Band ups & Downs..

Sav'nBass · #1 01-30-2010, 02:41 PM

What a week.... A week ago today I was playing in a Christian band that seemed to me like we were moving along well... we had 12 pieces... Bass, 3 guitars,keys, piano,drums,percussion,3 vocalists, trombone & trumpet.. We had just cut a demo to give to folks that might be interested in us... Things were looking pretty good...

Then on Monday we had a meeting... and things just began to fall apart.... by Tuesday morning the piano & trombone had left... then the drummer & keys left.. in the meantime I wound up passing up a great deal on some equipment.. because I just wasn't sure where the future was and in light of some other things couldn't justify the expense ... then by Wednesday I had left the band as well... and wound up joining forces with the piano,keys,drums & bone... We had a 4 hour meeting last night to iron out a few things.. and now we are back in business with a new agenda... I feel kind of bad about leaving the old band.. but I just feel that this was the best decision.. the music is more challenging.. and so far this band is made up of couples.. except for the trumpet player.. Anyway.. I'm just kind of venting... it has been a grueling week... and the band issues were just icing on the cake but I am glad it turned out well.. things were looking very gloomy on Monday/Tuesday..

Stumbo · #2 01-31-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

but I just feel that this was the best decision.. the music is more challenging.. and so far this band is made up of couples.. except for the trumpet player.

You mean, like married or dating couples? I guess Christian couples/band have just as many problems as the heathens.

IMO, won't be the last time this happens with your group.

Good luck.

Jason P Bass · #3 01-31-2010, 11:18 PM

a 12 piece group??

It's hard enough to keep a 4 piece group from imploding. I can't imagine what it takes to successfully organize a 12 piece.

I walked out on a successful trio because the other guys were jerks.

Good luck. We all need a little.

Haysoochreesto · #4 02-01-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason P Bass

a 12 piece group??

It's hard enough to keep a 4 piece group from imploding. I can't imagine what it takes to successfully organize a 12 piece.

This. We now have six guys in our band (which I really don't like but whatever) and scheduling rehearsals on a consistent basis has already become somewhat of a headache.

But breakups happen. Even within our 6 piece there are 2 different factions and when the eventual breakup occurs (which it will someday) I can already tell you who's going to stay with who.

AbsoluteFunk · #5 02-02-2010, 01:21 PM

Its Hell.... Ive recently been "Pushed out of a band" because the female lead singer did not want me in the band (turns out from the start) i joined full-time nearly 3 month ago after depin (standing in ) for their bass player on 10 or more occasions the manager who was a Tech for rock band Thunder until a few months ago phoned me and said the gig was mine if i wanted it ....so i said yes .. so i did the usual- learnt 24 songs again and was on the road the following week.
Truth is ..I made a few mistakes (not drastic ones ) usually whilst doing the backing vocals. the female vocalist (incidentley ive know for 20 years- no relationship/sex involved) started to complain about me to the manager, saying my playing was ****!
so he started coming to the odd gig .. and said that there was no problem and he was perfectly happy with my playing.. i was happy with him reinforcing what i had though ..ive been playing for 22 years....now heres the icing on the cake..
i gets a phone call from the manager on the monday after 4 excellent gigs saying that ill have to leave the band anyway... because the female vocalist has said ..either he leaves or i leave!!! The vocalist wins !! 5-1 She still did not give a reason for this ultimatum and i still dont know...
Really enjoyed playing in the band . but kinda glad im out if shes a backstabbing b*tch like that,
Any thoughts/condolences lol would be appreiciated
Cheers dudes

rappa29 · #6 02-02-2010, 02:09 PM

AbsoluteFunk - Sorry to hear that. That really sucks! But the reality is, in many cases, any of the musicians are expendable and replaceable. Generally, a vocalist is harder to replace. Plus they're usually the 'draw'. Thus the diva\divo attitudes of many vocalists!

How many times has Journey tried to replace Steve Perry? Even though it looks like they have a winner with Arnel, but it took them a long time to find him!

You're better off anyhow. Who wants to play in a band where the diva singer can make these ultimatums and have band members cast off at her whim?

In reference to the OT, 12 people in a band is A LOT. WTH were 3 guitar players playing???? Couldn't even imagine dealing with 3 guitar players! LOL!

Largest band I've ever played in was 7 (drums, bass, gtr, keys, sax, vox, perc). The cool thing was the vox also played trumpet and percussion. So we had that additional instrumentation without having to add a member! We managed to get rehearsals and gigs organized well considering it was before the cell phones were so easily affordable and common (circa late 90's). I think only 1 of the guys had one!

