Should I join this band?

[CapnSev]

Dude, I've been EXACTLY where you are at right now. I am the backup guy for a local country cover band (mostly the modern stuff) and it is far and away my most hated genre of music.

That being said: where I live, country covers make money, draw huge crowds (at the right places), and people dance at the gig all night. It's well worth swallowing my hatred for.

EDIT: Also that was some great advice Joe! You wily old veteran you.

 

[Bassmann79]

I stopped at "My major issue with this is that I really, reeeaaally don't like modern country."

lol..seriously....why even think about it any further?

 

[dan1952]

When I was playing for a living I turned down nothing! Polka band? Yup! Country band? Yup! Big band jazz? Sure! Blues behind a great guitarist? Okay! Point being, I wanted to be a musician, and the bassists I admired, Lee Sklar, Duck Dunn, Joey Spampinato, Carol Kaye, Bob Glaub, etc., played EVERYTHING! I loved being able to put on a black suit and read charts as much as I liked wearing a cowboy hat and boots and watching girls line dance in a big old country bar. I liked going in to a studio and backing an old school gospel singer who sounded like Leon Redbone, and the next gig wearing lederhosen and playing the Chicken Dance 5 times in a three hour gig. I even liked playing Laughter In The Rain during the fifth set on Monday night at the Holiday Inn while watching a traveling dog food salesman dance with a $20 hooker. But that's just me...

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Agree with most of the responses. Do it or don't. But communicate back to the BL. That is a bridge unburned. They may have another project down the line that is more suited to you.

However, I was in a similar situation with my first cover band. I really didn't like to listen to about 3/4 of the set. But, the players were really good players and great to hang with. I got on board. Then I quickly realized how musical and interesting most of the set was to play. I learned a lot of about note choice, chord structure across genres, etc, etc, etc. I am a better musician for it.

Good Luck OP!

This brings up a very good point. Part of my growth process as a bass player was going from genre to genre. In college I played in a stage jazz band and did plays in the orchestra pit. I played in a rock band on the side. Eventually as I decided to play full time, and, for a while I did a 50's Eddie and the Cruisers type gig. Then I went into a hard core country band with a steel guitar and fiddle. Something to realize is that it's easy to sit home and live in a jaded world where you only play perfect songs of your choice. It's another thing to go and challenge yourself and get to understand the root of the music you're currently playing. Country music played well isn't easy, like all other genres. If you ever played in a really good country band you'd come away respecting the heck out of the members. Most of the pro country players I worked with were top notch and gave their all even if the club had 10 people that night.

If the musicianship is good, give it a try. You'll be surprised how much you learn. Even if you don't like the music, you have a better backup plan than flipping burgers at Burger King. I'd rather playinf in a country band than flipping burgers any day. Luckily of late I've had a great day job, so I could be more choosy of what I play, but I still like to throw myself in any situation that's different and challenges me. Like a cat, learn to land on your feet always.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

When I was playing for a living I turned down nothing! Polka band? Yup! Country band? Yup! Big band jazz? Sure! Blues behind a great guitarist? Okay! Point being, I wanted to be a musician, and the bassists I admired, Lee Sklar, Duck Dunn, Joey Spampinato, Carol Kaye, Bob Glaub, etc., played EVERYTHING! I loved being able to put on a black suit and read charts as much as I liked wearing a cowboy hat and boots and watching girls line dance in a big old country bar. I liked going in to a studio and backing an old school gospel singer who sounded like Leon Redbone, and the next gig wearing lederhosen and playing the Chicken Dance 5 times in a three hour gig. I even liked playing Laughter In The Rain during the fifth set on Monday night at the Holiday Inn while watching a traveling dog food salesman dance with a $20 hooker. But that's just me...

Hey! You've been on the same circuit as me! LOL! The only one you missed was what we called in Seattle the Rock and Egg Roll circuit. For some odd reason we played many Chinese restauraunts wherever they sold hard liquor in the big dark room in the back. Lots of Eddie Rabbit, Englebert, Atlanta Rhythm Section--radio schlep. We didn't make much but one of our perks was barbecue pork and a combo dinner!

 

[DavC]

i could/can live with some of the 'new country' that sounds more southern rockish ... but a lot of tries to mix in some other genres that really just don't quite fit ... yuk

need a paying gig ... don't complain - get paid - smile and play away ... !!

i would think that if you placed an ad , you'd be ready to play whenever you're needed .. !??

 

[Josh Kneisel]

I would do it if it pays. You'll gain experience, new chops in a new genre, and maybe upgrade gear for your own projects. I did a whole summer tour with a pop country act I wasn't super into because it paid well and I would absolutely do it again.

