Am I blessed?

pankykapus · #1 11-14-2008, 04:31 PM

Okay, so I've been managing a band mainly on my own, the rehearsal place is in my house's garage, and I've been organising practises, and it's me who's 'in charge' in a let's say democracy

I've read a lot of stuff here about loud no-care guitarists, jerk drummers, ego singers and keyboardists who steal the low end.

Well at us it's a little different story. Most of the time I have to turn up the guitar amp, it's me who has to encourage him to get a solo here and there and he does not ruin every single empty space with a fancy run. The drummer is a beginner though, good friend, and has been practising like hell to get to the job, and he is eager to learn everything as well as he could. Lady singer is shy, learns everything on time so as the keyboard player who knows his job and gets his EQing and left hand off from my side. Man singer has some ego to burn but he can make compromises and he does his best at every rehearsal.

So am I the only one with good bandmates? Do you have similar experiences?

winstonthecat · #2 11-14-2008, 11:24 PM

It is funny that we always complain about bandmates, but there are good ones out there. It is just the bad ones that tend to stick out.

In my main band, everyone does their homework, comes prepared, and is easy to get along with. Instrumentally we are bass, guitar and drums, and so our guitarist has to fill the space when playing both rythym and lead, and he excels at that.

In my second band, everyone is easy to get along with, but our singer hasn't always been prepared. We have our 2nd gig in two weeks, and we'll see if he can remember our 15 song set

So enjoy your good bandmates while you have them, and I hope you can continue the good times.

GeneralElectric · #3 11-15-2008, 01:39 AM

I like my band mates. They're good people.

Stumbo · #4 11-15-2008, 11:33 PM

Sounds like you have very good working relationships with your bandmates. Congrats.
Here's some links that might give you a bit more info (if you haven't come across them already).
If only I knew then what I know now... If I only knew then
Best musical advice you ever got Best musical advice
How to fire someone from a band How to fire a band member
Starting a cover/tribute band from scratch Starting a new band- how to audition
Band Practice Tips? Band practice tips
Band practice efficiency Band practice efficiency
How often does your band rehearse? How often to have a band practice

ColdSteelRain · #5 11-16-2008, 06:44 AM

Yes, you're blessed. Working with any group of people that "click" and work hard to do their job well is a rare thing.

snappytom · #6 11-16-2008, 08:31 AM

Enjoy it while it lasts .... sooner or later someone will get pissed about something ...

staindbass · #7 11-16-2008, 12:49 PM

lol, like he said, the honeyoon doesnt last forever

johnny a. staind

jady · #8 11-16-2008, 01:02 PM

I am very lucky to have 2 bandmates who are like family. When I joined the band 8 years ago I was just quitting Meth and they were (and still are) the best friends a guy could have. I go to thier house for Thanksgiving, Xmas, Etc

Doc Labyrinth · #9 11-16-2008, 06:25 PM

i love my bandmates. we get along great, the musical chemistry is great. we don't step on each other's toes and we always take everything everyone has to say into consideration. i can honestly say that, by default, everything is split perfectly three ways.

60HzRumble · #10 11-17-2008, 05:53 AM

I have to disagree somewhat. The best music I ever created was with three guys that nearly killed each other in the recording studio. There's a big difference between bandmates that are passionate about what you are creating and just a band full of egos.

At the end of the day, we always walked away with great music and the ends justified the means. We've all since moved on as priorities changed for most of us, but it's just a matter of time till we're back at it again. It's kinda like an old girlfriend that you hate, but the sex is really good.

Eilif · #11 11-17-2008, 10:26 AM

You're blessed, but so are alot of us. I've spent the last 18 months with a group of musicians that play well (extremely talented and TASTEFUL guitarrist), get fairly good gigs, and get along well. I've never been the leader, (that's the job of the singer, and guitarist) but my opinion has always been part of the equasion from the get-go.

It was stable enough, and had kept relationships intact enough that it only took us one phone call to replace a drummer who bailed. We are not perfect, and there is always some ambiguity about the band's direction (if I was a jobber looking for steady $, I would not be content), but gigs keep coming, and we all seem to be enjoying the ride.

My last band lasted almost 4 years, and was equally stable, but not as successfull, and the one before that was also a pleasant experience so I've been blessed with pretty good band experiences. The one thing I wonder about, is if I would have had such good experiences if I had been looking for "working bands" specificaly, rather than the laid back approach I've taken thus far where $ is a consideration, but is subordinate to music and bandmates.

midnightsin · #12 11-17-2008, 11:14 AM

I feel like I've been lucky too. In my last band we all got along great. Granted w had our tiffs, but they got sorted out eventually. The only reason we broke it up was because we weren't really happy with the direction we were going anymore. Plus, we kind of turned into @$$es at gigs.

My new group, who I've been with for almost a year now, are great guys. I've even told them that on several occasions. We all work together to get things figured out and it really shows at our gigs.