Playing in multiple bands

[agreatheight]

I play in a working cover band and I am starting an originals band. Working band is to the front of the line for everything, gigs / rehearsal / self practice / etc, as the other people in the band are counting on me for income (supplemental as it may be). All rehearsals and gigs will go on a calendar online. Original band will fill in gaps!

[dannylectro]

I play in two very different bands - an original acoustic band and a 70's - 80's cover band. We use multiple, linked Google calendars to coordinate and I've made it clear to both bands that I maintain a strict "first-booked gets the date" policy. That said, the acoustic band plays a lot of festivals and I tend to block out those dates way far out in advance to prevent conflicts.

So far... no problems at all.

[CartyLa]

People who play in more than one originals band annoy me a bit for some reason, I mean I'd be pissed off if someone didn't come practice because they were with their 'other band'. Just wrong really

[hearnow]

Originally Posted by jaywa

You need to make 1 band the "priority" gig and let any other project(s) know your availability for them is subject to that band.

This x 1000 -- then there are 0 issues.

[bluewine]

There are to many of you that play in multiple bands for me to debate that it can't work.

However, I opinion that if your playing in several actively gigging bands you are not (by my definition) in a band or a true member even if it's your band.

I would define you as a hired gun, sub or free lancer.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Come on now, you can't be doing anything but looking to pick a fight with that nonsense

Not at all, if no one shares my opinion. I could just be wrong.

Not looking to start a fight. We can all have different definitions right?

If it's completely off base, I'll concede that my opinion is not valid.

Blue

[JumboJack]

Originally Posted by bluewine

There are to many of you that play in multiple bands for me to debate that it can't work.

However, I opinion that if your playing in several actively gigging bands you are not (by my definition) in a band or a true member even if it's your band.

I would define you as a hired gun, sub or free lancer.

Blue

That's just silly.
For someone that claims that "Music is your life" and then to be content to play only 3 or 4 times a month your stance on this subject is odd to say the least.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by bluewine

There are to many of you that play in multiple bands for me to debate that it can't work.

However, I opinion that if your playing in several actively gigging bands you are not (by my definition) in a band or a true member even if it's your band.

I would define you as a hired gun, sub or free lancer.

Blue

I understand what you are trying to say, blue. I have often felt like that sometimes with my three bands. I guess I'll know which one I'm really in when I have to choose just one due to too many conflicts.

[JumboJack]

Originally Posted by drpepper

And let it begin!

Sad to say that one of us rising to the bait was more than enough. Oh well, at least I have company

I have a lot of free time

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

I have a lot of free time

I don't know that anything has to begin if my opinion is nonsensical, I'll concede.

I guess if you play in multiple actively gigging bands and you truly feel your a full member of all of them, then you are.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

That's just silly.
For someone that claims that "Music is your life" and then to be content to play only 3 or 4 times a month your stance on this subject is odd to say the least.

I'm not content playing 3-4 times a month.I'm hoping it's going to be more. February will be a good month for me.

I'm not saying it's not silly or odd maybe it is.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Apply your personal definitions to yourself...as in "I wouldn't consider myself to be a member of any band if I were in more than one" (which is a pretty inane concept)

To contradict what someone has just said with the words "I would define YOU" is pretty strong. It's derogatory and offensive.

I'm not sure I understand.

It wasn't meant to be offensive and I did say I could be wrong.

I take it you disagree?

Blue

[CartyLa]

BITE

[capncal]

Playing with as many people as possible as often as possible will only increase your playing skills all across the board.

I'm putting together a Beatles cover band to try and play this huge Beatles festival we have and I figure there's tons of material in the Beatles library I'll be able to borrow from and incorporate into my playing.

Just gotta be upfront with everyone. My main band knows they get priority and when I get together with these new guys Saturday that's what I'll tell them.

this is my first attempt at playing in another band so it'll be a learning experience! i'm excited about the opportunity to play more!

[Mykk]

Three bands here and more in the works. Two bands in Los Angeles, one in Arizona and other start up's in Az.

If one project insists on exclusivity I am not opposed, but it'll be pricey.

[lustersilk]

I play in two fairly serious bands (recording and gigging) and also a loose collection of co-workers for covers at work related functions. This keeps me busy, but it also keeps my ADD effected head from driving everyone crazy.

Like most threads, this one is subject to situation and opinion.

As far as the OP being unsure about mentioning one band to the other, here is my advice. Don't be dishonest about it and don't feel like you being unloyal. Also, don't gloat about one group to the other, I learned the hard way that it sort of puts people off.

