#1958012 - 06/15/08 11:35 AM
HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
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mondoray
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Registered: 04/09/06
Posts: 149
Loc: london uk
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Howdy ! Hope this post is not too long for you.
We record demo cd, we practice weekly. We distribute cds to
pubs around our region. Nothing happens.We play one gig then nothing happens for a couple of months!
We try too many new songs to practice at once,then one or two members get disillusioned. Guitarist all of a sudden is busy or thinks" we're not ready yet".
Just as we have a couple of possibles, disaster strikes!Drummer quits band
to tour with Tailands answer to Bruce Springsteen for 6-9 months.
We have 2 gigs (1 in late june/1 early july) then that's it!
As most bass players, I am the calm funny guy who believes gigs will happen,
( calm down everyone!)
Anyway, I think I will take it easy for a few weeks/months.
The singer who's my friend wants me to carry on, he lives in Watford
and I live in Twickenham. All of them drive-I do not!
We think the guitarist(they are awkward most of the time aren't they?)
is 'bottling it'. Putting obstacles in the way.
I have too many basses to stop doing anything. I will probably learn Logic
and record some ideas. When mr. drums comes back I will see if he wants to do something.I play in a loud rock covers band' ripped'.
I was thinking of joining a guitarist/voalist on his/her own and join a 2 piece
band in desperation, but that seems like hard work.
One other thing: most venues around the greater london seem to either be really fully booked. Or 2 piece bands only , because of the licensing laws.
Thanks for looking.
Your comments please
_________________________
1977fender telecaster bass . Washburn status, ch guitar 8 string , schecter elite diamond series 5 string. Steinberger xm2 custom.the list goes on..
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#1958043 - 06/15/08 01:13 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: mondoray]
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Bottom End
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Registered: 05/27/08
Posts: 195
Loc: VA
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Tough luck about the band.
I played in a 2 piece with a guitarist who could sing. It was a lot of fun. While it was challengin, and I did miss having a drummer on a few, I wouldn't say it was any harder than being in a three or four piece. You might also look for a keyboard and bass trio. At least it keeps you playing, and meeting other people, which is better than sitting in your room.
_________________________
Guitar solos only last about 30 seconds, the bass line goes on for the whole song.
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#1958046 - 06/15/08 01:19 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: mondoray]
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Phil W
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/07/05
Posts: 9245
Loc: London, England
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The licensing laws don't work like that any more. There's no more 2 in a bar restriction in England. It's either a band (1-100 members) or none. Either the place is licensed for music or it isn't.
The reason you still get a lot of solo and duo acts is financial. The money goes further between less people. The covers band I worked with (4 piece) did a lot of duo gigs under the old system (guitar and keyboards bothe singing with backing tracks.
The guitarist hated that system and now we do the old duo circuit with a 3 piece of guitar and bass both singing and drums. Obviously the pay is a little less than a duo but the gigs are more fun.
There seem to be a lot less gigs in greater London this year due to the finacial situation. We still get most of our gigs through agents however so it might just be a case of getting hooked up with the right ones.
If you want to form a duo/trio with vocals someone will need to own a PA.
I don't drive either. That wouldn't be a problem for a freelancer/band member or for a small instrumental dup but as soon as you start humping PAs around, somebody would need to drive.
Hope this is useful,
Phil
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#1958068 - 06/15/08 02:24 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: mondoray]
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TimR
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Registered: 02/26/06
Posts: 1922
Loc: Hertfordshire (next to London)...
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...
We distribute cds to pubs around our region. Nothing happens
....
How are you distributing them? You'll need to call the pub and ask to speak to the manager, and find out when they are likely to be around so that you can drop in for a chat. Take your band diary with you and your CD and get a date there and then. Very few will you call back, or will call you if you just stick a CD in the post. If they are not booking for three months, ask when you should cantact them to discuss dates for the Autumn. Also ask them to call you in the mean time if they get a shot notice cancellation.
Phil is correct on the 2 peice thing, although some pubs will not book bands with drums due to problems with neighbours.
