that many)besides me would show up.
John Goodsall was playing around town at the time(the Fire Merchants), and only about ten people would show up at many of his gigs.
If you have a circle of people to play music with and they are mentally stable/balanced individuals without a lot of drama, count yourself fortunate.
As much as love playing bass, it is just a huge struggle for me to find people to jam with that have a reasonable set of expectations in terms of music.
Local guy I know from H.S. reached out to me and said he's interested in doing some playing. We exchanged a couple of texts back and forth and I made it clear I am open to do some playing/jamming but don't have the bandwidth to commit to anything that would eat up large amounts of my time and I went onto ask what he'd be interested in playing.
His answer was " Squeeze!"
Nothing wrong with that band, and I am aware of their more popular hits but after listening to a bunch of their tunes, it's stuff that requires more of time commitment than I'd be willing to put in to play well. The tunes aren't overly hard, but I heard enough nuances in the ones I listened to and realized its just not stuff I'd want to put the time required to get them accurate.
I replied back stating all of that, and mentioned its probably a bit more realistic for me to play stuff that doesn't require that much of a time commitment such as blues, classic rock, improv based riff jamming, etc..
The reply I got back was basically just this deranged response about how the blues sucks, he's had it with classic rock, and has this undying desire to play squeeze and hopes he finds someone to play that music with that won't feel like they have to spend time on it... I didn't even respond as his reply was so off the wall and if I am honest sort of disrespectful to me.
For perspective, we are both in our 50s...I have a day job and other responsibilities, so need to be realistic in terms of things I say yes to. This guy doesn't have all that. In any case instead of being realistic about whats possible with older/busy adults, he's effectively lost a contact that he could do some playing with on an informal basis by being so inflexible. The guy is always posting on FB about not having people to play with and this is why I suppose.
There are lots of things I'd like to focus on exclusively, but I know that finding others that want to focus ONLY on those things just simply isn't going to happen at this point and I've realized if I want to do any playing at all, I have to be flexible and accommodating to others.
Its unfortunate as the guy is a competent player and is like 15 minutes from my house...
Don't even give this person a second thought. It's not salvageable regardless how close he is and will not fit into your current life. It's not a good match.
I'm one of the fortunate ones. Same guys for decades. Outstanding bunch of good players. In fact, we attract above average talent because we are so stress free. It truly is a good hang. The *ssholes of the musical world we've crossed passed with tend to wash out in short order, mostly because they are so self obsessed they can't deal with it. Most of the time they just move on their own after they make some ridiculous demand that isn't met.
Trust me, life is way to short to put up with what you just went through. Just because one is a musician, it gives them no right to be a jerk.
I agree - there’s nothing wrong with doing it for fun. But he still has dreams of the songs getting noticed, and they just aren’t good enough. He also never really gets around to promoting them or properly releasing them, but that’s another issue entirely.
You'll have to start your own.
Call it Toxxin. (cause 2 X's rock harder than 1)
Here ya go(I just had to look)…
Home
Shot of Poison - Tribute to the 35th Anniversary of Poison - Official Website
[This invalid link has been removed]
I perused over the 20 songs of their greatest hits album, I don’t even know one, but that’s just me.
Absolutely nothing turns 50-year-olds into 15-year-olds faster than being in a band. I once had a guitar player get mad at me because I had a life. Something… something… something “you’re not committed enough” something something something “I don’t have a family/career/mortgage cuz I’m so virtuous” yada yada yada. This was right about when I decided that going home to help my daughter with her homework was a much better use of my time.
(BTW, never played with him again. Not sure who the **** he thought he was talking to.)
I’d love it if I could find a competent drummer that didn’t have some sort of substance abuse problem.
I’d even settle for a guitar player that doesn’t need a ride everywhere.
I’d even settle for a guitar player that doesn’t need a ride everywhere.
Better yet, ToxXxin, cus three is one more!You'll have to start your own.
Call it Toxxin. (cause 2 X's rock harder than 1)
It's very rare that you get a group of people together who are all on the very same page about everything in music.
I don't mind working to learn songs that are somewhat complex, but I'm not doing any tributes, because the bands that can do well as tribute can be counted on maybe one hand. A tribute to a band that doesn't have an enormous following is not going to attract many repeat customers.
But people have all sorts of weird ideas about what they want to do with music, and often shoot themselves in one or both feet by taking on things that aren't useful or productive. Most people just want to get out and play, and don't give a lot of thought to what it takes to attract and retain an audience. Ideally you want people around you who understand strategy but there's more inexperience out there than not, these days, which makes for some unpleasant conversations.
I played a very good show last night and already I've been contacted through my band page by a guy who is asking about our original tunes. I know, because I know who this guy is, that he just wants to sell the band a slot on a compilation CD he wants to produce. But before I had a chance to shut him down, someone else in our band responded to his message to talk about all our original music, etc. etc., and I had to come on and say 'well, we aren't promoting that stuff so much..." because the last thing I need is to send money to some loser for a CD no one will ever listen to. Then I had to group text the band to explain who that guy is and that he just has his hand out.
And that's not the only vulture circling after last night. Inexperienced people are easy targets. Sometimes I have to come down hard on things that they think are worth doing, and I know aren't. I'm ok being the bad guy but it kinda sucks sometimes.
I don't mind working to learn songs that are somewhat complex, but I'm not doing any tributes, because the bands that can do well as tribute can be counted on maybe one hand. A tribute to a band that doesn't have an enormous following is not going to attract many repeat customers.
