Do I ditch my cover band for one with more gigs?

troy mcclure · #1 09-05-2009, 04:20 PM

Ok, I am having a problem making up my mind. I am in a band that I kinda run by lack of leadership and we don't get a huge number of gigs as no one in the band really is out looking for them so we play 2 weekends a month. I was asked to audition for a band that is not any better, musically but has a bit more motivation. They play 45 weekends a year.

If I take the gig, I will have very little responsibility other than playing. I am not sure if I am too much in love with the idea of not having input on the tunes we play as to me that is what makes a good cover band.

Am I shortsighted in jumping ship? I might be happier longterm if I give my band another 6 months to get some
traction in the marketplace but I am a bit frustrated with
everyone allowing me to do all the marketing....

bluewine · #2 09-05-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

Ok, I am having a problem making up my mind. I am in a band that I kinda run by lack of leadership and we don't get a huge number of gigs as no one in the band really is out looking for them so we play 2 weekends a month. I was asked to audition for a band that is not any better, musically but has a bit more motivation. They play 45 weekends a year.

If I take the gig, I will have very little responsibility other than playing. I am not sure if I am too much in love with the idea of not having input on the tunes we play as to me that is what makes a good cover band.

Am I shortsighted in jumping ship? I might be happier longterm if I give my band another 6 months to get some
traction in the marketplace but I am a bit frustrated with
everyone allowing me to do all the marketing....

Depends, it's tough call, what if the guys in the band with all the gigs are jerks.

I wish my band had more gigs, but our heads are pretty much in the same place and they are good peeps all around.

fullrangebass · #3 09-05-2009, 04:31 PM

It all depends on what you are after. If reasons (and motivation) are mainly financial, as well as an objection to the responsibility of being some sort of leader, then go for the other band with more gigs.

If the first band is more important at a mutual friendship and appreciation level, as well as common goals and motivation, then don't leave

The choice is yours really

xgator4u · #4 09-05-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

Ok, I am in a band that I kinda run by lack of leadership and we don't get a huge number of gigs as no one in the band really is out looking for them

Well it sounds like YOU, who kinda run the band, need to get out there and get you some more gigs. In addition, YOU , who kinda run the band, need to motivate the others to do the same.If they are not interested, perhaps you can increase their motivation by paying yourself more of the money for handling all of the booking. In all fairness though, they should also be entitled to a little extra for each gig THEY book.

thudfromafar · #5 09-05-2009, 04:50 PM

Tell your current band that if they don't start gigging more, you're out. If they still don't change, then join the other one. If gigging is what you want, of course.

Earthquake · #6 09-05-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgator4u

Well it sounds like YOU, who kinda run the band, need to get out there and get you some more gigs. In addition, YOU , who kinda run the band, need to motivate the others to do the same.If they are not interested, perhaps you can increase their motivation by paying yourself more of the money for handling all of the booking. In all fairness though, they should also be entitled to a little extra for each gig THEY book.

+1

roccobladr · #7 09-05-2009, 04:57 PM

honestly, for me at least, the best part of being in a cover band is playing and getting paid. the more often i do that, the more i enjoy it.

troy mcclure · #8 09-05-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgator4u

Well it sounds like YOU, who kinda run the band, need to get out there and get you some more gigs. In addition, YOU , who kinda run the band, need to motivate the others to do the same.If they are not interested, perhaps you can increase their motivation by paying yourself more of the money for handling all of the booking. In all fairness though, they should also be entitled to a little extra for each gig THEY book.

lol Well taken Xgator... I am gonna have to make a decision in the next 2 weeks....

MalcolmAmos · #9 09-05-2009, 05:08 PM

If you can show up and play THE schedule and be happy with that. Give it a try. Frankly I like just showing up on time and playing THE schedule. Course the personalities must fit. Why is there an opening.............

xgator4u · #10 09-05-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

lol Well taken Xgator... I am gonna have to make a decision in the next 2 weeks....

Yeah brother, I'm just telling you to NOT jump ship. Jump out there and get more gigs. Get them to help. Motivate them with cash, cash usually works, even with the worst of slackers.

Andrew Jones · #11 09-05-2009, 06:30 PM

get a sub together join the other band and do both!

mrwink · #12 09-05-2009, 06:41 PM

Van Halen said it You might as well J U M P!!!

I just quit a cover band that played at least twice almost every weekend. It was totally frustrating - the guy who started the band can't sing and can't play guitar and guess what... he was the front man!

I finally reached the point where I decided for the crap gigs we were playing (mostly dive bars for 50-75bucks a night) that it wasn't worth it. I love the rest of the band - in fact, we had recorded a quick demo to start booking gigs without the crappy guy - but I decided to just make a clean break.

The down side is that I'm not currently playing - but I get approached relatively regularly for projects so when I'm ready to get back in I will.

I guess my point is that people, in general, are the way they are and don't often change - if you're not content with the rest of your band don't hope for something to happen, make something happen!

thudfromafar · #13 09-05-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrwink

if you're not content with the rest of your band don't hope for something to happen, make something happen!

yup

Mo'Phat · #14 09-05-2009, 09:45 PM

I've been in plenty of bands where I was the "leader" due to the rest of the band members' apathy. It sucks, and no amount of motivation actually gets through. You come across as their dad or something, and they turn on you.

But you now see a situation where the other band's members are driven, motivated, don't necessarily need your efforts to further the band...I think it's a no brainer that its a better situation.

You're worried that you won't get to choose the songs? I highly doubt that. I think you'll find that you have plenty of latitude and sway with the new band. If what they're doing is what you want to be doing, then you should dump your band and join theirs. Just my opinion.

tycobb73 · #15 09-06-2009, 10:02 AM

Cover bands playing out 45 times a year know how to pick tunes or they wouldn't be playing so that wouldn't be an issue with me.