band leader?

powderfinger · #1 06-17-2011, 12:58 PM

So, with all the mess with my karaoke addled ex singer, I havent had a chance to mention this. I ended up not continuing that band, as I had planned, using a female co vocalist instead.

I decided instead to maybe get more serious, and get with some guys Ive played with in other bands, and put together a more serious project. So we have jammed a few times (during the week). Both I and another guy sing lead, and we have a drummer. It's a trio for now, and it may well stay that way.

I thought everything was going well. We decided to move ahead and do "the band thing". We have some covers picked out, 2 of us write original material. However, everything was going well, until the guitarist mentioned something about him being the "band leader" and "lead singer". I kind of was taken back, as I had put this together, and arranged the practice time/space. I just assumed since we were only 3 guys,all of us mature, decent, level headed guys that we wouldnt need a "leader". I told homeboy that we dont really need his "leadership", but thanks for the offer. I told him this will be fun. We are all going to contribute (all 3 of us). He went berserk, and actually asked, "how can a bassist be leader singer and band leader". I then, like an ass, ran down every name from Jack Blades to Paul McCartney for him. He said, "oh". Now, I know the drummer well. I know this guitarist "less well". I played with him briefly years ago.

My question, are all lead singers/guitarists cursed with this asinine personality defect? I mean, at least this guy aint addicted to karaoke, but LSD is a real, real thing.... even though I was under the impression I was singing lead too. Oh well. I play bass. Doesnt count I reckon.... oh well.

Wont put any apples into this cart...

Plays_For_Dog · #2 06-17-2011, 01:02 PM

Yeah, I see rot under the surface. I'd say keep good ties with the drummer. Guitarist are far more common, so if this guy let's his attitude and arrogance drive himself out, then you only have to hunt the easiest section of the band to replace. Of course, as a seasoned player, you know this.

Darth Handsome · #3 06-17-2011, 01:12 PM

This guitar player sounds more than a little shy on experience. Yes?

powderfinger · #4 06-17-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plays_For_Dog

Yeah, I see rot under the surface. I'd say keep good ties with the drummer. Guitarist are far more common, so if this guy let's his attitude and arrogance drive himself out, then you only have to hunt the easiest section of the band to replace. Of course, as a seasoned player, you know this.

Man, this band isn't going to happen, this post was more a vent. Ill keep the drummer for sure. I can sing/compose well, so I dont have the double burden of finding another guitarist AND singer. Yep, drummers are hard to find... err, good drummers. Guitarists are a dime a damn dozen.

powderfinger · #5 06-17-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Handsome

This guitar player sounds more than a little shy on experience. Yes?

Oddly no. He's been in bands for 10 years or so. Like I said, I crossed paths with him years ago. He is capable, but nothing so special Id put up with his crap. He can go join my ex singer at karaoke for all I care. Im too old for band drama. I just wanna have fun and jam with some buddies. Thats it.

foq1978 · #6 06-17-2011, 01:16 PM

Just checking, but how old is the lead singer / guitarist?

Darth Handsome · #7 06-17-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderfinger

Oddly no. He's been in bands for 10 years or so. Like I said, I crossed paths with him years ago. He is capable, but nothing so special Id put up with his crap. He can go join my ex singer at karaoke for all I care. Im too old for band drama. I just wanna have fun and jam with some buddies. Thats it.

That is shocking that he'd have that attitude towards a bass playing band leader if he has that much experience. Does he live in a cave or what?

powderfinger · #8 06-17-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foq1978

Just checking, but how old is the lead singer / guitarist?

Prob. mid 30s... Id say 35.

powderfinger · #9 06-17-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Handsome

That is shocking that he'd have that attitude towards a bass playing band leader if he has that much experience. Does he live in a cave or what?

I think its just a very narrow mentality that a lot of lead singers/guitarists have. I mean, heck, even Lennon was the "leader" of the Beatles... long after Paul started dictating after Sgt. Pepper. So Paul says...NOW.

