Witholding songs

fettbass · #1 07-24-2007, 12:33 PM

So I'm in a band I'm slightly unhappy with. They're great guys, and reasonable musicians, but I feel like they shouldn't even be in a band right now. This is because they can't really commit to any practice time or rehearsals. We've had to cancel rehearsals two weeks in a row. The guitarist just had his first kid, and the singer just got engaged, so the time they can spend on band related stuff has really dwindled. We were supposed to be gigging a MONTH ago, and the drummer and I are ready, but they just aren't, and probably never will be. So the drummer and I have started a side project, with me playing guitar and bass, him drumming, and sharing writing and vocal duties. I've written a good 5 songs, he's written about 3, and here's where the problem lies. With my regular band, the guitarist will ask if we've written anything, and I usually don't share the ideas I come up with with the drummer, as I know that they won't go anywhere because of the aforementioned noncommitted nature of the guitarist and drummer. Am I being an ass?

Buzzgroove · #2 07-24-2007, 12:50 PM

Get another band together man! Guys who won't rehearse or commit to anything are never going anywhere, don't tie yourself in with them.
Getting engaged or having kids really doesn't stop you playing although they will if you're looking for excuses not to play anyway.

Double Agent · #3 07-24-2007, 12:57 PM

they are YOUR songs, they do not belong to the band simply because you are in it. Be upfront about it and tell him you haven't written anything for THIS project and ask him if he is interested in collaborating with you on some stuff. If he isn't, then your band won't be getting anywhere fast anyways. If he is, and you like the direction it goes, you can consider using some of your other stuff.

Lazylion · #4 07-24-2007, 01:01 PM

Why don't you just do your songs with both projects?

tlwaps · #5 07-24-2007, 01:02 PM

I would say yes about being an ass towards your member that just had a baby, depending on how long ago it was.

fettbass · #6 07-24-2007, 01:13 PM

about three months ago. Oh and the guitarist is male, so it's not he gave birth, it's his wife had a baby.

satchmo · #7 07-24-2007, 02:29 PM

Just start a new band. If you are serious about it.

I got caught in a group where half the members had no real aspirations, and while I was happy playing with them, I was disappointed that more effort wasn't put in on their parts, and because of it I feel I wasted a year of time I could've been in a more serious project.

Talk to your bandmates about your concerns, and if they want to step up and get as serious as you and the drummer do, then that's great. If not, call it quits and take your songs with you.

Dave Martin · #8 07-24-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fettbass

about three months ago. Oh and the guitarist is male, so it's not he gave birth, it's his wife had a baby.

That doesn't mean that he's got as much free time as he did before she had the baby; Talk to the guys who you're unhappy with; that's the best road to take.

Munjibunga · #9 07-25-2007, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fettbass

Am I being an ass?

No.