All you dudes who play in several bands!

-Jam- · #1 12-21-2008, 06:00 PM

.....and girls of course.

My question is really: How do you guys do it?

Some background might be in order here. So my band is going pretty steady, we´ve had our ups and downs but still we managed to get a recorddeal on a small label and we´re getting some nice crowds. The bottomline is however that it doesn´t really cut it for me. My bandmates are great but much older and more experienced than me. The music is part my style, but I feel somehow limited in our genre. So are there any tips someone can give me on how to play diffrent bands without friction?

Here´s my band btw:
http://www.myspace.com/thechair1

(I don´t really know if it´s ok to post myspace links here but if it´s against any rules feel free to spank me. Feel free to coment it aswell)

//Jam

Clank · #2 12-21-2008, 06:03 PM

Just make sure you're up front with everybody.

Steve · #3 12-21-2008, 06:20 PM

Trying to turn yourself into a hired gun when you have a commitment you began prior to the change is pretty risky. Be prepared to loose that.

If you start projects with that understanding upfront, there's way less friction. It'll still cost you work starting out because there are a lot of guys that don't dig the whole hired gun concept but, over all you'll be better off. The farther up the food chain you get, the more common it is. Players play. They play with anybody, anywhere, anytime.

IMHO.

fdeck · #4 12-21-2008, 07:23 PM

I let every band know, right up front, that I am a hired gun. I suppose if you are "going steady" with a band, you can reassure them that your side projects are in genres that don't compete with the main band.

winstonthecat · #5 12-21-2008, 07:44 PM

I'm in a different situation, playing in casual bands that gig about once a month. I'm upfront, and let everyone know what days are committed. So far no conflicts.

brianrost · #6 12-22-2008, 07:18 AM

Easy, just tell anyone else you work with that the current band is your first priority, then keep a calendar and let everybody know your schedule.

Ubersheist · #7 12-22-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

I let every band know, right up front, that I am a hired gun. I suppose if you are "going steady" with a band, you can reassure them that your side projects are in genres that don't compete with the main band.

I don't really agree with the "competing bands" thing. I know plenty of guys (and a few girls) that are in several bands in very similar genres. It really works to their advantage. As long as they have the stamina for two shows a night, they'll gang bang the shows, and not need to tear down their equipment between bands.

I've been in a couple of bands before, and here's what I think:

As many have said before, be up front. Both with your old band and your new band. Be as transparent as possible.
That brings up another point - Make your role in each band be clear to all in all bands. For example, if your 2nd band is just a hired gun position, tell both bands that your 1st band is your priority and that you're not a full fledged member of the 2nd band.
Make sure that you schedule your time to give both bands whatever time they need for practice and gigs. Also, keep good track of your schedule, as it's easy to double book yourself.
If you have too much other stuff going on (career-type job, school or a needy girlfriend/boyfriend), make sure that they won't interfere, and seriously consider not joining another band if you really aren't sure if you have enough time for both bands.
Make sure that the 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) band is really worth your time and effort, either financially, or they're just plain fun enough. This is probably the most important point...

Robster22 · #8 12-22-2008, 11:40 AM

I concur with others here...be up front about your level of committment to your secondary groups. If you tell em up front you may not always be available and give them a list of your already confirmed gigs (with #1 band) then they at least have the option to cover your spot by lining up a stand-in well before their gig.

If on the other hand you wait right up til the day before they need you to announce you cant make it, be prepared for some serious blood letting.......IMHO you'll have earned it..

Largedon · #9 12-22-2008, 11:52 AM

I'm currently playing with 4 bands regularly and doing some recording/fill-in side work and the key is to be organized, prioritize and communicate with all of the bands. Really keep everyone informed of your schedule and communicate conflicts to people. It also doesn't hurt to have a friend who can fill for you on occasion with cover bands. My fill-in guy doesn't want to play alot but he likes playing once or twice a month just to get out. So it works out great.

Its not uncommon for me when I have a conflict I'll take it upon myself to find my replacement. My gig priority is usually money, whoever pays the best I do, but if one of your bands is a serious original act that would be your top priority.

Another thing you can is to use google calendar or something similar and post your schedule up there on-line. That way the other bands can check your schedule and see when you're available. Speeds things up so they don't have to call you and it should be always up to date.

Lazylion · #10 12-22-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianrost

Easy, just tell anyone else you work with that the current band is your first priority, then keep a calendar and let everybody know your schedule.

That's how I've done it. I keep a printout of my schedule in my pocket at all times. Of course, even the best juggler drops a ball now and then.
What you don't want is the reputation of a guy who books a gig, and then cancels. It's worth a lot of effort to keep this from happening, to the best of your ability.

scottbass · #11 12-22-2008, 12:14 PM

IME it does not work well to consider one band your "first" band as far as booking your time goes. If your "second" band books a gig, and then later your "first" band wants to book a gig for the same night, you are breaking your commitment to your "second" band. Even if you told them up front there was a possibility of this happening, it's still not going to be fair to your "second" bandmates. And it's also wasted effort on the "second" bandmate who went to the effort to get the gig - and believe me, it IS significant effort to get a gig.

The only way I play in multiple bands with a clear conscience is to be strictly first come, first served. One band's gigs will always take precedence over another band's rehearsal, but I will never cancel a gig I have previously committed to for any reason that is not life-threatening to me or my family.

