Hi everyone at talkbass,

I'm new here at talkbass, but have always had this issue. Why is it always that most local bands fall apart before they even touch the stage?

Of course I'm speaking on personal experience. Maybe it's the people, the location, the style of music, or a combination of the above. I don't mean to go on a rant, but for someone who has been playing for 8 years this is very irritating. I've only had one band that actually played on stage. While the other X amount of other bands have seemed to fail. Sometimes I get to the point were I don't want to write any more songs, because I know this group will end up like the rest of them. Before I became 21 I tried my hardest to play in bands that I found in classifieds. Time after time they denied me simply because of my age. Most of these bands wanted someone at least 21 mostly due to them playing in bars.

I've tried playing in different style groups, yet they end up the same. My coinfindance in local music doesn't' exist. I'm simply just a bed room rocker.

Wasting a year on band to only see it fall apart piece by piece and then longer exist is depressing. Can anyone share there opinions?

Again I do apologies for sounding like i'm whining.

Maybe you should approach it differently. If a couple of members drop out, don't let the band dissolve. Bring in new members and keep the band going. Most bands go through a few lineup changes.

lineup changes are pretty natural

The farther you go the harder you fall... just enjoy it while you can.:bassist:

Usually I try to stick with the group, but even my latest group has just been reduced down to the singer and me. Guitar player left due to singer being very narrow minded in music style and drummer just dropped of the face of the earth. Aside from that the singer has no motivation what so ever. It's with everthing he does and just how his attitude is.

I guess what I mean to ask is are many people in this kind of situation?

I would love to play gigs, but the way things go it doesn't seem like it's going to happen. Maybe I should just go to New York or someplace that has a better music scene.

Make the cuts you need to make, if that means you end up being a two-man acoustic band, then so be it. But don't be afraid of lineup changes, many bands that people generally admire go through quite a few people before they find that "chemistry" that they need to go a ways past bars in the local area.

I have two friends that we have really good chemistry in some way or another we end up playing with each other. By means of just jamming or sometimes we simply end up in a band by accident.

The usual problem is not having that same chemistry with a singer.But thanks for the info Mr_Sore_Fingerz.

I think the problem is that you're looking at bands as a chance to play shows instead of looking at them as a chance to jam out to some original, or maybe not so original music.

In your situation, just find other groups of musicians to jam with. Eventually you might find one that you really gel with and are on the same page as you in terms of putting together something to show to the public.

I definitely understand why it can be frustrating, especially when people just stop showing up or aren't motivated, but if you're just in it to play music, then whether it's in front of a packed house or in your buddy's basement just practicing, it'll all be worth it.

Right on!

I've enjoyed playing with friends , but have never had my music leave the bedroom/basement/ practice area. It's not like my goal is just to play shows. Having the chance to not do that is just a bummer for me. Seeing friends around me since high school pull bands together and just go out and do shows( no mater how crappy the musicianship is) is just a tick.

It doesn't matter how hard I practice, how fast I play, how flashy it looks, or how incredible catchy/complex or impressive the music is. It all ends in with the same situation, with disappointment. After putting your heart and soul into your music and dealing with that just makes me want to quit.

Yes, it's frustrating :crying:

Hi everyone at talkbass,

I'm new here at talkbass, but have always had this issue. Why is it always that most local bands fall apart before they even touch the stage?

You should see what happens to bands when they get signed.

My personal theory is that people view record labels as surrogate parents - that if they get signed the record label will take care of them so they can play all the time.

But when the time comes, they realize they don't *really* want their live to change, one person backs out & everyone else loses their drive and gives in to own insecurity.

Could be that you're seeing a small-scale version of this.

Be picky about who you commit to. You can usually follow your gut and intuitively know a bad scene.

Get to know all the bands in the area - go out to see them and introduce yourself. Sit if they ask and you're comfortable. Knowing people helps A LOT.

Right on!

I've enjoyed playing with friends , but have never had my music leave the bedroom/basement/ practice area. It's not like my goal is just to play shows. Having the chance to not do that is just a bummer for me. Seeing friends around me since high school pull bands together and just go out and do shows( no mater how crappy the musicianship is) is just a tick.

It doesn't matter how hard I practice, how fast I play, how flashy it looks, or how incredible catchy/complex or impressive the music is. It all ends in with the same situation, with disappointment. After putting your heart and soul into your music and dealing with that just makes me want to quit.

