How old is too old...

[jgcable]

I say you only need to look at Ronnie James Dio. He's what 63 now and still doing it. It was mostly young people both times I've seen him and they were great shows. Nobody cares how old you are if you put on a good show.

I'm 20 fyi

Yea but after you make it and your famous you get an automatic "Get out of old" card. If you never made it your just... well.. old.

[charvelguy]

originals has been and always will be where it is at...I'd cringe (to a degree) if I had to play a whole night of metal covers just to do a gig... age really doesn't have that much factor into it. If the crowd digs ya, then ya, but you have to enjoy what you play too and I really have gone through times of removing myself from the club/cover scene.

[jgcable]

originals has been and always will be where it is at...I'd cringe (to a degree) if I had to play a whole night of metal covers just to do a gig... age really doesn't have that much factor into it. If the crown digs ya, then ya, but you have to enjoy what you play too and I really have gone through times of removing myself from the club/cover scene.

Yea, I think my problem is the covers. I'm just tired of doing them and thrusting myself into that "me too" genre of bands that all do the same old crap. In my original band I have no problem.

[charvelguy]

I've been in alot of cover bands and a few crossover "part original/part cover" or "mostly cover and a few originals"

As you discuss, a large part of your bookability is draw.. do you draw because of entertainment value? or because you are a kick ass band? or both? I tell ya, there are some sucky jobbin bands with great musicians out there and they have killer entertainment value and good audience participation..(and they're playing casinos) They get people involved so they draw, and gain a rep and draw again...(on a side point..part of the appeal of original band draw I'd say is loyalty to the genre and artist and visa versa)
Of course, when I speak of some of this.. it was largely before internet..
..that in itself can change alot of the dynamics in the music scene.

One of the more 'fun' ones used to end up revamping the covers to a degree.. incorporating comedy at times, audience participation or free jam solos just to spice it up a little..after all its a live show not a friggin radio. We kinda put our own stamp on a select few, some bands were into medleys...which is the kind of cover band I enjoy being in.. one that allows some freedom but is still for the most part sticking true to form where it would count. 'Course, you gotta watch the humor too.. do you want to be a stand up act or a band that can be taken somewhat seriously?

I used to gig with this chick who always used the terminology of the local radio stations..it was ok for what she did because the crowd would likely identify with it...but it used to irk me at times... I really wanted to get away from that.. and I did, by eventually leaving.."not for me"

[MBreinin]

I just want it known that I spent an hour and half this evening dialing in a Recto tone on my ToneLab...and TWO Larry Carlton tones.

Hey, I like everything..variety is the spice of life. In a day at work I will listen to everything from Nevermore to Freddie King. If it has a guitar prominently displayed, and someone good playing it...I am into it.

I love metal, but I dig Jazz (hell even "soft" Jazz), blues, classic rock..whatever.

Ultimately, it comes down to what makes you happy and satisfied.

I know you have been really kicking around the idea of a Texas Blues band...why not give it a try?

Mike

[JacksonRob]

You're never to old to play the music that you love.

Just please...... DO NOT try to fit into, AND wear, the 80's spandex in the later years. Not good... I've seen it....... NOT GOOD!

[lerxstcat]

You're right, it's your happiness that counts. For me, I learned to play the blues, then kinda went past it as far as playing it. Obviously There are many blues guys who'd smoke me at the format, but I feel confident I can keep right up with an SRV kind of player. The only thing is that it doesn't excite me to play that style. I can appreciate and enjoy a guy who can rip at blues, but have no desire to go there as a player. Same with jazz, though that I really can't play - nor have I ever really wanted to try. As a player I love classic rock, hard rock and metal.

If John G wants to quit the metal cover thing and go with the blues then that's what he should do. He should NOT be ashamed to be seen headbanging to Disturbed, he's NOT too old. Ifv you give into that mindset, well fighting that mindset - caring what others think of you - is what the metal attitude is all about.

But you might become the next great blues player, who knows? I never made it in music, so what the falk do I know?

[horns666]

Are you ever to old to bang..

I would like to believe that in 20 to 30 years from now ..I would still be laying the pipe to Mrs. Bill Z Bub

Yes, I know that would look totally repulsive ..but I would be happy...at least for a few minutes

[Big D]

I say if you *want* to keep playing 80's covers, you CAN make it work. Our band is very popular and we do mostly 80's covers along with a handful of our original songs. Our crowd is mostly older (30's and 40's), but it doesn't seem to hold them back from partying at our shows. Club owners love us because we sell more booze than just about any other band they have.

So I believe there is still a audience with an appetite for bands that can play 80's covers...if they do it well...if they make the show FUN! Our band does drink along with the crowd and think it helps.

Plus if you market yourselves right, you can get some sweet gigs these days by being a great "old school" hard rock band. Over the next several months my band is opening for .38 Special, Poison, Tesla, etc. We never expected to get gigs like these, but because so many 80's guys have dropped out of the scene, it's much easier to get noticed.

Now all that said, I also have been thinking a lot lately about "what's next" for me as a guitarist (I'm 37). I really only have skills as a rock player but would like to learn another style so that I can keep gigging even after I feel too old to play rock/metal. I'm guessing it will be blues but I could even see playing some "outlaw" country stuff someday.

So I don't think just because you're 44 you should stop rocking. If you're not having fun, then you should stop.

Now I'm going to go practice for a while...we're opening for Jackyl at a club tonight! I'm a lumberjack now baby...

[Endrik]

A change is part of the evollution. Just hope that it doesn't lead you into free-form jazz.

why not?

[RacerX]

I like to listen to metal from time to time while at home or driving to work, but I'm damn sure not going to a metal club where the guy next to me has a bone through his nose.

Ah, whatcha got against nose-bones?

[VitaminG]

why not?

seen Spinal Tap?

[jgcable]

I think part of it too is the fact that I was in several top bands in the area. We packed everywhere. The club owners had to literally throw the people out when the bar was closing.
Aftermath has a great following.
BTW... I left my band Chase this week and I am going to concentrate on Aftermath along with getting together something with my best friend Dave.
There is no problem between me and the guys in Chase.. its just a personal thing for me. Shit happened and I bailed.
I admit that I am an EXTREMELY difficult person to work with in a band. I always have been. I'm very intense when it comes to music.
After reading many articles about famous musicians and their attitudes I would say my attitude is a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Eddy Van Halen but I do it stone sober.
I still really want to get a small blues quartet going. Really bad.

[SEEGERMANY]

Shut up and play your geetar!

[jgcable]

Shut up and play your geetar!

My fish love it when I play.