Is it tough to start up a band?

[jjgold]

Seems like it’s easy money especially nowadays with all the technology with music making your voice better, I was thinking of getting a few college kids into music and I would be the lead singer Basically concentrating on local bars and small venues.


Start up cost have to be under 15,000 for the equipment???


I know a guy that is doing it he makes a grand a week and they’re not even good, he just wings it on stage with some good background music and synthesizers

[Hman]

Being in a Band is for Losers [Scientific Proof]

If you ask the average person on the street, they all know that musicians are broke, dysfunctional, smug, self-centered, arrogant, unhygenic, elisist, socially inept losers with no future. As much as I believe in the wisdom of crowds, I wondered: what does SCIENCE have to say about this topic? Clearly guys in bands are losers, but what can we learn by digging deeper? Exactly what is the sad life-trajectory of the archetypal band loser??

To answer this question, I did some rigorous statistical analysis of two randomly-selected groups of guys: one cohort who devoted their lives to music, the other who were normal, healthy, everyday people whose association with music began and ended with whatever was on the radio. Figure A illustrates the highlights, but after the break are the SHOCKING RESULTS of our study!

Points of interest:

A: “Weird little kid” phase (age 5)

Most people in bands were ****** up little kids who nobody liked — the weird, dirty kid who smelled bad and had to sit by himself on the school bus because everybody called him “Weinerface” and told the other kids that he ate his own boogers. This alienation is the root of the anger and insecurity that causes the sad, desperate hunger for the attention of strangers that is shared by all musicians.

B: High school talent show (age 16)

This is the first moment in which the coolness of a band guy exceeds that of the regular guy — the band guy plays a poorly-done cover of a popular song at his high school’s talent show and realizes that holding a guitar or microphone is all it takes to get the attention of females with daddy issues and low self-esteem. Normal guy scratches his head, because he remembers when band guy was the dirty weird kid who ate his own boogers, and doesn’t understand why girls are suddenly paying attention to him. Although he doesn’t get it, he just shrugs it off and goes back to studying for the AP Chemistry exam.

C: First big tour (age 23)

At no point is the contrast between band guys and regular guys more apparent than this moment. The regular guy is some poor schmuck working his first job out of college, earning peanuts and living an entirely embarrassing life. Meanwhile, the band guy is on top of the world on his first headlining tour, partying hard, banging groupies, and generally having the time of his life. Females are definitely checking for the band guy, because he is “doing something amazing with his life,” whereas normal guy is just another jerk with a moderately-crappy desk job who just wants to go home, have a Bud Light, and beat off/play some Xbox before he falls asleep in front of the TV.

D: Peers begin coupling (age 26)

Just a few short years later, the tables begin to turn: band guy is still slogging it out on the road, only the novelty is quickly wearing off. At 23 he was just happy to be playing in front of a decent crowd, and if he only made $50 a show after expenses, so be it — he was “in it for the music.” Normal guy, on the other hand, has been at his job for a couple years, has gotten a couple promotions, and is starting to have a pretty decent life. He’s feeling pretty financially comfortable, and decides that it’s time to get married. Band guy thinks “marriage is cheesy” and “a meaningless social construct,” but secretly feels like he might be falling behind the curve. He finds it hard to attract women his age, because they are looking for a stable guy who wants to have a family, not a mental midget that still thinks it’s cool to live like a college student and play music for socially-awkward teenagers.

E: Nesting phase (age 32)

By this point, the game is essentially over. Band guy is still doing the musician thing, only he’s getting older and the crowds aren’t. He’s literally twice as old as the people who listen to his music, he’ll go to prison if he touches any of their groupies, and his non-musician friends stopped going to his shows because they’d feel guilty leaving their kids home alone on a weeknight. They all think he’s a good guy, but when his name comes up they just shake their heads in sympathy and wonder when he’s growing to grow up. Band guy’s coolness has completely evaporated, and at this point he is pretty much on par with all the other broke, dirty guys who beg college students for their spare change. His normal friends are too bummed out to laugh at him; he’s more of an object of pity than ridicule.

F: “That guy who’s still in a band” (age 40)

By now I am sure you can see where this tragic tale is headed. Normal guy’s kids are in junior high school, he’s a senior manager at his job, and life is pretty cool — nothing too exciting, but he’s fine with that. Band guy, meanwhile, works a couple odd jobs (bartender/booking agent at the local C-level venue), and mostly hangs out with people who are 10-20 years younger than he is because nobody his age has any desire to set foot in the shitholes that he works/hangs out at.

G: Sad old alcoholic/my parents (age 50)

I probably don’t even need to continue, because at this point the path is pretty much crystal clear. Unless they wise up and bail on the whole music thing, band guys are doomed to be the “local character” who’s always at the bar, saying dumb shit about the good old days to anybody unfortunate enough to come within shouting distance of him. If that sounds good to you, then keep playing in your little band, I am sure you are going to make it big any day now. But remember: the choice is yours! It’s never too late to become normal guy.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.metalsucks.net/2011/03/03/being-in-a-band-is-for-losers-scientific-proof/amp/

[d2bets]

[kidcudi92]

What the fuk do you think?