But people have all sorts of weird ideas about what they want to do with music, and often shoot themselves in one or both feet by taking on things that aren't useful or productive. Most people just want to get out and play, and don't give a lot of thought to what it takes to attract and retain an audience. Ideally you want people around you who understand strategy but there's more inexperience out there than not, these days, which makes for some unpleasant conversations.
I played a very good show last night and already I've been contacted through my band page by a guy who is asking about our original tunes. I know, because I know who this guy is, that he just wants to sell the band a slot on a compilation CD he wants to produce. But before I had a chance to shut him down, someone else in our band responded to his message to talk about all our original music, etc. etc., and I had to come on and say 'well, we aren't promoting that stuff so much..." because the last thing I need is to send money to some loser for a CD no one will ever listen to. Then I had to group text the band to explain who that guy is and that he just has his hand out.
And that's not the only vulture circling after last night. Inexperienced people are easy targets. Sometimes I have to come down hard on things that they think are worth doing, and I know aren't. I'm ok being the bad guy but it kinda sucks sometimes.
Musicians are strange. A lot of players in my age group here
are lost in Blues Rock. It does not sell well but they persist.
One friend has a revolving cast of players because most players
do not want to get involved.
Another friend hit me up to form a 60's music band, the greatest
music ever in his opinion.
It's almost impossible to get 4-5 people together & work up
a good thing. I find the talent but not commitments.
It's a poopy business.
are lost in Blues Rock. It does not sell well but they persist.
One friend has a revolving cast of players because most players
do not want to get involved.
Another friend hit me up to form a 60's music band, the greatest
music ever in his opinion.
It's almost impossible to get 4-5 people together & work up
a good thing. I find the talent but not commitments.
It's a poopy business.
Squeeze was one of my favorite Pop Rock Bands and under-rated IMO.
Glenn Tilbrook was one of the best Pop singers; He also was a Great Guitar Player
His shows with 'Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers' extremely entertaining and Fun and he still is going
His DVD 'One for the Road' touring US Solo with RV is a entertaining watch
Sure a tribute band may not be a wise financial or even Gig securing choice but I would go see them
Glenn Tilbrook was one of the best Pop singers; He also was a Great Guitar Player
His shows with 'Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers' extremely entertaining and Fun and he still is going
His DVD 'One for the Road' touring US Solo with RV is a entertaining watch
Sure a tribute band may not be a wise financial or even Gig securing choice but I would go see them
Squeeze was one of my favorite Pop Rock Bands and under-rated IMO.
Glenn Tilbrook was one of the best Pop singers; He also was a Great Guitar Player
His shows with 'Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers' extremely entertaining and Fun and he still is going
His DVD 'One for the Road' touring US Solo with RV is a entertaining watch
Sure a tribute band may not be a wise financial or even Gig securing choice but I would go see them
I've played a few of their songs in cover bands. I wouldn't think playing that stuff all night would work, but they have several songs that have that "wow, I never thought I'd hear a local band doing this" factor. The idea of doing one or two of their songs has a lot of merit. The idea of doing a whole night of their stuff... the novelty would wear off.
I've been thinking about this (in my experience, not always the best idea). Why am I where I am? I play in a cover band that doesn't do anything that some other band hasn't done before, and better. Yet we work a lot (look me up on the "Check In" here before and after your gigs, set 3 - everyone's drunk now! thread). I'm an OK player and singer. My BL is always pushing us to add new material, that's a big part of her job. So I work at new stuff all the time, at least it feels that way.
So what's up with me? Why do I work harder than I need to? I could join a Dad Rock band tomorrow and just coast, have fun, take fewer gigs. Answer: Poor self image. In my diseased heart of hearts, I'm convinced that I suck. And, that any day now, my BL and the guys are going to figure out that I'm a fraud.
Remember at the top I mentioned that thinking about this stuff might not be the best idea? It is not a particularly happy existence, walking around thinking everyone suspects you of being a fake. (And a flake, too! Damn...) Maybe that's why I always insist on being paid to play. It's the only kind of validation I understand?
If you have actually read all of this, thank you. Or maybe you should seek counseling. Or both of us should. Is it 5 o'clock yet? I need a drink. A beer and a liverwurst sandwich?
So what's up with me? Why do I work harder than I need to? I could join a Dad Rock band tomorrow and just coast, have fun, take fewer gigs. Answer: Poor self image. In my diseased heart of hearts, I'm convinced that I suck. And, that any day now, my BL and the guys are going to figure out that I'm a fraud.
Remember at the top I mentioned that thinking about this stuff might not be the best idea? It is not a particularly happy existence, walking around thinking everyone suspects you of being a fake. (And a flake, too! Damn...) Maybe that's why I always insist on being paid to play. It's the only kind of validation I understand?
If you have actually read all of this, thank you. Or maybe you should seek counseling. Or both of us should. Is it 5 o'clock yet? I need a drink. A beer and a liverwurst sandwich?
Which means what, exactly? That you are not a Squeeze fan?
And So?
I wouldn't start a tribute band either, but I have always been a fan.
And they are still touring, and are a really great live band.
Plus, try to do what they do. they are a unique band with a long career, finely crafted pop songs with deceptive nuances. As the OP stated, it has to be done just right. And they are very good musicians, with some off the more clever lyrics in pop.
