Ah, a bar band is setting up...

EngrSorenson

EngrSorenson

Noticed by Senpai
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It probably happens to most of us- you're out having a meal or beers with some friends or your honey, and a guitar player comes carting his stuff in.
Then the bass player, then a drummer... before long whatever place you're in is moving tables to account for a mountain of gear and you realize you're going to hear yet another bar band play "Take it Easy".
I'm eyeballing the drinks and the food situation and gauging how much time I have before I can't hear my friends anymore.

What's your experience with bar bands?
The kicker is- I've played in bar bands off and on for 18 years.
I play in one currently...
I'm sure a few of us out here (like MolokaiRider MolokaiRider ) also have the pleasure, so I'm interested on what people think.

I feel like a guy who owns a pizza shop but isn't interested in eating pizza.
I guess to expound on that more- I guess I've just been so exposed to casual bar bands that I feel like spending time with my friends is more interesting.

Oh... also, we're playing on the 11th, so come out and say hi! 🤣
 
FREEEEEEBBIIIIRRDD

Been clean and out of bars for 13 years. But I had a hell of time when I was playing in them. There's much to enjoy if you're looking for a soundtrack to a night out, not so much if you're interested in what the soundtrack sounds like.
 
Sorry, my friend, but 90% of the time if a band starts coming in, I start leaving. This is partially because about 99% of bar venues decide that heavy amplification is the solution to bad acoustics and I just don't enjoy being unable to hear myself think.

If I want to have live music while I'm drinking I would much rather go to a jazz club and listen there.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Sorry, my friend, but 90% of the time if a band starts coming in, I start leaving. This is partially because about 99% of bar venues decide that heavy amplification is the solution to bad acoustics and I just don't enjoy being unable to hear myself think.

If I want to have live music while I'm drinking I would much rather go to a jazz club and listen there.
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Haha, you don't have to apologize to me bud, I get it.
My current band plays quieter than most that I've played with, but I often think that I wouldn't stay to listen to me play either.
... then again, I think I'm jaded.
 
Oh this could be a fun thread. What instrument do you play?

I play in two local bands regularly, backup for a third, and sometimes fill in for others.

I love watching and hearing live music, so I am pretty biased on the topic.
 
It depends on whether I brought my earplugs. If I don't have them, I'm gone before they can set up. Of course, I haven't gone to an actual bar just to go in about thirty years.
 
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MolokaiRider said:
Oh this could be a fun thread. What instrument do you play?

I play in two local bands regularly, backup for a third, and sometimes fill in for others.

I love watching and hearing live music, so I am pretty biased on the topic.
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Started out life as a pianist, but in high school gravitated towards bass and singing, which I usually have to cavate with "studied jazz and classical" just so people take me seriously.
I like live music, too, but I prefer if it's something that I'm not doing, and I prefer if I'm aware that I'm going to it.
I really like the yazz music, big band and small ensemble, and I always have a soft spot for a cappella voices.

sometimes I think if I hear "Mary Jane's Last Dance" one more time I'll lose my grip on reality.
 
I'll give them a listen - more than once I've heard some good music.

last time this happened to me was at the local brewhouse. I knew they had live music on thursdays, but we were there to meet a friend and catchup.
that guy was good and played everything from Roy Orbison to NIN. he's now on my list of local musicians to follow in case I want to go catch a live show.

Other times I've been in a place just to see some music and couldnt stick around to listen to whatever it was they were trying to call music.

but you are 100% right, its not conducive to having a conversation
 
l1ranger said:
but you are 100% right, its not conducive to having a conversation
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Right? The purpose is divided. It would be one thing if the band knew they were background music, or the venue was known for performances.

The best place we play currently is an outdoor venue in a town with a strict sound ordinance, and an adjacent CVS who calls the cops if things get too loud.
There's a place where you can choose your level of participation.
 
another thing though, even run of the mill casual dining restaurants often have their music turned up way to loud for conversational purposes.
I know I don't have the best ears, but they aint that bad
 
I always love going to hear music. I used to travel to St.Louis often for my work, and would end up at the Oyster Bar in the evening. Typically awesome bands.

For my current playing, we typically play dance music and we're paid to be there. The majority of the audience seems to enjoy it.

Granted by the time we play dinner is long over. This Friday we have a gig with four other bands. We have the second to last time slot (11:30-12:45).

I always say the more drunk and stoned the crowd, the better we sound lol.
 
MolokaiRider said:
I always love going to hear music. I used to travel to St.Louis often for my work, and would end up at the Oyster Bar in the evening. Typically awesome bands.

For my current playing, we typically play dance music and we're paid to be there. The majority of the audience seems to enjoy it.

Granted by the time we play dinner is long over. This Friday we have a gig with four other bands. We have the second to last time slot (11:30-12:45).

I always say the more drunk and stoned the crowd, the better we sound lol.
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Yeah, we make a little money too- nothing to write home about, but no one ever really knows what music is worth. One place we play has drunk regulars who love to dance- and we’re lucky to have it.

I often say that I’m better after two beers. Not three though. I’m not better after 3.
 
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