Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Another possible band breakup
- Thread starter LBS-bass
- Start date
I could. We don't usually communicate that way though.
Normally when we have band business we always use our group chat. He was tagged in the chat yesterday, which usually brings a response from him, but didn't. I know that he saw the chat because there's a thing that says who has seen it. So that tells me either he's way too busy to be bothered (unlikely for a retired guy in the middle of a pandemic) or he just doesn't care enough to respond, which doesn't bode well.
What I would prefer to do is get everyone out here for a safely distanced meeting in my back yard so we can talk about those things in person, as a group.
As for the other stuff, I'd like to keep the thread on topic. But this area is not particularly hard hit and everyone around here is beginning to stick their toes out in order to sort out how to proceed. The drummer's other band is rehearsing again. I look at the case numbers in my county and zip code every day; it's not gone but the odds of encountering someone who is sick are pretty low, and if you continue to do the right things and limit your contacts substantially, it should stay that way.
People are tentatively moving forward, figuring out the best way to do that, and it seems like the right time to at least start asking the questions. But that's here. I don't think it's the same everywhere.
I do, but that's not the whole of it. I'm not spending a grand if nothing I can do will make them feel safe. I may spend a grand and a half if they have additional ideas that will lead to that level of comfort. Just want to hear how they feel about it so that we can make a plan, or not, because doing all these things is going to take some time and effort.
But frank disinterest? Nah. Not spending a dime if that's what I'm going to get.
I'm out. No need to derail, or contribute.
Everyone take care, be safe and believe what you want!
Ok, it seems like the situation is getting more complex. I have nothing to add.
It already sounds like too much stress. I wouldn't make the situation even worse by spending money on it. You'll only get more frustrated.
Also, a phone call goes a long way.
Also, a phone call goes a long way.
I am rehearsing today for the first time since the whole COVID madness began. Previously I played in three bands, two bass, one guitar, and had a very active rehearsal and performance schedule. Now, the future of all three is a complete unknown.
I am not comfortable with rehearsing even though everyone has pledged to mask up and maintain distance. The lead singer who hosts promised to do some hard surface disinfecting. Still, it's a gamble.
I don't really want to go. I've been very selective about what public places I'll visit; if the parking lot looks a little too full, I'll drive on by. But I am so sick of being cooped up I don't want to bail. So I'm rolling the dice for the sake of my sanity.
And over the past few months I have also been seriously de-motivated as a musician and entertainer. After 40+ years as an entertainer in mostly cover bands, I don't really feel the need for woodshedding and playing mainstream standards over and over at home. Without rehearsals or gigs on the books, I am deflated. I have actually spent most of my "musician time" learning a few new repetitive rock licks on guitar and doing instrument set ups and maintenance, getting around to projects that I shelved long ago. Much more tech work than musician work.
This pandemic has really altered me. I'm 40 pounds overweight and most of my cool stage clothes don't even fit anymore.
It's going to take a serious mental adjustment to come through this ready to rock and present well on the other end, and at 61, even though I was still pretty spry and effective on stage, I'm wondering if my rocking and entertaining days are behind me.
Or maybe it's all in my head.
I am not comfortable with rehearsing even though everyone has pledged to mask up and maintain distance. The lead singer who hosts promised to do some hard surface disinfecting. Still, it's a gamble.
I don't really want to go. I've been very selective about what public places I'll visit; if the parking lot looks a little too full, I'll drive on by. But I am so sick of being cooped up I don't want to bail. So I'm rolling the dice for the sake of my sanity.
And over the past few months I have also been seriously de-motivated as a musician and entertainer. After 40+ years as an entertainer in mostly cover bands, I don't really feel the need for woodshedding and playing mainstream standards over and over at home. Without rehearsals or gigs on the books, I am deflated. I have actually spent most of my "musician time" learning a few new repetitive rock licks on guitar and doing instrument set ups and maintenance, getting around to projects that I shelved long ago. Much more tech work than musician work.
This pandemic has really altered me. I'm 40 pounds overweight and most of my cool stage clothes don't even fit anymore.
It's going to take a serious mental adjustment to come through this ready to rock and present well on the other end, and at 61, even though I was still pretty spry and effective on stage, I'm wondering if my rocking and entertaining days are behind me.
Or maybe it's all in my head.
This is such a tough time for everyone, and there are as many versions of grief and fear as there are people. The people I direct and collaborate with have had a wide range of responses to the pandemic--some folks are having a really hard time with unemployment or lowered employment, feeling overwhelmed with whatever might have been a minor speed bump six months ago.
Even with all the wonderful tools you're talking about springing for, I know I'd still be very concerned about the virus being spread, and though your bandies might have the tools to express that, they might still be feeling pressure and embarrassed to talk to you, even though it sounds like you all are close.
I make my living entirely from music, and absolutely everything has gone to online content across the industry. Perhaps there's a recording project you can do together that would keep things moving and give you a chance to develop your recording chops?
