Should I join this band?

[bass40hz]

Unless you feed your family with money made as a working musician, just play what you like, enjoy it and use what you earn to buy more basses ;-)

 

[bass4more]

Giddy-up!

 

[Crash 56]

It seems that you put your ad out without fully considering the consequences. Any gigging band will be busy on a lot of Saturdays, and as a gun for hire, you will inevitably run into some music you don't like. Personally, I will try ANYTHING once, so why not give it a shot?

 

[mikeyjm2]

Definitely a different dynamic playing in front of an audience rather than by yourself / rehearsal / song writing situation. For me feeding off of the energy of the audience makes a big difference. It's that audience interface which makes me do it (because it definitely ain't the money!)... but yeah, I end up playing a lot of music that I wouldn't listen to otherwise.

 

[two fingers]

Some of the lyrics in modern country are trite and cliche. I will grant you that. Bit the bass players in Nashville are nothing short of superb. You will have fun with the bass lines, I assure you (assuming you play them correctly).

Also, the hang would be more important to me than the music. Are they good guys? Do they PREPARE for gigs by maintaining their gear, bringing extra stuff, and actually knowing how to play/sing the dang songs?

If so, I would give it a shot. You would get together and jam with them first, right?

 

[Forrest Thump]

Hello TB, long-time lurker here who is faced with a situation that I'd like TB's general consensus on before making a decision.

I had posted a local Craigslist ad about a month ago offering myself as a bassist for any local giging bands. I have received only one bite from this, an offer to play in a local modern country cover band. The BL emailed me with details like their gig radius, band website, types of venues, schedules, etc. The two example artists that he gave me were Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, if that means anything to anyone. He also advised that it pays well but wasn't specific.

My major issue with this is that I really, reeeaaally don't like modern country. It's one of very few genres of music that I just outright dislike and cannot enjoy in any capacity. I don't think it's objectively bad music, as if such a thing exists, it's just that I personally dislike it very much. I scoped out their site and confirmed that, from the videos on there, I wouldn't enjoy the music being played. The other issue, which is less severe, is that it looks like the band plays almost every Saturday, and I've got a current, longstanding originals project with my best friend and drummer, and our only days to get together and write/record are Saturdays (I know it's kinda naive to expect to find a band that won't be trying to gig every Saturday, but that's the hope anyway).

However, this would be my first real shot at being in a get-paid-to-play-music situation, it would give me a lot of live performance experience, and would probably be a great experience in general for me, regardless of my distaste for the music. I'm just really torn over what to respond to this offer with, or whether I should even respond. I feel like at bare-minimum that I ought to reply and explain myself as I've done here, what with disliking the music but being otherwise open to the idea.

What do you think? Please let me know, I've never been in this position before and am really at a loss. Thank you for any input you can provide!

Do it for a while to beef your resume up and make some money and then drop it. It might help in the networking sector as well

 

[Engle]

Lots of valid arguments - for and against. I don't listen to any country music (my listening taste goes more towards german industrial and post bop), but I have played in many a country band cause I rock the poopie out of country, and people seen to like that, and it's fun to play. So, the perspective I'll add is try it you might like it. I've learned that playing good country is fun (and that is where the money is at).

But, I don't like it for listening to.

Edit/disclaimer: I grew up in country music country, so, it's kind of in my musical genes.

^^ Same here. I'll play it, but I don't listen to it. Not sure if I would want to play it every weekend though.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I'd rather be playing in a working band than sitting by the phone waiting for craigslist hopefuls to contact me with the exact genre I like.
I look at it as a musician. Music is music. It's not so much which songs you play but how well the band plays them.
Funny you should mention modern country pop which is really just 70's Rock with a twang.
I too disliked liked it but recently joined a modern country type band and have come to enjoy playing it.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool R&B/Funk player but this was a working, paying band and they do multi-genre stuff.
Everyone in the band gets to add songs they like to the set lists regardless of genre.
Surprisingly going from Miranda Lambert to Joss Stone to Carrie Underwood to Aretha Franklin works if you have competent players.
Sure beats waiting by the phone.

