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Would you take this gig?

#102
Based on playlist, I'd very much want to play in that band. But not if I had to hang with people I don't care for or deal with something I didn't want to do.

If you just needed a break from the rat race, then you should check it out. If you stopped your public playing activities because you really don't want that anymore, it's an easy no.

I suspect you want to do this.
 
#103
First question I ask is……….”What’s it pay?”

I can play fun tunes all day long, alone in my studio. I’m not sure how many of us have the luxury of taking a gig just because the set list is …fun. Also, the cats you’re playing with…..they good? Do you enjoy their playing?

A set list is not a reason to take a gig. Heck, I’d play Jazz, Latin, ……anything with really good players. The Set list is not that important. And…I may be the exception, but…..I gotta get paid.

But a great set list with mediocre players….thats torture.
 
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#104
The set list is something, but it's far from the deciding factor for me. My "prime time" gigs are church gigs on Sunday morning, and I don't do well on short sleep, so any band that has regular Saturday night gigs I wouldn't consider. We'd have to have a conversation about that before going any further.
 
#105
tb-player said:
A while back I decided to give up gigging altogether... no more concerts, festivals, benefits or church gigs. I must admit, it's been a peaceful couple of months.

A few weeks ago, a drummer friend of mine stopped by my office and told me he wanted to put together a funk band. Apparently in his mind, I'm the only choice for bass. He asked if I was interested and I didn't commit to anything. I just told him to keep me in the loop.

Fast forward to this past weekend, and he's put together a pretty decent lineup of musicians. He also sent me the potential setlist. Granted, this list is a starting point, but you can see where he's going with it. Sound system is set. 1-2x per month gig starting in 2024, so nothing crazy.

Based on this list of tunes, would you take the gig?

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Yeah, I've TAKEN that gig multiple times. With reasonably DYNAMIC, LISTENING players, I'd take and enjoy it again.

Though Brickhouse? Could we not and say we did? I know, I know - it packs the dance floor; It's my own private Brown Eye'd Girl.
 
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#108
u84six said:
If all pro band, I’d definitely take that gig. There’s a bunch of tunes in there that seem fun to learn. Aside from current dance pop, 70s dance music would be my choice. What I’ve been declining lately is classic rock and blues rock. So sick of bands trying to make that work when you already know that it won’t
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I'm tired of bands that play blues, rock, ANYTHING without being at the level where they can put their own spin on something and make it fresh while generously applying dynamics and letting the music breathe. Everything else - I've heard it better before.

My main band does some classic rock, crossover and outlaw country, even blues, Nothing comes across like you'd expect in arrangement or instrumentation, and the drummer and I constantly hit the reset button during songs, giving the crowd a chance to take a breath and respond. It's a fun group with a decent following.

I hosted a jam last week with a wonderful special guest on guitar & vocals. We did a first set that went well - There was dynamics, song selection and execution were unique, and the special guest/front man was engaging and REAL.

Then the jammers were invited up, starting with a local blues/rock band. Lots of notes, no dynamics, more notes; I needed to reset my brain & ears, and these guys weren't helping; I grabbed a seat outside on the patio, where management came out to ask me to tell them to turn down twice.

It really wasn't their volume - It was more their PERCEIVED volume; They were bludgeoning the crowd with constant sound and people were starting to tab out.

I've seen the same thing with classic rock cover bands, hard rock, other blues/rock bands, even funk bands. Finding myself an unwilling sub with one? It's a concern; I'd prefer to know who's on the date if possible.
 
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#110
I’d have to know a lot more before I said yes. Where will the gigs be (local, travel, both)? What’s the minimum pay? Is this gonna require weeks/months of rehearsal before you gig? Who’s gonna be booking/doing the promotion/marketing?

Even if you like the set list, this could easily be a time and money drain before the first gig is even booked. Sorry to sound negative, but these are all the questions I’d be asking.
 
#115
friskinator said:
I’d have to know a lot more before I said yes. Where will the gigs be (local, travel, both)? What’s the minimum pay? Is this gonna require weeks/months of rehearsal before you gig? Who’s gonna be booking/doing the promotion/marketing?

Even if you like the set list, this could easily be a time and money drain before the first gig is even booked. Sorry to sound negative, but these are all the questions I’d be asking.
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Not negative at all. Those are all legit questions for any bAnd commitment.
 

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