Yes, it's frustrating :crying:
If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Let me give you a little advice...maybe you're putting too much heart and soul into it. Everyone wants to play out. But if you spend too much time preparing to play out, people are going to lose interest. I have a feeling you might be suffering from "It's not good enough-itis." As the songwriter, do you think maybe you're being too picky about the music? Does anyone else write in your projects? How long do you rehearse with a band before it falls apart? Musicians are notoriously impatient and they don't want to spend 6 months rehearsing someone else's songs to play small gigs for little money. So maybe you might want to look at ways to expedite the process.

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Let me give you a little advice...maybe you're putting too much heart and soul into it. Everyone wants to play out. But if you spend too much time preparing to play out, people are going to lose interest. I have a feeling you might be suffering from "It's not good enough-itis." As the songwriter, do you think maybe you're being too picky about the music? Does anyone else write in your projects? How long do you rehearse with a band before it falls apart? Musicians are notoriously impatient and they don't want to spend 6 months rehearsing someone else's songs to play small gigs for little money. So maybe you might want to look at ways to expedite the process.[/COLOR]

Most of my music projects ( let's say 70% ) I try to lay back and contribute. While the other 30% I was the head songwriter and it is some of the worst experiences I've had in playing. Headaches, yelling, screaming at each other and constant practice of the songs for very long periods. I might be picky about my music since it's a hardcore trait of my good pale who's a guitar player. He is very OCD in everything and it could explain my pickiness. Though I wouldn't say I'm as bad as him. Everything with him needs to be spot on or else it's going to irritate him like a bad rash. I tend to be more picky in my playing and usually have a habit of bringing myself down. I guess that would be "It's not good enough-itis".

My last project was going well until our guitar player couldn't find enough time to practice. Then he realized after a year he couldn't take the singer not wanting to play sappy stuff. Which led to the singer not wanting to practice unless the full band was there. Most of the songs were written by the singer and me.
To sum it up in short, the singer wanted a band to play his stuff. But when it came to new material written by others in the band he says "I can't sing for that, I don't know how to". Once my buddy left it just feel apart like a house of cards.

How long do we rehearse? Hmmm. My last band lasted for a year we started out strong with two practices a week for two months. Then dropped to one practice a month and went with several spurts of a couple practices a week to nothing for two months. I know people have jobs and other stuff. Previous bands usually had two practices a week until someone breaks that chain and then it snowballs from there.

Let me give you a little advice...maybe you're putting too much heart and soul into it.
+1

The difference between a band that plays out and a "band" that doesn't play out isn't preparedness: it's lining up gigs and playing them. As long as you've got something (anything) to do for the duration of your set, you've got what you need.

The difference between bands that get to come back and those that don't does have a bit more to do with preparedness, but don't go overboard. Get your group, get some songs together, original or otherwise, spend a few weeks polishing them while you find somewhere to play, then go do it. It does not have to be a year-long process, and if it is, you're pretty much screwed. If you can put together a set list and the band can play through the whole thing at the end of rehearsal, you're good to go. Get out there before it gets old.

EDIT: If your vocalist situation is frequently shaky, how about doing the duties yourself?

Ya, you definitely are suffering from "It's not good enough-itis" as well as a little cabin fever. Oh well, you know what to do to alleviate the problem. Hope you can work it out for your next project.

Ya, you definitely are suffering from "It's not good enough-itis" as well as a little cabin fever. Oh well, you know what to do to alleviate the problem. Hope you can work it out for your next project.


Hey thanks for the info.

lemur821 in my last project I was doing backup first time. My voice is bad but hell if it means have someone singing I'll step up.

It's a equivalent to winning the lottery to find a band which members..

...get along well together
...are more or less on the same level musically
...have more or less the same ambition level and goals
...like each other's playing
...like the same music and don't disagree too much about the song selection
...wants to play someone else's music (if you're an originals band and only one or two writes the music).
...finds time for rehearsals - It's frustrating to play in a band in which one or more of the band members are so fully booked it's virtually impossible to schedule a rehearsal time within the next three four weeks.

So, no wonder most bands don't last very long. :atoz:

Since you're playing/writing originals, egos will always be involved.

Be picky about who you commit to. You can usually follow your gut and intuitively know a bad scene.

Get to know all the bands in the area - go out to see them and introduce yourself. Sit if they ask and you're comfortable. Knowing people helps A LOT.

+1
Get to know the working musicians in your area. Surround yourself with people the know the business end of the music scene. Stick with the people that know how to run a band, get gigs, etc...

Don't give up because one band flops. You never know what the next one might lead to. Also, try getting gigs as a substitute. That is how I broke into my local music scene.

