tommykat1
XP10 Dyna-Sonic Member
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Registered: 06-2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3292
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Pure Exhaustion
Hoo boy. I've been playing twice a week in my current band, plus some weddings and casuals on the weekends. Also, we had a cool open mike party at the mandolin/guitar player's house in his back yard last weekend.
My drive to the two weekly gigs is 45 - 50 minutes each way. We play for three hours, and I only get a few breaks, as the singer/songwriters keep popping up on stage and ask for drums/percussion (the other members of our house band often sit things out). I don't get home until midnight, and I have a day gig the next day at 7:30 AM!
Add to this that we have a catalog of 300+ songs, many of which are original. We don't rehearse, so I have to be on my toes. And one more thing: 99% of the time, there's no bass player, so I have to do double duty at the bottom end!
The party last weekend went from 4:00 PM till 10:00, and I took maybe two ten minute breaks. Got to stretch Stew McGoo to the max, playing everything from torch songs with brushes to heavy rock n' roll. Even unmiked and outside, ol' Stew was up to the task...six hours, for crying out loud.
Don't know how long I can keep this up. I am fulfilled, but I ain't no spring chicken, and I'm exhausted!
    
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8/13/2008, 10:33 am
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rogerwdowns
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Registered: 02-2008
Location: Greenfield,OHIO
Posts: 854
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Re: Pure Exhaustion
I have also found the "will you play w/us " thing. Depending on the person and my mood, I try to do it.
Sometimes I just disappear w/the rest of our band.
I dont smoke cigarettes,but I will take a somke break!
Sometimes ya gotta,or those w/o a drummer take advantage. It's not too much to ask for 15 minutes every 2 hours!
Sounds like you are playing your butt off. Dont get burnt out too fast. Your favs will become a burden and thats not what it's all about. It's the fun. And gas $$. But mostly fun.
The only REAL solution is to QUIT the day job! IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BAND!! HAHA!!HEEHEE!! HO,hum! 
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8/13/2008, 2:31 pm
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