 

[mikeyjm2]

Something to realize is that it's easy to sit home and live in a jaded world where you only play perfect songs of your choice. It's another thing to go and challenge yourself and get to understand the root of the music you're currently playing. Country music played well isn't easy, like all other genres.

Well said, and I couldn't agree more.

 

[jive1]

Have you actually been offered the gig?
If not, keep in mind it's Craigslist. That email you received could be the last one you get from them.

 

[electracoyote]

Red Flag #1: You hate the music.

Red Flag #2: It would conflict with something you enjoy. And you won't be much use to the country cover project if you're begging off Saturdays.

I admire the desire to become a performing musician and make a little coin in the process. It's an honorable goal and great learning experience.

FWIW, in my cover bands I almost always have a playlist full of songs I don't like all that much. I do it because I like entertaining people with my music and getting paid for it. For me, it's a good trade. Something about a packed dance floor of people hootin hollerin shakin it and singing along makes it easier to play, and even enjoy, music I don't normally like.

Only you can make that determination. Good luck with your decision.

 

[jive1]

I grew up in a place where Country music was outlawed. I hated Country music until I was classically conditioned to like it. I like money and I like watching pretty girls dance, and those things provided the positive reinforcement to allow me to appreciate Country music. I'm sorta like Pavlov's dog now. I get horny and greedy whenever I play Luke Bryan.

 

[4dog]

All the various descriptions of the new country sound had me rolling...but this is my fave ..dont remember where i heard it may be here.....Bon Jovi with accents!!

 

[wilberthenry]

I have lived in rural areas all my life and being in bands has often meant playing genres that aren't my ideal choice, but I always learned from these bands. I would still be loathe to take a gig if I hated the material.

 

[jive1]

All the various descriptions of the new country sound had me rolling...but this is my fave ..dont remember where i heard it may be here.....Bon Jovi with accents!!

Actually there is no such thing as Country music. It's music that was popular 20 years ago with twangy voices. Bon Jovi is on it's way out to be replaced by cheesy 90s hip-hop with twangy voices ala Florida Georgia Line.

 

[lfmn16]

(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?")

+1

A little off topic, but I'm putting a band together with a drummer. I'm playing guitar and we are auditioning bass players. Of the players we've had over (all over 40) three could not follow a simple chuck berry tune (even though I sent them the tunes a week prior to audition), and the one that could follow the changes was playing something totally inappropriate to a rock and roll song. It's my own fault for not screening better, but now I'm putting a note in the emails I send that although we aren't playing songs note for note, I do expect them to be able to play the right chords and the right style.

 

[stevecaronna]

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.

My band plays both of those songs and I enjoy playing both of those songs. Miranda Lambert has a few songs that really rock, Little Red Wagon and Your Mama's broken heart to name a couple. It is really rock no matter how you look at it.

 

[bfields]

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.

Listening to a song analytically--taking it apart, learning the bass line, figuring out how the rhythm parts fit together, charting out the song structure, etc.--is a totally different experience than listening casually for enjoyment.

I've many times had the experience of agreeing to learn a song that I had no interest in, sitting down at my kitchen table with laptop, headphones, and a notebook, listening repeatedly and taking it apart, and finding myself grinning like a fool by the end.

Maybe it's just me. Still, it might be worth picking just one song from their setlist and actually working on it for a while. If it still feels like a slog, then, yeah, hard to imagine you'll enjoy playing in the band.

 

[bassbully]

I play in a band like this now. We do mix in some old country, classic rock and southern rock but do allot of Bro country..which I hate. I love old country and alt country and bro country suks but it is fun to play.... just rock with twang.
We get plenty of gigs and the money is right. Right now in my neck of the woods Modern country bands are in demand and there is no shortage of gigs. Give it a try, I bet you dig it more than you think even more when the floor is filled with ladies shaking what the good lord gave em'.

 

[waveman]

What is more important to you? Getting in front of a crowd or sitting at home playing with your buddies?

First of all let me say that country music has never been my favorite genre ( well except that one time one I was way younger). Anyway, I play in a band that plays a good amount of country, and I have come to like it more and I learn songs before the band does. Also, Jason Aldean is rock disguised as country anyway...fun songs to play. I don't care much about Luke Bryan, but I would play the hell out any song I had to if one came up as a regular song we play. Playing live is about doing just that, playing songs with heart and fun and getting the crowd into it. If that is what you want to do, then go for it.

If you think you are going to hate it, and bring that attitude to it, then forget about it.

 

[Two-Spirit]

Country bands treat their bassists like poopie. But IDK? Country is boring, do you like older country?