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Loud bands & attitudes prevail in Midwest venues, in spite of available technology.
01-10-2011
01:39 PM
Message 1 of 8
My trio, Dick Tater & The Tots (a/k/a The Cubs ) has split up again. No internal personality problems this time, just economics.
In light of the LOUD-venue, ambient sound discussions going on, this is pertinent, as the reason for the breakup was that our bassist left to join a busier, more popular, way-way-way louder band.
Our band has been much loved by folks our age (50’s) who enjoy our 60’s music and clean, clear, sound. Unfortunately, in our area, this is not the demographic that goes out to bars. They’ve been conditioned to believe all bars are loud and smoky, and in fact, though smoking is now illegal, is still quite true. Loud bands prevail.
We have shot ourselves in the foot by using the Bose L1s to present our music. Finally, we are happy with our on-stage sound, we love to play, and have gotten better by virtue of our sound system. Back in ’04 I was truly hoping and believing the world was going to change to this approach to sound and volume.
But it now appears that we are not satisfying the Saturday Night audience’s lust for loud. We also do the wrong music for the Saturday Night Crowd. In fact, our bassist’s wife said at dinner the other week that we “are just not a Saturday Night Band”. I was a bit shocked and dismayed, but realize she is right. Around here, it’s got to be classic rock, and it’s got to be played very loud.
I would, in my paranoia about being 57, say that audiences also want musicians who are young and cute, but that’s actually not the case. So many successful bands around here are my age and older, but the play the “right” music, 70’s & 80’s Classic rock , and they play it LOUD! There are no compromise on that…it’s got to be LOUD, or the kids will clear out pretty quickly.
There are still plenty of bands here who are blissfully unaware of what they really sound like through the PA mains. They wear ear plugs or IEMs. They are very lucky, in that they have no knowledge of what a band can sound like “on stage” in front of L1s. Ignorance is bliss, and is making them money. I feel sorry for them, yet envy them, they are getting the gigs.
Bottom line though, I’m turning into my parents. It’s mostly us old guys who say things like I’m now saying. It’s like the T-shirt I saw on an old local rocker last summer, Joe Cook, a wildly popular guitarist from the 70’s circuit, which reads, “If we’re too loud, you’re too old”. He’s older than I am. I’m convinced he’s insane, but he’s taking it to the bank.
I’m slowing down, and the L1 gets heavier by the gig, but I am still doing it and hope to for a few more years yet. It’s just a matter of finding sensible musicians and audiences. It’s challenging.
I don’t have any answers here…just saying. My future in music is up in the air right now. I’m going to a few open mics, a format that accepts acoustic music at lower volumes, and keeping my eyes open for something new. It’s been a really enjoyable 6+ years with the L1 and the friendships I’ve made here in the forums and at the L1 Conferences. I’m reminded of something ST said at the Big Sur gathering, “you know, if it [the L1] gives us [older guys] at least another 10 years to do what we love, it’s so worth it!” He was so right.
In light of the LOUD-venue, ambient sound discussions going on, this is pertinent, as the reason for the breakup was that our bassist left to join a busier, more popular, way-way-way louder band.
Our band has been much loved by folks our age (50’s) who enjoy our 60’s music and clean, clear, sound. Unfortunately, in our area, this is not the demographic that goes out to bars. They’ve been conditioned to believe all bars are loud and smoky, and in fact, though smoking is now illegal, is still quite true. Loud bands prevail.
We have shot ourselves in the foot by using the Bose L1s to present our music. Finally, we are happy with our on-stage sound, we love to play, and have gotten better by virtue of our sound system. Back in ’04 I was truly hoping and believing the world was going to change to this approach to sound and volume.
But it now appears that we are not satisfying the Saturday Night audience’s lust for loud. We also do the wrong music for the Saturday Night Crowd. In fact, our bassist’s wife said at dinner the other week that we “are just not a Saturday Night Band”. I was a bit shocked and dismayed, but realize she is right. Around here, it’s got to be classic rock, and it’s got to be played very loud.
I would, in my paranoia about being 57, say that audiences also want musicians who are young and cute, but that’s actually not the case. So many successful bands around here are my age and older, but the play the “right” music, 70’s & 80’s Classic rock , and they play it LOUD! There are no compromise on that…it’s got to be LOUD, or the kids will clear out pretty quickly.
There are still plenty of bands here who are blissfully unaware of what they really sound like through the PA mains. They wear ear plugs or IEMs. They are very lucky, in that they have no knowledge of what a band can sound like “on stage” in front of L1s. Ignorance is bliss, and is making them money. I feel sorry for them, yet envy them, they are getting the gigs.
Bottom line though, I’m turning into my parents. It’s mostly us old guys who say things like I’m now saying. It’s like the T-shirt I saw on an old local rocker last summer, Joe Cook, a wildly popular guitarist from the 70’s circuit, which reads, “If we’re too loud, you’re too old”. He’s older than I am. I’m convinced he’s insane, but he’s taking it to the bank.
I’m slowing down, and the L1 gets heavier by the gig, but I am still doing it and hope to for a few more years yet. It’s just a matter of finding sensible musicians and audiences. It’s challenging.
I don’t have any answers here…just saying. My future in music is up in the air right now. I’m going to a few open mics, a format that accepts acoustic music at lower volumes, and keeping my eyes open for something new. It’s been a really enjoyable 6+ years with the L1 and the friendships I’ve made here in the forums and at the L1 Conferences. I’m reminded of something ST said at the Big Sur gathering, “you know, if it [the L1] gives us [older guys] at least another 10 years to do what we love, it’s so worth it!” He was so right.
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