We might be on the ropes... long...

Busker · #1 01-29-2008, 06:32 AM

Nothing is going right for the band I'm in, except we have played some gigs, two this month. But only a total of 10 gigs in 6 months.

Guitarist quit in September. We've played the last 8 shows with fill-in guitarists, neither of which know all the songs. This means we have to repeat some songs to fill out a four set show. This is embarrassing.

We haven't added any new songs to the set list for months. This is a major gripe with me, and I've told them more than a couple of times we need to add some new songs. I'm starting to get tired of the songs we do. Even adding a couple of new songs here and there would help a lot. And even though we've only done 10 shows since I came aboard, 4 of them have been at one venue, and I notice some of the same crowd is there each time. They probably notice we play the same stuff each time we've been there. I've learned a bunch of new songs on my own, but the band has not.

Finding a lead guitarist isn't working out. They aren't looking hard enough, probably because we have these fill-in guys to lean on. And its not that we aren't good enough to attract a good guitar player. Maybe not motivated enough to attract a good guitar player...

And just a couple of weeks ago, the manager quit us and took his P.A. with him. Now we don't have a P.A., even a small practice P.A. We played last weekend's show with a borrowed P.A., but we can't borrow a P.A. all the time. I imagine even renting a P.A. would be problematic. The singers own and lead the band. Its their responsibility to get a P.A. in my opinion. I mean, I had to buy my bass rig, the drummer had to buy his drums, etc - they should get a P.A. But I offered to play some shows for no pay if everyone else would, in order to pool the money for a P.A. They said nothing at this suggestion. Oh well.

And lastly, a friend of the band played a good portion of the show with us last weekend. He usually is invited up to play a song or two with us and it hasn't bothered me, but last show he was up there for a whole set or more, standing right in front of me on a crowded stage. He told me he was going to start playing with us all the time. Huh? He just strums acoustic rhythm guitar, and doesn't sing. We do not need another acoustic rhythm player, we already have that covered. I haven't broached this subject with the band yet, but I will.

I don't know what to do. I've promised these guys I would stick it out with them, but I'm needing to see a drastic improvement of the situation.

punkbassistfc · #2 01-29-2008, 08:43 AM

Ok, so sometimes you say its your band, and then you say they, as in the same band but its run by others. SOunds like YOUR band needs a leader to pull your heads out of your butts and do some hard yards. If not, things will not change, and you will continue LOOKINg for a guitard while not learning new songs. From experience, the only way things change is if somebody takes some work on board and others will follow. If you want new songs added to your set, demand it. But other then that i would probably move on if i was not happy and i could not see things changing.

Busker · #3 01-29-2008, 01:25 PM

Its not my band. I'm just the bass player. I joined a band already formed. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Ron Plichta · #4 01-29-2008, 01:31 PM

I hate to sound mercernary, but I hold the firm belief that decent bassists are hard to come by and I'll walk if I don't like the situation. There are always better bands out there looking for your talents. No need to stay in something that's causing you trouble.

BillyRay · #5 01-29-2008, 02:29 PM

Quit, I've had the same problems countless times: singer inviting his girlfriend to play horrid keys, drummer getting drunk and forgetting about practices, band happily playing the same crap songs for 4 years, etc.

invader3k · #6 01-29-2008, 05:25 PM

I'd try to have a band meeting, where you can lay out all the issues you've described, without placing blame or being accusatory. If they refuse, or balk at what you say, then walk and find something better.

jgroh · #7 01-30-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Plichta

I hate to sound mercernary, but I hold the firm belief that decent bassists are hard to come by and I'll walk if I don't like the situation. There are always better bands out there looking for your talents. No need to stay in something that's causing you trouble.

Exactly! I used to be the type to stick it out and give the benefit of the doubt that things will change, but no more. In these band situations, do what is best for you. You cant make people change if they dont want to, so dont. Good bass players are in short supply.