Sav'nBass · #7 02-02-2010, 08:26 PM

Well now the new band is 10 pieces.. bass,drums,keys,piano,trumpet,bone,percussion,guit ar & soon to be two vocalists.. the couples are bass& vocals,bone&piano,drums&keys,percussion&vocals.. the trumpet & guitar are single.. but we all get along pretty well so far... and after our first rehearsal I have absolutely no regrets...

jzhobo77 · #8 02-02-2010, 08:47 PM

Well I was in a 4 piece band my drummer left the band most likely being tied to his new wife apron strings. And then my Lead guitar player who is into old country music got my other guitar and lead vocal to do these 2 piece coffee house gigs. ( I mean that played at IHOP resterant...) I am more of a classis rock player and did not get along with the song's the lead guitar played wanted to play. So now I just working on my chops I have jammed with a classic rock band for a New Years gig and it was so,so good... Im a bass player for 41 years. I'm still having fun no matter what!!! Just don't fret about it...

Jason P Bass · #9 02-02-2010, 09:06 PM

When they all start throwing their car keys into a salad bowl, that's when this story is going to kick into high gear.

Sav'nBass · #10 02-02-2010, 10:06 PM

.. and yeah I meant married couples....

bluewine · #11 02-03-2010, 11:00 AM

Truth is ..I made a few mistakes (not drastic ones ) usually whilst doing the backing vocals. the female vocalist (incidentley ive know for 20 years- no relationship/sex involved) started to complain about me to the manager, saying my playing was ****!

That's funny what would some chic singer know about bass playing?

I don't think our lead singer can make those distictions, she just works on her own stuff.

blue

xgator4u · #12 02-03-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sav'nBass

Well now the new band is 10 pieces.. bass,drums,keys,piano,trumpet,bone,percussion,guit ar & soon to be two vocalists.. the couples are bass& vocals,bone&piano,drums&keys,percussion&vocals.. the trumpet & guitar are single.. but we all get along pretty well so far... and after our first rehearsal I have absolutely no regrets...

\

So who are the 2 you got rid of? Sounds like you and the others left the original band and reformed without the two that were the problem. If I am wrong, excuse me, If I am right, Kudos to you, and keep on Rocking.

nealw · #13 02-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

When they all start throwing their car keys into a salad bowl, that's when this story is going to kick into high gear.

I laughed, but I don't think the OP did.

SteveC · #14 02-03-2010, 11:16 AM

Couples make up the band...can you say Fleetwood Mac? I foresee nothing but trouble. Of course, you could be the exception, but...

Gerhn Blanston · #15 02-03-2010, 11:31 AM

To me it makes no sense to stay somewhere you are not wanted.
In the meantime become indispensable by being a great player, singer, arranger, collaborator, and team player with lots of contacts.
Some people eventually get wise when the primo gigs dry up AFTER you take yer assets elsewhere.

AbsoluteFunk · #16 02-04-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerhn Blanston

To me it makes no sense to stay somewhere you are not wanted.
In the meantime become indispensable by being a great player, singer, arranger, collaborator, and team player with lots of contacts.
Some people eventually get wise when the primo gigs dry up AFTER you take yer assets elsewhere.

Cheers Gerhn
means alot!

What i find really weird is that the band are now bringing in another guitarist and the current guitarist/band leader has bought a P bass and is now playing bass on the "simpler songs" and using magicbass for the more complicated stuff. " Ohhh no i wont even attempt to do Atomic (Blondie)" . I popped round to see him the other (just to be sociable) and we got onto how to play livin on a prayer (a classic solid rock bassline) a mentioned to him he was playing a bit wrong (chorus) "well i cant do it that way -i cant reach!!" ... i find myself goin over and over this situation if i may shout (being among bassistS) "YOU ARE A FU*KING GUITARIST NOT A BASS PLAYER!!! THE 2 INSTRUMENT ARE NOT PLAYED THE SAME WAY !!" ,,, i put alot of effort into the band and find myself getting bitter, hoping that they will fall on their arses which i know aint very sporting but hey ..
yours perplexed

absolutefunk

AbsoluteFunk · #17 02-04-2010, 04:36 PM

and hes using the 4 string and changing the basslines from song that use a 5 so aint gonna be right......ahhhhhhhh. i give up!!!

Sav'nBass · #18 02-06-2010, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgator4u

\

So who are the 2 you got rid of? Sounds like you and the others left the original band and reformed without the two that were the problem. If I am wrong, excuse me, If I am right, Kudos to you, and keep on Rocking.

Actually we got some different pieces... but the piano , bone & trumpet player left... then the drummer & keys left.. then mama & me left... They were left with 2 guitars... and two female singers and the band leader.. a male lead. From what I hear they already have a drummer.. and I think they will be fine... I just came to realize that I belonged where I am....

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Couples make up the band...can you say Fleetwood Mac? I foresee nothing but trouble. Of course, you could be the exception, but...

Well this is a little different... no sex & drugs involved... LOL... and we all like our spouses... and have been married over 13 years... (we have 20 this month..)