Sounds like we're in the same band. We bill ourselves as a classic Variety band. Elvis to Pink. And I would listen to very little of it on my own. I'm more in the New Mastersounds/Lettuce kinda vibe in what I listen to.

I wouldn't have played it in my younger years, but I want to gig. Not for the money, but because I enjoy it. My big problem is that I'm not familiar with most of the country stuff they want to add. I joined about 4 months ago, and I've learned their song list, but every time someone suggests a country song to add, they just all jump into a rough rendition, and I'm standing there with my hands at my side. I can usually jump in mid-verse, but have no idea if I'm missing a signature line. I have to say, "I'll know it next week" a lot more often then I'd like.

From last week, for tonight's rehearsal I've added:
Don Williams - Tulsa Time
Keith Whitley - When You Say Nothing At All
Aretha - Chain of Fools
Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love

You can no doubt guess which two I knew. The two country songs I'd never heard, and would change the station if they came on the radio, but the other two are a lot of fun.

Long story short - I'm having a ball, playing with some pros (small time), and gigging pretty regularly.

Oh, I found the gig on Craigslist

 

[lfmn16]

I'm confused. You ran an ad looking for a band and someone offered you the gig without hearing you? If that is correct, run like a rabbit. Otherwise, go do the audition. There is a difference between listening to music and playing music. I auditioned for an old school country band on a whim - Hank Sr, George Jones, etc. I had never listened to that type of music and wasn't a big fan. The band was made up of outstanding musicians. I got the gig and had a ton of fun for a couple of years. Turns out i sing country music pretty well too. I wound up singing about half the songs.

Remember, even if they offer you the gig, you can say no thanks.

 

[RobinC]

Three thoughts on this:

1. I find it's often more fun playing genres I don't like listening to than I expect, especially in a tight band.

2. Ask for a trial period. Tell them how you feel, but that if they're game you'd like set up a trial period of x number of months or gigs to see if it works for you. If it does, great. If it doesn't, say thanks and see ya around.

3. You never know who you'll meet while out gigging with this band. Maybe they are the gateway to a scene or some folks who are playing the music you really want to play, and you can make some solid connections thorough them.

Bonus #4. Saturdays are work days for musicians. I wouldn't expect to keep that day free for you and your other project. Just sayin...

Good luck!

 

[buldog5151bass]

What is your musical goal? If it is to get gigs, this sounds like a good situation (unless your original band is playing out a lot).

As I told BL in the last band I joined, I would rather gig with good musicians than sit at home playing music I like - modern rock.

I also do not like modern country, but did it for three years - good gigs, good crowds (chicks in short skirts and smiles), and we mixed in different music that I like that fit in Allmans, etc.).

I would give it a shot.

 

[SteveHeissner]

You won't be happy playing music and/or a genre you dislike. It's like forcing yourself to date a woman you don't find attractive. The question is... can you tolerate it for the money? And, if so, for how long?

 

[jaco944]

I've played in more than one band over the years where I didn't care for some of the material. I found I could always find one cool lick (or create one) in most any song. I would just look forward to that point in the songs I didn't care for.

 

[morgan138]

Couldn't find the poll, but definitely not. If they were offering enough money to make it worth your time to spend every Saturday playing a style of music you specifically hate, you wouldn't be asking us in the first place, right?

 

[morgan138]

I've played in more than one band over the years where I didn't care for some of the material.

Yeah but this is very different from "a band where you specifically dislike the entire style of music the band is playing."

 

[Joe Nerve]

If it were me, I'd do it. You're not marrying them. You're playing some gigs, spreading your wings, pushing at your comfort zones, meeting new musicians, gaining a new experience, and I could go on and on and on. You also have no clue how you'll feel once you're out there gigging with these people. If you continue to despise the music and aren't having fun, in 6 months you can tell them to start looking for someone else.

The only thing I WOULDN'T do is express any of your dislike of the music to them. There's no need for that, whatsoever.

And RE the music, I too was never a country fan. New band I'm in pays excellently (it was my motivator) but also does a bunch of country, and hip hop (which I hated even more). What I learned is I learn to love playing everything by putting my mind in the right place. I commit to playing everything I play with all the passion in the world, and it's turning into an awesome experience. I'm loving playing with these guys. But that's not even what I really wanted to say - just went off for a minute ...

