Pissed off at my band.

[hepcat]

I'm getting sick of my moron bandmates. We have a show tomorrow. We haven't played together as a group since March 8th, our last show. I play bass in the band, and I'm not being cocky or anything, but I can hold that mother down. I practice with or without them. The lead guitar player is one of my best friends, he practices, and is always down to jam/practice. The other two members of the band is where my anger lies.

Our drummer doesn't even own a drum set. He uses my shitty Yamaha Stage Custom set to play shows that I use to take out my rage at life on. Needless to say, he doesn't ever practice. During shows, he frequently drops his sticks, screws up fills, and drops the beat entirely. I told him a month ago about the show tomorrow and asked him if he could practice a few times before the show and he's all like "yeah yeah man". So I text him regularly, asking him if he wants to practice, and he's always got an excuse why he can't. His biggest positive attribute is his energy. He brings it hardcore when he plays and he does some cool stuff. He fits the personality of the band and as a person and friend I like him, but he's obviously not committed to the band. I'd kick him out if this band was serious and going somewhere.

But the reason we aren't going anywhere is our lead singer. He is a dreaded black dude going where the wind blows him. No permanent residence, he lived on my couch when the band was formed. We of course grew close with him living under my care. He's extremely talented and writes from his heart. But his vagabond ways have lead him elsewhere. He now lives back in Charlotte where he grew up, most likely bouncing from friend to friend, mooching his livelihood off them. I called his friends trying to talk to him to see if he was for sure gunna make it to the show. He calls today (the day of the show) and we talk for 30 seconds, he says he's gunna be there, asks me if I'm gunna be there, says he has to go then hangs up.

So here I sit. A practice "scheduled" for tonight. Even though our lead singer won't be here, the rest of us were going to practice. But of course, our "drummer" had an intramural basketball game tonight, and hasn't called. My roomate has a test in the morning and requested we end by midnight. My ultimatum is, if we don't practice, I don't play. And without me and all my equipment, there is no band.

Just needed to vent.

Myspace.com

[Never1]

I only got through the first paragraph.

Welcome to band-hood.

Some people want it.

Other's "really" don't.

There are two types. The weekend warrior wnnabes and the hardcore stars to be.

Beware the fakes who love playing in a band on the surface but when you dig you realize they love the attention/status/chicks/free booze/goof off time/ all of those above....etc..

You need to decide what category you fall under, and, once you figure that out, you need to take appropriate action. Trust me when I say you'll be doing yourself a favor when you spot the dead weight and ditch them ASAP. might suck for the short term as far as gigs go, but if you're destined, you'll meet the right guys.

[Chris Lago]

Well hey, could be worse... My drummer left practice as he was setting up his drums tutt He left us all hanging.

That's why I don't want to be in bands anymore... Too much drama and not enough music.

[Lute]

Yep, lose the other guys, they lack focus. Scout around for replacements

[jimcroisdale]

Aarrggh! Don't even get me started!!!!

[Chaellus]

thats why in my spare time when not mixing im working on my music as a multi instrumentalist and vocalist.....sometimes you got to drop the mothers.

[hepcat]

So we ended up not practicing last night. Around 11, drummer texts me and says, and I quote "I blew out my leg playin basketball man well just have to practice a little tomorrow i really cant play tonight i can barely walk"

I'd accept that if he only hasn't been making excuses of why he can't practice since the band was formed. I don't know what to do with this kid. We've got to drive about two hours to get to this show, and we haven't played together since our last show, let alone PRACTICED. Heaven forbid we actually practice again. On top of it all, I'm the one that has to pack up all the equipment and drive it to the show, since everything besides the lead guitarists guitar is mine. I'm so close to just saying I'm done with this band right now. It's so frustrating to have to be the sole brains and motivation of a band.

[fabricaudio]

I doesnt look you enjoy it anymore. Being in a band is because you have fun and maybe end up making something altogether. I dont see any future from what you describe. Better start something new.

Think that you even loose an opportunity to start something good if you stuck in this situation because you look unavailable to others musicians at the moment

Do the show and then start again with new people

I play 6 years with the same people, but we understand each other and have the same objectives, if it didnt work i wouldnt be with them

Nikolas

[Kris]

Move on! The next band is ALWAYS better than the last...

