Help me with my band.

Microbass · #1 01-26-2007, 07:34 AM

Recently I had a detailed discussion with a fellow muscian and friend about how our band "lacks" professionalism* when actually playing our tunes. I took his comments with a grain of salt, as I'm certain he is jelous of our achievements and is very up his own arse when it comes to his band. He actually said his band were the best band in the country once.

Some of his comments I did agree with. Lengthy talks with my GF who supports us, but is honest has left me really confused; she completly disagree with everything my buddy said, while being on the samepage as me about our "issues".

I'd really like TB; the land of no two-faced bs to give me honest opinions of my band.

Most of material is available here: www.myspace.com/ripped0ff
and, www.theripoffs.co.uk
Pictures, videos and mp3.

A little background: we started off as a green day/ramones cover band (hence our name). we've come along way from jamming in my living room and garage on cold winter nights. this band is my child. i LOVE our tunes. this is what really seperates us from many local bands - we believe in what we do. we're acclaimed for being so weird on stage; me so crazy and adventurous on stage, stephen, the complete opposite and keith being a mix of the two of us. we can get good gigs, we have an awesome image.

*My friend's comment about professionalism stems from our "lack of talent".

Please TB, help me outta this rut. I'm not expecting you to LIKE our tunes; but for what we are, am I wasting my time in this project?

thanks

TyronPotamkin · #2 01-26-2007, 09:14 AM

I'm kinda in the same boat as you on this. I wont lie, I didnt listen to any of the music cuz I think this can be resolved without having to listen to "competing bands" music and decide.

Look at it this way, there will always be competing bands whether it is your friends band or just some local douche's band. If a band is better than your whether its musically or stage presence, ask them what they did to get there. If they snub you off, see if you can set up a show with them so you can open and then when they are on stage watch what they do to work the crowd or how they arrange the song order to work the crowd(3 or 4 fast, 1 or 2 slow).

Now this guy who is judging your bands work and calling it "talentless and unprofessinal", ask him the same thing, what do you guys do that makes them so much better than the rest of the "local' or "world wide' bands. If he snubs ya do the same thing, again set up a show and open for them. If your band is truly better than this other band, get on stage play your set the best you can and blow the other band outta the water. when the night is done and you hear the crowd responce, you will know who did a better job. Dont snub the other band, go about everything as if nothing happened, give them props and ask them if they would like to play another show together. If they decline you know they are gonna go back to the studio and practice their arses off to get better and into your caliber.

Even if it's people ya dont like, always want them to "make it". ya never know, if they make it and need an opener, you will probably be the first on the list because you both pushed each other to get better and closer to "making it".

Thats what happened to Skid Row. I believe the one of the guitarists for SK and Jon Bon Jovi lived down the street from each other and made a promise that if one band made it before the other, the ones that made would help the other band make it. Well JBJ made it before SK and JBJ had SK opening for them on there first headlining tour.

Scottgun · #3 01-26-2007, 09:30 AM

The cure for most of this abstract meta-analysis is to ask for specifics. What exactly is unprofessional? I looked at some of your live videos and what you do seems entirely appropriate for the style. If you were a glam-band, yeah there would be a problem. If you were Dream Theater, yeah there would be a problem, but you are not trying to be either one of those. You are what you are and if you enjoy it, tell this guy to jump in the lake. If somebody has specifics like, do this, don't do this, etc. then consider it, bounce it off other non-axe-grinding people, and if seems prudent and makes the band better, do it.

Scott

Microbass · #4 01-26-2007, 09:32 AM

Good response. Just a few things... I'm definitly not looking for TB to say to me... "We're with you, you're way better!"; this is no competition! I just want open advice and opinions on whether or not we suck...

In response to asking them what makes them better, well, simply, he'll say " we practise, we're tight" - which is true, they tend to make very few mistake and have solid timing (usually) - but we do practise hard; our rehersals are usually great. Onstage we do get carried away; but I'm not able to connect us sucking with us not playing *amazing*...

TyronPotamkin · #5 01-26-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microbass

I just want open advice and opinions on whether or not we suck...

In response to asking them what makes them better, well, simply, he'll say " we practise, we're tight"

ok when he tells you "we practice, we are tight" ask him what they do at practice, do they play their set over and over agian or do they play through it once and then pick out a couple of songs and then go over them with a fine comb and work any kind of kink, do all the members have a say in what is done and why it is done that way or is it one ego freak that has control?

TheButler · #6 01-26-2007, 01:33 PM

I don't know how he thought he was the best band in the country ? My band are in Scotland so i don't think it is possible

To answer your question " I am i wasting my time in this project ?? " the answer would be no. If the Glasgow music scene is anything like Edinburgh's the music you are making is quite different from the norm which is what this country needs

So, keep at it and try not to pay much attention to this egotist that i am surprised you would have any association with anyway