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Thunderbird Club

#128,902
JIO said:
So true - here's the breakdown: (at least this is the current mode in SF) few clubs/venues (many closing at a record rate), many, many bands, and an attempt on the clubs benefit to bring in warm (drinking) bodies on an off-weekend night. One such establishment here (on a Wednesday night) books 5 bands starting at 7pm. Of course the 1st band never starts before 7:45, each following band goes late and the last band is pushed after midnight. (on a weeknight) Frankly SF is not New Orleans with music every night of the week. The other factor here is young techies who are not going to clubs. It feels like the end of an era. Your town/city will vary.

Oh, and one last detail about that club - no comped drinks for the bands. So think about it - each band can have as many as 5 members, each will buy an overpriced drink while there. 5x25 at $10 @ = $250 profit for the club. They have 5 bands both Friday and Sat night as well. 100% guaranteed profit (from the bands) adds up quickly.
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I generally do not drink when playing. Joke is on them!
 
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#128,905
Gaolee said:
I generally do not drink when playing. Joke is on them!
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Neither does our guitar player (no alcohol) but he'll buy a coke for himself and a scotch for his wife. Just was trying to point out their lack of cool dealing with enlisting bands to make their establishment attractive to paying clientele. Oh, and they charge a $10 cover also, of which we see none of... unless there are 50 people who state they are there to see your band while paying, and that is only a small percentage. Winters charges no cover.
 
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#128,906
Two Birds just layin around on a Thursday.

IMG_6545.jpg
 
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#128,910
JIO said:
Neither does our guitar player (no alcohol) but he'll buy a coke for himself and a scotch for his wife. Just was trying to point out their lack of cool dealing with enlisting bands to make their establishment attractive to paying clientele. Oh, and they charge a $10 cover also, of which we see none of... unless there are 50 people who state they are there to see your band while paying, and that is only a small percentage. Winters charges no cover.
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I may have been being a wiseass. One never knows. But, I think the whole situation with playing is BS. Any rational person would not waste his or her time to do this. We spend countless hours learning to play competently, then spend countless hours learning to play competently as a band in order to schlep equipment to some clown's establishment in order to provide entertainment to people who may or may not notice that we are not a juke box. Then we have the privilege of paying fuel costs to get there AND pay for a beer or a cola. I rationalize it by comparing the cost to motorcycle racing or the likelihood of career altering injury from rugby and figure it is ok after all. That is what I would be doing if I wasn't doing this. Prespective and rationalization provide plenty of motivation. Plus, who wants to watch tv in the evening anyway?
 
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#128,911
Gaolee said:
I may have been being a wiseass. One never knows. But, I think the whole situation with playing is BS. Any rational person would not waste his or her time to do this. We spend countless hours learning to play competently, then spend countless hours learning to play competently as a band in order to schlep equipment to some clown's establishment in order to provide entertainment to people who may or may not notice that we are not a juke box. Then we have the privilege of paying fuel costs to get there AND pay for a beer or a cola. I rationalize it by comparing the cost to motorcycle racing or the likelihood of career altering injury from rugby and figure it is ok after all. That is what I would be doing if I wasn't doing this. Prespective and rationalization provide plenty of motivation. Plus, who wants to watch tv in the evening anyway?
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Or 25+ years of (USCF/amateur) racing road bicycles. Good summery and I fully agree. I'm one of those who love utilizing the gift I have been given and engaging with those like me regardless of fame or fortune. One of the things that keeps me sane in an insane world. Putting up with the bs involved is week-end sport as long as you don't let it get to you.
 
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#128,912
Gaolee said:
I may have been being a wiseass. One never knows. But, I think the whole situation with playing is BS. Any rational person would not waste his or her time to do this. We spend countless hours learning to play competently, then spend countless hours learning to play competently as a band in order to schlep equipment to some clown's establishment in order to provide entertainment to people who may or may not notice that we are not a juke box. Then we have the privilege of paying fuel costs to get there AND pay for a beer or a cola. I rationalize it by comparing the cost to motorcycle racing or the likelihood of career altering injury from rugby and figure it is ok after all. That is what I would be doing if I wasn't doing this. Prespective and rationalization provide plenty of motivation. Plus, who wants to watch tv in the evening anyway?
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Then there are guys like me. Haven’t been in a band for years. And have zero time to do it with my current job working for the clampdown. I play to myself. My wife thinks I’m crazy. I probably am.
 
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#128,913
MCF said:
Then there are guys like me. Haven’t been in a band for years. And have zero time to do it with my current job working for the clampdown. I play to myself. My wife thinks I’m crazy. I probably am.
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I've had people think I'm crazy for most of my life, so it doesn't bother me at all. ;)
 
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#128,916
Gaolee said:
I may have been being a wiseass. One never knows. But, I think the whole situation with playing is BS. Any rational person would not waste his or her time to do this. We spend countless hours learning to play competently, then spend countless hours learning to play competently as a band in order to schlep equipment to some clown's establishment in order to provide entertainment to people who may or may not notice that we are not a juke box. Then we have the privilege of paying fuel costs to get there AND pay for a beer or a cola. I rationalize it by comparing the cost to motorcycle racing or the likelihood of career altering injury from rugby and figure it is ok after all. That is what I would be doing if I wasn't doing this. Prespective and rationalization provide plenty of motivation. Plus, who wants to watch tv in the evening anyway?
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And that's fine for you (and others of us, including me at this point) if you (and we) choose to approach it that way. But it's not fine for everyone, especially those wanting to make a living from music. I know some amazing musicians and bands who should be at least mostly making their living from music, but it's unlikely to happen in the former LMCotW.
OTOH, one of those musicians- my niece- married her Irish boyfriend and now lives in Ireland. You can far more easily make a living from music in the UK without being a Big Name. Her band from here went over for a 2-3 week tour earlier this year, and more recently just her lead guitar player went over for a tour with her. I'm pretty sure they at least broke even, and possibly even made some money.
 
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#128,917
JIO said:
tb just had a Chinese invasion! (see Basses BG)
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I had to translate it...

Buy a British fake diploma, buy a British fake diploma [WeChat 857767150] apply for a Lincoln fake diploma #Lincoln University fake diploma certificate" to do a Lincoln fake diploma, do a Lincoln fake diploma, make a British fake degree certificate

I'm in. Where do I sign up?

EDIT: I just added that user to my ignore list and it cleaned everything up as I'm sure the moderators are on it.
 
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#128,920
JIO said:
Neither does our guitar player (no alcohol) but he'll buy a coke for himself and a scotch for his wife. Just was trying to point out their lack of cool dealing with enlisting bands to make their establishment attractive to paying clientele. Oh, and they charge a $10 cover also, of which we see none of... unless there are 50 people who state they are there to see your band while paying, and that is only a small percentage. Winters charges no cover.
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The venue which just closed on us let you charge (and keep) as much as you want at the door. We were doing free admission with an invitation to punters to donate towards venue costs (sound tech + backline). Anything left over would have been split ... not that there would have been anything left over.

And yeah, I can bring in a few people. None of us drink. Sorry [bar owner dude/dudette] -- is that a problem for you?
 
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