Why aren't I a famous musician?
Discussion
Bit of a cathartic post really, not much more than that!
I've ended up working "for the man" in corporate cack-ville. I hate it and I'm sure I'm much more creative than I believe I am.
Music is my passion really. I'm old enough to have a musical back-catalogue which spans 40 years or more, and when, as tonight, I put together a playlist for a social evening, I'm still blown away by some of the tracks I discover in my collection.
Played in a youth club band as a teenager; the guy who started that band went on to play with one of the biggest/most well-known UK bands out there.
My cousin started one of the biggest bands of the last century and is a huge global musician and DJ whose tunes EVERYONE knows.
I played in a few local bands (bass & sax) but never really got it together properly. Massively wish I had!
That's all really. Late-night musings. I don't crave fame but I do crave a creative life!
Your stories??
I've ended up working "for the man" in corporate cack-ville. I hate it and I'm sure I'm much more creative than I believe I am.
Music is my passion really. I'm old enough to have a musical back-catalogue which spans 40 years or more, and when, as tonight, I put together a playlist for a social evening, I'm still blown away by some of the tracks I discover in my collection.
Played in a youth club band as a teenager; the guy who started that band went on to play with one of the biggest/most well-known UK bands out there.
My cousin started one of the biggest bands of the last century and is a huge global musician and DJ whose tunes EVERYONE knows.
I played in a few local bands (bass & sax) but never really got it together properly. Massively wish I had!
That's all really. Late-night musings. I don't crave fame but I do crave a creative life!
Your stories??
Drummer here. Was pretty good, too. Would've loved to have made it my career but never had the balls.
I think that it would be almost impossible to make it; for every success story there are 100,000 failures. The best I'd be able to work toward would be becoming a session drummer but if I'm honest, it's live gigs I love the most and studio/session work would start to bore me quite quickly.
The last band I was in, some 4-5 years ago, we were the best-rehearsed band in the world and very good. Thing is, the other guys seemed to just enjoy being in the rehearsal studio practicing whereas I wanted to be out on-stage with crowds of people going nuts and enjoying what we were playing.
Have never sold my kit, I think that if I do, it'd be like admitting I'll never play again. Right now I could do a gig tomorrow if I were asked (and I would!) so for now, it stays. It's a nice mid-range kit; 6pc Yamaha Stage Custom, Pearl Eric Singer Signature snare with Sabian HHs, a couple of Zildjian Dark Ks and A-Custom hats.
I think that it would be almost impossible to make it; for every success story there are 100,000 failures. The best I'd be able to work toward would be becoming a session drummer but if I'm honest, it's live gigs I love the most and studio/session work would start to bore me quite quickly.
The last band I was in, some 4-5 years ago, we were the best-rehearsed band in the world and very good. Thing is, the other guys seemed to just enjoy being in the rehearsal studio practicing whereas I wanted to be out on-stage with crowds of people going nuts and enjoying what we were playing.
Have never sold my kit, I think that if I do, it'd be like admitting I'll never play again. Right now I could do a gig tomorrow if I were asked (and I would!) so for now, it stays. It's a nice mid-range kit; 6pc Yamaha Stage Custom, Pearl Eric Singer Signature snare with Sabian HHs, a couple of Zildjian Dark Ks and A-Custom hats.
I was in a signed band for four years and bar a wee bit of recognition here and there, I was never famous at all.
Having seen up close what it's like, some of it is cool, lots of it is bad/annoying and bits of it are simply weird! Famous was never something I aspired to and, to a degree, I'm glad we never made it that big where it was an issue.
Having seen up close what it's like, some of it is cool, lots of it is bad/annoying and bits of it are simply weird! Famous was never something I aspired to and, to a degree, I'm glad we never made it that big where it was an issue.
There a so many good undiscovered musicians out there, and many discovered not so good ones. I suppose it's about being in the right place at the right time or knowing somebody who is and then being towed along. Maybe it's also largely about image rather than playing prowess.
I'm stating the obvious perhaps.
I'm stating the obvious perhaps.
I played lead guitar in bands on the London Irish and C&W circuit for about six years in the 1980's. I was pretty good, but there were players FAR better, more dedicated and more talented than me who were still playing in s
t covers bands and living off their Giros. I realised that there was no point pretending it was ever going to be a career. That, and the general BS and ego-fest that goes with being in a band, plus the long hours travelling and setting up to play for people who were never going to see you again turned me back into a living-room noodler. I still firmly believe that Emmylou Harris will one day turn up on my door step and beg me to join her latest Hot Band!
t covers bands and living off their Giros. I realised that there was no point pretending it was ever going to be a career. That, and the general BS and ego-fest that goes with being in a band, plus the long hours travelling and setting up to play for people who were never going to see you again turned me back into a living-room noodler. I still firmly believe that Emmylou Harris will one day turn up on my door step and beg me to join her latest Hot Band!I'm a professional musician, so is my wife...so are almost all of my friends. Most of us earn a decent living, most of us have no idea what well be doing next month...how does that compare to a "proper" job ?.....no. idea, never done anything else but this. None one I know as a Muso is particularly famous, although we all work with household names on a regular basis, not many of my friends and colleagues are particularly creative, but just jobbing freelance musicians.