I hated country music until I started learning some songs. Listening to this song did less nothing for me. Learning it note for note gave me a whole new perspective. This bass player kicks ass IMO. He's tasteful, and I like the way his basslines evolve and intensify as the song moves along. Have a good listen to the entire song (focusing on the bass, of course), and I challenge you to then tell me you don't like what this dude is doing.



Also, as much as this song did nothing for me too - it's become impossible for me to play without smiling. Especially when I see the crowd reaction. Song actually starts a 1:10:



That's some seriously fun bass stuff to play!

Join the band.

Quit in 6 months if you have to.

 

[pwhalen]

First off, I would ask for a sample setlist. You are going to need it anyway in the event you end up auditioning. Then listen to the songs a couple of times and then make the call. You've convinced yourself you hate music that it sounds like you haven't necessarily heard yet (assuming since you don't like the genre, you don't listen to a bunch of it). Then try playing it, enjoying listening to a song and enjoying playing one are different animals. Then make a decision when you have all the facts. Sounds like you're going on mostly assumptions at this point.

 

[morgan138]

If it were me, I'd do it. You're not marrying them. You're playing some gigs, spreading your wings, pushing at your comfort zones, meeting new musicians, gaining a new experience, and I could go on and on and on. You also have no clue how you'll feel once you're out there gigging with these people. If you continue to despise the music and aren't having fun, in 6 months you can tell them to start looking for someone else.

This does seem like a good way to think about it. I guess I'd personally be thinking about the opportunity cost of spending a lot of time playing music you don't like (with an outside chance you'll grow to like it) vs. holding out a little longer for a chance to play music you do like... But setting yourself a timeframe might be a good compromise!

 

[baileyboy]

...an offer to play in a local modern country cover band. What do you think?

I'd do it in a heartbeat. Gigging is gigging, money is money. I've gigged tons of songs that I don't care for. Playing a genre of music that is out of your comfort zone will only make you a more well-rounded player, which makes you more attractive to other potential gigging opportunities. I'd play for Justin Bieber if the situation came my way.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I read the other responses after responding, and saw this, then...

If you're talking about the band that I think you're talking about, I played bass for them for three years and quit two years ago only because I couldn't stand the long drives to and from gigs. I'd never played country before and never listen to country music for pleasure, but that was a great, rocking band, and I had a lot of fun playing in it.

I suggest going to one of their gigs to get an idea of what their shows are like. If you decide to audition, better be on your game. The keyboard player is a professional with a low tolerance for mediocre musicians. (The drummer told me that when they auditioned the last guy before me, the keyboard player stopped him in the middle of the second song and said, "What are you even doing here?")

That post would make this a no brainer for me, BUT, knowing you're a bit new to the game I'd like to add a bit to @Guitalia 's post. Don't let the band's success and keyboard player thing intimidate you. Let it inspire you. If you don't get the gig, no big deal - you'll know why. They are very picky and probably looking for people with more experience. No foul on your part. You can however take it as a challenge and do everything in your power to give them nothing to complain about.

When I was playing bass for only about a year (played guitar before bass) I lucked into the opportunity to play for one of my favorite original club bands ever. I didn't know any of the guys, nor did they me, and the music they were playing was well out of my league at the time. I woodshedded like nobody's business. Had a vacation previously planned in LA the week before my audition, jumped through some crazy hoops to borrow a bass while there, bought a portable CD bass trainer (was before mp3s)... nailed the songs inside out and landed the gig. I learned tons in that band, toured, and then got kicked out a year later because - well, I wasn't really good enough, when it came to my writing skills at the time. They thought I was too R&R, also. It was an invaluable (and super fun) experience though, made me a much better musician, and it opened the door to so much more.

If you really love playing bass, say yes as much as you can. Until you have no choice but to start saying no. If there are other things you love doing more, then everything I've said up to this point might very well be moot . I do realize I take my instrument more seriously than many - but I love it. There's no question for me about that.