multiple bands

DW1969 · #1 08-11-2008, 03:13 PM

First off, I'm not a pro-player, I do it for fun and because I love it.
Recently, I was playing in 2 bands at the same time. One band demanded 2 rehearsals a week while the other only 1. They also had a demanding gig schedual. I'm a family guy with my own bussiness to run so needless to say the 2 rehearshal band went to the way side. It took the fun out of it for me.
The other band is a turn key cover band with rehearsal space. nice guys, ok players that have become good friends.
So, from the ashes of the band that went the way side the drummer and I got another guitar player. We're all old, old friends, and we been writing and have tons of fun doing it.
Now I'm having conflict with rehearseals between the 2 and I meet each once a week. Lines are being drawn and I'm not the one making them.
How do you guys handel this kind of stuff?

Croox · #2 08-11-2008, 03:19 PM

both bands should know about each other. I've done this. When you joined the second band you should have told them "I'm in another band, and we practice sunday nights." and informed them of any of band 1 gigs and give them notice as soon as you book them and the other way around.

**barebones** · #3 08-11-2008, 03:28 PM

Hey, man, you actually own a bass! Believe me, they'll work with you!

Just kidding... sort of. As one who occasionally plays in as many as four bands at a time, I have found everyone I've worked with to be very accomodating. As long as I do my homework ahead of time, show up ready to play, and keep everyone in the loop regarding my other gigs and rehearsal schedule, there are no problems. The key is communication, and you have to be very direct and comfortable saying, "This is what I can do. I sure hope it works for you. But if it doesn't, I certainly understand if you want to look for someone else. I'll be happy to fill in, as my schedule permits, until you find the person you're looking for."

Matt

Joe Nerve · #4 08-11-2008, 03:46 PM

If they're drawing the lines, your options then are pretty limited. I think you need to decide where YOUR lines are and then tell both bands. I think the chances are good that they'll work something out. If not then the band that's willing to let you go isn't all that loyal to you anyhow.

I play in lots of bands and it gets difficult at times. I just need to be clear what I'm willing to do and what I'm not. And I need to immediately notify my other bands when a gig is booked. First gig booked gets priority. There are times I have to run from one gig to another. Things usually work out.

I've learned also that it's incredibly important to not be on the fence. I've seen it with other musicians I play with also. If we tell a band, "well.... maybe if I do this, I can get there...," or if I leave any window of opportunity open for something I know I can't or don't want to do - trouble starts. A clear and confident "can't do it" saves a lot of headaches. I've also learned to say "I'll get back to you," for iffy situations, and then settle with myself what I need to do before telling anyone else.

Sahm · #5 08-11-2008, 03:55 PM

Have you set up a Google calender, or something like it, where all members from both bands have access? It makes it easier to organize, and it might alleviate some tension if everyone can see that there is time for both. Sometimes people get wigged out when rehearsals start getting cancelled, but the visual of the calender can show that there really is plenty of time for both.

jaywa · #6 08-11-2008, 04:04 PM

I currently have a "main" band (which I started and gigs anywhere from two to four weekend nights a month). I also sub about once every 4-6 weeks with another band, plus I do one or two weekends a month on my church worship team. A few months ago a band asked me for the 2nd time to join them (I had turned them down the first time) and I came right out the first meeting and said they would be getting fourth priority to these other three commitments and if they were OK with that, I was in and if not they should look for someone else. They were OK with that, and so far has been no problems.

As far as conflicting gigs, yes, first gig confirmed gets priority. If you are in band(s) that are used to booking gigs with short lead time (e.g., less than two weeks to one month out), you need to let them know this is your policy. Once all the involved bands know how busy you are, hopefully they will all raise their game accordingly as far as booking things further out.

If you are a good bassist in a market where there aren't very many relative to the number of bands, you may be surprised how much leverage you have. Bands who know what's up understand the importance of a good bass player and will make reasonable allowances to keep you involved as long as you do your part. Just don't get cocky about it and always do everything you can to keep everyone in the loop and bring your best to whichever band is yours for the night. Good luck.

waynobass · #7 08-11-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahm

Have you set up a Google calender, or something like it, where all members from both bands have access?

Genius idea! Thanks.

DW1969 · #8 08-11-2008, 06:06 PM

I practice on Tuesday, and Thursdays. It's been this way for months. One guy has a gig on Thursday, so I was asked to switch to Tuesday but I didn't have enough notice to make it happen. Now I'm getting my nuts twisted because I didn't. Mind you, neither band has a gig at the present moment.
If the shoe was on the other foot I would have said "oh well we'll miss a week"
I don't like being presured like I was with the band that rehearsed 2X's a week + gigs. Everyone knew from the start where I stand on this stuff but it seems to keep comming back to "which one do you like better" crap.

Adam Bomb · #9 08-11-2008, 07:34 PM

Dude. Pretty much the exact same thing just happened to me.

Until the other day I was in two bands, that I joined at about the same time, and I rehearsed with each one once a week. I practice daily, and had always made significant progress learning new songs each week, and it showed. I've come to suspect that some musicians only practice at rehearsals. Those people are going to need to get together more, so that you can babysit them. (I'm sure that many musicians have other, more valid, reasons.) Mine too are "fun" bands - we are not in training to play the next Superbowl halftime show or open for Hootie and the Blowfish or whatever.

Just this past weekend - two days ago - I quit the band that was aggressively trying to renegotiate the rehearsal schedule we'd agreed to when I joined, and I went full-time with the band that had been pretty cool and accommodating. And now I will practice with the cool band twice a week, because I suddenly have another night free. So it worked out nice.

You, of course, may want to go a different route. Good luck. In hindsight I think I joined two bands because I thought that it was likely that at least one band would get weird on me in a month or two. This was by no means the only issue with the band I just left.

--Bomb

spade2you · #10 08-11-2008, 07:40 PM

I've done it on occasion, but I've been lucky that the bands' schedules allowed for it. I doubt I'd be able to do that if I had kids when ya add brewing and racing. Even though I'd complain about being too busy sometimes, I really loved it. I could play in either band (which freaking rocked!), I could brew some beer, I could race on my road bike, and still spend time with my friends and girlfriend. Man, I had it made for a while.