Most of us have never done anything else, and all come up through a predictable music college route, whether doing pop or classical.
Versatility is the main key to success, and by success I mean keeping working.
For almost all of the professional musicians I know it was a career path that wasn't questioned, it was a natural progression from playing as kid in garage bands, brass bands, youth orchestras etc and just continued.
Most of us moan about it....but actually I can't think of anything else I'd rather do
Most of us have never done anything else, and all come up through a predictable music college route, whether doing pop or classical.
Versatility is the main key to success, and by success I mean keeping working.
For almost all of the professional musicians I know it was a career path that wasn't questioned, it was a natural progression from playing as kid in garage bands, brass bands, youth orchestras etc and just continued.
Most of us moan about it....but actually I can't think of anything else I'd rather do
I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket and was forbidden to ever pick up a triangle again after infant school.
I live with it
More insane is why I'm not the only 10 time winner of the Le Mans 24 hours? I can drive, I often beat most of my young colleagues still if we go Go-Karting and, errrr...
Life's so unfair, isn't it?
Sadly, like most things in life, it's all a mixture of determination, luck, more luck and some talent, in descending order.
Most people don't have the determination to succeed on a massive scale, but even those that do need the lucky breaks. Now and then, one of those people actually has a bit of talent for what they're determined to succeed at too, but not that often.
M
I live with it
More insane is why I'm not the only 10 time winner of the Le Mans 24 hours? I can drive, I often beat most of my young colleagues still if we go Go-Karting and, errrr...
Life's so unfair, isn't it?
Sadly, like most things in life, it's all a mixture of determination, luck, more luck and some talent, in descending order.
Most people don't have the determination to succeed on a massive scale, but even those that do need the lucky breaks. Now and then, one of those people actually has a bit of talent for what they're determined to succeed at too, but not that often.
M
Edited by marcosgt on Sunday 18th May 20:11
Funk said:
Drummer here. Was pretty good, too. Would've loved to have made it my career but never had the balls.
I think that it would be almost impossible to make it; for every success story there are 100,000 failures. The best I'd be able to work toward would be becoming a session drummer but if I'm honest, it's live gigs I love the most and studio/session work would start to bore me quite quickly.
The last band I was in, some 4-5 years ago, we were the best-rehearsed band in the world and very good. Thing is, the other guys seemed to just enjoy being in the rehearsal studio practicing whereas I wanted to be out on-stage with crowds of people going nuts and enjoying what we were playing.
Have never sold my kit, I think that if I do, it'd be like admitting I'll never play again. Right now I could do a gig tomorrow if I were asked (and I would!) so for now, it stays. It's a nice mid-range kit; 6pc Yamaha Stage Custom, Pearl Eric Singer Signature snare with Sabian HHs, a couple of Zildjian Dark Ks and A-Custom hats.
I can't tell you how much this resonates with me. I'm in a band now. I'm pretty good on guitar & I say that because it's what people tell me. Personally I regard myself as workmanlike & reliable - reliable in the sense that I don't cock it up much.I think that it would be almost impossible to make it; for every success story there are 100,000 failures. The best I'd be able to work toward would be becoming a session drummer but if I'm honest, it's live gigs I love the most and studio/session work would start to bore me quite quickly.
The last band I was in, some 4-5 years ago, we were the best-rehearsed band in the world and very good. Thing is, the other guys seemed to just enjoy being in the rehearsal studio practicing whereas I wanted to be out on-stage with crowds of people going nuts and enjoying what we were playing.
Have never sold my kit, I think that if I do, it'd be like admitting I'll never play again. Right now I could do a gig tomorrow if I were asked (and I would!) so for now, it stays. It's a nice mid-range kit; 6pc Yamaha Stage Custom, Pearl Eric Singer Signature snare with Sabian HHs, a couple of Zildjian Dark Ks and A-Custom hats.
This band of mine has a great drummer, really good. He played in a band in the 90's that made it. Two albums, toured with Oasis, Shed Seven, Kula Shaker, all of them. What happened to them is they built the buzz, played the dives, got a deal, singles, an album, charted & then toured Europe. Whilst out, the record co. pressured them to get the 2nd album done which led to them winging it on the hoof & under pressure, writing on the tour bus, recording in half a day, all that stuff.
