I wanted to either start or join a band talented enough to get a deal and put out a record or two and tour. But by the time I got to Hollywood, 91-92, trends like hiphop and grunge were where all the energy and interest were. I was more of a traditional hard rock player and didn't relate to either of those camps. I wasn't interested in them, and they weren't interested in me.
But probably more significant was that I couldn't get any California musicians to play covers as way of establishing the band, on the way to getting established as an original band. The idea is you spend the first 6-9 months playing covers, getting tight, getting paid, getting your name around, and getting an audience for your original music when you finally had written some. Everyone seemed to cringe when I suggested that. It seemed to be a point of pride when musicians I met talked about how they 'don't want to play other people's music' in the most often-used phrase. That was so silly to me that it disarmed me and I never knew how to respond. So most projects came down to a bunch of guys throwing together a bunch of songs so we'd have something to play.
So we played the typical shitty gigs you play when you're an unsigned original band. 5th on a 7-band bill on a Thursday night. Pay to play scams. I played with some good bands but there was never any money coming in. We all had day jobs and were putting money into it. That gets old when the gigs never seem to get better or frequent enough that you feel like it's going somewhere. Sooner or later someone throws in the towel. One day it was me.
A few years later, I got the itch again and started playing in a pro cover band with a great setlist. I soon realized that it's very satisfying in it's on way. It's challenging to have to pull off everything from Lady Gaga to Led Zep and all points between, challenging to do that and still maintain a style and sound of your own. It's harder than playing your own stuff. And, look, people are dancing and digging it and having a good time. At the end on the night, I'll get around 100 bucks. So I'm happy that I get to do that most weekends, play music for everyday people to just dance and have fun. I feel like a folk musician in that sense.
During the week I'm a tech for a special effects (mostly) lighting company. My boss also plays in a band and is extremely supportive.