Joelman
Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1503
Redlands, CA
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 01:23 PM
I was wondering how many of the people here make a living playing surf music in a band?
Is there anyone here that does?
I don't mean living in a car and eating top romin noodles.
I mean realisticaly living i.e. house,car, food on the table, all the bills paid, and money to spend?
If not what do you do for a living?
How often do you make<u>_ any_</u> money playing surf in a band?
Lots of prying questions I know but I need some <u>_realistic truth,_</u> for a friend and you guys and girls all seem to be so open and give it out freely.
Thanks
Joel
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 02:25 PM
Make a living playing surf?
    
You can do it eating romin and renting a room for $300 a month.
but a decent living?
It isn't impossible but it's VERY unlikely.
I play professionally for 15 years in one of "top" Trad rockabilly bands of the late 80s and 90s.
We played Conan OâBrien, Carnegie Hall, all over Europe, Japan, even in Russia.
We were a successful band in our genre.
Best year I ever had was barely above poverty level.
I'm not complaining I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
It sucks working a day job now, but it's nice to be able to afford a big gulp when I'm thirsty.
And really nice to have the bread to blow on cars and guitars.
How old is this friend?
— The Thunderchiefs
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 02:38 PM
if you are serious about this, check out the continental mag #13. it has an interview with southern culture on the skids. I know, not surf, but it does provide some insight into what it takes to barely make a living in outside-mainstream music. good read.
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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Overhead_Ted
Joined: Aug 09, 2006
Posts: 245
Long Beach, CA
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 03:20 PM
Not unless you are Dick Dale or Los Straitjackets. There really is no way to make a living playing this music in the States. I have heard of people in Germany, Belgium and a few other places making decent money.
I have friends who do make a living from music and play surf music as a side thing becuase they love it so much (Bernard Yin for example). Bernard plays in The MiGs but also plays in lots other great non-surf bands to make a living. Bernard loves surf music and will play in a surf band for virtually no money.
We, for example (The Detonators), like every other surf band I know, all have normal day jobs and play surf as a hobby because we all love it so much.
This especially applys to California bands because it is impossible to play clubs, etc. and make a living playing surf.
Cheers,
Ted
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Joelman
Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1503
Redlands, CA
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 03:39 PM
krupanut
I'm 56, but my young friend is 27 or 28 . Somewheres around there I believe. He is good, but not great. He thinks it is possiable to make a living but I have been pointing things out to his deff ears.
That's why I sought help here. He will be more impressed with what is said by actual band members from this forum than from me.
My niece travels all over the country in a band called The Nic & Kid show.
She seems happy, but they have nothing phyical to show for years of working at thier craft. I might add that they are really good too! Of course their show is sort of nich music too, they call it Americana, I call it old stuff. WWII type of music.
Joel
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 07:58 PM
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Fripperton
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 08:39 PM
I've found that I can make more money selling guitars than I can playing them.
— There is Surf east of Sepulveda.
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Joelman
Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1503
Redlands, CA
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Posted on Oct 31 2006 11:29 PM
Fripperton
I've found that I can make more money selling guitars than I can playing them.
Man I wouldn't touch that one with a long pole.
Ahhh Vince, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself, I've heard you play...
Actually that's exactly the point I am trying to make with my friend. Some people do make lots of money playing guitar, but most don't.
Thanks for the smile Vince.
Joel
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SurfBandBill
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
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Posted on Nov 01 2006 05:36 PM
What's the difference between a guitarist and a savings bond???
The savings bond matures and eventually starts to earn money!!!
  
Ahhhhh, good times.
~B~
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MikeG
Joined: Mar 29, 2006
Posts: 309
Springfield, Oregon
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Posted on Nov 01 2006 09:15 PM
I can think of no genre of music that is less economically viable than surf.
Even the WORST polka bands get work in October.
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JeffLeites
Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 343
North Hollywood, California
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Posted on Nov 02 2006 10:26 AM
I would think that making a good living playing any kind of music requires a lot of luck and connections. I see fabulous musicians all the time that have day jobs.
— My Web Site - Tunes - Pictures - Guitar Projects - Hard Rock Cafe Guitar Pins
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butchdelux
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 250
Port Fierce, Florida
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Posted on Nov 02 2006 10:31 AM
MikeG
Even the WORST polka bands get work in October.
Around there parts, the only guys who make money playing music teach guitar during the day, and play in shitty classic-rock cover bands by night. No thanks, I'll keep my day job.
— The Disasternauts
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Overhead_Ted
Joined: Aug 09, 2006
Posts: 245
Long Beach, CA
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Posted on Nov 02 2006 10:58 AM
What do you can a professional surf guitarist without a girlfriend?
Answer: Homeless.
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MikeG
Joined: Mar 29, 2006
Posts: 309
Springfield, Oregon
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Posted on Nov 02 2006 11:55 AM
We play a sort of "Baroque Surf".
That is, we play surf music and are Baroque... 
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Showman
Joined: Nov 13, 2006
Posts: 40
Los Angeles born and raised
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Posted on Nov 29 2006 08:16 PM
We actually pulled it off with The Bomboras for a couple of years. Granted we were constantly touring the U.S. and Canada and playing 200+ shows a year. We werent well off by any means but we were able to buy and keep our classic cars running, we all had houses, and our guitar addictions and didnt have to have jobs. I guess it all depends on how much of a full time job you can make out of your band.
— Happiness is being a surf musician that actually surfs. Ride Lord Hunt Surfboards!!!
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kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1338
Escondido, CA
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Posted on Nov 30 2006 08:18 AM
Shane, glad to hear that you were actually able to do that for a while. But I suspect it was also at a time surf music had a little more popularity. I think people who ask about making a living from (surf) music don't understand the amount of work that it requires, with the constant touring and all. Other bands that have done good, I think, were Man Or Astroman? and Los Straightjackets - both toured their asses off.
Ran
— The Scimitars
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Showman
Joined: Nov 13, 2006
Posts: 40
Los Angeles born and raised
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Posted on Nov 30 2006 08:27 PM
kickthe_reverb_
Shane, glad to hear that you were actually able to do that for a while. But I suspect it was also at a time surf music had a little more popularity. I think people who ask about making a living from (surf) music don't understand the amount of work that it requires, with the constant touring and all. Other bands that have done good, I think, were Man Or Astroman? and Los Straightjackets - both toured their asses off.
Ran
Heya Ran, yeah those guys were always on the road, Im sure considerably more than us.
Shane
— Happiness is being a surf musician that actually surfs. Ride Lord Hunt Surfboards!!!
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