[vonrichter]

FWIW, I checked your myspace and dug "Soundcheck"

[KingDaddyO]

Dump those 2 losers & strike out with your guitarist ... 'and life flows on within you and without you'

[kafka]

Originally Posted by KingDaddyO

Dump those 2 losers & strike out with your guitarist ... 'and life flows on within you and without you'

Yeah.

[Tha Wiizard]

Dreaded black dude. Don't tell me Lil Wayne is in your bandthumbsup

[maxpidge]

bands practice????

[narcoman]

how come your "label" is a "major"?


Lose the dudes - move on.

[Digitar]

Memories, Memories

[AjanovicH]

Originally Posted by narcoman

Lose the dudes - move on.

Could not agree more...

In addition, learn to play other instruments, write your songs and find people to play them. Find good musicians first, then become friends with them. I played with two great musicians (bass + drums). Initially, we got together as musicians, had great chemistry while making music, and slowly become friends for life.

[AllAboutTone]

Here is you a I hate you Story.

I have been playing in the same band for 14 years, yes you heard me, 14 years, never missed a beat, never had a bad verbal fight at practice etc.
Although we do play well together and really gel on stage, that is the only thing we have going, we have never hung out together, golfing, or went out for a concert, we have never went anywhere and did anything but music, we show up for practice and we show up for all our gigs, out side of that we are strangers for 14 years, we simply do not care for each others personal life.......any one here have the same story ??

[jimcroisdale]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Here is you a I hate you Story.

I have been playing in the same band for 14 years, yes you heard me, 14 years, never missed a beat, never had a bad verbal fight at practice etc.
Although we do play well together and really gel on stage, that is the only thing we have going, we have never hung out together, golfing, or went out for a concert, we have never went anywhere and did anything but music, we show up for practice and we show up for all our gigs, out side of that we are strangers for 14 years, we simply do not care for each others personal life.......any one here have the same story ??

Pretty much same here, coming up on three years in the band, just shy of 200 gigs.

We turn up, set up, play and go home. On that level they are great guys and evrything goes smoothly.

The one time we went to a studio to record a demo I realised that it's for the best, too......

I guess we're totally different people with just the one common interest. But so what? We love to rock and that's all that matters!

Or it could be that the singer's GF is a complete nutjob......

Jim

[hepcat]

I love hearing about the social stratifications from old bands. In high school I played trombone in a Ska band. There was at one point, nine of us in the band. We very rarely had a practice where all nine of us were there, but there was usually like 12 people at these practices on average with members bringing their friends and significant others over to hear the practice. We practiced once a week usually on Saturday or Sunday, and it was like a party every time we practiced. Girlfriend drama, members too druken/stoned to play, the internal band squabbling...ahh those were good days.

[jimcroisdale]

Originally Posted by hepcat

I love hearing about the social stratifications from old bands. In high school I played trombone in a Ska band. There was at one point, nine of us in the band. We very rarely had a practice where all nine of us were there, but there was usually like 12 people at these practices on average with members bringing their friends and significant others over to hear the practice. We practiced once a week usually on Saturday or Sunday, and it was like a party every time we practiced. Girlfriend drama, members too druken/stoned to play, the internal band squabbling...ahh those were good days.

The sweet sound of verification.......

[Sid Viscous]

Band members are the reason techno/electronica exists.

[Ken Walker]

People wonder why I learned to play piano, bass, guitar, trumpet, trombone, and french horn (brother is a drummer). This thread is one reason.

And Sid may have a good point here...machines don't talk back, don't get high, don't have bitch girl friends, and always show up for rehersal.

[Sid Viscous]

Originally Posted by kpaw

People wonder why I learned to play piano, bass, guitar, trumpet, trombone, and french horn (brother is a drummer). This thread is one reason.

And Sid may have a good point here...machines don't talk back, don't get high, don't have bitch girl friends, and always show up for rehersal.

I guess you've never owned a Fizmo.

[Ken Walker]

Originally Posted by Sid Viscous

I guess you've never owned a Fizmo.

Nope, and I never will!

[Digitar]

Originally Posted by kpaw

People wonder why I learned to play piano, bass, guitar, trumpet, trombone, and french horn (brother is a drummer). This thread is one reason.

And Sid may have a good point here...machines don't talk back, don't get high, don't have bitch girl friends, and always show up for rehersal.