It tanked, they were dropped & it was all over 18 months after it started.
This made me think how slim it all is. For every band that picks up what is usually an onerous deal, one remove from indentured slavery with a record co. there are thousands who don't & even for those that do, it's a rat race trying to get noticed & exposed in a post TOTP world. Guys like Dave Gilmour for example, must look at the business of it all today from one of their castles & reflect on their sheer good fortune to have been around when the money was there to be made in barrow loads.
I'm struck by this. I play purely for the love of it, the buzz of being in a gang absolutely perfectly tuned into one another. In no way would | ever contemplate it as a career, it's a shark pool from start to finish.
Justin Cyder said:
This band of mine has a great drummer, really good. He played in a band in the 90's that made it. Two albums, toured with Oasis, Shed Seven, Kula Shaker, all of them. What happened to them is they built the buzz, played the dives, got a deal, singles, an album, charted & then toured Europe. Whilst out, the record co. pressured them to get the 2nd album done which led to them winging it on the hoof & under pressure, writing on the tour bus, recording in half a day, all that stuff.
It tanked, they were dropped & it was all over 18 months after it started.
This is what happened to us, pretty much to the letter. the pressure is immense and the work rate is bonkers.It tanked, they were dropped & it was all over 18 months after it started.
Rock & roll often isn't very rock & roll.
Drummers name isn't Mark by any chance?
No. 'Thundersticks' Kev. Not betraying a confidence to share this. They made a mark, but only a brief, small one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAunxgEP_k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAunxgEP_k
Justin Cyder said:
I can't tell you how much this resonates with me. I'm in a band now. I'm pretty good on guitar & I say that because it's what people tell me. Personally I regard myself as workmanlike & reliable - reliable in the sense that I don't cock it up much.
This band of mine has a great drummer, really good. He played in a band in the 90's that made it. Two albums, toured with Oasis, Shed Seven, Kula Shaker, all of them. What happened to them is they built the buzz, played the dives, got a deal, singles, an album, charted & then toured Europe. Whilst out, the record co. pressured them to get the 2nd album done which led to them winging it on the hoof & under pressure, writing on the tour bus, recording in half a day, all that stuff.
It tanked, they were dropped & it was all over 18 months after it started.
This made me think how slim it all is. For every band that picks up what is usually an onerous deal, one remove from indentured slavery with a record co. there are thousands who don't & even for those that do, it's a rat race trying to get noticed & exposed in a post TOTP world. Guys like Dave Gilmour for example, must look at the business of it all today from one of their castles & reflect on their sheer good fortune to have been around when the money was there to be made in barrow loads.
I'm struck by this. I play purely for the love of it, the buzz of being in a gang absolutely perfectly tuned into one another. In no way would | ever contemplate it as a career, it's a shark pool from start to finish.
It doesn't have to be like that though.This band of mine has a great drummer, really good. He played in a band in the 90's that made it. Two albums, toured with Oasis, Shed Seven, Kula Shaker, all of them. What happened to them is they built the buzz, played the dives, got a deal, singles, an album, charted & then toured Europe. Whilst out, the record co. pressured them to get the 2nd album done which led to them winging it on the hoof & under pressure, writing on the tour bus, recording in half a day, all that stuff.
It tanked, they were dropped & it was all over 18 months after it started.
This made me think how slim it all is. For every band that picks up what is usually an onerous deal, one remove from indentured slavery with a record co. there are thousands who don't & even for those that do, it's a rat race trying to get noticed & exposed in a post TOTP world. Guys like Dave Gilmour for example, must look at the business of it all today from one of their castles & reflect on their sheer good fortune to have been around when the money was there to be made in barrow loads.
I'm struck by this. I play purely for the love of it, the buzz of being in a gang absolutely perfectly tuned into one another. In no way would | ever contemplate it as a career, it's a shark pool from start to finish.
Look at funeral for a friend they had it all were signed , released many albums but weren't happy with the way the record companies were pushing them, so they left and now do the music they want to do.#
Of course the flipside is they now play far smaller venues but they seem far happier.
Justin Cyder said:
This made me think how slim it all is. For every band that picks up what is usually an onerous deal, one remove from indentured slavery with a record co. there are thousands who don't & even for those that do, it's a rat race trying to get noticed & exposed in a post TOTP world. Guys like Dave Gilmour for example, must look at the business of it all today from one of their castles & reflect on their sheer good fortune to have been around when the money was there to be made in barrow loads.
