Another Nite

[IKnowALittle]

So, I'm in a bit of a funk. Our band disbanded last week. We're all in our mid to late forties and life just got in the way. Playin' in a band that got as much work as we did was fabulous but very time consuming and not very family friendly. It was all very amicable and we're still all friends, hopefully we can get back together in a few months with a reduced schedule. I don't have any of those problems so I quess I will just soldier on. Was thinking of a solo acoustic thing, but likely not enough work for that.

I've been drinkin' waaaaay more than I usually do the past week, but it's ok, tonite will be the last nite for that. Was going to regale with some interesting observations and exploits, but decided against it since I'm sure no one gives a rat's ass. but, I have a talent for getting into edgy situations (some good, some bad), that are interesting to say the least.
Anywho, won't post any more of this nonsense, just venting a little.

 

[László]

It sucks not to get to do the stuff you love doing.

 

[aristotle]

Yeah.... I'm in the same age bracket, and similar thing happened with the band I gig with. It wasn't the schedules or the family stuff in our case (we gigged once a month, which was perfect, and everybody's wife / girlfriend was into it and thought the whole thing fun....but there was some spinal-tap-esque shenanigans that caused the whole thing to tumble.) Took about 6 months, but formed something new, and about to play out for the first time next week. We'll see how it goes, but I do miss the original chemistry. In my case, I hadn't gigged (or even picked up the guitar) for a couple of decades, and when I got back into it, it was really neat. Seems more like work at the moment though.

In any case, I have the instruments and equipment (if not the knowledge) to set up a decent recording capability, so I figure if gigging (which was always about the fun of it, and not the money) dies out, I'll try to set up a labor of love studio and try my hand at composing, or at least have a place for locals to come and record.

 

[gush]

The band im in now has about run it's course. It has become obvious there is too much to overcome and I'm on the verge of quitting. It's getting on my nerves.

I'm going to be 50 this year and I've been in 11 different bands. Is what I want not in the cards for me???

 

[Huggy Love]

Aristotle has a really good suggestion, If you're skilled enough to cover songs and play gigs, why not create your own art by composing and recording. If you put together enough material you can do some gigs and *THEN* it will be purely for the love of your art.
Either way cover band or original songwriting, best of luck in finding a way to keep active in what we love.

 

[aristotle]

The band im in now has about run it's course. It has become obvious there is too much to overcome and I'm on the verge of quitting. It's getting on my nerves.

I'm going to be 50 this year and I've been in 11 different bands. Is what I want not in the cards for me???

Depends on what you want I guess. For me, what I want relative to gigging is a short list of local clubs where people know us and come out, and a group of guys I like playing with and hanging out with. I want the material to be tight, and I want to put on good shows that people want to come out and see. Musicianship doesn't have to be pro-level for me (which is a good thing) but it does need to be a professional end product, and we need to be able to put butts in seats to make it worthwhile for the club owners and for ourselves. Vocals need to be top notch though. I don't much care what the material is so long as people dig it.

You might want large clubs and to make a living at it though. For me, at my age, talent level and lifestyle, that'd be a non-starter. I think it's also highly dependent on where you live. Where I am (Baltimore / DC suburbs) it's easy pickin's relative to the local circuit. I'm a native, and just from folks we know and grew up with, we have a natural following. I've been in Nashville recently, and we'd struggle to play for free in a pizza parlor there.

And Huggy is right. There are always opportunities of you really dig what you're doing. Just maybe not exactly in the way that you originally envisioned.....

 

[gush]

Depends on what you want I guess. For me, what I want relative to gigging is a short list of local clubs where people know us and come out, and a group of guys I like playing with and hanging out with. I want the material to be tight, and I want to put on good shows that people want to come out and see. Musicianship doesn't have to be pro-level for me (which is a good thing) but it does need to be a professional end product, and we need to be able to put butts in seats to make it worthwhile for the club owners and for ourselves. Vocals need to be top notch though. I don't much care what the material is so long as people dig it.