[lustersilk]

Originally Posted by CartyLa

People who play in more than one originals band annoy me a bit for some reason, I mean I'd be pissed off if someone didn't come practice because they were with their 'other band'. Just wrong really

This has nothing to do with originals or covers. This has to do with people not keeping their word. Whats's the difference between two cover bands, two originals bands, or one of each?

They all have schedules that are agreed upon, right?

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by lustersilk

Also, don't gloat about one group to the other, I learned the hard way that it sort of puts people off.

That's a really good point. I've been in situations where one of my bands has a lot nicer gear than the other, or plays a lot more gigs, or makes more money or bigger crowds or whatever. It can be really tempting to offer "suggestions" to Band B based on what Band A is doing to be that successful, but sometimes the people in Band B are perfectly happy with how they're doing things and don't really care for that input. Even when you have to decline a gig because of a job you've already got with your "A" band you can simply say, "I've got a gig that night." You don't need to say, "I'm playing a private party for MegaCorp for 1,000 people and we're getting $500 a man for a 2-hour show."

You also really need to commit to bringing your best every gig regardless of band or venue. It's pretty easy to get "up" for the Friday night festival gig in front of 5,000 people but the next night playing a 4-hour bar gig for 8 people... not so easy. But they're both paying gigs and they both deserve your "A" game. You never want to give any band you're in the impression that you're "slumming it" with them.

[HolmeBass]

I play in three bands right now, and am working on getting a 4th off the ground. I might also work with a singer/songwriter in her project, she sings in one of the bands I play with. Only one is predominantly original music, and that is the only band for which I could not conceivably get a sub. I agree with Jaywa's idea that one band should be the predominant band, and you let everyone know. But I also pretty much book "first come, first served" unless it is an unusual gig, a particularly good opportunity for exposure, to play a great stage, or collect an extra large paycheck. Communication is key- it's the only way it works. Being organized and managing your practice time is also very important.

All the pros in my area play in more than one band. It's the only way to make ends meet. Most of the semi-pros, like me, also play in more than one project. There would be too many lean months, and frankly, too many missed opportunities to play with different talented musicians to do otherwise. If I was in a band that was playing 15 - 20 times a month I probably couldn't play in multiple projects, but I can't see how one band could play that much without extensive travel. You'd just saturate our local market playing even 4 times a month. Since I have a day job, extensive travel is out of the picture. Thus I play with multiple bands.

About subs: if it's a cover band, how can you not find a sub? I don't understand Blue's situation, finding a guitarist to cover a blues gig should be pretty damned easy, frankly, unless you just haven't networked enough in your scene to know the right people. Playing in multiple projects and going out to see everyone else play is networking and puts you in touch with all the players in your scene.

The only jealousy problems I have ever encountered did center around booking gigs. When someone else books one of their other projects into a sweet gig, I can feel a bit hurt or jealous, wondering why they didn't book "us". I just make myself snap out of it and try to be a grownup about it. It works just fine. I concentrate on what I am doing, book one of my other projects, go hear other music that night, I just keep on trucking. Since everyone is in more or less the same boat, the level of maturity wins out and it's very liberating and enjoyable.

In fact, the only real problem comes up if one of the guys only has that one project- they then don't have the perspective or opportunity to not feel hurt and rejected and down the sh!t hole we all go having to go, hand-hold and ego-stroke that person. Dealing with passive-aggressive fallout for weeks or months afterwards. What BS.

For OP's particular situation though I would think about keeping 2013 for just your main band. It sounds like you guys have some momentum, you're putting out a new recording, you have a decent draw, and it's just this last year to make or break- I might actually throw myself 100% into that project, book furiously, push the recording on facebook and youtube, really immerse yourself there. Then if it goes, that's great. If it doesn't, all the rest of those other bands will still be out there waiting for you in 2014. I almost feel like you're in a special position in your musical career, I might try to maximize it just for the time being.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by drpepper

You know, maybe if I say it publicly, I'll have something to hold myself accountable...

I will resist engaging with you from here forward.

But just one final point, even though I'm sure you still won't understand...there was a John Stewart segment about how the idea of making a statement as a question or saying "No disrespect" after it doesn't take away the insult. Funny stuff.

I could say "I could be wrong, but your mother is *****" or "By my definition, you mother is a *****." I still said "Your mother is a *****." (And I did type asterisks, not a censored word)

No. Saying it's your definition or you could be wrong or with respect doesn't take away the insult.

No problem

Sorry about the confusion.

Blue