It took me 30 years. Don.t let that scare you. Meet as many people as you can (networking) and have fun doing it. You can only play your part in it so don,t worry about the others in the group. Strive for what Deacon Blues Post said. I.m back in a group with 2 of the guys from my first band in 1979. (showing my age) We rehearse 1 or 2 nights a week,play gigs 2 or 3 times a month,make some money at it, and we,re having a great time doing it. And remember, every idea for a song doesn,t work out.

IMO, there are 2 approaches to being in bands and making music:

1. Being creative and playing music you truly love. Take your time and assemble a group of musicians that you get along with and have basically the same goals. Create music that turns you on regardless of whether or not anyone outside of the band likes it. If people like what your doing and come along, all the better.

2. Play music for the sake of playing. Join a band that is playing out regularly and have fun. Join an original band or a cover band and just play. Sometimes its nice to let others drive the bus and just enjoy the ride. There should be plenty of opportunities for a bassist to get into a gigging band.

There's no reason you can't do both.

I think being in a band is all about compromises. Most of the time you'll have to compromise on song selection, musicianship, showmanship, individual parts, etc...

What you need is to find people with common goals and people you can get along with. After that, nothing is going to be perfect for everyone but it can still be an enjoyable experience for all involved.

That,s it. The group I play with now; it,s so easy. It has taken me longer than others to find it, but now I,m having a great time with it. We play originals and covers with the same enthusium, and keep the girlies dancing. That, the fun part. Working out song parts is the hard part. You make a choice and move on.

+1
Get to know the working musicians in your area. Surround yourself with people the know the business end of the music scene. Stick with the people that know how to run a band, get gigs, etc...

Don't give up because one band flops. You never know what the next one might lead to. Also, try getting gigs as a substitute. That is how I broke into my local music scene.

It's not that one band flopped for me, it happens to be quite a lot ever since I've started 8 years ago. Band after band, same result from time to time.Getting up to the local music scene seems like difficult task for me. I was in the loop for like 6 months and then after I could never get back into it.

Sounds like you.re disappointed and frustrated, which is common trying to work with other people. I suggest you keep at it if you enjoy it.

I've always enjoyed it.

Kind of feel like I'm just going in circles now.

If you want to keep a band together, best way to do that is to pay them. I mean pay them the going rate for their time per rehearsal. It's always hard to quit a paying gig.

I used to jam in the basement with my friends and never play out, for years.

What cured it was seeking out and joining bands whose music appealed to me, but which already had gigs, or at least a history of getting out and playing shows.

An added bonus I was that even if I was not terribly fond of the music, or proud of the quality, I was at least padding my resume and making connections, which have all come back to my benefit later.

Also, I had been playing bass seriously for about 8 years before playing out became common...so don't lose patience.

I used to jam in the basement with my friends and never play out, for years.

What cured it was seeking out and joining bands whose music appealed to me, but which already had gigs, or at least a history of getting out and playing shows.

An added bonus I was that even if I was not terribly fond of the music, or proud of the quality, I was at least padding my resume and making connections, which have all come back to my benefit later.

Also, I had been playing bass seriously for about 8 years before playing out became common...so don't lose patience.

Thanks for your reply,

My friend says that I should be doing just that "padding my resume and making connections". I was really losing my patience , but I guess i'll have to play it out until it works.

Hi everyone at talkbass,

I'm new here at talkbass, but have always had this issue. Why is it always that most local bands fall apart before they even touch the stage?

Of course I'm speaking on personal experience. Maybe it's the people, the location, the style of music, or a combination of the above. I don't mean to go on a rant, but for someone who has been playing for 8 years this is very irritating. I've only had one band that actually played on stage. While the other X amount of other bands have seemed to fail. Sometimes I get to the point were I don't want to write any more songs, because I know this group will end up like the rest of them. Before I became 21 I tried my hardest to play in bands that I found in classifieds. Time after time they denied me simply because of my age. Most of these bands wanted someone at least 21 mostly due to them playing in bars.

I've tried playing in different style groups, yet they end up the same. My coinfindance in local music doesn't' exist. I'm simply just a bed room rocker.

Wasting a year on band to only see it fall apart piece by piece and then longer exist is depressing. Can anyone share there opinions?

Again I do apologies for sounding like i'm whining.

I am sorry to say, but this is exactly the way I feel. I have quit playing originals. Now I join mostly cover bands, or bands with originals, but only if I can be just a sideman. And sadly, I found out that these bands also break up before the first show. But I am still trying, not doing originals help a lot, since there are less ego battles.