You might want large clubs and to make a living at it though. For me, at my age, talent level and lifestyle, that'd be a non-starter. I think it's also highly dependent on where you live. Where I am (Baltimore / DC suburbs) it's easy pickin's relative to the local circuit. I'm a native, and just from folks we know and grew up with, we have a natural following. I've been in Nashville recently, and we'd struggle to play for free in a pizza parlor there.

And Huggy is right. There are always opportunities of you really dig what you're doing. Just maybe not exactly in the way that you originally envisioned.....

Here are the things that frustrate me in my current group. The drummer we have has been playing for a long time but I can't gel with him. He is not fluid and stumbles out of the blue during songs constantly. Our bass player has been playing for a very long time and is fairly solid but when we do drop D songs he insists on retuning the bass to full D instead of dropping the low string which takes too long and allows everybody to sit down. His vocals stink.

Our singer was sick last night so our bass player brought a singer to help and he brought his guitar. I didn't say much because his guitar wasn't needed but his vocals were. His singing was great but he played garbage over my work. This would imply that I'm some kind of guitar god which I'm NOT. I just go to great lengths to make sure my guitar parts sound good and fit well. I roll my volume back a bit to create dynamics in key areas only to hear full tilt from the other side of the stage. What's the point?

The drummer they had when I joined was really good and we were starting to make progress but he had to leave and it's been a struggle ever since. Now our singer may have to leave too so I'm waiting to see how it pans out.

I'm ranting but I really desire a good tight band with people that pay attention to detail. My last band had really good tight vocals and I miss that so much. I'm 50 and I'm running out of time !!!!!

 

[Blues Trucker]

Here are the things that frustrate me in my current group. The drummer we have has been playing for a long time but I can't gel with him. He is not fluid and stumbles out of the blue during songs constantly. Our bass player has been playing for a very long time and is fairly solid but when we do drop D songs he insists on retuning the bass to full D instead of dropping the low string which takes too long and allows everybody to sit down. His vocals stink.

Our singer was sick last night so our bass player brought a singer to help and he brought his guitar. I didn't say much because his guitar wasn't needed but his vocals were. His singing was great but he played garbage over my work. This would imply that I'm some kind of guitar god which I'm NOT. I just go to great lengths to make sure my guitar parts sound good and fit well. I roll my volume back a bit to create dynamics in key areas only to hear full tilt from the other side of the stage. What's the point?

The drummer they had when I joined was really good and we were starting to make progress but he had to leave and it's been a struggle ever since. Now our singer may have to leave too so I'm waiting to see how it pans out.

I'm ranting but I really desire a good tight band with people that pay attention to detail. My last band had really good tight vocals and I miss that so much. I'm 50 and I'm running out of time !!!!!

At least you've been doing it Bro. I to am 50(well just about) and haven't even had a chance yet.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I've been drinkin' waaaaay more than I usually do the past week,

we could probably get along well.

 

[László]

I'm 50 and I'm running out of time !!!!!

Wait, there's a time limit?

I wish someone had told me about the %^#^& time limit before I left my law practice at 40 to get into the music business!

Hey, I'm in my 60s and I just wrote and recorded (and played guitar on) a whole bunch of TV ads and international auto show work. Rocked out. And I am no damned genius at music! If I can be working in music at my age, you who are considerably younger haven't got an excuse for not doing what you want to do. Not buying it.

So enough of this "running out of time" stuff. You're as old as you are, and there's nothing you can do about that. You'd be as old as you are no matter what you did, or what you wanted to do.

But you aren't dead yet.

Too old? Brother, that's a bunch of made-up excuses for not doing what you need to do.

Do you see Paul R. Smith resting on his laurels and coasting along? Or do you see someone getting out there and hustling his product like he was 25 years old?? And working to constantly revitalize it? And getting his rear end up on stages to play?

That is what successful people do. They take action. Seize the day.

There is simply no acceptable excuse to prevent you from finding people you actually want to play with. They're out there. Find them and get frickin' going! :top:

 

[gush]

Wait, there's a time limit?

