Starting a band when you are quite old?
Discussion
Anybody done this or thought about it?
I don't mean a pro band, or even semi-pro, just for fun but prepared when the occasion arises to do it in public. It's something I've been thinking about for a while, as far as I can see there's never been a better time. YouTube is packed with tutorials on how to play virtually any kind of song I might want to tackle (this would be mostly 60s stuff in my case), equipment is cheaper and more sophisticated than it's ever been, and the Stones etc have shown that being an old and wrinkly rocker is almost cool.
So I would be interested to hear if anyone has done this, or maybe is already a bit ancient and still in a band, is it the fun it appears to be?
I don't mean a pro band, or even semi-pro, just for fun but prepared when the occasion arises to do it in public. It's something I've been thinking about for a while, as far as I can see there's never been a better time. YouTube is packed with tutorials on how to play virtually any kind of song I might want to tackle (this would be mostly 60s stuff in my case), equipment is cheaper and more sophisticated than it's ever been, and the Stones etc have shown that being an old and wrinkly rocker is almost cool.
So I would be interested to hear if anyone has done this, or maybe is already a bit ancient and still in a band, is it the fun it appears to be?
My FiL (who is grandfather to my children) has done it. They've been gigging for the last 2 years round their local area playing their own stuff and have started getting good reviews. Although they have been playing togther for longer than that. It was a couple of friends to begin with jamming together over a number of years, then they decided to go for it and placed an advert for a guitarist in the local paper and struck lucky with who they secured. They've just released an EP are are now in the process of recording an album. They all have 9-5 jobs and love the band. I'd say go for it.
obviously it's a bit more trickey when you're as most people will work and family committments, however it’s also possible that band members will have long gotten over the fact that they are not going to become big rock stars. So if you can just do it for fun and have fewer arguments it is possible.
Maybe check out www.joinmyband.co.uk
Maybe check out www.joinmyband.co.uk
There's a few bands made up of guys in there 40s/50s, from where i used live in Wiltshire, who would play village festivals, beer and food festivals and pub gigs just for fun and they loved it (They were also pretty entertaining). If you want to get out there and make some music for the fun of it then go for it, there's definitely a market for it. I think they key to starting an older band is to be completely unpretentious. There is nothing more cringe than going to the local to find a group of middle aged men jumping around the stage in leather jackets or open shirts pretending they're a young Led Zep. Otherwise do it! I'm sure you'll have great fun!
singlecoil said:
Anybody done this or thought about it?
I don't mean a pro band, or even semi-pro, just for fun but prepared when the occasion arises to do it in public. It's something I've been thinking about for a while, as far as I can see there's never been a better time. YouTube is packed with tutorials on how to play virtually any kind of song I might want to tackle (this would be mostly 60s stuff in my case), equipment is cheaper and more sophisticated than it's ever been, and the Stones etc have shown that being an old and wrinkly rocker is almost cool.
So I would be interested to hear if anyone has done this, or maybe is already a bit ancient and still in a band, is it the fun it appears to be?
Yes I have done this several times over the years (of which there are many!) and I still play (occasionally) in a band. The problem is that generally the players either lose interest or get health issues or run out of time or run into some other difficulty. I have run into all of those personally,variously and occasionally over the years but my suggestion is to grab it whilst you can and go for it. Its great fun and very rewarding.I don't mean a pro band, or even semi-pro, just for fun but prepared when the occasion arises to do it in public. It's something I've been thinking about for a while, as far as I can see there's never been a better time. YouTube is packed with tutorials on how to play virtually any kind of song I might want to tackle (this would be mostly 60s stuff in my case), equipment is cheaper and more sophisticated than it's ever been, and the Stones etc have shown that being an old and wrinkly rocker is almost cool.
So I would be interested to hear if anyone has done this, or maybe is already a bit ancient and still in a band, is it the fun it appears to be?
I suspect that you are a lot younger than me and my suggestion is that you do it now! Over the years I have had huge enjoyment from my involvement in music and playing in and belonging to a band has been distinctly rewarding for me personally.
