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John Myung Bongo 4

Help me my brothers of the low end!

C

corrosiontrav

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Messages
92
Well, as many you have already my issues with getting bands going, I thought I would tell you of my newest dilema. (my friend and guitarist/singer of my power trio is now in a rehab institution)

I have been approached by a frined of mine that I often run into at open mics to play bass in his new project, an 80's type hair rock band. It would pay well, probably $300-$1000 a gig for my cut, some maybe more with the summer festivals they have here.


Here is my main dilema, I'm not a big cock rock fan, never was and never have been, and they want to do the real poppy stuff of that era.

My other alternative is I keep playing prog metal with my brother and his drummer and we continue to waste away in my basement.


__________________
 
Go out and play some, It'll do you good!
I think you cannot help but develop if you play music in a genre you really don't care for.

I play 70's disco, NOT exactly my favourite kind of music.

And hey, you don't have to give up prog metal; like our drummer plays in 5 or 6 bands in different genres.
 
I say give it a shot. If you go out there and play well, you might end up landing a gig that is more to your liking. You could be the sickest metal player out there, but if you are stuck in the basement,no one will know you're out there. Plus, it sounds like you'd be bringing in some decent money.

Good Luck
 
i was in a cover band that played many hair rock tunes. we didn't have to dress the part, fortunately, but the money was good and it was an opportunity to play around with my equipment regularly. go for it. worry about your principles later. :D

think about all the new gear you can pick up with the gig money- OH YEAH!!!
 
Try it out....you may like it. I don't like certain genres of music, but I am forced to play them....as it makes me a better player. Who knows, you may like it and it pays as well. That just means you can support your EB addiction all that much more! ;)
 
I played country music for several years. I'm not a fan of country music nor have I ever been a fan of country music. I played classical music on trumpet for years and I'm not big on that either.

What I listen to and what I play are not necessarily related. I play because I like to make music and make it sound as good as I possibly can. I listen to music for what makes me happy. The two don't have to be mutally inclusive or exclusive.

Go for it. Take the challenge and be the best you can at it. That's the fun of playing and performing.
 
I believe 'twas the jazz guitarist Charlie Christian who said something to the effect of "there are only three reasons I open my guitar case: to learn something, to have fun, or to make money."

When I was younger, any one of the three would have sufficed. As I grow older and find myself with more commitments outside of music, there needs to be at least two of the three qualities before I break my back loading the Ampeg in the car.

(That being said, $300+ is a sweet take).
 
Do it and get the bucks... cock rock is a resurgent fad which will probably (hopefully) die off soon.. and everyone will look to get back to prog anyway.....
 
Is this the band who were looking for a bassist on the BABP forum, where they implied that hair length was more important than playing ability?
 
Never play in a band you won't give your all. If you believe you can do it go play it. We all play music we don't care for at one time or another.

Playing with family can go places if you want. No need to stay in the basement if you are good go hustle some gigs.

It is okay IMHO to play music you don't prefer but it is never okay to go against your grain.

One song my family band wanted to play I refused. I told them play it but if you play it. I will go get a beer. It would only suffer if I did play it as I hate that song with all my heart. They play it I attempt now after a discussion but I still can't play the bass line well and it is so simple I could tell you how to play it. Be true always unto yourself. Be loyal unto those you play with and you will be a part of a tight band.

I know my limits and tolerance and if the band that would like you to try out for them is within limits of what you are willing to play you will be getting an education. If they are not you will be miserable.

I am sorry I don't know any other advice to give you.

I offer you what I have learned for myself in advice only. YMMV

tk
 
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Give it a shot and see how you like it, you may be surprised!

I know that ordinarily I don't enjoy playing blues, but my old band played blues tunes often. When the rest of the band decided to go puss a la RHCP "californication" for every song, I bailed.

Play while you have fun, leave when it stops being fun. If it ain't fun to begin with, don't dangle in the bear trap (can I say bear trap on here?)
 
tkarter said:
What I was trying to say in a nutshell. Thank you Mr. DuBaldo.

tk
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no prob. Lately I've had a few helpful/worthwhile posts. Evidently my talent of spewing meaningless gibberish is waning :o

EDIT: Please call me Pete, I'm more than just a few years younger than you!
 
Jeez, I play lots of stuff in my band that I wouldn't normally listen to at home and I don't make that kind of money.

When in doubt, play.

Playing is better than not playing, and you never know what you may learn from it.

(Even if all you learn is not to do that again.)

Jack
 
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