Try http://www.lemonrock.com/venues.php there's a drop down list where you can select a location near you. It might help you find suitable venues
_________________________
Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Check us out here: REVIVAL
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#1958075 - 06/15/08 02:39 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: TimR]
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mondoray
Senior Member
Registered: 04/09/06
Posts: 149
Loc: london uk
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Thanks guys, my band ripped are on lemonrock.
I'm not too bothered about the cash side of things, I like the fun side of it.
The rest of the band wre talking about promoters etc. but we are in our 30/40/
and drummers case 50's. and we are not bjorn again. bootleg beatles etc.
We have crap day jobs.
I understand that we must be persistent in our approach to hunting gigs.
I love headless basses for travelling, but the singer was trying for gigs
almost in the outer hebridies. I didn't mind that , but the guitarist was saying
certain gigs were 'too far' and he drives!
I was thinking about trying to join a band that does corporate gigs.
Or wait till mr. drums returns next spring.
_________________________
1977fender telecaster bass . Washburn status, ch guitar 8 string , schecter elite diamond series 5 string. Steinberger xm2 custom.the list goes on..
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#1958076 - 06/15/08 02:42 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: mondoray]
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Phil W
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Registered: 04/07/05
Posts: 9245
Loc: London, England
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I've been trying to join bands doing corporate gigs for a decade with limited success. Worth trying though.
I don't think the age thing makes any difference with pub gigs.
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#1958403 - 06/16/08 10:07 AM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Phil W]
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mondoray
Senior Member
Registered: 04/09/06
Posts: 149
Loc: london uk
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Thanks all. It seems a break from the band is the best thing.
Maybe after the 2 gigs , I'll let the dust settle and have a think.
_________________________
1977fender telecaster bass . Washburn status, ch guitar 8 string , schecter elite diamond series 5 string. Steinberger xm2 custom.the list goes on..
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#1958454 - 06/16/08 11:37 AM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: mondoray]
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RicBassGuy
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Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 3762
Loc: Metro Detroit, MI
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You're still in one band named Ripped but your side project band just broke up?
Why don't you try to get more gigs with Ripped? Try an agent as Phil suggests.
If you still have too much free time consider spending that time making yourself more marketable as a musician.
As you say things have been trending towards smaller ensembles. (Duos, especially, around here.) While a solo singer/guitarist might not mind sharing the night with a partner, he or she would probably be more favorable towards a partner that offers more than just bass.
Do you sing lead vocals? How about enough to cover half of a four hour show? You could work on that if need be. I think a lot of musicians would rather share lead vocal duty than have to sing all night themselves. Perhaps you could take voice lessons.
And why not consider a solo gig yourself? Solo bass is just as legitimate as solo guitar or solo piano. Spend some time working out arrangements and working up your chops.
Writing your own songs is another good idea. Don't just record "ideas", though; make the effort to write complete songs with both lyrics and melodies. (That way they are yours and you can take them with you if/when the band you are with implodes.) Even better if they can be performed as solo pieces by yourself. Perhaps you could join a songwriters guild.
Try increasing your network. Go participate in some open jams/mikes. Go to the clubs and talk with the working bands.
Sign up for a music class at your local community college. Perhaps one in recording technology, as you seem interested in that subject. Take advantage of the opportunity to network with instructors, classmates, the music department, etc.
Advancing in any of these directions should "raise your stock" as a musician, at least in terms of being more active and playing out more. The more self-reliant you become the less you have to depend on fragile, fleeting bands.
And just be glad you're not a drummer. 
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#1958480 - 06/16/08 12:27 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: RicBassGuy]
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mattulator
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Registered: 07/27/04
Posts: 2145
Loc: Fishbum, USA
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Try increasing your network. Go participate in some open jams/mikes. Go to the clubs and talk with the working bands.
Exactly!!
Play at every benefit and open mic you possibly can.
Gather local bands and create a benefit if you have to - there is always something worthwhile.
Talk to all the local bartenders and tip them well.
