Can one make a living playing metal? I say this, as so many semi-popular bands like Nevermore, have full time jobs or part time jobs to make a living. This seems to be a huge problem with many talented metal musicians, as many of them quit the bands to get a real job to support their families etc. Why pick metal anymore if one is a young musician? Even if a young musician has a passion for metal, it is obvious the chances of success, even self dependence are quite slim. Also, I think that it is far easier if one is European, to be in a metal band. If one is European, one has excellent benefits to support one, and hell the swedes even offer music lessons to anyone free of charge( I read this somewhere- I could be wrong) But as an American, if one doesnt make it, one has to spend alot of time in a really shitty service industry job, to pay for their many expenses- including healthcare, and exorbient college costs if one attends college.
Can one make a living in metal?
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Malleus
Nordic Worrier
deathrattlesnake
Member
Reign in Acai
Of Elephant and Man
Sonnenritter
Active Member
It's possible, but highly unlikely. As for examples... Iron Maiden and Metallica are probably the best, despite Metallica's current situation.
Reign in Acai
Of Elephant and Man
Do the members of bands like in flames and opeth hold real jobs? Or are we just discussing the lesser known bands?
Playing music and touring any chance they get is probably just a hobby. If I could do that on my off time, I would love it because playing music as a group is fun and being able to play it for other people is much better.
Adam90125
Member
If a metal band became popular enough to earn a respectable living, they would be accused of selling out, and become unpopular. And then their back to square one.
anonymousnick2001
World's Greatest Vocalist
There's no winning, is there? Fuck, I ain't doing music for a living. Not with zero chances of success, unless I write hits for Justin or Nick Carter on the side under a fake alias, and then play hardcore metal for myself. That's the way.
Naggamanteh
Member
If you are Swedish you don't have to work at all and you still get decent amount of money from the state and the money will suffice for a decent life. Could that explain why there are so many (shitty?) bands in Sweden? Then again if you are an American the state doesn't rip you off on taxes that much. You could work for a few months and then play or tour with your band, sell your CD's while you're on the tour. Playing in a band and running a small distro and maybe even a small label is the perfect combination (not only because of the good CD exchange deals), it gives you good connections and a competitive advantage over those who don't play anywhere.speed said:
Heliologue
neologist
AllWithinMyMonster said:
dunno about in flames, but the guys from opeth have jobs. mikael works in a record store called mellotronen
plfffffft
Madly in anger with you
AjDeath
Of One Man's Sanity
Reign in Acai
Of Elephant and Man
Are you fucking serious? Mikael works at a record shop? That mofo better be assistant manager! Lol. It just fn blows how talented musicians moonlight as security guards. While fucking no talent hacks like britney spears gets 100's of millions just by waving her ta-ta's in the fn air. Fucking bullshit. Then you got these rap artists who make millions just be yelling the word "yo" and "dawg". This world makes me sick.
You guys make a big deal about our taxes- but if you add everything up- property, sales, payroll etc. they are higher than one thinks. Plus, we receive nothing from the gov. - I mean nothing but roads that occasionally get repaved thats about all I can think of- and of course our wonderful military. Hell, any benefits we had are being cut everyday.
plfffffft
Madly in anger with you
AllWithinMyMonster said:
I can't believe I'm saying this, but you are absolutely correct.
Though, as Erik Rutan said once, "Success leads to money, which leads to happiness, and happiness leads to shitty music."
I guess this is the condition of most good art- if one is good- they usually will not make a decent living in their lifetime.
Still Im looking at my debts, and as much as i would like to get the band going again-I just dont see how its possible- I have no money- and I dont want to be living with my parents until Im thrity five so I can play metal in some small club in front of 20 people. I think I should have swallowed my pride and gone rap metal or nu metal or something- at least one could be independent.
Still Im looking at my debts, and as much as i would like to get the band going again-I just dont see how its possible- I have no money- and I dont want to be living with my parents until Im thrity five so I can play metal in some small club in front of 20 people. I think I should have swallowed my pride and gone rap metal or nu metal or something- at least one could be independent.
Rottuated
Live Free Or Die
Ravnanger
Member
Hoest of Taake works at Ikea he he
Grutle of Enslaved works in a fishingsportshop thingy, but I think he loves fishing as much as metal he he
Grutle of Enslaved works in a fishingsportshop thingy, but I think he loves fishing as much as metal he he
Ravnanger
Member
your question realy depends on the person. what he wants and what he needs. I'm a guy who could live in a shitty apartment with enough money to buy some records every month and food and beer. So if I was in a known band I think I would have managed. I don't care for superstardome he he
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