Who here misses touring?

[jnewmark]

I did it for a few years in a station wagon hauling a u-haul, playing mostly from Ohio down to Georgia and back in bars and staying at cheap motels and living on fast food. Got to open for some famous bands, but the lifestyle is for the young and I got tired of it pretty quick. Don't really miss it at all.

 

[steveksux]

Its a lot of fun when you're young, and you'll get a lot of great stories to tell. You might miss it, and you might never want to do it again.... all at the same time.

Not such a good idea when you're older and settled, good day job.

Randy

 

[pbass64]

Yes I toured with an awesome three piece rockandroll band back in the early 80s. Made 300 dollars a week and had my meals paid for, Our band leader made that deal from the start.Played places from Deep River Ontario to Medicine Hat Alberta. Had a blast!! Was the best time of my life. Still try to get out of town to play the odd weekend now and then. But now it"s easier to play locally. Not many bars left to play in anymore!

 

[SAlcott]

Wouldn't mind a bit here and there, but it's a tough way to make a living. Darkly humorous tour tale: I was with a fairly well-known act traveling in a large van. One of the musicians had a short fling with one of the bg singers, lasting about a week in the middle of a six week tour. They were so nauseating we made them sit together for the rest of the tour after they broke up. Infantile, yes; funny? Very.

 

[rcarraher]

Just wondering if this is a passing phase for me or if I'm really screwed.

Who here has toured? I'm talkin all out go for it live in a van touring, and misses it? Did you get over it? What prompted you to stop?

I've never played a stadium or anything close to it, basements and seedy bars is about the extent of my fame. I've never played with anyone famous. But by God I'd give anything to be doing it again.

I miss it right up until the wife asks me to move my SVt and 8X10 cab away from the wall so she can vacuum.

 

[Joe.shaffer]

I miss it right up until the wife asks me to move my SVt and 8X10 cab away from the wall so she can vacuum.

Haha, I'm starting to feel you on that. My cabs seem heavier every time I pick them up lately.

 

[bpm2000]

been touring for 20 years now.
toured 27 countries so far....
being home too long freaks me out. can't do it.
ended a 2 year run in november, decided to try to stick around and run a studio and record/write for the rest of the year.
had a restless day few weeks ago and grabbed a tour as foh for a band called school of seven bells, leaving tuesday.
can't wait, it's a short one but we will circle the us in just 2 weeks.
trying to get on a run with my own band this fall....

ha i just listened to "half asleep" before clicking this thread.

 

[Red Rover]

I only got to tour for 3 weeks but I absolutely loved it even after our car wreck day 3 into the tour. I'd love to do it again for even longer but now that real life is starting to settle in it seems harder to get out there.

 

[ryco]

I liked touring more in T-40 bands where you were in one place for a week or two, with a meal allowance and nice beds more than the original band tours where you slept in a car, or a bus, or someone's lumpy couch and mostly ate bar food or fast food.

BUT I liked playing the originals way mo' better!!

Liked touring tho! New friends, adventures and new sights to see!

 

[AndyU]

I did a six-week tour and a four-week tour, and I miss it everyday. I left the band when I got married, and haven't even played a gig (church service doesn't count, in my mind) in seven years. It kills me, and if it wasn't for the family-I have two kids now-I'd be out there again. I most likely will never do it again, unless I can somehow pay my bills and take the family along. My advice: if you get a chance, take it. Even if you are playing at crappy bars for little or no pay and living in an old van, sleeping in rest stops, it's an experience you'll never forget.

 

[GRISSLEHEAD]

I toured from 77' to 83' , I miss the goodtimes & fun of being in a different town/city each week , I miss meeting the headliners we opened up for and partying with them in their lavish tour bus's, I miss the the playing regularly night after night after night.I dont miss living out of a suitcase , I don't miss being harassed/arrested by police for mistaken idenity of being a band of criminals on the run from the law(long story)
I missed the first 5 years of my sons life........that I missed the most and for that reason I'm glad I stopped touring.
But............Oh what fun we had !!!!!

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Ahh, Minneapolis last night, driving to Washington to do Sasquatch festival now. I just have to comment that I don't understand eating crap on the road these days. Way too many healthy options, whole foods and grocery stores everywhere, bring a couple hot plates and you can eat gourmet cheaper than fast food. Just gotta be smart about it.

 

[Darko74]

I play bass! Someone wanna offer me a tour?!

 

[Lalo]

I miss touring, i would doit again no matter what, its all about living life.....