I wish someone had told me about the %^#^& time limit before I left my law practice at 40 to get into the music business!

Hey, I'm in my 60s and I just wrote and recorded (and played guitar on) a whole bunch of TV ads and international auto show work. Rocked out. And I am no damned genius at music! If I can be working in music at my age, you who are considerably younger haven't got an excuse for not doing what you want to do. Not buying it.

So enough of this "running out of time" stuff. You're as old as you are, and there's nothing you can do about that. You'd be as old as you are no matter what you did, or what you wanted to do.

But you aren't dead yet.

Too old? Brother, that's a bunch of made-up excuses for not doing what you need to do.

Do you see Paul R. Smith resting on his laurels and coasting along? Or do you see someone getting out there and hustling his product like he was 25 years old?? And working to constantly revitalize it? And getting his rear end up on stages to play?

That is what successful people do. They take action. Seize the day.

There is simply no acceptable excuse to prevent you from finding people you actually want to play with. They're out there. Find them and get frickin' going! :top:

Yeah Les I hear you. I was just venting. What i want is to play live but as you should know as a person gets older amps and speaker cabs get heavier and it gets more difficult to stay up till AM hours and drive home. On top of that, I still have an 11 year old at home and he is more important to me than the band thing. There needs to be a balance. I know i will always play and when my son leaves the house there will be more time to devote to playing BUT i will be closer to 60 when that happens. Will I be able to pull it off?????
Can't answer that. When you think about all the things I've posted on this subject you can begin to understand why that one guy we all know who is ridiculously good just doesn't play out anymore.

I could play any guitar i want but I choose PRS because i want the best I can afford. I could just play with the guys I'm with now and deal with it but I really want to be better than that. I want a group I can be proud of.

 

[tabl10s]

This is why I don't join bands or watch team sports(too many variables).

 

[László]

I could just play with the guys I'm with now and deal with it but I really want to be better than that. I want a group I can be proud of.

Well the thing about your family needs is certainly valid, but it's not stopping you from playing with your current band, so why would better players stop you from playing? In fact, from experience I can tell you it'll be easier, more fun, involves less rehearsal time, and is less of a hassle. And it doesn't take forever to make new contacts, it's something you can do in your spare time.

Since I'm in my mid 60s, and have the usual health and back issues, I will also mention that you don't suddenly become an invalid at 60. I still move gear around, but I've switched to pine cabs instead of birch plywood. They're lighter. I can handle a 2x12 by myself, including stairs, no problem. I also think they sound better, but the point is that you make adjustments. You make more trips to the car. You use hand carts more. Maybe you find lighter gear for the gig. You let younger members of the band carry more stuff. There are great mini amps out there now that sound just fine.

I played SXSW at 53 with a band that was in their twenties. They asked me, I wasn't dead, and I wasn't going to play dead. If I can do it, you can do it.

Now, I fully understand why folks stop playing out. I have been one of those guys myself at times (like now). But for me the fun is more about studio work than playing out. For you, it's performing. I don't see why you'd want to give that up voluntarily. In fact, I've been thinking of doing it again myself.

Les

 

[László]

This is why I don't join bands or watch team sports(too many variables).

You may be missing out on a lot of fun either way.

 

[gush]

Well the thing about your family needs is certainly valid, but it's not stopping you from playing with your current band, so why would better players stop you from playing? In fact, from experience I can tell you it'll be easier, more fun, involves less rehearsal time, and is less of a hassle. And it doesn't take forever to make new contacts, it's something you can do in your spare time.

Since I'm in my mid 60s, and have the usual health and back issues, I will also mention that you don't suddenly become an invalid at 60. I still move gear around, but I've switched to pine cabs instead of birch plywood. They're lighter. I can handle a 2x12 by myself, including stairs, no problem. I also think they sound better, but the point is that you make adjustments. You make more trips to the car. You use hand carts more. Maybe you find lighter gear for the gig. You let younger members of the band carry more stuff. There are great mini amps out there now that sound just fine.