EddiePlaysBass · #10 06-17-2011, 03:05 PM

I wonder why you are surprised at his attitude, really. No shocker that this is how guitar playing lead singers / lead singing guitar players think of us bassists, whether we happen to sing or not.

frankenjazz · #11 06-17-2011, 03:07 PM

That is the curse of playing "up front" instruments i.e vocals or guitar. Those people are so used to being thought of as "the band leader" that when shown that they are not their "all me all the time" mentality doesn't know how to handle it. My best friend for 11 years is a very talented(prob the best I have ever played with) guitarist and when its just jamming we make great music but whenever its a formal band it always falls apart because to quote him "as lead guitarist shouldn't I be leading the band?" as a side note he taught me how to keep band business and personal business separate because if it wasn't for that we would have stopped being friends years ago

RichardCranium · #12 06-17-2011, 03:34 PM

It was said somewhere that the "real" leader is the one the band could not continue without if they left.

It's funny and sad at the same time that he just naturally assumed he would be running things and was all butt hurt and dumbfounded when he found out otherwise. And yeah it seems to be a running theme with guitards and LSD-stricken singers to just assume they're "in charge."

Ahh the life if a bass player...

Munjibunga · #13 06-17-2011, 03:49 PM

In my current band, the drummer is the leader. I've been the leader in most of my other bands and, frankly, I love being "just the bass player." The leader assumes a lot of responsibility, and I'm fine with just putting in my two cents now and then. You could always make a list of his responsibilities, then hold his feet to the fire. He'll get over it pretty quickly.

Darth Handsome · #14 06-17-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddiePlaysBass

I wonder why you are surprised at his attitude, really. No shocker that this is how guitar playing lead singers / lead singing guitar players think of us bassists, whether we happen to sing or not.

I can see it if he's young or has no experience in how a band works. For a player in his 30's with 10 years exp to still be that much in the dark surprises me. That certainly hasn't been anything like my experiences.

wilsonn · #15 06-17-2011, 03:57 PM

Leaders lead. They don't exhibit leadership by saying "I'm the leader". In my current band, all guys with tons of experience, the leadership sort of defaulted to me. I setup the auditions, created the lineup, I wound up pulling together the list, the booking, the ads, setting up rehearsals. I didn't ask to do this, it just needed to get done, I did it, and now I guess that makes me the leader. I think bands that are actually going to "work" don't have a real long conversation about who the leader is...it just kinda shakes out. I've been in bands where egos got in the way of the music, and the band didn't last very long. YMMV.

powderfinger · #16 06-17-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

In my current band, the drummer is the leader. I've been the leader in most of my other bands and, frankly, I love being "just the bass player." The leader assumes a lot of responsibility, and I'm fine with just putting in my two cents now and then. You could always make a list of his responsibilities, then hold his feet to the fire. He'll get over it pretty quickly.

True Munji. I could indeed hold his feet to the fire. However, I bet money he'd bail before he kept his end of the deal on that one.

I have been "just the bassist" in many of my bands in the past, and honestly, if someone called me up needing a bassist for their band, that's what I'd be.... "just the bassist". I feel this is different. I organized this whole project, got the crew together, and invited them to my jam room. In my teens and early 20s, I only played bass, didnt sing or write. But in my late 20s til now, Ive been composing, singing, and have had some good success as a singer/songwriter. However, I have no issues sharing the spotlight with another singer/songwriter. I always dig when bands have 2 or 3 lead singers/writers... give the band variety and flavor.. heck many of my fave bands multi lead vocalists... The Beatles, Uncle Tupelo, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Drive By Truckers, Arcade Fire, Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Cream, The Band..... oh well, I guess those bands aren't really big enough for this guy to have ever heard of...

Munjibunga · #17 06-17-2011, 09:11 PM

As wilsonn said, leaders lead. If you just keep doing what you're doing, you'll emerge as the natural leader of the band.

Jeb · #18 06-17-2011, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderfinger

Oh well. I play bass. Doesnt count I reckon...

Crybaby. Seems to me that you're not satisfied with the role you've chosen. Its not about you.

powderfinger · #19 06-18-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeb

Crybaby. Seems to me that you're not satisfied with the role you've chosen. Its not about you.

Seems to me, unlike the others here, you missed the point of the thread. I enjoy bass. I prefer to play bass.

And if its not about me? Who is it about?

Jeb · #20 06-19-2011, 02:54 AM

Seems to me that... yeah, I did miss the point of this thread. I apologize.