I started wiith these guys a while ago, just messing around. Finally get a good drummer and it all starts falling in place. Things get serious, write some songs, etc. When we started, I was totally into this, but now... no. We're a metal band. I was really into metal for quite a few years, but as many of you know, tastes change. I have grown to hate metal with a burning passion. These guys are my best friends, and I love playing any music, it really gets me going, but I hate THIS music. I want to like it, but I can't. Is it time for me to move on?
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I hate my band
- Thread starter SMILEYSIXX
- Start date
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Only you can decide if it's time to move on or not, but from personal experience I'd say it is.
I was in a band like that myself back in high school. Me and a few guys were getting together and jamming every Friday after school and we had a nice little cover/original band going on. For a while it was incredibly fun, but after a few months the guitarists began getting into Petrucci, Vai, Gilbert, Satch, etc... and soon all they wanted to play was music that just focused on guitar parts. I stayed on for about two months before I ended up splitting. The music just wasn't fun anymore.
If you're not having fun then I'd say it's time to leave.
I was in a band like that myself back in high school. Me and a few guys were getting together and jamming every Friday after school and we had a nice little cover/original band going on. For a while it was incredibly fun, but after a few months the guitarists began getting into Petrucci, Vai, Gilbert, Satch, etc... and soon all they wanted to play was music that just focused on guitar parts. I stayed on for about two months before I ended up splitting. The music just wasn't fun anymore.
If you're not having fun then I'd say it's time to leave.
Are you playing with them full-time to make a living, or is it a part-time weekend warrior gig? If it's your full-time gig I wouldn't suggest bailing until you've got another lined up.
Can you pick up a side project that's more to your liking and do this just for the $?
Ultimately if you don't like this gig, you shouldn't do it. the whole point of playing music is to do it because you love it. If you have a job you hate you may as well put on a suit & tie and go sell cars, or work in a bank. Besides, there are surely other metal bassists out there who would appreciate that gig. Tell the band you'll help them find your replacement, even help him get up to speed on the songs.
Can you pick up a side project that's more to your liking and do this just for the $?
Ultimately if you don't like this gig, you shouldn't do it. the whole point of playing music is to do it because you love it. If you have a job you hate you may as well put on a suit & tie and go sell cars, or work in a bank. Besides, there are surely other metal bassists out there who would appreciate that gig. Tell the band you'll help them find your replacement, even help him get up to speed on the songs.
But when I bought the BC Rich from GC, the guy at the counter assured me it was a good bass for metal.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
But when I bought the BC Rich from GC, the guy at the counter assured me it was a good bass for metal.
My bad, you've got the right bass. Quit the band.
It's hard but sometimes you just gotta walk away. I've played in several bands with two brothers and another guy since high school. Started in the church band, then moved towards country. Every year hunting season would come and the lead singer would disappear for a few months, but we'd always get back together to do a show or two. They would never practice, and therefore never improve as musicians. I started to play with two other groups, practicing 3 to 4 times a week and gigging several times a month. I've finally gotten good enough to realize how bad i actually am.
Anyways, they called me to play at a engagement party for some friends and i said it might be fun. It wasn't drummer still couldn't keep time, and poorly performed Neil Pert rolls in George Strait songs just don't "feel right." These guys are three of my best friends, i just can no longer play music with them if they don't take it seriously. Plus I love classic country music, not very challenging to play but the lyrics make the music (raising He!! and drinking beer). They moved to a more kenny chesney and blake shelton new age style that is just lame. Cut your loses before you ruin a friendship.
Anyways, they called me to play at a engagement party for some friends and i said it might be fun. It wasn't drummer still couldn't keep time, and poorly performed Neil Pert rolls in George Strait songs just don't "feel right." These guys are three of my best friends, i just can no longer play music with them if they don't take it seriously. Plus I love classic country music, not very challenging to play but the lyrics make the music (raising He!! and drinking beer). They moved to a more kenny chesney and blake shelton new age style that is just lame. Cut your loses before you ruin a friendship.
If you were getting a big paycheck from playing and being in this band you could stay in it but you would still resent it eventually. If the guys are a great bunch of guys I would try and steer them in a different musical direction. If they continually shoot your ideas and suggestions down then its time to leave the band. I used to really be into metal but have broadened my musical listening and bass playing too all genres. Metal heads can be stubborn, I know I still consider myself one! 
Get a bigger, louder amp~ really loud. Crank everything to eleven & bang you head when you are playing~ see if that helps. Oh & wear KISS make up~
Go play music you like! You can probably keep your friends if you play your cards right. Be decisive and don't jack them araound. Help them find a replacement who fits the gig well.
I have managed to keep my musician friends even though I change bands a lot. Be honest with your band mates. Maybe you can even still go play your old gig as a sub. It helps a lot to train your replacement, because it shows you want them to be successful. Also, some gigs are more fun as the sub. Oldies are like this for me. I go mad doing just oldies. But for a good-paying gig now and again, I really do have fun for a might playing 50's and 60's which is truly not my favorite style.
I have managed to keep my musician friends even though I change bands a lot. Be honest with your band mates. Maybe you can even still go play your old gig as a sub. It helps a lot to train your replacement, because it shows you want them to be successful. Also, some gigs are more fun as the sub. Oldies are like this for me. I go mad doing just oldies. But for a good-paying gig now and again, I really do have fun for a might playing 50's and 60's which is truly not my favorite style.
Munji, you have no idea how much I wish I could play that video on my phone just so I would get your joke. Stupid youtube won't let half of the videos play through mobile devices.
Why don't you have a band meeting and start discussing how you feel. That you want to do something a little different because you are currently unhappy with your style and playing. Listen to Infectious Groove ( some players from Suicidal Tendencies) Then you can do funk metal!
If they do not want it, or they try it and it does not work. Then say you tried but its time for you to move on to something else, ya know?
If they do not want it, or they try it and it does not work. Then say you tried but its time for you to move on to something else, ya know?
Good try, but that will be a no-go. As I said, I've pretty much left metal behind completely. I like playing music in all forms, but I look at it in a potential listener's shoes. If I were to hear this music on the radio, I'd call it **** and turn it off, I just don't like hearing it. The only "change in musical direction" I would be fine with would be a total alteration of the genre, which would be pointless, seeing as how I'm already starting an indie ska band with other people.
