When & Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Band

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Are there other bands that gig that much in your area?

Being booked every weekend for the whole up coming year sounds ideal to me.

However. I have never worked with D bags.

Blue

I think there are other bands who could play as much as they want, but they choose not to.

I was just ( and still am ) so over the whole thing. We're 40 year old men: we never were, nor ever shall we be ROCK STARS. Some people are easily sold on their own hype however.

They're still packing them in every weekend, but I understand that their star is waning. Too much attitude and not enough gratitude if you get my meaning.

[Russell L]

Well, actually, there were other bands I "left." I hate to say "quit." The first was a band in high school. We disbanded when we all graduated. Then, there were two other bands I played with a bit before leaving town to go to college. In the area I live in now I've been a member of, lemme see, twelve bands, two duos, and two orchestras over the past 42 years. Mostly, each was left due to simply moving to better, or different, opportunities. One orchestra I left when I graduated college, the other one because it became too much for me to do at the time. The bands, each went its way as it kinda ran its course. Some just fell apart. Others, I took better offers. But, I also changed over the decades, so I was often looking for a different direction. I spent too much time in the wedding band scene, though, being a mercenary. The money was good, but the fun (for me) wasn't after awhile. I wanted something more from my gigs. Now I have it, at least to some degree.

[electracoyote]

I quit a band that had a "no alcohol" policy. Every member but the BL violated it routinely. When BL decided to address it, he vented--on only me.

I told him I understood his concern but didn't appreciate being singled out and gave him a chance to recant and address it more fairly. He didn't take me up on it.

Adios, amigo!

[Cracker]

I left my long time band last year. The primary reason I decided to look for greener pastures was a disagreement in musical direction. Second was a breakdown in compromise.
Optimally a band discusses song selection together and work together in that process. There is a give and take approach that we used to have but over time that stopped.
Playing obscure 80's hair metal was the final straw.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by bluewine

This is a natural progression from my "Why We Join The Wrong Bands" thread.

I think we are all interested in establishing some bench marks regarding moving on.

What are you thoughts?

Blue

are you thinking of leaving your band?

[bluewine]

Interesting responses, however I'm not seeing any consensus or trends.

One thing I am seeing is people have lives outside of being in a working band that are more of priority.

If there is a hidden trend here it's that gigging and being in a rock band parallels with why the live band scene has gone downhill. Gigging and being in a band is not as important to musicians as it used to be.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by the yeti

are you thinking of leaving your band?

No, not at all. As long as the gigs and money stays good I'm staying right were I'm at.

Fun is not on my list of requirements, although I am having fun.

I'm not in a band with friends or people that I hang with which really cuts down on drama.

Some here will leave a band over musical direction. I'm playing in a blues/ rock band, not my taste or genre. I stay because I like gigging playing clubs, bars, festivals and fairs. Also because I believe in getting paid for any work or service I provide.

Keep in mind, opportunities with established bands that have strong bookings and are making money are hard to find.

Blue

[Marial]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Interesting responses, however I'm not seeing any consensus or trends.

One thing I am seeing is people have lives outside of being in a working band that are more of priority.

If there is a hidden trend here it's that gigging and being in a rock band parallels with why the live band scene has gone downhill. Gigging and being in a band is not as important to musicians as it used to be.

Blue

That's a mighty big leap from such a small sample.

Furthermore, the 'live band scene' where you are might be going downhill, but that is definitely not the case elsewhere.

[troy mcclure]

I have had to quit bands for a few reasons:

My playing improved beyond the other players and the band could not move beyond $300 bar gigs. (Money and improving my profile)

The band did not agree on who we wanted as audience. (Marketing & Money)

The singer could not sing the tunes to keep our gigs. (Money)

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by bluewine

There are guys here on this forum, that are in bands that can't get 1 gig.

Blue

Are there? I dont think Ive seen them.

Originally Posted by bluewine

If there is a hidden trend here it's that gigging and being in a rock band parallels with why the live band scene has gone downhill. Gigging and being in a band is not as important to musicians as it used to be.

I dont know that I agree with your assertation here. Being in a band and gigging are a part of who I am, and always will be.
What happens for me when I decide to leave a band... I find or start a new one.