You need people to know the name and once they do, make sure they don't forget it.
_________________________
Standing in a river, waving a stick. Quantum Soup
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#1958710 - 06/17/08 01:05 AM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: mattulator]
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Davo-London
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Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 1949
Loc: London, England
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"And just be glad you're not a drummer."
Hey Ricbass, I'm deeply offended by that.
I'm a bassplayer morphing into a drummer and that means that I have to stop nodding my head and wear a silly grin instead. I'm also developing a slight madness, which is helping my play no end.
Mondoray: "I have too many basses to stop doing anything"
Amen, that's how I feel.
Davo
_________________________
"We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk
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#1958714 - 06/17/08 01:42 AM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Davo-London]
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Bottomgottem
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Registered: 08/16/05
Posts: 1735
Loc: Morganton, North Carolina, USA
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"And just be glad you're not a drummer."
Hey Ricbass, I'm deeply offended by that.
I'm a bassplayer morphing into a drummer and that means that I have to stop nodding my head and wear a silly grin instead. I'm also developing a slight madness, which is helping my play no end.
The fact that you are able to be offended proves that you are not yet fully a drummer.
_________________________
"Our time should be spent on building intimate, everlasting relationships with those who care for us, thus transcending this physical realm....but first you have to get that bass." - rizzo9247
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#1958768 - 06/17/08 06:33 AM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Bottomgottem]
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Phil W
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Registered: 04/07/05
Posts: 9245
Loc: London, England
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I like the music course idea.
I have to say though that, having spent a while at the old open mics and jam sessions, I've never got any decent work from any of them. The working musicians are generally too busy to be doing the open mics so you've usually got people who are not working regularly playing them. Davo found a good one though it seems.
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#1959052 - 06/17/08 03:06 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Phil W]
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Davo-London
Platinum Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 1949
Loc: London, England
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Bottomgottem: "The fact that you are able to be offended proves that you are not yet fully a drummer."
Yeah well I'm working on it.
I also need to get a job as a pizza delivery lad as well. No that was too much. Sorry fellow drummers. Dave Sisk where are you?
Davo
_________________________
"We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk
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#1959155 - 06/17/08 07:20 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Davo-London]
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Frank M
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Registered: 11/21/03
Posts: 1735
Loc: Benton City, WA
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I'm interested in Mondo's crap day job. I watch people slog radioactive waste around all day. I am trying to recruit a guitar into a side project. I watch HIM slog radioactive waste around all day.
mmmm, doughnuts!
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Respectfully, Frank M They have to keep me. I own the domain name. The Columbia Jazz Trio
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#1959161 - 06/17/08 07:31 PM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Frank M]
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rizzo9247
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Registered: 04/12/07
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#1959469 - 06/18/08 10:32 AM
Re: HERE WE GO AGAIN.......
[Re: Davo-London]
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mondoray
Senior Member
Registered: 04/09/06
Posts: 149
Loc: london uk
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Sorry for slight confusion folks, RIPPED is my only band.
We had a rehearsal last night, which was great.
Believe it or not, we have decided to wait for the drummers return
in spring next year. (The drummer loves us and vice versa, as we all get on great
-which is a first for his band experiences.)
The singer, will look for something in the meantime.(2bands?)
The guitarist is really too busy trying to either start a business
web designing or work for a company..he is too busy &needs a break.
Me? I'll relax for a bit, cos I have been temping for 1.5 years since redundancy
and am on edge and unsetttled . I work with unstable people in a petty environment. Haven't had a holiday for years. I may casually look
in a few weeks, and see if there may be something around.
As for singing: I am way too shy for that. I have good stage presence tho',
due to nervous energy. I am not a fantastic player by any means,
I try to look for songs which are uncomplicated and fill when appropriate.
I read very little music, and wouldn't be confident doing some of the things mentioned. Cheers guys
_________________________
1977fender telecaster bass . Washburn status, ch guitar 8 string , schecter elite diamond series 5 string. Steinberger xm2 custom.the list goes on..
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