The demise of my blues band

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

it shouldn't be an issue if there is open communication. we aren't using smoke signals or carrier pigeons anymore. c'mon fellers! to those who handle multiple bands, great! to those who prefer to focus on one, great!

If there non gigging originals bands, then yes. Busy cover bands absolutely not.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by carl h.

I've done multiple gigs in multiple states before on the same day. Not recommended, but doable.

Most bands aren't working terribly often these days so it is a non issue for most.

How were you able to play 9:00-1:00 four hour gigs on the same day?

Most bands aren't working terribly often these days?

What kind if bands? and what region most established cover bands in Milwaukee are busy.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by derrico1

One upside of playing with musicians who gig in multiple projects is that they tend to have fairly good networks of capable subs. They're also working gigs on weekdays and early hours, so it's not as if using players with busy calendars automatically freezes a band out of Friday/Saturday night gigs.

I can't imagine having to cancel a blues date for lack of competent subs. One local BL I play with regularly books R&B/funk dates, trusting that once the date is booked he'll be able to pull together a line-up from the circle of freelancers in town (and Charlottesville is not a big town).

Putting together a bunch of hired guns is not a band.

Blue

[mellowinman]

I agree that if you play the blues, you are obligated to write a song about anything that makes you feel bad.

I agree that it can be hard to replace someone.

I also agree that you should find that elusive replacement, and get back out there.

I agree that it is better to play in only one band.

I also agree that it is possible to play in TWO. More can be tricky. We are currently scheduling with a drummer who has another band. It is working so far. I have an opportunity to play in another band, and I may well do so.

We will see.

Get out there, and remember, you gotta SUFFER if you wanna sing the blues!

[El Barbero]

Originally Posted by obimark

I am not saying people in multiple band can't PLAY... I am saying that in the end one or the other band will lose out, and break up.
I don't know about the rest of the world, but here, most gigs are either Friday or Saturday night. Now yes, my band is not booked every weekend, nor do we want to be, but let's say we were booked two weekends out of the month, in Band A, and Band B has a great opportunity on the same weekend, you really think they will pass it by because one I can't make it?? No chance. So that is the end of Band A or Band B for me.

This. It´s not the nature of bands but, right or wrong, it is the nature of people.

[zenman]

zenman, totally not "zen" of you, man. I never said anything about doing a blues gig and not finding a replacement for it. No idea where you got that from, but it's just not here ... My turn to roll eyes?[/quote]

I don't know? Maybe is was in the title of your thread and possibly where you said that you might not be able to honor your final gig? My mistake.

[EddiePlaysBass]

Originally Posted by zenman

I don't know? Maybe is was in the title of your thread and possibly where you said that you might not be able to honor your final gig? My mistake.

Well, the title of the thread does label my band as a blues band, I'll give you that. The final gig is in February, and given the circumstances it makes more sense to just give it to the other band.

I did not specify that, though, so I understand your confusion. Apologies if I came across too harshly, guess I should have made myself clearer Peace!

[zenman]

No problem. Things will work out. Just keep playing.

[derrico1]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Putting together a bunch of hired guns is not a band.

Blue

That particular band is the BL and a pretty well defined circle of players who do the gigs: the BL/singer, one main guitarist (backed by two regular subs and one infrequent sub), main drummer (backed by one regular sub and one infrequent sub), a regular bassist (backed by two subs), with keys added on about half the gigs when available, a second lead vocalist added ~ 20% of the time (depends on how the gig pays), and occasionally horns. I don't know that you'd recognize the players, but you'd recognize the list of bands they've worked with. The subs are nice players, so they're still taking the songs someplace--not just hacking through. The group seldom rehearses, but it's tight. It sounds like a band, books like a band, and gets paid. If that somehow doesn't work for you, oh well, different strokes; your standards must be a lot higher than mine.

[mattbass6945]

Originally Posted by bluewine

If there non gigging originals bands, then yes. Busy cover bands absolutely not.

Blue

each band is their own thing. it is a case by case basis. if you can't commit to more than one band, then don't do it. if, with one band, you have the time to do a second, then go for it. why is this so hard for people to comprehend?

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Putting together a bunch of hired guns is not a band.

Blue

It's a band if the audience thinks it's a band.

[JumboJack]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Depends on your location in Metro areas some bands are booked every weekend.

Regardless there's potential for all sorts of conflicts. The OPs story is an example.

For me, being in more than 1 band would be a big pain in the " you know what "

I'm not sold on the multiple band model unless it's a bunch of originals band where gigging is not the mission of the band and there's no money involved.

Blue

Well your band gigs 3-5 times a month. You (like many others) say music is your life. What to do the other 25-27days of the month?

[TomB]

Originally Posted by derrico1

That particular band is the BL and a pretty well defined circle of players who do the gigs: the BL/singer, one main guitarist (backed by two regular subs and one infrequent sub), main drummer (backed by one regular sub and one infrequent sub), a regular bassist (backed by two subs), with keys added on about half the gigs when available, a second lead vocalist added ~ 20% of the time (depends on how the gig pays), and occasionally horns. I don't know that you'd recognize the players, but you'd recognize the list of bands they've worked with. The subs are nice players, so they're still taking the songs someplace--not just hacking through. The group seldom rehearses, but it's tight. It sounds like a band, books like a band, and gets paid. If that somehow doesn't work for you, oh well, different strokes; your standards must be a lot higher than mine.

There are plenty of working pro bands that work like this, are definitely "bands" and tear down plenty of houses. I know, I'm in several of them at any given time. It may not work for some people, but how in the hell can one make a generic statement that this isn't a working model? Maybe not for some folks, but it works very well for many others. Just ask the booking agents that hire us.

[mattbass6945]

we bassists can be a varied bunch. i say, if you found something that works for you and you enjoy, do it.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

Well your band gigs 3-5 times a month. You (like many others) say music is your life. What to do the other 25-27days of the month?

I work a regular corporate 9-5 which I hate.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

each band is their own thing. it is a case by case basis. if you can't commit to more than one band, then don't do it. if, with one band, you have the time to do a second, then go for it. why is this so hard for people to comprehend?

I think some , like me, think busy cover bands, How can you play in 2-3 busy cover bands.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by derrico1

That particular band is the BL and a pretty well defined circle of players who do the gigs: the BL/singer, one main guitarist (backed by two regular subs and one infrequent sub), main drummer (backed by one regular sub and one infrequent sub), a regular bassist (backed by two subs), with keys added on about half the gigs when available, a second lead vocalist added ~ 20% of the time (depends on how the gig pays), and occasionally horns. I don't know that you'd recognize the players, but you'd recognize the list of bands they've worked with. The subs are nice players, so they're still taking the songs someplace--not just hacking through. The group seldom rehearses, but it's tight. It sounds like a band, books like a band, and gets paid. If that somehow doesn't work for you, oh well, different strokes; your standards must be a lot higher than mine.

Not higher, just different.

Blue

[mattbass6945]

ime, one was a cover band that was still building a set and wasn't ready to go play out every night, and the other 2 were originals. as it happened, the original bands fell apart (flaky people...) and the cover band stayed together and is closer to playing out constantly. now my homelife went through a drastic change and i only have time for one band. i've been on both sides of the coin.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

the other 2 were originals. as it happened, the original bands fell apart (flaky people...)

Not uncommon.

Blue

[mattbass6945]

i know it all too well......unfortunately not just musicians either.