So, I tried to get it going

BigOleBoogie · #1 05-10-2007, 10:03 PM

I get a phone number from a drummer friend of another band I ran into at a show last night. He calls to book his band today, lets me know that I need to get in on this club with my own band cause the gal is needing to fill nights. She'll book without hearing the demo.

Well, We are still in mix down of our demo. Almost a whole night of music ready to go. A couple people talking of getting an open stage night, a 45 minute set at another club. "We're ready to do these things" keep blurting out of people's mouths at the garage. "Let's get the demo done and start booking gigs, we can get the rest of the tunes together while the dates come in because it will take time".

Ok, well, I got a couple things come in. I put out two emails today about two possibilities. I get a response from the drummer, it wasn't a go ahead to make the call (we never decided who the person would be to book the band) or decide who it would be to make the call. But more like: sure, $500 is good to start with and once we bring in crowds we can go for more. The other email was met with he (the drummer) has plans with his wife for a concert which shoots one of the two nighter out. Then he's going to the Indy 500 race so that weekend wouldn't work out.

So, I'm left with only one person answers with a half hearted and with an "I can't" to the first two gig possibilities.

This is after losing half the band, reforming and five months of being in a garage and working on another band's setlist to do fill in work knowing that this other bass player would take the entire summer off while he does his heating/cooling job and I could actually be a working bass player for a few months. After that I don't know but my husband and I have put out $1100+ in equipment since just after Christmas and no income.

Today, I'm having difficulty with patience with my main band and priorities. Do I leave and do the temporary gig and find something when that's finished? Do I wait to see if a pattern develops of lack of motivation...or is it my imagination that there is a lack of motivation?

Jonny B · #2 05-10-2007, 10:30 PM

Sounds like a lack of motivation to me... I am going through the same thing right now. You are the only one that can decide what you need to do, but it sounds like you need to move on from the original band that is going to go no where (when going to concerts and indy car take precedent over YOUR band, there is definitely a problem).
If it were me, (and it almost is) I'd take the paying gig.

invader3k · #3 05-11-2007, 10:28 AM

Yeah. I seem to be dealing with that right now, too. Just getting practice together has turned into a total hassle (and it always falls on my shoulders to organize everything, for some reason). I called our drummer and vocalist a couple days ago about doing practice this Sunday, and neither have responded yet. So this is leaving my guitarist and I hanging about our weekend plans.

I'm actively looking for another band to play with, since I'm sick of only practicing once every couple of weeks, and only playing out once every four or five months. Only problem is a lack of bands that need bass players in this area, seemingly.

txbasschik · #4 05-11-2007, 10:36 AM

$500 isn't enough to motivate them? Honey, if someone was going to pay us $500, I think I might faint dead away from the shock.

Now...the drummer...Did he make his plans before or after you told him about the gig? If he made them before, he cannot be faulted for that. He needs to spend time with his family and friends, too. But if he made those plans *after* you told him you were going to book that gig, then you need to find someone else.

If $500 can't motivate those people to get out there and play, find another band, 'cause you are playing with *crazy people*!

Cherie

BigOleBoogie · #5 05-11-2007, 11:16 AM

Plans for the concert and race are usually made at a month and more before the race itself. It's the Indy 500. I live a few blocks from the track and am a jaded soul with a "been there, done that way to many times" attitude. Did it twice and that's enough for me but love the car parking party job I have across the street most years.

I'm hungry as hell, got bills to take off my husband's hands and there's no hiding it.

We did an open stage with the first lineup. It was a couple days after one guitar player turned in his notice because his wife was diagnosed with cancer and knew he would be needed at home more than with this band. The drummer didn't see a point in doing it, we were going to do it anyway. He then didn't want to do the transitions between songs we had practiced but instead wanted to full songs and stop inbetween in fear that the transitions would end up being trainwrecks. They weren't trainwrecks in practice. We hadn't been doing intros and endings but that's what he then wanted to do. I had to fight for the song list we had agreed on and compromise on half of the transitions and because of the bs he had to buy me a beer when he got there and I got to call him a Diva for the night. It was a humorous way to get through it.

I've yet to humor a way out of no responses to potential gigs. Plans with the wife I can understand.

It's left me with the feeling that this guy is just a clog in a drain and the drama this brings is beyond what is usual and customary because it keeps us from getting out and playing.

txbasschik · #6 05-11-2007, 11:35 AM

Well...yeah, if no one is responding to the opportunities, then, hon, I think you need another band. Or at least, another drummer.

Tell the whole band something like this: "Ok, I understand, you've made plans. However, I intend for this band to play out, and for the band members to honor gig commitments.

So, from now on, when any band member wants to make other plans, they are obligated to a) consult the band's schedule to ensure there are no gigs booked for that time, and b) to tell the band *immediately* when your plans are, so that the band will not book gigs when you won't be around. If you make plans and do not notify the band, and do not consult the schedule, a sub will be used. If this becomes a repeated occurance, that band member will be let go."

Anyone who doesn't like that isn't serious about playing, anyway, and should be let go.

Cherie

BigOleBoogie · #7 05-11-2007, 11:56 AM

We haven't even gotten out yet except for the one open stage.

