Bands - worth the effort?
Discussion
Sounds like the usual band s
te to me.
I was in a band with the same singer for 10+ years, we got on great as it started as a sixth form thing. The guitarist and drummer also mates. It was drummers we went through. Must have been a dozen in ten years. The final straw with that band came when the guitarist, fiddle player and drummer just fked off the to seaside one day instead of rehearsal which I had paid for in advance.
The next band was pretty good but trailed off eventually when people went their separate ways.
I moved south and ended up in a 3 piece with a singer/songwriter/guitarist/genius or at least he thought so. He used to send me and the drummer massive rant emails, get totally aholed at gigs and mess up and blame us. He eventually got caught speeding twice in the same day lost his job and went home. I'd had enough of his attitude anyway after he nearly got us arrested after a gig in London.
Lots more stories like that but I feel it gets harder as you get older. People have less free time and more commitments so it's a long hard slog to get to gigging standard.
I'm still looking for a band though. Not much about for a 40 something bass player it's all kids doing thrash or OAP's doing blues.
If anyone wants a bass player in the surrey/berks/hamps borders area, I'm available!
te to me. I was in a band with the same singer for 10+ years, we got on great as it started as a sixth form thing. The guitarist and drummer also mates. It was drummers we went through. Must have been a dozen in ten years. The final straw with that band came when the guitarist, fiddle player and drummer just f
ked off the to seaside one day instead of rehearsal which I had paid for in advance. The next band was pretty good but trailed off eventually when people went their separate ways.
I moved south and ended up in a 3 piece with a singer/songwriter/guitarist/genius or at least he thought so. He used to send me and the drummer massive rant emails, get totally a
holed at gigs and mess up and blame us. He eventually got caught speeding twice in the same day lost his job and went home. I'd had enough of his attitude anyway after he nearly got us arrested after a gig in London.Lots more stories like that but I feel it gets harder as you get older. People have less free time and more commitments so it's a long hard slog to get to gigging standard.
I'm still looking for a band though. Not much about for a 40 something bass player it's all kids doing thrash or OAP's doing blues.
If anyone wants a bass player in the surrey/berks/hamps borders area, I'm available!
Bit of an update for those who are interested.
Turns out the hassle before was because my bassists wife went nuts about the 'relationship' between him and the lead singer (female). Lead singer subsequently went ballistic and quit the band. Accused my bassist of harrassing her. They work together, and she even got their manager involved with this harrassment complaint.
I got in touch and said "I'm ouuta here". 5 weeks and 2 big dramas. fk that st.
Now, no one wants me to 'make a final decision' because apparently this bloody nightmare of a lead singer has got cold feet and wants back in. Bassist, being a complete fking sap, is meeting up with her tonight to sort it out.
As I said, fk that. Life is too short. May look for a bit of an acoustic duo kind of gig. Something different, with potential for less messing around.
Turns out the hassle before was because my bassists wife went nuts about the 'relationship' between him and the lead singer (female). Lead singer subsequently went ballistic and quit the band. Accused my bassist of harrassing her. They work together, and she even got their manager involved with this harrassment complaint.
I got in touch and said "I'm ouuta here". 5 weeks and 2 big dramas. f
k that st. Now, no one wants me to 'make a final decision' because apparently this bloody nightmare of a lead singer has got cold feet and wants back in. Bassist, being a complete f
king sap, is meeting up with her tonight to sort it out. As I said, f
k that. Life is too short. May look for a bit of an acoustic duo kind of gig. Something different, with potential for less messing around. Start again, find 3 other people who've done it all before, have their own transport, top end instruments and not in it for the money.
Learn the following songs.
Brown Sugar
Jumping Jack Flash
20th Century Boy
Johnny B Goode
Hi Ho Silver Lining
A few other crowd pleasers/standards
Your interpretation of some modern chart ste
Get 2 x 45 minute sets, 2 encores and something the bride would like to have a half arsed attempt at singing.
Market yourself for weddings parties, pubs and private functions.
Sorted!
Learn the following songs.
Brown Sugar
Jumping Jack Flash
20th Century Boy
Johnny B Goode
Hi Ho Silver Lining
A few other crowd pleasers/standards
Your interpretation of some modern chart s
teGet 2 x 45 minute sets, 2 encores and something the bride would like to have a half arsed attempt at singing.
Market yourself for weddings parties, pubs and private functions.
Sorted!
I reckon I can top that.
I was in a band at uni. For various reasons we were sort of on and off for a few years but in 2006 we got our st together. Regular all weekend practices, gigs all over the place, demos, radio airplay, the works. We were just starting to get a bit of a name outside of our town. The lead singer/guitarist/songwriter was a bit of a prat but we all gave him some leeway since he was important to the band. He was always making threats about sacking everyone and getting a laptop to replace us.
