Band and COVID Vaccine

[Camarillo]

This is happening to the cover band I’m in.
After lockdown, when we were planning first rehearsal after
1 year or so, our keyboardist asks if everybody is vaccinated otherwise, saying he otherwise will quit the band.
We had two no-vax elements at the time. First one quits in minutes after received the message in band’s chat.
The argument on vaccination with the second one goes on for months and a few days ago keyb player quits the band.
What are your experiences about band routine, cohabitation of closed spaces and vaccine?

 

[corganmurray]

Everyone in my band got vaxxed as soon as we could, and it never seemed like something we even needed to discuss?

 

[MrLenny1]

50/50 on vaccine. 2 vaccinated & 2 not.
No gigs so no issues yet.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Some folks are anti-vax. Much of it is a function of the part of where you live, and where you get your news.

I'm not in a band, but most everyone around here is vaxed, with boosters, myself included. Suburbs around major east-coast city. I still go with N95 when out/about.

Hard to say more, without getting "political".

 

[Audiomicrowave]

My answer to the keys player would be "don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'."

Ultimatums with the "or I'll quit" caveat have no place in a band setting IMO.

BW

 

[StaceyofBassey]

50/50 on vaccine. 2 vaccinated & 2 not.
No gigs so no issues yet.

I can see venues only awarding gigs to vaccinated bands.

so, if you want to gig, everyone in the band has to be vaccinated. Seems pretty straightforward to me.

however, if you’re just basement jammers, then it doesn’t really matter if your buddies are vaccinated or not, does it?

 

[Chickenwheels]

Over here the venues want you vaccinated. With proof. So I am.
However, there’s been no shortage of shenanigans with some musicians, even with my immediate band. I’m choosing to keep my head down and avoid any drama. Just do my thing and not talk about it.

 

[Jrussblues]

There is no need for an argument. Whether someone thinks this round of vaccines is effective or does not think these vaccines are effective is irrelevant. You would have better luck arguing with a tree to the other side of whatever your belief is.
Find more like minded people and go play. Maybe one day in the future y’all will play together again.
As for my band, I popped Covid pre vax, called off practice when I had symptoms. My guitar player popped post vax during delta, called off practice. Everyone in the band has been responsible about making sure that if they were under the weather then they would get tested. So far, despite some colds and bouts with Covid no cases have been spread through the band. Additionally, no one in the band has demanded someone in the band get vaccinated or asked about anyone’s status. We are all good friends and trust one another.

 

[CallMeAl]

I have a kid and work with kids, so my return was conditional on everyone being vaxxed. I’m a weekend warrior, and my son and the kids I work with come first. My band mates are good friends, one might say like family, and were all very supportive and understanding. (We all got it, resumed, and had a great summer).

The latest debate has been accepting indoor gigs. I said until there’s more progress with kid vaccines I’ll have to pass on indoor gigs. (Though we are still rehearsing). A few wanted to take the indoor gigs but have remained understanding and supportive.

It seems the science is still leaning towards vaccinated folks having a (highly) reduced chance of spreading. But still, kids first for me. It’s very complicated, and was an extremely difficult decision to make.

 

[BassGH]

Both bands I’m in require vaccines, tho one isn’t even practicing. Right now, I wouldn’t play in a band with unvaccinated people.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

My answer to the keys player would be "don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'."

Ultimatums with the "or I'll quit" caveat have no place in a band setting IMO.

BW

It's emotional blackmail. "If you love me, you'll do this.."

Welp. Guess I don't.

 

[taliesin]

We had a parting of the ways in my cover band - the singer and I are vaxxed, drummer and guitarist aren’t.

We had a couple of conversations about it - the outcome is the singer and I are auditioning players next week.

It’s unfortunate but I’m working through other health issues and not willing to be in close proximity with non vaxxed people so we agreed to go our separate ways.

 

[BassGH]

In my county, I’m pretty sure you have to be vaxxed (or tested negative shortly before show) to even be in the bars and and pubs my main band plays. We’re not playing out right now but will be shortly.

 

[ArtechnikA]

1 year or so, our keyboardist asks if everybody is vaccinated otherwise, saying he otherwise will quit the band

Just silly.
You have to understand what the "vaccine" is, and what it is not...
The "vaccine" at best protects -you- from serious symptoms. That's it.
Nothing anyone around you does, or doesn't do, matters.

 

[bassicmike]

We're all vaxxed. Either immuno-compromised or at-risk family in the house or job-required.

If there were adamant un-vaxxed members, I'd be gone. I tick 2 boxes.

Music is my release, not my livelihood. The stress wouldn't be worth it.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

This is happening to the cover band I’m in.
After lockdown, when we were planning first rehearsal after
1 year or so, our keyboardist asks if everybody is vaccinated otherwise, saying he otherwise will quit the band.
We had two no-vax elements at the time. First one quits in minutes after received the message in band’s chat.
The argument on vaccination with the second one goes on for months and a few days ago keyb player quits the band.
What are your experiences about band routine, cohabitation of closed spaces and vaccine?

Socially distant as much as we can be. I'm always wearing a mask until it's time to step to the mic, but the other guys keep them on. We have two immuno-compromised people in the band, so we're pretty anal about it.

Heh. Anal.

 

[ArtechnikA]

I can see venues only awarding gigs to vaccinated bands.

They think it will protect them from liability - that's all...

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Just silly.
You have to understand what the "vaccine" is, and what it is not...
The "vaccine" at best protects -you- from serious symptoms. That's it.
Anything anyone around you does, or doesn't do, matters.

CORRECT. It simply (supposedly) prevents you from being symptomatic. You can still catch it and spread it around like nobody's business. There's such a lack of information on it..

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This is happening to the cover band I’m in.
After lockdown, when we were planning first rehearsal after
1 year or so, our keyboardist asks if everybody is vaccinated otherwise, saying he otherwise will quit the band.
We had two no-vax elements at the time. First one quits in minutes after received the message in band’s chat.
The argument on vaccination with the second one goes on for months and a few days ago keyb player quits the band.
What are your experiences about band routine, cohabitation of closed spaces and vaccine?

Well, having my brother die of Covid-19, one of our singers and his wife with bouts of it, a brother of the band leader of another band I was in died of it within a day of mine, plus his wife suffering from serious debilitating long Covid-19 for over a year, let’s just say, we are all compliant. Non-Vaxers would be looking for a new band as it is a requirement.

 

[joelns]

I've had the bug twice. 2nd time around was about 8 weeks ago and pretty mild. 1st time was pre-lockdown. That said, today I had a call about an audition for a band on Tuesday and brought it up. For the folks in the band, they are ok either way. But it's a good idea to bring it up and find out what the expectations are up front.

If some of the band members have opinions, use that to guide your decision.