We're very slow in what should be the season. We have one this Saturday and 3 more in November. One of our guitarists will be bringing his PA this time.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
We're slow here too. Clubs are awful here with booking, it's not like the 80s when clubs had a regular clientele and they advertised their entertainment lineup. Now they're just lazy and want you to bring people.
It's like they don't want to succeed.
Fortunately I don't play music for that reason- but it sucks that they work not only against themselves, but against you.
I think most of this is age related. My daughter (college freshman) is going to shows put on and attended by younger people and they are very well attended.
There is a very healthy "scene" its just not where I am, at age 57.
I played a show this past Saturday at a cool, independent record store in Philadelphia. We were one of three bands that played. The second of the three bands were in there early 20's, really good and the only band that really drew any people and not surprisingly, those folks were younger.
The reality is that I keep playing original music because I like to and have very little expectation of any kind of "return" on my investment of time and effort.
FWIW, I know a drummer who recently left his original project to focus solely on the tribute bands he plays with. Those bands (REM & Hole cover bands) draw the folks my age who seem to only want to re-live the days gone by, have a drink or two, catch-up with old friends, listen to music they know and be home by 10:30.
Nothing wrong with that but I can't expect those folks to show up at my thing when it meets none of their requirements for for going out.
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So much of this. Were the younger bands playing originals? I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but the overwhelming trend in trying to find bands here is that younger people mostly want to do originals, and one of the first things they ask is how old you are. Older people mostly just want to do covers. Whatever makes you happy, but I'm mostly interested in doing originals. I'm really fortunate to have found the band I'm in. At 52, I'm the youngest in the band.
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My age was a killer when i moved back to NY in 2007.
And that was 17 years ago.
Hoping for better chances in Germany, they’re not so hung up on age there.
Yup, all originals.
I have also noticed that many of the younger folks I have seen playing live are really good musicians. It seems that there has been an evolution in learning (youtube/school of rock and an acceptance from parents the music is a good thing perhaps?) vs. the folks I remember playing in my 20's.
Back then my recollection was that there were a handful of really good people (went to school for it or had some formal training) and everyone else.
When I see younger folks playing live like I have, they seem really proficient and capable.
Ok I'm nobody's guru, but...
Let go of it... You don't know where you're going sometimes. What was apparently a screw up might just be your path. Good things happen by accident, leave a door open somewhere for hopefulness.
It's hard to go through, yes, but don't stay down. We're with you Mike, in the way we're able.
All well said. I still think I'm 30 sometimes. There was a time I didn't expect to make it to 30.
This adds up, and requires adjusting to. But I play for similar reasons as you, and to know it goes out is enough to get me to nod my head, be satisfied, and pack my gear.
I've done my part.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Say it ain't so, Mike! This is awful news.Just a little 'heads up'. There is a 1967 Gibson TB IV NR likely to be for sale in the near future.
No idea of its value at this time.
Not that such a bird would be in my budget, but if it were, I would buy it and let Mike keep it until he retires from playing. Not like it would be losing value.
Hey Mike, screwing up is a function of our age (I'm also in my 70s). I'm now making mistakes I never made in my first 60-65 years. Especially when I'm in a hurry. As a result I sold my Harley in 2018, had been riding them since 1972. 2 years ago I totaled my side by side (my fault), but got a new one. This year I blew the turbo in my Dodge Cummins of 22 years. Stuff happens, Don't get down on yourself, don't get in a hurry, and hopefully don't sell your Thunderbird. Hang in there!
Yeah. My thought too. No way to be able to afford doing that at this point though.
Exactly. I'm very much broke at this point so I didn't go there... I could next April...
That bird is $9-10k per Reverb.
At least. It depends on the quality of the neck repair. And what may be an issue with the “superfluous”pickup.
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- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Seattle and western Washington is pretty good in terms of venues to play at, originals tend to be more popular at smaller places in the city, you won't make any money to speak of and you'll likely be on a bill with 2-3 other bands - But, you'll get to play. Once you're outside of Seattle, tribute bands are the popular thing, most of them will play a 90 minute set and that'll be the night's work - you'll make money doing this. Good cover bands play the casinos as well, usually just on certain nights, again the pay is good. We don't play all that much, I think we did about 12 shows this year, which, for me is plenty, I have so many other things going on that take up my time, some of which are actually more meaningful to me that this is about all I'm good for at this point.
The face I make when my undies are in a bunch.................
The face I make when my undies are in a bunch.................
Is this a TMI thing?Seattle and western Washington is pretty good in terms of venues to play at, originals tend to be more popular at smaller places in the city, you won't make any money to speak of and you'll likely be on a bill with 2-3 other bands - But, you'll get to play. Once you're outside of Seattle, tribute bands are the popular thing, most of them will play a 90 minute set and that'll be the night's work - you'll make money doing this. Good cover bands play the casinos as well, usually just on certain nights, again the pay is good. We don't play all that much, I think we did about 12 shows this year, which, for me is plenty, I have so many other things going on that take up my time, some of which are actually more meaningful to me that this is about all I'm good for at this point.
The face I make when my undies are in a bunch.................
Seattle and western Washington is pretty good in terms of venues to play at, originals tend to be more popular at smaller places in the city, you won't make any money to speak of and you'll likely be on a bill with 2-3 other bands - But, you'll get to play. Once you're outside of Seattle, tribute bands are the popular thing, most of them will play a 90 minute set and that'll be the night's work - you'll make money doing this. Good cover bands play the casinos as well, usually just on certain nights, again the pay is good. We don't play all that much, I think we did about 12 shows this year, which, for me is plenty, I have so many other things going on that take up my time, some of which are actually more meaningful to me that this is about all I'm good for at this point.
The face I make when my undies are in a bunch.................