You will have to accept the fact that either (or any) of your bands may feel the need to use a hired gun to replace you when they have the opportunity to gig on a day you have already committed to another band. And you will also have to accept the possibility that either (or any) of your bands may feel the need to replace you if you are not available for their gigs as often as they would like.

It's up to you whether you want to balance two - or more - bands. I do it, and everyone is OK with the way things work out because we all communicate the rules in advance. But again, I strongly advise against letting a late gig from your "first" band cause you to cancel an already-booked gig of your "second" band. That's just not being professional, IMHO. Even if you're playing for less money, you have to honor your first commitment.

John Wentzien · #12 12-22-2008, 12:30 PM

+1--
I play in 3 bands (and do fill-ins) and own a recording studio.
1st come 1st served is the only way.
Bring on some MORE!!!

Manndreas · #13 12-22-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbass

IME it does not work well to consider one band your "first" band as far as booking your time goes. If your "second" band books a gig, and then later your "first" band wants to book a gig for the same night, you are breaking your commitment to your "second" band. Even if you told them up front there was a possibility of this happening, it's still not going to be fair to your "second" bandmates. And it's also wasted effort on the "second" bandmate who went to the effort to get the gig - and believe me, it IS significant effort to get a gig.

The only way I play in multiple bands with a clear conscience is to be strictly first come, first served. One band's gigs will always take precedence over another band's rehearsal, but I will never cancel a gig I have previously committed to for any reason that is not life-threatening to me or my family.

You will have to accept the fact that either (or any) of your bands may feel the need to use a hired gun to replace you when they have the opportunity to gig on a day you have already committed to another band. And you will also have to accept the possibility that either (or any) of your bands may feel the need to replace you if you are not available for their gigs as often as they would like.

It's up to you whether you want to balance two - or more - bands. I do it, and everyone is OK with the way things work out because we all communicate the rules in advance. But again, I strongly advise against letting a late gig from your "first" band cause you to cancel an already-booked gig of your "second" band. That's just not being professional, IMHO. Even if you're playing for less money, you have to honor your first commitment.

+1

As long as you have the time for two bands, and _everyone_ you play with don't object, I say go for it.

And btw. Cool music!

Blueszilla · #14 12-22-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianrost

Easy, just tell anyone else you work with that the current band is your first priority, then keep a calendar and let everybody know your schedule.

+1, this has always worked for me.

The band I'm in now works quite a bit, almost every weekend, a few during the week, we'll do 150+ this year. I do pickups when I'm available. Playing in more than one assumes that at least one of them doesn't gig that often, or at least the schedules don't conflict. Being the primary bassist in more than one band that gigs consistently is a real trick. IME, conflicts will arise and eventually you'll have to choose who is number one. YMMV.

Of course if you are a total bad a$$, and they all want you in the band, hey, get it while you can!

LowBSix · #15 12-22-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clank

Just make sure you're up front with everybody.

+1 and....

Who would you rather be?

Nathan East
Chuck Rainey
James Jamerson
Mike Porcaro
David Hungate
Ray Brown
Jaco Pastorious
Max Bennet
Charlie Hayden

or a "dude" that played bass for "Buns and Hoses"????

4bpauly · #16 12-22-2008, 12:52 PM

exactly, just make this band your top priority... but it also depends on how you feel limited.

if you feel limited in terms of how often you get to play out... that can be an issue...maybe just join a cover band or start one..so you can control the scheduling.

or ..

if you feel a little creatively trapped... just find some musicians that are happy to just jam casually when everyone is free and write together/shred.. whatever it is that you feel you are lacking. if it ends up going somewhere...great!!..if not, at least you get to stretch your creative muscles.

4bpauly · #17 12-22-2008, 12:53 PM

note: Ray Brown and Jaco both played primarily with the same band... when they had some time off, they did some sessions/tours as they saw fit.

edit: but good point

John Wentzien · #18 12-22-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

+1--
I play in 3 bands (and do fill-ins) and own a recording studio.
1st come 1st served is the only way.
Bring on some MORE!!!

In all fairness I should add that I use the same drummer for all of these projects.
Gives a certain amount of "leverage".
It's always better to be out playing live than at home.
All of these projects are very different.
Original Blues, Original Alternative, Classic Rock, Etc.
If you rot away with one "Priority" band, you will simply not grow as a musician. (unless that band plays several gigs a week)

BahamaBass · #19 12-22-2008, 02:46 PM

it's hard. been trying the same thing. but you spend so much time learning the setlist you end up committing basically to one band. then you try and work with other bands but the band you committed to has you "on call"...they come first. too much politics if you ask me.

I guess if you are like those guys...Nathan East etc you only do concerts or tours arranged before hand. that could work..but a covers band playing local venues is a whole different thing.

-Jam- · #20 12-22-2008, 05:37 PM

Thanks guys, great advice!
To answer a question, I feel limited partly because I have all the time in the world for the music simply because I live cheap, really f-king cheap and make my spartan living on the few gigs we have. The other guys (except our jolly hobo-singer) all have careers on the side, families etc. which to be honest doesn´t inspire them to go touring or spend as much time rehearsing/jamming/gigging as I would like. Besides I have a huge amp (which there is no way in hell I´m selling) that is a just a nightmare to haul around. With a second band, a whole lot of hauling would be required and to that I have really no good solution.