Mate of mine is about 45. He's the bass player in a band. They play a lot of Sex Pistols and stuff like that. The drummer (who usually ends up naked during the course of a gig) has got the band into some hilarious escapades. You could easily make a cheapo 'Brit-flick' about them and it'd clean up in the same way that 'The Full Monty' did. Sounds like a great way to have fun in your spare time.
singlecoil said:
Hoofy said:
stuartmmcfc said:
aslong as you're not forming a "boy band", i can't see any reason why not.
That would be funny. I think the OPer should do that.https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=girl%20bands
I am in a 6 piece garage/sixties band, formed last year, age range early thirties to late fifties. We are picking up lots of work by playing songs that other bands don't.
People are jaded with bands who play from the same 50 numbers, All right now, Sultans of swing, Mustang Sally etc. Different band each week but the same old songs.
As you say, gear is cheap and songs are easy to learn thanks to you tube. My bass stayed in its case for 15 years but now I am in the best band I have ever been in and enjoying every minute.
The downside is that the money is the same as it was 25 years ago but petrol is 5 times the price meaning we mostly play local venues but as long as we break even (allowing for buying gear renting rehearsal space etc) we are happy.
An upside is not having to deal with youthful ego trips and sulking girlfriends.
I say go for it, whats the worst that can happen?
People are jaded with bands who play from the same 50 numbers, All right now, Sultans of swing, Mustang Sally etc. Different band each week but the same old songs.
As you say, gear is cheap and songs are easy to learn thanks to you tube. My bass stayed in its case for 15 years but now I am in the best band I have ever been in and enjoying every minute.
The downside is that the money is the same as it was 25 years ago but petrol is 5 times the price meaning we mostly play local venues but as long as we break even (allowing for buying gear renting rehearsal space etc) we are happy.
An upside is not having to deal with youthful ego trips and sulking girlfriends.
I say go for it, whats the worst that can happen?
kev b said:
People are jaded with bands who play from the same 50 numbers, All right now, Sultans of swing, Mustang Sally etc. Different band each week but the same old songs.
This, this & this. I started one that eventually fell apart due to a psychotic bass player that no one could tolerate. When you add in work, kids, mortgage etc. we didn't have the will to try again. We played Britpop & Indie schtick - Blur, Stone Roses etc. Whether we were any good or not is open to debate, but we prospered because the niche appeal was there. We were one of the only local bands not knocking out Sex on fire, sultans of swing, Hotel California & all the hackneyed old cliché rock you can find in any pub on a Friday night.
Dad only recently gave up gigging (dodgy wrists) aged 62 - the last two were the Funkwits and the Kinaar Soul Band (!). Always went down well but only up to big wedding/uni gig level.
Him and most of the rest of the band were ex professionals. They played funk/soul stuff but NEVER Mustang Sally!
Him and most of the rest of the band were ex professionals. They played funk/soul stuff but NEVER Mustang Sally!
Some locals here (NW Highlands) formed a band a few years back - 50s ... pushing 60. They are now doing about 3 gigs a month (Country music) and even got flown over (and paid) to the US for a weeks gigs there. I recorded them here when they first started. As you can tell by the accent... the singer is Scottish 
http://SteveCarter.com/random/OldPeople.mp3
pic as 2 piece ... now 4 (dbl bs & dms)
http://SteveCarter.com/random/OldPeople.mp3
pic as 2 piece ... now 4 (dbl bs & dms)
After hardly touching a guitar for years I got back into it via ukulele, the head at the school next door asked if I would busk along whilst they did some stuff for comic relief. I roped in some folks...
We now play most tuesday evenings, the lineup has changed and we would never consider ourselves anything more than a bit of fun but we have a right laugh and it is an excuse to buy new gear.
Honestly do it, the old you get the less you care about making a tit of yourself.
We are even headlining a festival in the summer, well I say festival it is more a party in my garden!
David 44, Guitars, ukulele, banjolele vocals
We now play most tuesday evenings, the lineup has changed and we would never consider ourselves anything more than a bit of fun but we have a right laugh and it is an excuse to buy new gear.
Honestly do it, the old you get the less you care about making a tit of yourself.
We are even headlining a festival in the summer, well I say festival it is more a party in my garden!
David 44, Guitars, ukulele, banjolele vocals
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