Possible last Two Gigs for the old band!

[51PRI]

The old band, the one I've complained so much about here....the band that never rehearses, never learns new songs, can't hold a crowd or get repeat bookings...has two more gigs for the rest of the year unless something changes. Then the guitar player is having some serious surgery which may limit or end his playing career (hope not).

So the first gig is a two hour show in which we will likely play all originals, the BL's originals that is, except for maybe a cover or two that he has "made his own." Also, for that gig, our former bass player is going to play with us. This venue is one we have played before, but not often, and is a little more hipper and younger than we are. I'm not sure why we're playing it, really. But at least the BL will get his rocks off playing his songs that he can turn in to ASCAP/BMI and earn a nickel.

The second gig, later in the month, is just a regular four set bar gig where we will play mostly covers.

We supposedly have Mardi Gras booked next year but who knows?

I'm having mixed feelings about it. All bands end, right?

 

[pepj]

Yep...and the mistake is to linger on and on and on...imv

With what I know about this band, I'd say this is also the time to announce you are done. No new bookings

 

[Pocket Dave]

Still no idea why you didn't give 2 weeks notice 2 weeks after this band started out.

 

[oldrocker]

...

So the first gig is a two hour show in which we will likely play all originals, the BL's originals that is, except for maybe a cover or two that he has "made his own."

Is there an audience for 2 hours worth of BL originals?

 

[pepj]

Good point. Not an easy thing to do at all but if you can make it work, fair play.
The flip side of that is that is a total vanity project.
There are a few writers here that may have 50 mins or so...and are suitably engaging to sell the gig, but tickets on top, no.

But someone is willing to stump up a fee for 2hrs..or does the venue not know that yet?

 

[Mojo34]

It's OK for a band to end. It frees you up to find something that really works for you.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

Been through the breakup before. One door closes, another door opens. Just stay focused on what you would like to accomplish for goals in a band and move on.

 

[JazznFunk]

Longest breakup ever, as documented here on TB.

 

[gln1955]

Hope the guitar player does well with his surgery, but if he tries to suck you back in after, just say NO. You have other things going on, so you don't need this band for any reason and it's just a source of frustration.

 

[taliesin]

Still no idea why you didn't give 2 weeks notice 2 weeks after this band started out.

But what would have become of all the band threads?!

Think of the threads for god’s sake!!

 

[Wesley R]

Longest breakup ever, as documented here on TB.

Crack me up, yet true.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Something tells me the saga will continue

 

[51PRI]

Is there an audience for 2 hours worth of BL originals?

Well, IMO no. I feel like we lose the audience after about 30 minutes. And it isn't that its bad songs, its just that the people don't know them. I think we would do better if we played songs (we're essentially a blues band) that people know. Songs like "The Thrill is Gone" although that is a chestnut in the blues world, always gets good response, because people know the song.

...The flip side of that is that is a total vanity project.....

Yeah, pretty much.

Been through the breakup before. One door closes, another door opens. Just stay focused on what you would like to accomplish for goals in a band and move on.

Exactly. The other band is already up and gigging and I'm looking at putting another project together as well.

Hope the guitar player does well with his surgery, but if he tries to suck you back in after, just say NO. You have other things going on, so you don't need this band for any reason and it's just a source of frustration.

Yeah, it is, but they get some cool gigs sometimes too, so I would be open to seeing what happens. The guitar player is a longtime bud so ir would be hard to desert him if the surgery goes well and he wants to, and is able to, gig again since that's his only musical outlet. I just have to realize that its never going to be (1) what I want it to be and think it could be, and (2) it will never fulfill all of my musical needs. I mean, I like blues and blues based rock just fine, but there are other types of music that I like and want to play that this band won't, or can't.

 

[Hasty]

Longest breakup ever, as documented here on TB.

They should have named the band "Southern Goodbye".

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'm having mixed feelings about it. All bands end, right?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If you wanna be REALLY snarky, tell them you wanna cover this song and then say this is what you'd like to do TO the band...

 

[oldrocker]

Is there an audience for 2 hours worth of BL originals?

Well, IMO no. I feel like we lose the audience after about 30 minutes. And it isn't that its bad songs, its just that the people don't know them. I think we would do better if we played songs (we're essentially a blues band) that people know. Songs like "The Thrill is Gone" although that is a chestnut in the blues world, always gets good response, because people know the song.

Why would you even play this show?

 

[Fuzzbass]

Why would you even play this show?

Because it's a special satisfaction to perform originals live. You take gigs where you can. If you're lucky you'll find a venue that features original music (usually on a weeknight), but even then the crowd might be small. Much of the time you're getting the gig because you're willing to accept less pay than the typical cover band. Exceptions exist but are rare.

Not everyone needs validation from an audience. Those who play originals understand that the audience will probably be small and/or inattentive because most only want to hear the Same Old Cover Crap (and on that note, I've seen packed dance floors for butchered renditions of Mustang Sally and Play That Funky Music). But if you like the originals, and your bandmates, then it's fun to perform originals live even when most aren't digging it.

 

[pepj]

I think the right band in the right venue could do an original show for the same money.
2x1 hrs worth of original tracks is hard going because you'd need to call on 3 CD's worth, likely. And not all of the tracks would be good enough or suitable.

We might do it in the new year..but it will need a new line up, imv, based around the BL's ability to draw.

 

[TheReceder]

Very glad what will probably be my last band ended on a very good note.
1. The band had a 29 year run. I was with them the last 13.
2. The last gig we played was a packed "patio event" at the first place the band ever played.
3. Everyone pretty much just had to move on... with emphasis on Move. All of us had just retired from our main jobs.
4, We all parted friends.

Now for a little truth... over the years we argued about setlists, gear, gigs, practice locations, song structures, little things like can you really wear socks and sandals with cargo shorts when you sport 65 year old legs...

Looking back it was worth it and I wouldn't change a thing.
I can only hope that the OP is in a band where he can look back fondly when or if he decides to leave it.
There will always be a little bad mixed in with a little good.