As a drummer and a keyboard player playing in both bands and as a OMB, I can tell you they are vastly different.

In the band on drums, I am constantly being overpowered by guitarists and bass players ripping through their mega amps. They complained to me to hit the drums harder which I will not do. So in their infinite wisdom, they decide to amplify my drums through the main PA system and add sub-woofers to accentuate the bass drum. Now I sound awesome, however they still try to over power me. Guess who loses this competition? The fans. Our music is so loud, that I have had to go out and buy a sound level meter and give it to the club owners so they can measure our volume as to make sure we do not create a bad experience for their guests.

The difference between playing in a OMB and a full band is amazing to me. As a OMB, you must be more creative, fill more empty spaces, provide more backing vocals, and fill-ins, and keep your act fresh. With a band, the very nature of 5 or 6 individuals lends itself to more creative juices feeding off of each other, more vocal variety, etc.

I am in a 5 piece band and we play VFW's and Clubs, but we make a hell of a lot more money than $100-200. We are one of the top bands in our area and command $800-$1500 per night. Weddings are quadruple that.

I could never make that money as a OMB.

Al