Craig S Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Met an old now out of town college buddy at his brother-in-law's gig on the weekend. The band does a 80's hair metal thing with a sense of humor... these guys are great players and nailed all the solos and vocal licks. The show was entertaining and even though I don't really dig the music that much I remember the songs and it was fun. What was strange was that I left the club feeling pretty sad... The whole scene was kind of pathetic in a way. There was a fight outside the bar, the crowd had a total loser element to it and I felt way to old to be there... I'm getting ready to get my old band going again and after this experience I just can't get enthused.. I just don't want to be the guy up there that people are saying "why doesn't that old goat call it quits" . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turdus Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I can relate to this. A few years ago, my band settled into Classic Rock... Beatles/Who/Stones. I grew up on late 70's hard rock, and then a healthy dose of post punk in the early 80's. Now, in my mid 40's, one band mate thinks our music is stale, and wants to lean towards modern rock. Another band mate wants to move more towards originals. I sit here and think that there is nothing worse than seeing old dudes play modern rock covers. I also don't think there is going to be a market for rock originals by older dudes either, lol. I used to think that when I hit 50, I'd convert to Country. But now, those performers are getting much younger also.Signed,Perplexed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 i agree. i still like heavy music; i listen to it, i blast it thru my amp at home. but, i just don't want to gig those types of places anymore. whenever i see a buncha unknown 40 year olds seriously playing heavy music, it just looks pathetic IMHO. i don't even like blues or country (except maybe some willie or cash).this is why i like playing a buncha acoustic gigs, with a few neo jazz original shows a year sprinkled in.besides being easier than a full band, i don't feel silly up there at my age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCChris Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 While by no means lucrative, I'm finding the jam band scene to be accepting of musicians of different ages, looks, styles, what have you. Of course, I realize it's not for everyone. But I'm enjoying it very much.My first foray into the cover/tribute band thing last year ended when they wanted to add stuff like Papa Roach and Drowning Pool to the set, and also wear leather pants and eyeliner. No way in hell I was willing or able (respectively) to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidE Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I didn't feel silly until now....My band does everything from John Denver to AC/DC. We have a couple of younger guys in the band (early 30's - our former bassist was young 20's) and they want to do more modern rock. So far it's working out ok. Will I look silly playing My Own Worst Enemy? Frankly, I don't care! As long as I'm having fun and the crowd is having fun. That's all that matters.And yes, I look silly and out of place with these guys. Just take a look at our new photo. It looks I just got off work and they don't have jobs.... www.mothertruckerrocks.com That's partly true. Two of us just came directly from work (with no prior warning about the photo shoot) and he was able to fit into one of the drummer's t-shirts. The bassist works at Guitar Center and the drummer waits tables. The singer DJ's several nights a week.Perfect for rocknrollconfidential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundernotes Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 There's nothing more creepy than listening to a balding 50 year old singing about banging a chick in his Camaro. Great if he can do it, but I don't want to hear about it! We play a mix of new music and classic rock and it goes over just fine. The band ranges in age from 43 to 52. The trick is to choose carefully so you're not singing about teen angst or stuff nobody can relate to. When it comes to classics, dump the tired old songs everybody plays and do something people haven't heard a cover band play before. You'll be surprised how well it goes over. No Mustang Sally for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidE Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 "There's nothing more creepy than listening to a balding 50 year old singing about banging a chick in his Camaro. Great if he can do it, but I don't want to hear about it! "Well, that first part describes CraigS, but I can't see him singing about that. ;-)Funny thing is, the new young guys in my band have NEVER played Mustang Sally and really couldn't get the feel for it. It's OFF the list!!!! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I'm old. I'm fat. I'm bald. I recognize that I am not going to be visually appealing to anyone on stage. I really do not care if I play in front of people. Practicing with a band was fun. Before my last band started playing in dives we were able to learn songs we liked instead of the "crowd pleasers." Looking at the thousands of dollars paid for my guitars and amps I darn well ought to play music that I like. To buy a guitar or bass that sounds better than anything else and play a song that sounds like crap negates the whole point of buying the instrument in the first place. I want to be that old, fat, and bald guy playing music from his teenage years. It is not about playing for an audience. It is about having fun with a guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpep Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 if the music is done well and played well there is no problem and no one cares. if the band sucks then there is a problem. I say turn it up, make it feedback and kick some arse.what is sadder is the chunky milfs in their original sex pistol t shirts from the 80's trying to regain that part of their youth. If you just embrace it and realize you are older and you are having fun there is nothing wrong with it. then again there is always jazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig S Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Well, that first part describes CraigS, but I can't see him singing about that. ;-) Actually we sing about teen angst..... making fun of it. We played with a bunch a teens one time and they had all the poor miserable me songs down. We looked at each other wondering what they had to be miserable about: No jobs, no pressure, good looking girls came to see them....What's the problem???? Us, on the hand... Mortgages, high pressure jobs...family resposibilities and worries... Ended up being good song writing material.