Originally Posted by bluewine

No, not at all. As long as the gigs and money stays good I'm staying right were I'm at.

Fun is not on my list of requirements, although I am having fun.

You may say that now while youre having fun, but you can't be sure that you'll feel the same way once the fun comes to an end.

Originally Posted by Marial

Furthermore, the 'live band scene' where you are might be going downhill, but that is definitely not the case elsewhere.

+1 The live band scene is still alive and kicking out here.

[mowburger]

Being in a metal band is hard, hard to get paying shows nearby, hard trying to record our own album. We play weekday gigs for as low as $150, we each get $5 for gas and the rest goes into band fund for shirts/stickers/cd's If I didn't truely love playing music with these guys, this metal band would not be worth it. I'm in a punk band that has a following and gets $500 for weekend gigs pretty regularly, songs arn't very challenging but the crowd interaction makes up for it. I was in a pop outfit as a hired gun and played everywhere Milwaukee/Madison/Chicago But the BL insisted on playing guitar(not very well) would forget his on lyrics, and constantly ask me what the chords are to a song he was about to start(On stage!) I left that band.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Marial

That's a mighty big leap from such a small sample.

Furthermore, the 'live band scene' where you are might be going downhill, but that is definitely not the case elsewhere.

My position is, compared to the 70s the live band scene has declined everywhere.

Blue

[Marial]

I think you're wearing rose-colored glasses when you look to the past (a common thing to do as one ages) and projecting a regional view onto a national stage.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Are there? I dont think Ive seen them.

I dont know that I agree with your assertation here. Being in a band and gigging are a part of who I am, and always will be.
What happens for me when I decide to leave a band... I find or start a new one.

You may say that now while youre having fun, but you can't be sure that you'll feel the same way once the fun comes to an end.

+1 The live band scene is still alive and kicking out here.

Matt,

I know how important being in a band is to you and me, but were the minority.

An a live and kicking band scene is relative. Even in your area I am sure it has declined since the 70s.

Blue

[Marial]

I doubt it. I have no doubt there are more bands and more venues in Seattle now than there were then. Maybe someone who was in Seattle at that time can chime in, but it's absolutely vibrant here right now. Is that way everywhere? Of course not, but neither is it all decay and decline, either.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Marial

I doubt it. I have no doubt there are more bands and more venues in Seattle now than there were then. Maybe someone who was in Seattle at that time can chime in, but it's absolutely vibrant here right now. Is that way everywhere? Of course not, but neither is it all decay and decline, either.

Seattle and Portland might be the only exceptions.


However, more bands dies nit always mean more gigging opportunities, it might mean less.

Blue

[Marial]

And you know this by extensive personal travel and research?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Marial

And you know this by extensive personal travel and research?

No, just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Blue

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Matt,

I know how important being in a band is to you and me, but were the minority.

An a live and kicking band scene is relative. Even in your area I am sure it has declined since the 70s.

Blue

I dont think its declined in my area since the 70s at all, in fact Id say its probably grown.
Thats not to say that things have gotten better for bands, or that these bands are all good, but Id wager there are more bands out gigging today in Los Angeles than there were 40 years ago.

Originally Posted by bluewine

Seattle and Portland might be the only exceptions.


However, more bands dies nit always mean more gigging opportunities, it might mean less.

Blue

There are definitely more venues and opportunities for gigging.

[bwardmusic]

Group #1 (jazz): Member 1: Quit because we changed the style of music from the original intention.
Group #1 (jazz): Member 2: Fired because he was arrogant. Group members told me they would quit if I didn't replace him.
Group #2 (jazz): Member1: Made a first-call sub because he joined 5 bands and was never available.
Group #2 (jazz): Member 2: Quit because I stopped booking gigs due to burn out. No one would help me. When we started back up again he said the band wasn't successful. Would only join if we became backup for his vocal. We replaced him.
Group #3 (rock): I almost quit twice due to disrespect toward me in the band. Fortunately, the music is good and the money acceptable.

I think the two out of three rule is great -- good music, good times, good money. That's why I'm always on the verge of quitting band #3 -- the music is good, the times difficult, and the money barely acceptable.