Even with all the wonderful tools you're talking about springing for, I know I'd still be very concerned about the virus being spread, and though your bandies might have the tools to express that, they might still be feeling pressure and embarrassed to talk to you, even though it sounds like you all are close.
I make my living entirely from music, and absolutely everything has gone to online content across the industry. Perhaps there's a recording project you can do together that would keep things moving and give you a chance to develop your recording chops?
There could be a whole lot more going on than the two options you laid out. No one’s ever been through anything like this and there’s no safe assumption to make when guessing someone’s reaction.
It’d be a lot easier to call and check in on him than get frustrated because he’s not responding. And a making phone call definitely takes less time than making a thread on talkbass.
I know this guy is alive and well because he's a mechanic and he's been working on the drummer's car. I also loathe telephones; I loathe their intrusiveness and I loathe not being able to see someone's face when I'm actually speaking with them. It's just a thing that I have. It's going to be text or it's going to be in person. Text has always been fine up to now.
But, I agree with the others above that this is taking up too much rent in my head right now.
I also have a lot of empathy with electracoyote because I'm going through many of the same things. That said, I don't think anyone should feel pressured to rehearse if they are not comfortable. Period. Asking someone "will this make you feel more comfortable?" is not pressure. If it's being interpreted that way, that's not coming from me.
Thank you for posting this. This is where a lot of us are right now, and boy does it suck. My presence around many of my band mates/employers would present a risk to THEM more than me, so it’s out of my hands to even do this. I love these people and don’t want to search for other gigs. I will wait, focus on my own health, and in the words of Fats Waller;
Pray for the future
Hope for the best
This right here is exactly why I stopped with bands all together and just focused on being a studio musician. Also sounding like a true booking agent on that one
I addressed this briefly but wanted to give it more full attention.
I think you absolutely have the right to say no about this rehearsal if you don't feel comfortable.
I also hear you about feeling deflated. Part of my disappointment here, I know, is because I would like to find some way to bring some sense of normalcy back into my life. I am not happy sitting around in my practice room doing stuff on my own. I could challenge myself more, but I have to ask myself why. I am the same age as you. It's not like I have this huge future in front of me that's going to benefit from walking out of this pandemic with chops like John Paul Jones.
In addition to that, most people we know are moving forward at a faster pace than we are, and seem comfortable with it. So the desire to remain cautious is going to leave some of us in the dust from a social perspective, and that's a price we'll pay. My husband just now heard from his other bandmates; apparently they have been going about their business without any caution at all, so are questioning his desire to implement additional cautionary measures. I have a feeling that band will break up as well.
Just to bring my personal situation into this, mechanics around here are getting slammed by deferred maintenance, and young people crashing their cars at higher than usual rates. I got T-boned the day before Memorial Day by some kid doing 35 through a busy intersection (I’m fine).The shop I dealt with has a bunch of dudes taking ZERO precautions. I also happen to have a day job at a place with a similar pervasive attitude, but no close quarters (and yes, I have been deemed “essential” and have as much OT as I want). So I can well imagine his situation. Patience, please...
Last edited:
That is so important right now. Tolerance. There is no empiric right or wrong here, just what's right or wrong for YOU as an individual. I have bowed out of rehearsing with my other two bands because not all members were willing to mask up and distance. The BL's told me it's okay, they understand. Those who were comfortable got together and jammed and e-mailed me progress notes. Fine by me. I have no idea if I'm putting my slot in jeopardy or not, but I can't worry about it.
The thing about playing in multiple bands is, each band's gig schedule is pretty light. That's the only way it works. And because all three weren't booking more than one or two shows a month, COVID easily destroyed most gig opportunities as talent buyers cancelled events. Essentially, 2020 is just about shot to hell, maybe we'll pick up some late summer/fall stuff or a winter holiday corporate event, but who knows?
With the virus requirements, i started using FaceTime on my iPhone, which I did not use much before, and I really like it. To me it's just like being face-to-face because I am. There are many apps for other phones to do that. I actually use it on my computer more than the phone so I don't have to hold up the phone continuously.
i don't mind texting, emailing, messaging at all, but if something is really important to me i'd prefer a face-to-face (mask-to-mask?) or a phone call --- it might demonstrate the importance of my issue(s) to the other(s), too.
per the OP: i wouldn't give up, or draw a line, where this player is concerned....yet. these are goofy times and lots of folks would act out their anxieties/angst in ways we would never have seen before. returning to normality is likely to be slow and 'uphill' for every one of us.
good luck with your reluctant responder and the radio silence!
per the OP: i wouldn't give up, or draw a line, where this player is concerned....yet. these are goofy times and lots of folks would act out their anxieties/angst in ways we would never have seen before. returning to normality is likely to be slow and 'uphill' for every one of us.
good luck with your reluctant responder and the radio silence!
Latest posts
-
The Bartolini BH2: Why Does It Sound So Dark? My EHB1265MS Experiments- Latest: Riff Ranger
-
-
-
