The bar for playing out is set way to low

[lfmn16]

Booking gigs is a skill, and something few people like to do. Just a thought. Invite the BL to one of your rehearsals or gigs and have a talk. Perhaps he can learn the errors of his musical ways, and you can get more gigs as a foursome (if he can up his game), or he can hand over some gigs to you for a cut.
But I feel your pain.

I absolutely agree. There's music and then there's music business.

I really have no connection with the BL other than the drummer. I'm not saying everyone has to attain master craftsman status in order to play out, but for God's sake, at least put a little effort into it. ANYONE can do that.

 

[lfmn16]

Yep. The number of venues holding the bar up for professional-level live music has dwindled. They're not paying anything so who cares? If the band can bring their friends and family in to drink a couple of beers, that's all that matters now.

Sad but true. The club owners don't understand that if they book good bands, the club can have a following.

 

[FirewalZ]

That's the exact opposite of the OP's rant.

If you suck, it's better you stay in your living room.

I’m of the opinion that amateurs and beginners do need an outlet for improvement...that won’t happen sitting at home. Did you learn how to speak by yourself practicing in your room....or did you learn by being surrounded by “professional” native speakers? However, these groups shouldn’t pass themselves off as profession and/or low ball other acts either.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Waaaay too many bands jumping on stage before they are ready has killed the scene in my opinion.

 

[FirewalZ]

Yep. The number of venues holding the bar up for professional-level live music has dwindled. They're not paying anything so who cares? If the band can bring their friends and family in to drink a couple of beers, that's all that matters now.

I’ve noticed venues that do this, either don’t stay in business over the long run or stop booking live music. Venues that do have live music and put some effort not consistently booking quality acts tend to do better in the long run.

 

[Spectrum]

I’m of the opinion that amateurs and beginners do need an outlet for improvement...that won’t happen sitting at home. Did you learn how to speak by yourself practicing in your room....or did you learn by being surrounded by “professional” native speakers? However, these groups shouldn’t pass themselves off as profession and/or low ball other acts either.

No problem with newbs, but you gotta at least practice and rehearse before going out in public. And the OP isn't talking about 17 year olds on their first gig; he's talking about older guys who should know better and have a bit f pride.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I absolutely agree. There's music and then there's music business.

I really have no connection with the BL other than the drummer. I'm not saying everyone has to attain master craftsman status in order to play out, but for God's sake, at least put a little effort into it. ANYONE can do that.

So maybe have your drummer speak with him. Just a thought.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I’ve noticed venues that do this, either don’t stay in business over the long run or stop booking live music. Venues that do have live music and put some effort not consistently booking quality acts tend to do better in the long run.

Yes. The bars that do this are on their way out. I’ve seen it enough times.

 

[lfmn16]

No problem with newbs, but you gotta at least practice and rehearse before going out in public. And the OP isn't talking about 17 year olds on their first gig; he's talking about older guys who should know better and have a bit f pride.

Exactly.

I can't address every possible situation, but there is no excuse for not knowing the correct chords, the melody to the songs and the arrangements. ESPECIALLY, a band like this where these people have been playing for 20 or 30 years.

 

[LBS-bass]

I’m of the opinion that amateurs and beginners do need an outlet for improvement...that won’t happen sitting at home. Did you learn how to speak by yourself practicing in your room....or did you learn by being surrounded by “professional” native speakers? However, these groups shouldn’t pass themselves off as profession and/or low ball other acts either.

That used to be what open mic nights and jam nights were for.

 

[lfmn16]

So maybe have your drummer speak with him. Just a thought.

The drummer knows how bad it is. He just wants his $100 a night.

I'm just grousing here. I don't have a dog in the fight. I don't know the BL and it's really none of my business how he runs a band. I just hate when bands sound like that because it makes people not want to go see live music.

 

[lfmn16]

That used to be what open mic nights and jam nights were for.

Rehearsing has gotten a really bad name. If you can go out and put on a credible performance without rehearsing, more power to you. If you aren't ready, keep practicing until you are. Again, you shouldn't be playing out if you don't know the chords, the melodies and the arrangements. That in itself is setting the bar pretty low.

 

[FirewalZ]

That used to be what open mic nights and jam nights were for.

Yep, that’s a great way to hone your skills. These groups are getting gigs because a club is only willing to pay $200.

 

[bikeplate]

Awful. Likely making $40 a guy

 

[LBS-bass]

The drummer knows how bad it is. He just wants his $100 a night.

I'm just grousing here. I don't have a dog in the fight. I don't know the BL and it's really none of my business how he runs a band. I just hate when bands sound like that because it makes people not want to go see live music.

This really gets at a point I keep trying to make with one of my bands. There's one member who is averse to putting anything online that's not pro-quality recording. I'm talking about live video that's shot in a club with a cell phone. My contention is that, for anyone who isn't already familiar with our band, there's a very low bar that needs to be addressed and that bar is "they don't suck."

The sad truth is that, in this day and age, if you say to someone that you have a band, they're going to assume it's not quality, because there's so much of that out there. Convincing people that you don't suck is the first step toward getting people to actually come out and see you.

 

[mark roberts]

I’ve seen the same....very amateurish bands that seem to work steadily. But than again these are the same places that won’t pay an acceptable rate either. Often in these groups, there seems to be someone who is connected and for whatever reason can get gigs.

This.

 

[TheMaynorD]

I got asked to play an open mic night that ended up like this. Bunch of 40 somethings with a few younger guys like me. It was just painful and I felt bad to be associated with it. Never went to another.

 

[TheReceder]

I'll be the first to say that I hate hearing a garbage band, but I'm also the first to say that I'm glad they're out there.

They typically play at places I don't want to play, and when they play all the "tired and overplayed " stuff, I still like to see if they're getting a crowd reaction. The songs you mentioned were all overplayed back in the 70s. I've found that a few of those oldies are making a comeback. (One of my classic rock bands is doing stuff like alright now, cant get enough and the such and we're getting decent response.) I've actually debated bringing back the tune I'll only refer to as the F-word, only because I'd done so many times back in the day... but hey... maybe there's a reasons that there's always a redneck in the crowd that requests it.

If they play for drinks, nearly free, or whatever, the bar owner knows what they're getting. The crowd generally doesn't know what the band gets payed, so all they know is that one band sucks, and hopefully when they see us, we don't.

If there weren't sucky bands out there... then someone else has to move to the bottom of the totem pole. They become the new suck.

be happy...you got to see a band that was really good... at sucking. If anything it gave you reason to put up a TB post.

 

[LBS-bass]

I got asked to play an open mic night that ended up like this. Bunch of 40 somethings with a few younger guys like me. It was just painful and I felt bad to be associated with it. Never went to another.

If you're not ready for open mic night to be amateur hour then open mics are not for you

 

[Sixgunn]

Sad but true. The club owners don't understand that if they book good bands, the club can have a following.

I love it when the clubs/bars have a following. Those are the people I/we want to impress and recruit as a fan base. Friends and family won't come to every gig.