There's been talk about getting things on the books, no come back on a second open stage, the 45 minute paid set was shot down because of the time of night and because there would only be 5 people left in the bar (because we have psychics in the band) and no response to one gig possibility I had yesterday, then the drummer's plans for the weekender.

That's 4 outings for this band in a month, all no go and all for different reasons.

I did refer to my horoscope for today before doing any band email.

You want to start kicking butt and taking names. Easy, tiger. Once the heat of the moment cools off, you might see things in a different light. For now, breathe and resolve to deal with this at a later time.

So, I did ask that organization/communication improve and if any of it was on my part to please accept my apologies.

F-Clef-Jef · #8 05-11-2007, 12:02 PM

we solved our scheduling nightmares by getting a free Google Calendar account. We all have full time jobs and kids and families, so scheduling was a nightmare. Now we all put our "unavailable" dates, vacation, travel dates on the calendar as soon as we know about them, and everyone in the band can see the open dates. We have also included wives (who seem to be much more dilligent when it comes to schedules) and our booking agents, and haven't had any scheduling conflicts since. We put our booked gigs on the calendar, and any other info (venue, time, rooms, etc) and everyone has all the important info instantly available. We also use Google Documents to keep current setlists for everyone.

I highly recommend something like this, it works great.

Matthew Bryson · #9 05-11-2007, 12:11 PM

It's hard to comment on your case as you haven't filled out your profile so I don't know your age and have no idea about your position in life. It sounds from your posts like you are an adult, married, woman (your profile indicates an ageless male) It is my opinion that if you are an amateur musician with a day job and maybe a family, and you are in a band with other people who are in similar situations, and you are wanting to play music for the money / to help pay bills - then you are in for a world of disappointment.

txbasschik · #10 05-11-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-Clef-Jef

we solved our scheduling nightmares by getting a free Google Calendar account. We all have full time jobs and kids and families, so scheduling was a nightmare. Now we all put our "unavailable" dates, vacation, travel dates on the calendar as soon as we know about them, and everyone in the band can see the open dates. We have also included wives (who seem to be much more dilligent when it comes to schedules) and our booking agents, and haven't had any scheduling conflicts since. We put our booked gigs on the calendar, and any other info (venue, time, rooms, etc) and everyone has all the important info instantly available. We also use Google Documents to keep current setlists for everyone.

I highly recommend something like this, it works great.

Good idea! No one has any excuses with that method.

Cherie

txbasschik · #11 05-11-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOleBoogie

We haven't even gotten out yet except for the one open stage.

There's been talk about getting things on the books, no come back on a second open stage, the 45 minute paid set was shot down because of the time of night and because there would only be 5 people left in the bar (because we have psychics in the band) and no response to one gig possibility I had yesterday, then the drummer's plans for the weekender.

That's 4 outings for this band in a month, all no go and all for different reasons.

I did refer to my horoscope for today before doing any band email.

You want to start kicking butt and taking names. Easy, tiger. Once the heat of the moment cools off, you might see things in a different light. For now, breathe and resolve to deal with this at a later time.

So, I did ask that organization/communication improve and if any of it was on my part to please accept my apologies.

Well...

I guess keep trying to book gigs, and do the Google calendar thingie. If your band still drags its collective feet, then they're probably not *really* interested in playing out.

My neighbor had the same problem. What she did was to just book gigs, tell the band, and if they couldn't make it, use a sub. That got their attention, and they have a better attitude about playing out, now. They also communicate better with her now, because they know she'll put a sub in their spot if they don't.

Cherie

BigOleBoogie · #12 05-11-2007, 01:15 PM

I made a living playing from 17 to 24. I'm not a rockstar by any means, I'm simply an educated musican.

My bills aren't much, just over two bills a month. All I have to do is take my personal bills off my husbands hands and it's all good. It's easily done playing covers. I may even get into teaching again. It was one of the most rewarding experiences.

It's more bring home than a day job that includes day care and other expenses. We've done the math 10, 7 and 2 years ago.

Matthew, I'll fill out my profile, thank you for the reminder, I completely overlooked that. I am married, 38, mother of an epiliptic 12 year old and wife, no job. Even when my son reaches legal age to be left home alone it's sketchy that I'll leave him home alone.

Jim Carr · #13 05-13-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny B

Sounds like a lack of motivation to me... when going to concerts and indy cars take precedent over YOUR band, there is definitely a problem...

Jonny B nailed it. I think it is wise to have a written simple statement of what the band will do in these situations that everyone agrees to in advance of booking. Take the playing/paying gig, and plan. Good luck!

ps. You are the prime mover here. I'd move on!

BigOleBoogie · #14 05-22-2007, 02:51 PM

Ok, I'm going to bump this with some good news. I started booking our band, lit a fire under the collective band butt. We've got some gigs, the keyboard player is working on a website www.tnrband.com , band name has been decided (Treated and Released), our Myspace http://www.myspace.com/treatednreleased is in the works and the demo is finished but not up on myspace yet. Efforts are coming together with the help of two other band members.

SHEW!