Same here. I never wanted to do it by myself. But necessity is the mother of invention. You either learn to do it alone, or you get a day job.

[Makinithappen]

I really miss the days when I was out playing shows and practicing often but I feel like they were probably more fun in hindsight. There was always something. Bass player works nights.... Guitar player is in school full time and works full time... Singer is an unreliable drifter tattoo artist... Key player has a kid.... weekends are my money-making times at the studio (often into the night)... The 2nd guitar player is just a dick and nobody wants to call him.. The way things are right now, I don't feel like I could get a group of 4-5 guys in the same room at any given time. I have no idea how real adults can have a decent band.

Come to think of it, the best band I have recorded lately is a bunch of single older guys with 9-5 banking/accounting-type jobs.

[Nishmaster]

If you can find pros, the game changes completely.

Endless rehearsals are not only a time suck, but an energy suck as well. When you've played the same tunes 700 times, the song is going to sound like you're playing it for the 701st time when you get to the gig. Tightness is key, of course, but at a certain point, it's up to the individuals.

For my own project, I write all the music myself. I've been playing drums for 18 years, guitar and bass for 10, keys for 8 (and, randomly enough, flute for 8, although I would word it as I've known how to play flute for 8 years). All the parts are written by me. I play guitar/main vox in the group, I've got a pro drummer who I've known for many years, same with bass and keys. The tunes, while not math rock or crazy progressive, are not simple. Two rehearsals before each show is all we need, and it's perfect because we have high energy and are excited for each gig. The guys are cool with it because I'm flexible with my parts and allow everybody to exert their musical personality onto the tunes.

I'm also the drummer in another group that operates somewhat similarly, although for new tunes we come up with our own parts. That results in slightly more rehearsal time, but not a whole lot more.

If you can find some like minded cats who have been doing this for a while, I think your odds of being successful will improve.

[jimcroisdale]

Originally Posted by Nishmaster

If you can find pros, the game changes completely.

Endless rehearsals are not only a time suck, but an energy suck as well. When you've played the same tunes 700 times, the song is going to sound like you're playing it for the 701st time when you get to the gig. Tightness is key, of course, but at a certain point, it's up to the individuals.

For my own project, I write all the music myself. I've been playing drums for 18 years, guitar and bass for 10, keys for 8 (and, randomly enough, flute for 8, although I would word it as I've known how to play flute for 8 years). All the parts are written by me. I play guitar/main vox in the group, I've got a pro drummer who I've known for many years, same with bass and keys. The tunes, while not math rock or crazy progressive, are not simple. Two rehearsals before each show is all we need, and it's perfect because we have high energy and are excited for each gig. The guys are cool with it because I'm flexible with my parts and allow everybody to exert their musical personality onto the tunes.

I'm also the drummer in another group that operates somewhat similarly, although for new tunes we come up with our own parts. That results in slightly more rehearsal time, but not a whole lot more.

If you can find some like minded cats who have been doing this for a while, I think your odds of being successful will improve.

I did this years ago, in a band comprised of kids 16 - 20, but I can't do the same with a bunch of adults - really gets my goat. We've got a rehearsal tonight and I know the singer will only have given the songs a casual listen. The bass player usually waits until the rehearsal before he lets everyone know that he doesn't have the songs to listen to anyways.

*Sigh*

Jim

[rkopald]

Originally Posted by Nishmaster

If you can find pros, the game changes completely.

Endless rehearsals are not only a time suck, but an energy suck as well. When you've played the same tunes 700 times, the song is going to sound like you're playing it for the 701st time when you get to the gig. Tightness is key, of course, but at a certain point, it's up to the individuals.

Oh man, I feel that one. The last band I had going in any legitimate fashion, the other guys couldn't even muster up enough effort to memorize more than 12 tunes. Then we wouldn't rehearse for months, then we'd schedule studio time, only to have a no show, and have to eat the studio fees, or practice with a reduced outfit. Then there was the constant going over the same f*&king songs over and over and over and over again. It got out of control. All this on top of the (bat shit crazy) girlfriends, the armchair critics, the crazy scamming club owners, the drunk band members, etc, etc. Now I'm no longer in a band. dfegad

I was in this one band that had a big fight and broke up right after they hired me. That was fun.