Just after Christmas that year, and a few weeks before the nationwide tour we'd spent a few months booking up I was at a mate's wedding in Peru (and that's another story entirely), when I received a MySpace message from a promoter I know, telling me that said lead singer had been pissed up in a bar that weekend and was telling everyone he could find that he'd fired me, and there wasn't anything I could do about it.
Funnily enough a few months earlier I'd been tasked with looking into the legal arrangements for the band as regards money and other decisions. A band is effectively a partnership, and those are governed by a specific law unless there's a separate agreement. One of the parts of that law was that you can't be fired from a partnership.
I "forgot" to write a separate agreement that would have allowed me to be fired.
When I got back to the UK I pointed this out, at which point they said "fine", and all left the band. They obviously tried to carry on with the business of the band (the tour) under a different name, which is also covered under the law. I pointed this out to all of the venues, and they all cancelled. I think most of them work in call centres now.
Since then, I've done a bit of roadying for a friend's band, and that was great fun. But I've never been in a band since - the business always gets in the way.
I was in a band at uni. For various reasons we were sort of on and off for a few years but in 2006 we got our s
t together. Regular all weekend practices, gigs all over the place, demos, radio airplay, the works. We were just starting to get a bit of a name outside of our town. The lead singer/guitarist/songwriter was a bit of a prat but we all gave him some leeway since he was important to the band. He was always making threats about sacking everyone and getting a laptop to replace us.Just after Christmas that year, and a few weeks before the nationwide tour we'd spent a few months booking up I was at a mate's wedding in Peru (and that's another story entirely), when I received a MySpace message from a promoter I know, telling me that said lead singer had been pissed up in a bar that weekend and was telling everyone he could find that he'd fired me, and there wasn't anything I could do about it.
Funnily enough a few months earlier I'd been tasked with looking into the legal arrangements for the band as regards money and other decisions. A band is effectively a partnership, and those are governed by a specific law unless there's a separate agreement. One of the parts of that law was that you can't be fired from a partnership.
I "forgot" to write a separate agreement that would have allowed me to be fired.
When I got back to the UK I pointed this out, at which point they said "fine", and all left the band. They obviously tried to carry on with the business of the band (the tour) under a different name, which is also covered under the law. I pointed this out to all of the venues, and they all cancelled. I think most of them work in call centres now.
Since then, I've done a bit of roadying for a friend's band, and that was great fun. But I've never been in a band since - the business always gets in the way.
HOGEPH said:
My brother works on the theory that out of 10 gigs, 6 will be ste, 3 will be ok and 1 will be fantastic and the whole reason you're doing all this nonsense.
I'm averaging about 8 ste gigs...
We definitely had a ste, 3 will be ok and 1 will be fantastic and the whole reason you're doing all this nonsense.I'm averaging about 8 s
te gigs...t one on Saturday. Singer lost his voice less than half way through, lead guitarist and bassist acting like the chuckle brothers. On the biggest stage we'll play all year at a local beer fest that we do for free for the exposure.Not sure the exposure helped our cause...
I've just started a band. First time I've played in anger in many years. I used to be a session guitarist. It all comes flooding back. I've just stopped making library music for a while. Burned myself out. Amazing feeling - I've left it too long. Also - brothers on bass and drums who, thanks to the lord, can really sing together. A three piece with harmonies. Playing brutal British blues - no pedals, no mucking about. Nailed 'As the Years Go Passing By' straight off the bat. Took years off me - I was 20 again.
Tom_C76 said:
We definitely had a st one on Saturday. Singer lost his voice less than half way through, lead guitarist and bassist acting like the chuckle brothers. On the biggest stage we'll play all year at a local beer fest that we do for free for the exposure.
Not sure the exposure helped our cause...
We played a free village event a few weekends ago, the on stage sound was dreadful to the point where most of the time we did not know what we were playing and made several bigish mistakes. The audience all said it was great though and danced their socks off. What feedback did you get from the crowd?t one on Saturday. Singer lost his voice less than half way through, lead guitarist and bassist acting like the chuckle brothers. On the biggest stage we'll play all year at a local beer fest that we do for free for the exposure.Not sure the exposure helped our cause...
D
scrubchub said:
Anyone else feel that their band isn't worth the effort sometimes? I feel like just packing it in and being a 'bedroom guitarist', but as I'm a guitar teacher, I really need to be gigging I feel.
I play bass in two bands - both covers one at the mellow end of rock (Fleetwood Mac, Skynnrd, etc.) the other harder rock (AC/DC, RATM and on).Diary management in both can be a real pain in the arse but it's what it is - if people aren't around then we don't gig.
If it's a commercial band - functions aiming to be your living then it's a commitment members make or they're out. If, as yours seems, it's a hobby band then life comes first.