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lockbody Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Try playing punk rock/hardcore. We've been playing out a little more in the past few months, but several times I've been hit with that "What the hell am I doing up here?" feeling. Just feel so old up there.*Tell us Rock and Roll Angel - Do we make it?"On the plus side, I did have several people come up and express some Hamer love about my Standard and Vector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidE Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 if the music is done well and played well there is no problem and no one cares. if the band sucks then there is a problem. I say turn it up, make it feedback and kick some arse.what is sadder is the chunky milfs in their original sex pistol t shirts from the 80's trying to regain that part of their youth. If you just embrace it and realize you are older and you are having fun there is nothing wrong with it. then again there is always jazzI think Al hit the nail on the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I think Glenn Tiption turns 60 this year. He should be our role model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killerteddybear Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I don't feel out of place at all. I'm the oldest guy in the band at 51, but the youngest is only 12 years away.We're playing bars that are populated largely by older crowds. They like the old material and accept the new stuff. We do a good enough job that even the youngsters come up and tell us we rock.I love what I do and I realize that it's a low-paying hobby, a way to blow off some steam at the end of a shitty week. And if some young girl flashes her tits at us (and they still do!) so much the better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsstuff Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Umm......Oh.......nevermind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KH Guitar Freak Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Whatever you want to play, just play that, no one is stopping you... And Roy Buchanan would till his death (RIP) play old country blues or something if he thought he was too old for "new" music... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turdus Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I think Glenn Tiption turns 60 this year. He should be our role model.Right on. He has a 30 year track record of successful album sales, and people will pay huge money to see him.I can't even generate 3 friends to pay a $5 cover, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Mattson Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 There's nothing more creepy than listening to a balding 50 year old singing about banging a chick in his Camaro. Great if he can do it, but I don't want to hear about it! I agree, extremely creepy and sad. By 50 he should be singing about banging a chick in a Cadillac. What is wrong with people nowadays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthes Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 The creepiest thing I've seen lately is that damned Viagra ad where the 5 guys are sitting around playing.Good lord, that's awful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JackButler Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I say play whatever the hell makes you happy. If it makes YOU uncomfortable or its not sincere.. then don't play let it go.. you've moved on.. if someone else is the same age or even older and still playing the stuff of their youth.. maybe thats what keeps them going and they need that in some small way.. I play all kinds of stuff and take all kinds of gigs.. do different genres in back to back sessions.. but I like doing my instrumental thing.. I like doing my loud and heavy thing.. and as long as I'm happy playing it and it keeps the juices flowing.. well then.. I'm gonna ride it to the wheels fall off and to hell with anyone trying to put parameters, limitations, opinions or whatever on me, over me or around me.. if it makes you feel good... then play it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-log Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I have a little band with a 25 year old singer-the rest of us are 41-46.when we play shows,we get her 20 something crowd and our 40 something crowd.It seems to be working for now.We are kind of modelled after the band Garbage I guess,although we sound nothing like them!I think that it's really up to your own state of mind.I recently saw Agent Orange at a local dive bar here in Van.They rocked hard and the kids in the crowd didn't seem to mind that the band were as old as me ! If you are honest about the music/feel you are trying to convey, the kids will pick up on that and judge you accordingly(I hope!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Meshuggah Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 There's nothing more creepy than listening to a balding 50 year old singing about banging a chick in his Camaro. Great if he can do it, but I don't want to hear about it! I agree, extremely creepy and sad. By 50 he should be singing about banging a chick in a Cadillac.What is wrong with people nowadays? No goals in life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jones Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 It hit me like a ton of bricks one night when I was singing "Youth Gone Wild" with my cover band - at 34 I was neither youthful or particularly wild. It was promptly dropped from the set list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig S Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 I agree, extremely creepy and sad. By 50 he should be singing about banging a chick in a Cadillac.What is wrong with people nowadays?Actually, I saw that driving down SR23 on my way home from Detroit. I was kind of hard to explain to the kids in the back of the minivan why that big car with no top had two drivers; one facing forward and one facing backward... Ahh.. the challenges of parenthood. There's a song there somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 And yes, I look silly and out of place with these guys. Just take a look at our new photo. "hey mister, can you buy us some beer???"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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