[inmyownzone]

Wtffff

[The General]

If the musicians get along, it's not very hard. Don't try it for the money. Just do it for fun. If you are worth anything, the financial part will work itself out.

[lakerboy]

No.

You need 4 white guys who haven't cut their hair in two years and shaved in months.

Throw in a few drums and 100 beers with a bag of dope.

You have a band

[Bostongambler]

I played the trumpet in 3rd grade for two months.


I’m in.

[d2bets]

I'll be the guy pretending to play the synthesizer that's programmed.

[RangeFinder]

You better have a good sound man and good equipment along with talent. I work sound and believe me talent is hard to find that stands out. You have to bring your own distinguished sound to go anywhere. jj you're way too old. You'll get laughed at. Stick to Karaoke

[Big Bear]

start a band bro

[BIGDAY]

[Hman]

The most important 'instrument' in a band is the vocals.

Everything else a dime a dozen.

Few are born with a voice.

Anyone can learn to play an instrument.

[jjgold]

HMAN good stuff

I’m going to go down in a local college to the music department and just see what it’s all about


Bars are always looking for singers and if you undercut everyone you could probably get gigs

[DiggityDaggityDo]

Jj you should start a boy band.

You already have the dance moves perfected.

[Fire in da hole]

JJ going to name his band queer strings

[Fire in da hole]

The most important 'instrument' in a band is the vocals.

Everything else a dime a dozen.

Few are born with a voice.

Anyone can learn to play an instrument.

JJ plays the pecker

[funnyb25]

[gummo]

Best hope is to start an 80's cover band and play church festivals and local bars. Can pick up horny middle aged chicks easily.

[RangeFinder]

The most important 'instrument' in a band is the vocals.

Everything else a dime a dozen.

Few are born with a voice.

Anyone can learn to play an instrument.

Respectfully disagree H. Every member in a good band contributes to a distinguished sound. I'll leave you an example. Van Halen. They switched singers from Roth to Hagar and still were one of the top bands in the world. Not because of vocals but because of every member in the band contributing to a distinguished sound. When you hear the music you know exactly who's playing.

Listen to how professionally put together this is. Different lead singer but beautifully done.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

HMAN good stuff

I’m going to go down in a local college to the music department and just see what it’s all about


Bars are always looking for singers and if you undercut everyone you could probably get gigs

JJ...I got $100 for u, if u make it happen. All u have to do is produce video in a legit establishment w/ you singing and 2+ backup musicians. Karaoke doesn't count.

Don't let the dream die, pal.

[TheMoneyShot]

The guy who's still in a band at 40

[DiggityDaggityDo]

JJ, how about a rap group?

Can you still crip walk?

[JIBBBY]

Lol.... I have no comment. I am a music lover though..

[HurryUpAndDrink]

If the musicians get along, it's not very hard. Don't try it for the money. Just do it for fun. If you are worth anything, the financial part will work itself out.

THIS

Baldy you have no chance unless you do an R.E.M. cover band and you can keep up

[RangeFinder]

jj you can debut at the bash

I don't see it ending well though

[Bostongambler]

Glen do you sing?

[RangeFinder]

Glen do you sing?

No. Sound guy

[JIBBBY]

THIS
Baldy you have no chance unless you do an R.E.M. cover band and you can keep up

[JohnGalt2341]

What type of music do you have in mind jj? The only type of music I can imagine you singing is angry punk rock. I think you could do that quite well actually. Watch the short video below jj, that could be you.

I attached the lyrics below so you can practice:

I'm sorry
For something that I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born
Guilty of being white
I'm sorry
For something that I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born
Guilty of being white
I'm a convict (Guilty!)
Of a racist crime (Guilty!)
I've only served (Guilty!)
Nineteen…

[Thor4140]

Weird i always thought JJ was in a band. I thought he once said he played the skin flute or he sucked on the organ

[lonegambler23]

dont start a band- reel big fish

[19th Hole]

jj.
Qualifiers
1 Hayr
2 talent
3 See 1&2

[JIBBBY]

Get a few big sisters with voices and lock down that back ground vocals and harmony.. That's a good start. Can always find someone that can play an instrument. Gotta get that creativity and new sound going me tinks mon!!!

Back ground vocals are everything in a band these days. Solo is tough unless you are blessed with an angelical voice..

Back ground vocals, flare and a good beat covers flaws..

[VeggieDog]

I used to wonder why the old fukkers still toured. Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, Beach Boys, Stones, etc.

I finally figured it out. They would just be sitting around the house with their friends picking the guitar or piano. So might as well go out and play for people. I think they need to hear the crowd to feel alive, relevant. Why just sit in a chair and wait for death?