should I take the gig?

[Hankenstein]

Join the band.

If you have to ask us, you deserve it.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

mmm, since you have a 2x church gig, an originals gig, I would say pass. BUT if you only had 1 gig or 0 gigs, I would say take it. remember, play bass for fun first, then $$$$

 

[JRA]

Pros= rehearsal is a close drive, less than 15 minutes. Easy set/up tear down, I only bring my bass. Songs are easy to learn. Musicians are good not great.

Cons= Gigs will be bars only, possibly an hour away. Pay will be low. Songs people dont dance to, just drink beer and stare at you....This cover band is 1 bass player away from getting a crappy bar gig...

i voted "pass" only because i'm reading your OP as an easy rehearsal routine vs. a lousy gig routine (projected).

i'd want to play with generally capable cats. 'stretching' is good. all i got.

good luck with your decision, whatever it is!

 

[Low End Scum]

I'm in a similar position OP. Additional contextual questions though:

Where do you fit currently in the scene?
What's your primary pursuit musically? (IE is it for money, thrill of the gig, the music specifically?)

I just started jamming with some musicians in their early to mid 20's (I just turned 30). They want to do late 90's to early 10's Pop-Rock and Indie Rock "revival". I never liked that music. BUT I have no clout in this scene and they're young enough and have lived here their whole lives so they have an in in the scene. They want to get paid but I think they're naive so my expectation is like yours that it'll be low pay (or none). They are, similarly to your situation, within 15 minutes of my house and I'd only need a bass (and a pedalboard if I'm feeling saucy). They're good enough (play in the church band) but not great. Instead of it being music people don't get down to, I personally just really dislike a good number of the songs/bands. I could live the rest of my life without ever hearing the "vintage boxing ringside announcer" vocal effect of Volbeat. Can do without anything Pop Evil or Snow Patrol too.

So in most contexts this really wouldn't be for me. That said, I currently do not "fit" into the scene as I'm not really a part of the scene here since I moved here 2 years ago and gigged once since then (an hour away). I don't have any clout. I haven't made connections with other gigging bands that know I can show up, pull my weight, have the songs down, and handle being a personable human being at a gig. Also, my primary pursuit musically is the thrill of a gig. I have a day job for money. I enjoy gigs because there isn't anything I've experienced that gets that rush. I'll play music I don't like if it's rehearsed to the point of perfection because of that "being in the zone" experience where time and crowds stop being important and you're all in that pocket doing what your supposed to be doing.

So I voted do it, but only in the context that it benefits you. It really depends on what you look to get out of a gigging band and the effort required.

 

[Wesley R]

Join. The band may evolve, and that would be good. I would join apply a reasonable amount of effort/intelligence/enthusiasm. You can almost bank on a member change or two within a year.

If you practice 15 minutes away, perhaps some opportunities exist for car pooling.

 

[Low End Scum]

Join. The band may evolve, and that would be good. I would join apply a reasonable amount of effort/intelligence/enthusiasm. You can almost bank on a member change or two within a year.

If you practice 15 minutes away, perhaps some opportunities exist for car pooling.

Another thing is what's the associated cost of the decision? Is OP missing out on other musical opportunities or hobbies by taking this gig and seeing how it shakes out?

 

[brianrost]

It’s hard to tell what “good not great” means to you. I’ve been lucky enough to play with people I have absolutely no business being on stage with, so I’m picky about the level of the players.

Since you came here asking for advice, that means you are worried that the cons outweigh the pros. So pass.

 

[Killens84]

There are four types of gigs, IMHO:
1. The gig brings you joy and it pays well.
2. You don’t enjoy it, but it pays well enough to overlook that.
3. It doesn’t pay well, but you enjoy it enough to overlook that.
4. It doesn’t pay well and you also don’t enjoy it.

#1 is a no-brainer, and I can usually live with #2 & 3. But #4 is an obvious “no.”

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Could it make you feel burnt out?

The OP sounds burnt out just describing the "opportunity."

 

[newwavefrank]

Just reading your post, if you aren't excited about the gigs now, it will only get worse. Pass

 

[KenD]

I didn't read any real "pros" in your description; only minimized negatives:

- not THAT far to drive
- good, not great musicians
- pay but crappy
- low end bar gigs

Unless you REALLY need the money, pass.

 

[higain617]

I'm not sure you actually make any money in this when you factor in associated expenses.

 

[bikeplate]

If youre asking strangers online you likely already have decided

 

[Vincent Van Low]

I just got home to read through all your answers, all I can say is THANK YOU! Your feedback both ways was insightful, and I appreciate everyone of you taking time to help me. I really love TB and this actually helped me decide to Pass on the group. The vote was 70-30% in favor of "pass" so I feel good about the decision. I only played last week 1x and last night so I didnt want to go long if I was going to pass, maybe another guy will fit better. Stay low my friends!!!!

 

[wysiwyg248]

My two cents: I'd rather feel bad for something I did than for something I didn't do.

 

[Whale guy]

To me, there is one question...are the bars smokey? Deal breaker for me. Just not worth it.

 

[Mastiff_5]

Easy: if you want to play in the town the crappy new band has connections in, and you are one of/the best player in the band (with easy to learn songs, you said) then KILL it with the crappy band. Wreck the setlist. Play well and be a consummate professional. Network the venue and help promote. You’ll get better offers from better bands, and the crappy band will settle where crappy band settle. So long as the politics don’t kill you (crappy band leader is jealous and the nephew of the venue, etc) then you’ll earn a rep and grow your gigging opportunities. Playing in bands that DON’T play out isn’t helping you play out. Decide on your priorities, and if being a gigging musician is your priority, join the band. If not, play with your buddies in the garage. But you have to do your priority with excellence.

 

[DaDo625]

In addition to the aforementioned "Music, Hang, Pay" test....(two out of three is the floor)
There is:

When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Clark W]

Pros= rehearsal is a close drive, less than 15 minutes. Easy set/up tear down, I only bring my bass. Songs are easy to learn. Musicians are good not great.

Cons= Gigs will be bars only, possibly an hour away. Pay will be low. Songs people dont dance to, just drink beer and stare at you.


Help me decide. I play at church 2x a month, and an original band to write with as well currently 1x weekly. This cover band is 1 bass player away from getting a crappy bar gig, what to do??

Doesn't sound like something you are interested in doing, so I voted pass.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Some of the best advice I got (from Felix Pastorius) was never turn down a gig. A decade later I’ve taken that advice and things are good. Everything is a learning experience and will only make you a better more versatile player.

That’s William Shatner’s philosophy: Never turn down a paying gig! Gigs can open doors.