Band Advice please

[vishuddha]

You aren't going to "fix" this band, man... time to put it on the backburner and find a group with a future.

[catcauphonic]

Originally Posted by Bassist96

But now we have some issues
1. Besides the drummer, keyboardist and myself. No one turns up for practice. The guitarist always sleeps in. and our singer is always making excuses.

2. The band really wants to get gigging and to do a record session (pro or at home) but we don't have enough material yet cause it's very rare now, that we have a full band practice. So now a couple of them are getting upset with me cause of this.

3. Besides the drummer, no one pitches in to help

Please

Why are they getting upset with you if they're the ones not turning up for practice?

[Bassbubble11]

I can tell you from experience you are washing your time
in your current situation.

You and the drummer NEED to find like minded people to
play with if you ever want to accomplish anything.

[SquierJazz72]

Nah it's been only two years, we don't have enough material to do even small gigs. Recording would be nice, but yeah we want to do an album

I would think two years would be enough time to have something, if the band has it together.

If most of the band isn't pulling their weight, and things just aren't happening, maybe it's time for you and any more serious members to move on.

[NWB]

Originally Posted by Bassist96

Basically I just want us to start gigging.

If you still don't have enough material after two years, gigging isn't going to happen.

I've wasted too much time in similar situations. Move on.

[ArvindJayaram]

I've seen guys like this. They're obviously better friends with each other than you. On the offhand chance they decide to jam and you can't make it, they'll assert this has been the reason all along.

Get away as far as you can. Or watch time pass you by like you were standing still.

Guys like that are bad news. No consideration of people's time at all.

- Jimmy Rage

[fkh006]

Two years?

I wouldn't have put up with this for two weeks.

[deepBassie]

You have a reliable drummer? Score! Do you know how hard it is to find one of those? Get him away from those knuckleheads before he gets infected with their deadbeat ways. A reliable drum / bass combo is money; very highly sought after.

Think Craigslist (or whatever): Bass / Drum seeking <guitar / keys / vocalist> to form a gigging originals band...

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by backdraft641

Definitely do a side project. Actually, make THIS band your side project. Join another band that has better aspirations...

My thoughts exactly. You have different goals than the rest of your band. You can't change that. So get with some guys who have the same goals. It may go nowhere or it may phase out the first project altogether.

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by Bassist96

Nah it's been only two years, we don't have enough material to do even small gigs. Recording would be nice, but yeah we want to do an album

Woah! I just read this part! Man, if you guys aren't ready to gig in TWO YEARS then you need to RUN AWAY! This band is going nowhere fast. If I joined a band and it wasn't gig ready in a FEW PRACTICES (maybe a month or two at the MOST depending on how complicated the music was) I would be GONE. This is obviously not a band. It's poker night with instruments. It's just a hobby for most of you. You seem ready for a band so it's way past time to leave (like a year and a half overdue). Because you aren't in one currently.

[bluewine]

No offense, but 2 years and with that little progress, it's not really a band.

Blue

[Joedog]

START LOOKING FOR A NEW BAND TODAY! If you want to hang with these guys just for fun (for now) fine. Once you find the RIGHT band, unless you have a lot more free time than most of us, you'll have to tell these dudes "sorry, but my REAL band requires all my time". Best of luck.

[SquierJazz72]

maybe a month or two at the MOST depending on how complicated the music was

That's it. I was just thinking. In the past(think of the classic bands) they would go out, tour to promote one album, and often in the spare time, write material for the next one, get back to the studio, and record. You could get a new album out every, say, 6-9 months.

Now I know the music business has changed in many ways, but I am only speaking of band drive and togetherness. You guys should have been able to be ready in a year or less, give or take.

Two years? Again, if it ain't happened yet, it ain't gonna!

[Raymeous]

Is it burn out on their part? I mean if you guys have been together for a few years and you haven't even started giggin yet there would be a whole lot of "what's the friggin' point" going through my mind.

Alot of people will tell you to quit. You're probably already thinking that anyway.

Maybe try setting an ACTUAL time frame for this recording. If you're feeling like a risk taker, talk to a local studio and see if you can book a block of time a couple of months out, like say April. Once it's on the calendar it becomes very very real, especially if you have a grand or two riding on it and may be the kick in the butt the guys need.

Set up a small gig at a friends backyard cook-out or something and/or see if there is a local open mic or jam session. Bottom line, going out and playing a show will be super stressful at first but once you get going you may inspire the other guys to get involved in the band again.

The other thing of course is a band meeting to decide what you guys REALLY want to do about this situation. Don't sugar coat things but you don't have to be a jerk about it either. Find out why they no longer appear interested. Are you guys practicing too much like 3 days a week or something? Bored playing the same 5 songs?

Anyway I hope things turn out the way you would like them to but .... well you know.