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Should I join this band?

#84
The guy posting earlier about auditioning bassists who couldn't play simple changes on simpler rock songs is in Charles Town. Driving from Baltimore to play Rainbow Road in Charles Town WV and back the same night was what made me decide to quit the band that the OP is talking about. That and the smoking-allowed policy at Rainbow Road. Great crowd, though.
 
#86
RandomBass90 said:
What do you think?
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i think:
- beggars can't be choosers
- do the gig and see what happens
- keep an open mind: by not telling anyone in the band that you "hate" their music choice a priori.
- get experience
- play your a$$ off...and enjoy gigging (for a change!)
- consider it temporary until you can evaluate objectively = after you've had some experience with it
- beggars can't be choosers!

good luck! :thumbsup:
 
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#87
If it's a really good drummer & keys player, then you can probably have a good time working on being in the pocket as part of the rhythm section and try and tune out the rest of whatever is happening.
Use the gig money to buy yourself some nice cowboy boots and a solid hat.
Lotsa drunk ladies loooooooove them some country music boys, so that could be a perk as well.

But really, if you are not going to have a good time doing it, then don't join their band. Don't be the uninterested bass player in the back with a scowl on your face.
 
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#88
seanm said:
Playing live is far different from playing from home. I will happily play music live I would never listen to at home.

I am not a fan of new country: it is basically pop music with fiddle IMHO. But I wouldn't rule out playing in a new country band as long as they where gigging.
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Usually lousy pop music with a fiddle. And hats. I won't listen to it, but I would probably play it happily enough.
 
#89
RandomBass90 said:
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![/QUOTE
RandomBass90 said:
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!
Click to expand...
Time in the saddle is gold. Anyway, all country music is now, is pop music with a hick accent.
Also, before your bass career has ended, I guarantee you that in the future, you will play music you don't like a few times. Its the fleas that comes with the dog.
Click to expand...
 
#90
RandomBass90 said:
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!
Click to expand...
 
#94
My $0.02: I was once in your shoes, just this past January. I'm a alternative and soul guy. Those are my genres. I did it, loved the hang, the pay was mostly good, but I still didn't dig the music. I even left the band for a little while, until yesterday when I got a call. Tomorrow night we're opening for a big-name national act.
 
#95
I made more money in a few years playing modern country than decades playing rock.
Didn't really like the genra either, but I was gigging constantly, in bigger and better venues than I was used to playing. My experience, your results may vary
 
#96
Personally, I have to enjoy the music to play it. I turned down a cover band gig (talented folks, decent pay, etc.) because I didn't really like the set list. I just couldn't see myself putting in the time to learn all of the songs and then playing them live every week. I am also of the mind that there will always be something new to come along, so I wasn't too worried about missing an opportunity. I'm glad I did because I recently got an offer to play in a funk/r&b cover band which is much more my speed. But, as others have mentioned, YMMV.
 
#99
Could you date someone that was attractive, but you absolutely couldn't stand anything else about them? If dating a hottie is worth that sacrifice to you, then go for it. If you feel that a more balanced approach is key, then I'd strongly suggest taking that route instead. When I realized I wanted to play music I liked, and didn't need it to pay bills, I became more selective and I'm glad I did.
 
#100
I have no interest in playing music I dislike, even if it pays.

That's why I'm not in a band.
Because the live gigging band has to conform to a very narrow scope of music in order to sell beer.

I don't drink, therefore, I don't care.
 

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