threeornothing Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Heh, might be a "controversial" one? What age do you think you're passed it for starting up a band, I don't care that Rolling Stones are 80 years old or whatever, they weren't when they started up. Do you think theres much of a demand for older bands starting up these days?Personally, coming up for 23, I'm feeling passed it and should just let it die....anyone else think the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laxton's Superb Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 23 is on the brink i think....look at Franz Ferdinand though, some of those lads are in their 30's!im a plucky 19 year old though, at the peak of my band powers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkt Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 It's a tough one. Some old bands are just embarassing, however Andy Griswold from The Dangerfields is still in fine form at I think 31, and the Swellbellys were in their late 30s before they formed and are one of the best live punk bands in Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkt Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 And don't forget Ian Mackaye who still challenges musical boundaries. Jello Biafra still has a lot of relevant things to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooth_groover Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I'm also coming up for 23, and I have been in 'two minds' over this subject for a while now. Part of me wants to move on to something completely different, but would I regret this in the future? It's a bitch because I know how fun it is to be in a band, but sometimes I just can't be arsed. ?( So I think I know where your coming from... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bluesxman Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Well i'm 33 and just joined one. Who gives a shit how old you are if that's what you want to do to enjoy yourself? I'm under no illusion that I am ever going to be in a band to get famous and make money but still enjoy playing music, even if i'm nae very good!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I'm 24 and still hunger for it so I'm going to keep doing it. I think once you stop enjoying it then it's time to stop. Fuck stopping because you think you're too old to "make it" or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie suvara Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 It's a bit of a sweeping generalisation to dismiss "older" people as being unable to start a band - and as for the "demand" bit - surely you start a band first and foremost for your own musical enjoyment, not to fulfill some perceived gap in the market. Possibly within certain genres, fans may look at older folk in bands as being past it - certainly it seems a bit silly for a 35 year old to be singing songs of teenage angst. However, musical talent undoubtably increases with age, practice and experience, so to write off people as being unable to start bands or play music over a certain age seems foolhardy.I'm 35 and unable to play in a band at the moment due to the demands of my job and young daughter - once my circumstances change, I'll be hopefully back into the band saddle, as I miss it hugely. At the same time however, I won't be spending all my time and money on a band and I won't be travelling up and down the country in a stinking van (never again). I'll play for my own enjoyment (and hopefully that of the audience)Anyway, what do you young pups know about bands, when I was a lad.......RegardsFlossie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midgeski Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 its not like 23 is fucking ancient. as long as you're not drawing your pension then go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Age is irrelevant, quality of music is the main thing.I have more problem going to gigs and feeling like the oldest person there ( im 31 ).Music is there to be enjoyed and life doesn't end at 21 so why should your musical ambitions.KEEP ON ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 give it up when you stop getting enjoyment out of it, simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Anyway' date=' what do you young pups know about bands, when I was a lad.......RegardsFlossie[/quote']Would you be the same Flossie that used to play for The Lorelei, if so when you were a lad, i had a flippin' good time watchin' ya WENDY FRENZY INDEED!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JME Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I think age is irrelevant, although i know it may seem rich coming from an 18 year old, but if your good at what you do, then theres no reason why you cant play in a band at most ages. Furthermore, i think most younger people respect older musicians due to their greater experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I didn't start playing live at all until I was in my forties!!(slopes off to peruse library of 'how to deal with middle age crisis' books) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeornothing Posted May 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 It's a bit of a sweeping generalisation to dismiss "older" people as being unable to start a band - and as for the "demand" bit - surely you start a band first and foremost for your own musical enjoyment' date=' not to fulfill some perceived gap in the market. Possibly within certain genres, fans may look at older folk in bands as being past it - certainly it seems a bit silly for a 35 year old to be singing songs of teenage angst. However, musical talent undoubtably increases with age, practice and experience, so to write off people as being unable to start bands or play music over a certain age seems foolhardy.I'm 35 and unable to play in a band at the moment due to the demands of my job and young daughter - once my circumstances change, I'll be hopefully back into the band saddle, as I miss it hugely. At the same time however, I won't be spending all my time and money on a band and I won't be travelling up and down the country in a stinking van (never again). I'll play for my own enjoyment (and hopefully that of the audience)Anyway, what do you young pups know about bands, when I was a lad.......RegardsFlossie[/quote']Hmm...interesting points...however, by saying you won't be spending all your time and money on the band or travelling the country in the back of an MOT's nightmare...isn't that the fun bit about being in a band? My band has been pretty much stuck in the rehearsal room for the past year and a half, playing the low key local gig here and there, and it just doesn't excite me, its time I could be spending with my kids, painting my walls, cutting the grass....maybe its not age thats the problem, maybe its commitments? By "demand" I don't mean on a huge scale....there are a lot of younger bands locally, usually playing the same music better, thus is there a need for the older boys to try and show them how its done when everyone is happy with the younger bands?Personally, I really still want to push on...everything I've done musically lately has been a bit of a wasted effort, does age come into play or am I just a crap songwriter?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie suvara Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Would you be the same Flossie that used to play for The Lorelei' date=' if so when you were a lad, i had a flippin' good time watchin' ya [b']WENDY FRENZY INDEED!!!! I would indeed - thanks for the kind words.Mind you, I was hardly a "lad", even then - the band started when I was 21 and imploded due to alcoholic differences when I was 26. I would wholeheartedly support your previous comment"Music is there to be enjoyed and life doesn't end at 21 so why should your musical ambitions."Youth - it's wasted on the young.RegardsFlossie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ghost Of Fudge Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 i saw neil young at reading 95 (?). he was wearing a white suit and smashing everyhting around him. i surfed over the front during the last song (rocking in the free world) when he started to go apeshit, and still had time to get back to the middlefront of the stage and watch him pushh over some amps, crack his guitar into small peices, and throw them lesuirely to the crowd. amwazing. and he musta been 60 odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 i saw neil young at reading 95 (?). he was wearing a white suit and smashing everyhting around him. i surfed over the front during the last song (rocking in the free world) when he started to go apeshit' date=' and still had time to get back to the middlefront of the stage and watch him pushh over some amps, crack his guitar into small peices, and throw them lesuirely to the crowd. amwazing. and he musta been 60 odd.[/quote']I was there too and your right Neil Young was amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeornothing Posted May 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Yeah but those guys have been around forever!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mordred Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Yeah but those guys have been around forever!!And why is that?Is it because they consistantly write good music and perform well live or is it just because no one from the younger generation can put a candle to them.Where is the competition for the U2's of this world?Is it because they think there getting too old at 23!!!!!U2 never broke big till there third album in todays climate if you dont sell a huge amount of your debut album your dropped from your label. U2 themselves say they'd have never have got so far if they started today.There is no time to develop and that is why no one is reaching the same hights as those older bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdo! Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 you're only passed it when you can't devote enough time and energy to give it your best shot. as you get older, all kinds of shit starts to take over your life and before you know it - you don't have the time.if you're still 100% into it - go for it. 23 is fuck all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ghost Of Fudge Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 i also cite aereosmith at donnington 94. steven tyler and joe perry didn't stop moving all night. they mustavebin sixty odd too. and it's not like they were playing 20bpm shite ballads all night, they were playing the absolute classics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundian Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Keilan, don't you mean "At what age should you stop deluding yourself that being in a band is anything other than an expensive hobby." The answer to your actual question is, quite obviously, never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeornothing Posted May 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 touche soundsman... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marillionboy Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I can't for the life of me see how someone's age has anything to do with their skills as a musician. It has bugger all to do with someone's acting ability, painting skills or writing novels so why should it matter music wise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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