I played SXSW at 53 with a band that was in their twenties. They asked me, I wasn't dead, and I wasn't going to play dead. If I can do it, you can do it.

Now, I fully understand why folks stop playing out. I have been one of those guys myself at times (like now). But for me the fun is more about studio work than playing out. For you, it's performing. I don't see why you'd want to give that up voluntarily. In fact, I've been thinking of doing it again myself.

Les

Maybe I simply don't explain myself very well. I won't quit playing out. I was just venting. Having better players would help a lot. I can see agreeing on new song choices, working on them at home and showing up at a gig ready to play them. Should work.

I don't want anybody thinking i'm standing in a puddle of my own tears. Again I was just venting my frustrations. I am a relentless beast and will march on. When I'm dead they won't have to rely on machines to tell, put a guitar in my hands and if I don't move then yup, he is surely dead.

 

[Pinch]

Maybe I simply don't explain myself very well. I won't quit playing out. I was just venting. Having better players would help a lot. I can see agreeing on new song choices, working on them at home and showing up at a gig ready to play them. Should work.

I don't want anybody thinking i'm standing in a puddle of my own tears. Again I was just venting my frustrations. I am a relentless beast and will march on.

I get what you are trying to say Gush. I am turning 42 soon and have been in and out a few bands. Above all I want to enjoy playing out. The thing that takes away my enjoyment fastest is when I have to start managing the band and gigs like a job. If I have to manage difficult relationships, lack of discipline or people's neurosis then I will rather spend an evening with my wife watching a movie. Fortunately I am in a band now with like-minded guys. We gig once or twice a month, play originals and covers, and no one wants to be a rock star. Above all, it is uncomplicated...

 

[gush]

I get what you are trying to say Gush. I am turning 42 soon and have been in and out a few bands. Above all I want to enjoy playing out. The thing that takes away my enjoyment fastest is when I have to start managing the band and gigs like a job. If I have to manage difficult relationships, lack of discipline or people's neurosis then I will rather spend an evening with my wife watching a movie. Fortunately I am in a band now with like-minded guys. We gig once or twice a month, play originals and covers, and no one wants to be a rock star. Above all, it is uncomplicated...[/QUOlTE]

I should have explained it this way!

 

[tabl10s]

Well the thing about your family needs is certainly valid, but it's not stopping you from playing with your current band, so why would better players stop you from playing? In fact, from experience I can tell you it'll be easier, more fun, involves less rehearsal time, and is less of a hassle. And it doesn't take forever to make new contacts, it's something you can do in your spare time.

Since I'm in my mid 60s, and have the usual health and back issues, I will also mention that you don't suddenly become an invalid at 60. I still move gear around, but I've switched to pine cabs instead of birch plywood. They're lighter. I can handle a 2x12 by myself, including stairs, no problem. I also think they sound better, but the point is that you make adjustments. You make more trips to the car. You use hand carts more. Maybe you find lighter gear for the gig. You let younger members of the band carry more stuff. There are great mini amps out there now that sound just fine.

I played SXSW at 53 with a band that was in their twenties. They asked me, I wasn't dead, and I wasn't going to play dead. If I can do it, you can do it.

Now, I fully understand why folks stop playing out. I have been one of those guys myself at times (like now). But for me the fun is more about studio work than playing out. For you, it's performing. I don't see why you'd want to give that up voluntarily. In fact, I've been thinking of doing it again myself.

Les

I bought my Boogie MKIIC the day I made Sergeant on 1Oct 1983. I was 21 and full of ... 75lbs of amp was no problem. Ii got the amp upgraded to "+" status last year and drove to the factory. The amp will never leave the house again!

 

[László]

I bought my Boogie MKIIC the day I made Sergeant on 1Oct 1983. I was 21 and full of ... 75lbs of amp was no problem. Ii got the amp upgraded to "+" status last year and drove to the factory. The amp will never leave the house again!

Well, the good news is that they make some really good light, small amps now! :top: