band troubles

TimboSlice87 · #1 02-25-2011, 02:49 PM

So I joined a 3 piece band (including myself) a few months back. The band is named after our female lead singer/songwriter/guitarist, and her boyfriend plays drums. We do a few cover songs as well as originals that she wrote. So far weve played a few shows, photoshoot, radio interview. I've felt pretty good lately, feeling like a part of the band. We went into the studio and recorded 4 preproduction tracks. Maybe a few days or so before preproduction, my bandmates sent me a long-winded text saying basically that they are pleased to have me in the band and im doing well but if my bass playing doesnt match the style of the producer's (who also plays bass, and recorded 3 tracks for them while they didnt have a bass player) then i might not be able to record. I responded basically saying that i would definitely like the oppurtunity to record if possible, but if they have to let their producer do it, i would be ok with that. After thinking about it though i thought, maybe this producer and/or the band are trying to cut me out for financial reasons (they dont want to pay me). Last night they confirmed that I wouldnt be recording with them because my "style" is completely different.

Should I start looking for a new band, or am i just being paranoid? (either way im gonna have a talk with the band in a few days). I just wanna hear your opinions.

treekiller · #2 02-25-2011, 02:54 PM

Hmmmm, let's see: female singer/songwriter/guitarist plus boyfriend/drummer...... Doesn't sound like great odds to me. Is the producer/? either a friend or relative of theirs too?

Hang with them if ya want, but I'd be on the lookout for another gig real soon!!!

tdub0199 · #3 02-25-2011, 02:55 PM

How can it be? That you practice and play with them in a "Live" situation and obviously they must think it sounds good or they would have already replaced you but all of sudden now that they are recording your style doesn't match them..... I don't get that at all brother, I would bail and leave their @$$e$..... this just seems a little scetchy to me....

Marko5657 · #4 02-25-2011, 02:56 PM

Are you referring to getting paid for the recording session, or something else?

godofthunder59 · #5 02-25-2011, 02:56 PM

Deal breaker for me I'd walk. The boy friend /girl friend thing is a disaster waiting to happen. Walk ? I think I'd run.

jaywa · #6 02-25-2011, 02:59 PM

Yeah, sounds to me like a situation where you are a band member in name only. The actual "band" is a duo (or possibly a trio if you count the producer) + a sideman (you).

Combining personal and band relationships tends to make things... umm... interesting at best. I have played in three different band situations with husband/wife teams, another band with two brothers, and another one with a father/son duo, and rarely do those hold together terribly well.

YMMV and it may work out for you but odds and experience say you may not last long in this situation nor will you enjoy it a great deal.

Marko5657 · #7 02-25-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdub0199

How can it be? That you practice and play with them in a "Live" situation and obviously they must think it sounds good or they would have already replaced you but all of sudden now that they are recording your style doesn't match them..... I don't get that at all brother, I would bail and leave their @$$e$..... this just seems a little scetchy to me....

Maybe they feel he’s good enough for live, but not for studio, and they don’t want to hurt his feelings.

Maybe he should just be satisfied with that for now.

deepBassie · #8 02-25-2011, 03:05 PM

Sorry to hear that you're getting jerked around like this. If they don't want you in the studio then your days with this band are numbered. Not sure why they hired you in the first place if they don't like your style. Regardless, I suggest sticking with them until a better opportunity can be had. What comes around, goes around.

jaywa · #9 02-25-2011, 03:06 PM

Now, OTOH, if the OP were to give the singer a good bangin', steal her away from the drummer and shift the balance of power in his favor....

On second thought, bad idea. Nevermind.

TimboSlice87 · #10 02-25-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko5657

Are you referring to getting paid for the recording session, or something else?

The 3 song which already exist are going to be combined with the 4 new ones to make a 7 song EP. I am assuming once a record is complete, the guitarist, drummer, and producer will take a cut of the sale money (including itunes)...while i will get nothing.

But I dont know much about music business and how this stuff works.

TimboSlice87 · #11 02-25-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Now, OTOH, if the OP were to give the singer a good bangin', steal her away from the drummer and shift the balance of power in his favor....

On second thought, bad idea. Nevermind.

hahaha, now theres an idea...

Marko5657 · #12 02-25-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimboSlice87

The 3 song which already exist are going to be combined with the 4 new ones to make a 7 song EP. I am assuming once a record is complete, the guitarist, drummer, and producer will take a cut of the sale money (including itunes)...while i will get nothing.

But I dont know much about music business and how this stuff works.

Did you write any lyrics, or melodies, or pay for studio time or anything?

I’m not trying to be a smartazz, but what exactly to you feel you’re owed?

Marko5657 · #13 02-25-2011, 03:14 PM

Lots of guys are looking to play in a band, you’ve got that. Why these folks are telling you to quit, I just don’t know.

jaywa · #14 02-25-2011, 03:15 PM

Dont' take this the wrong way, but it really sounds to me like they just want a sideman for live shows that I have to assume they will pay as little as possible and certainly less than an equal cut, and who will basically be expected to play the bass parts as recorded, with virtually no input in the creative process and none of the financial benefits that may accrue from that either.

If your style is so different than the producer's, as they say -- yet they clearly like how the producer plays bass -- then the sensible thing for them would be to just use the producer on the live gigs as well. I would be curious why they're not doing that. Would the producer want a full cut? Is he too busy with other projects or unable to travel? Does he just not like to play live? Something doesn't add up.

You're clearly not 100% comfortable with your situation so I think you owe it to yourself to ask some questions. If they are not forthcoming with answers, probably better to exit sooner than later.

lowfreq33 · #15 02-25-2011, 03:15 PM

That would be a deal breaker for me. Either you're in the band or you're not.

Slax · #16 02-25-2011, 03:19 PM

Idk... if it smells like s***, it usually is.

I would ask them up front what was it about your style they didn't like and why it was fine for everything else but not the studio recordings.

TimboSlice87 · #17 02-25-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Dont' take this the wrong way, but it really sounds to me like they just want a sideman for live shows that I have to assume they will pay as little as possible and certainly less than an equal cut, and who will basically be expected to play the bass parts as recorded, with virtually no input in the creative process and none of the financial benefits that may accrue from that either.

If your style is so different than the producer's, as they say -- yet they clearly like how the producer plays bass -- then what would make the most sense for them would be to just use the producer on the live gigs as well. Why they're not doing that is what would give me concern. I suspect the producer either will want too much money, is too busy with other projects or just doesn't like to play live. Something doesn't add up.

what you say makes alot of sense to me, and it does seem fishy. on one hand i feel like they are possibly trying to take advantage of me, on the other hand maybe i should just be grateful to be in a band, let things run their course and look out for additional oppurtunites. still not sure.

MatticusMania · #18 02-25-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimboSlice87

So I joined a 3 piece band (including myself) a few months back. The band is named after our female lead singer/songwriter/guitarist, and her boyfriend plays drums. We do a few cover songs as well as originals that she wrote. So far weve played a few shows, photoshoot, radio interview. I've felt pretty good lately, feeling like a part of the band. We went into the studio and recorded 4 preproduction tracks. Maybe a few days or so before preproduction, my bandmates sent me a long-winded text saying basically that they are pleased to have me in the band and im doing well but if my bass playing doesnt match the style of the producer's (who also plays bass, and recorded 3 tracks for them while they didnt have a bass player) then i might not be able to record. I responded basically saying that i would definitely like the oppurtunity to record if possible, but if they have to let their producer do it, i would be ok with that. After thinking about it though i thought, maybe this producer and/or the band are trying to cut me out for financial reasons (they dont want to pay me). Last night they confirmed that I wouldnt be recording with them because my "style" is completely different.

Should I start looking for a new band, or am i just being paranoid? (either way im gonna have a talk with the band in a few days). I just wanna hear your opinions.

So are you going to learn the basslines the producer records and play the songs that way on stage? Why are you even in their band? Are you being paid well for the gigs?

Marko5657 · #19 02-25-2011, 03:22 PM

Maybe the producer doesn’t have the time or even want to play in a band. And in that situation, what’s so wrong with this couple hiring someone for the live band part.

I don’t know how to break this to some of y’all, but playing an instrument in someone else’s band doesn’t make you an equal owner.

If they’re paying the OP what he’s happy with for the gigs, I don’t see any foul here.

TimboSlice87 · #20 02-25-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko5657

Maybe the producer doesn’t have the time or even want to play in a band. And in that situation, what’s so wrong with this couple hiring someone for the live band part.

I don’t know how to break this to some of y’all, but playing an instrument in someone else’s band doesn’t make you an equal owner.

If they’re paying the OP what he’s happy with for the gigs, I don’t see any foul here.

i will note though that this band thing has definetly costed me more money than i have earned, between gas$, equipment, etc. plus $80 for a vocal lesson because she wants me to sing and do harmonies. plus sometimes 2-3hours practice a day, 2 rehearsals a week. theres no question im dedicated and been working my ass off.