In the scenario you recount it seems like the rest of the band weren't hearing your singers concerns. Much as the rest of the band feel ready it's the singer that's out front and HAS to be in a good place to perform. Sounds like the group you have hasn't engaged basic empathy for the collective whole - that includes encouraging and building confidence in your front-woman.
Nothing beats gigging, particularly to an enthusiastic crowd. Don't stick with the bedroom.
Bullett said:
I'm still looking for a band though. Not much about for a 40 something bass player it's all kids doing thrash or OAP's doing blues.
If anyone wants a bass player in the surrey/berks/hamps borders area, I'm available!
I think I was really lucky with my main band - I'm oldest @ 44 and hte youngest is 38. All in it for fun all, barring the singer, drama-free and the singer is such a nice bloke you just don't mind it! All into the same music with enough difference of opinion to keep it interesting.If anyone wants a bass player in the surrey/berks/hamps borders area, I'm available!
Here's my crazy band story:
Many moons ago I was a guitarist in a country rock band fronted by a guy and a gal who thought they were June and Johnny reincarnated (even before June and Johnny passed). He did all the organising and I was just told the name of the venue a day or two before.
So one Saturday evening I head off to the gig - a village hall somewhere around High Wycombe.
I duly arrive and set up. The hall starts filling up Something is not quite right. There isn't much noise. No one is talking to to each other. But there is a lot of gesturing going on. It turns out we have been booked to play at a Country and Western evening for a deaf society.
That's right - they're all stone deaf.
So what's the point? Well they can sense and ' hear' the bass and drum vibrations perfectly.
So 'June and John" are belting out 'These Boots Are Made For Walking" etct to a silent crowd and we are playing fairly well. People are dancing. It looks like a silent disco.
After the song ended I checked my tuning. and then realised there was no point. They couldn't hear me.
And that's the story I promised to tell Michael Parkinson when I was invited on his show after becoming famous.
Many moons ago I was a guitarist in a country rock band fronted by a guy and a gal who thought they were June and Johnny reincarnated (even before June and Johnny passed). He did all the organising and I was just told the name of the venue a day or two before.
So one Saturday evening I head off to the gig - a village hall somewhere around High Wycombe.
I duly arrive and set up. The hall starts filling up Something is not quite right. There isn't much noise. No one is talking to to each other. But there is a lot of gesturing going on. It turns out we have been booked to play at a Country and Western evening for a deaf society.
That's right - they're all stone deaf.
So what's the point? Well they can sense and ' hear' the bass and drum vibrations perfectly.
So 'June and John" are belting out 'These Boots Are Made For Walking" etct to a silent crowd and we are playing fairly well. People are dancing. It looks like a silent disco.
After the song ended I checked my tuning. and then realised there was no point. They couldn't hear me.
And that's the story I promised to tell Michael Parkinson when I was invited on his show after becoming famous.
Edited by audidoody on Tuesday 7th July 12:49
HOGEPH said:
Start again, find 3 other people who've done it all before, have their own transport, top end instruments and not in it for the money.
Learn the following songs.
Brown Sugar
Jumping Jack Flash
20th Century Boy
Johnny B Goode
Hi Ho Silver Lining
A few other crowd pleasers/standards
Your interpretation of some modern chart ste
Get 2 x 45 minute sets, 2 encores and something the bride would like to have a half arsed attempt at singing.
Market yourself for weddings parties, pubs and private functions.
Sorted!
Or stick drawing pins in your eyes... which will be less painful! Learn the following songs.
Brown Sugar
Jumping Jack Flash
20th Century Boy
Johnny B Goode
Hi Ho Silver Lining
A few other crowd pleasers/standards
Your interpretation of some modern chart s
teGet 2 x 45 minute sets, 2 encores and something the bride would like to have a half arsed attempt at singing.
Market yourself for weddings parties, pubs and private functions.
Sorted!
davidd said:
IainT said:
GetCarter said:
Or stick drawing pins in your eyes... which will be less painful!
Summer of '69
All The Small Things
Basket Case
American Idiot
Vertigo
Song 2
Pretty Vacant
Oblivion
Lithium
Back in Black
Paranoid
Wishing Well
Slither
Killing In The Name
Gig from hell saturday night - 37 degrees in a forest and as it was dark and with the stage lights = a million mosquitos. it wasn't so much the heat but the sheer amount of flies in eyes/face etc. Horrible.
OP - the change of pace with an acoustic due should bring the fun back hopefully
OP - the change of pace with an acoustic due should bring the fun back hopefully
For what it's worth, I walked away from mine last night. Carrying on as a duo with the singer, but after 18 months of slog we were going nowhere. We were well behind what we had achieved 12 months ago in fact.
Was a bit of a wrench, and I'm glad he agreed to carry on the duo. Think it was the right thing for me to do though.
Was a bit of a wrench, and I'm glad he agreed to carry on the duo. Think it was the right thing for me to do though.
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