However the artists which do make it today are making far more money than those in the 60's and 70's. There are plenty of people from the 60'/70s who signed virtual slavery contracts or had dodgy managers and accountants and came out of careers with multiple number one albums penny less and messed up.The lucky ones were the ones who were famous enough that their albums still sold well in the 80's and 90's when baby boomers were buying lots of CD's. Or like the Stones were still famous enough to tour through the "mega tour" era which we are currently in.
Also the counter to the TOTP era is of course that you can now potentially get big from Youtube like Bieber or more credibly Maclamore/Ryan Lewis. There are also a fair few people like ERB or Key of Awesome which actually derive the majority of their income from Youtube and are earning hundreds of thousands per year.
That and of course there is the talent show route...........
rswift said:
I'm a professional musician, so is my wife...so are almost all of my friends. Most of us earn a decent living, most of us have no idea what well be doing next month...how does that compare to a "proper" job ?.....no. idea, never done anything else but this. None one I know as a Muso is particularly famous, although we all work with household names on a regular basis, not many of my friends and colleagues are particularly creative, but just jobbing freelance musicians.
Most of us have never done anything else, and all come up through a predictable music college route, whether doing pop or classical.
Versatility is the main key to success, and by success I mean keeping working.
For almost all of the professional musicians I know it was a career path that wasn't questioned, it was a natural progression from playing as kid in garage bands, brass bands, youth orchestras etc and just continued.
Most of us moan about it....but actually I can't think of anything else I'd rather do
What sort of work do you do out of interest?Most of us have never done anything else, and all come up through a predictable music college route, whether doing pop or classical.
Versatility is the main key to success, and by success I mean keeping working.
For almost all of the professional musicians I know it was a career path that wasn't questioned, it was a natural progression from playing as kid in garage bands, brass bands, youth orchestras etc and just continued.
Most of us moan about it....but actually I can't think of anything else I'd rather do
Justin Cyder said:
No. 'Thundersticks' Kev. Not betraying a confidence to share this. They made a mark, but only a brief, small one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAunxgEP_k
I remember them - Indie with a capital schmindie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAunxgEP_k
Good that they had some success at least. I think the figures touted when we got signed were there were approximately 75,000 bands active, producing demos and looking for a record deal Only around 3% get signed (to a 'proper' label) and only 15-20% of them are kept on after the first album. Even less go on to have a meaningful career.
This was just before the digital boom that meant anyone could start recording in their bedroom so the labels still had to invest significantly from the start with little guarantee of recouping.
We recorded our album over a number of sessions at Rockfield and Mono Valley, then mixed & mastered at top studios in London.
Wouldn't happen now.
I got back into playing last autumn after not playing for 15+ years. I was a pretty decent bassist but had other priorities but I'm fairly sure that any success married to gross immaturity would have been disastrous!
Currently having a lot of fun in our rock/metal covers band and fell in with a great group of guys who see it as fun rather than career/income generating. We've done a gig that went OK and have two back-to back in a fortnight that actually involve us covering our costs which is nice.
Part of me would love to have the opportunity to gig for a living but the 40-something in me thinks it'd be very hard work compared to writing software! I'd also miss the decent salary!
Currently having a lot of fun in our rock/metal covers band and fell in with a great group of guys who see it as fun rather than career/income generating. We've done a gig that went OK and have two back-to back in a fortnight that actually involve us covering our costs which is nice.
Part of me would love to have the opportunity to gig for a living but the 40-something in me thinks it'd be very hard work compared to writing software! I'd also miss the decent salary!
Justin Cyder said:
No. 'Thundersticks' Kev. Not betraying a confidence to share this. They made a mark, but only a brief, small one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAunxgEP_k
Saw them playing the uni circuit back when I was a youth. Pulled when they were on stage so have nothing but good memories of them, though the actual memory is fogged by cider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAunxgEP_k
Regarding the thread title... I'm a pro musician, and am very glad I'm not famous! I've worked with lots of famous people and *mostly* they are a pain, and best avoided. Some of them are a bloody nightmare. Nicest folk I meet in the biz are the very talented (much more than me) session players who are quite happy not to shout 'look at me'.
Mr Swift... I see you're a bass player... I did this for about a decade - long time ago - but gave up as I thought computers and samples would kill *proper* bass plying in its tracks. Glad to see I was wrong. (I employ them these days rather than playing... I can't even remember which end to blow down).
Mr Swift... I see you're a bass player... I did this for about a decade - long time ago - but gave up as I thought computers and samples would kill *proper* bass plying in its tracks. Glad to see I was wrong. (I employ them these days rather than playing... I can't even remember which end to blow down).
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