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Band image matters

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#241
hrodbert696 said:
Y'all, back on page 1 I said this topic was treading the line. The OP and some of the first few posters kept on the correct side of it. Since then, some of the rest of you need to review the forum rules.
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I think that you are partially right. Let me explain:
Talkbass is a US-based bass forum, but attracts bass players from all around the world. In a lot of countries, like Greece or the UK, we have free (paid by taxes) public health care. For us, public health care is not a matter of discussion. In the States, public health care is a game for politicians.
Also, in advanced countries, gun control/ban, whatever you want to call it, never became a big problem, because it is common sense that we want our kids to be back for lunch or dinner after they finish school. It's not a matter of discussion or a gamble if your kid will be lucky to come back from school alive. In the States it's a game for politicians.
For me, a lot of things discussed here are not politics, but common sense. Things that, in my country or other European countries, have been solved for decades.
 
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#243
Papalampraina said:
I think that you are partially right. Let me explain:
Talkbass is a US-based bass forum, but attracts bass players from all around the world. In a lot of countries, like Greece or the UK, we have free (paid by taxes) public health care. For us, public health care is not a matter of discussion. In the States, public health care is a game for politicians.
Also, in advanced countries, gun control/ban, whatever you want to call it, never became a big problem, because it is common sense that we want our kids to be back for lunch or dinner after they finish school. It's not a matter of discussion or a gamble if your kid will be lucky to come back from school alive. In the States it's a game for politicians.
For me, a lot of things discussed here are not politics, but common sense. Things that, in my country or other European countries, have been solved for decades.
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Ugh.
 
#248
Papalampraina said:
I think that you are partially right. Let me explain:
Talkbass is a US-based bass forum, but attracts bass players from all around the world. In a lot of countries, like Greece or the UK, we have free (paid by taxes) public health care. For us, public health care is not a matter of discussion. In the States, public health care is a game for politicians.
Also, in advanced countries, gun control/ban, whatever you want to call it, never became a big problem, because it is common sense that we want our kids to be back for lunch or dinner after they finish school. It's not a matter of discussion or a gamble if your kid will be lucky to come back from school alive. In the States it's a game for politicians.
For me, a lot of things discussed here are not politics, but common sense. Things that, in my country or other European countries, have been solved for decades.
Click to expand...

ummm...is this what was trying to be avoided in this thread?
 
#250
Papalampraina said:
Nope, at first I called him a dick and then a delusional, right-wing clown.
I laugh with and at myself too. I'm fat, a Greek, but I'm not a racist, I'm not sexist, I don't jerk off with a gun, I don't want to arm teachers or students, etc.
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so anyone that doesn't agree with your extremist views is wrong, a "Nazi" and a clown? How very arrogant, yet intolerant and extremist of you. The very thing you profess to be against in a band..hmmmm
 
#256
I cant stand on stage next to a "regional pride" flag and im in a country band. If i was on stage and a band member uttered a particualy set of racial slurs, then they would no longer be my band member. I would not be playing the next song.

That being said, every person is different, but you sound like your in line with my POV. You should leave the band. Personal values on that level are not worth compromising to play some CCR.
Wandering Bass said:
This is not about the politics as such, but rather about presenting as a business, so I'll try to generalize the political bits so the Mods don't have to strike me with lightning. And yes, I do use too many words.

We've pulled together a workable group out of the ashes of two others. Classic rock with danceable songs from the 80's, 90's, and 2000's mixed in. The music is solid, and everyone is stepping up and doing their part. That's refreshing. We have our first gig booked a few weeks from now, and several others after that.

Because of when practices are scheduled I have to be very task-focused. I get in, play through the songs, and get out. No hanging out, no socializing. I really didn't get to know them as people until we had a couple of months of practice in. Here's the issue -- while setting up our online presence I've discovered that two of the members (drummer and second guitarist) are political extremists. No, probably more extreme than whomever you just thought of.

1 -- Social media. The both have very active personal presences on social media, posting, liking, and sharing things that are often outright fake, usually threatening towards some group, and never business appropriate. They belong to online groups that I can't name because it would violate forum rules. In short, they favor armed rebellion to remove the "undesirables" from "their" county. I have asked that they create secondary accounts with a more professional, audience-friendly presentation for promoting band events and whatever, but they have both refused.

2 -- Stage image. Disclaimer -- I'm a black on black kind of guy. Regardless of the type of gig I'm wearing black pants, black shoes, black button down. The style of the venue dictates tucked vs untucked, or maybe even unbuttoned over a (black) t-shirt. I get that others like to bring some color to the stage and I'm not opposed to it at all. Both of these guys are into wearing regional "pride" shirts that contain imagery that is politically or culturally offensive to many people. I've explained that these are not appropriate given that we perform in front of mixed audiences. Why piss off your customers? They bang on about freedom to wear what they want, and hey it's rock and roll so screw anyone who doesn't get it.

I've tried having the calm discussion about band image being a big part of marketing and securing gigs. I've suggested maybe they can wear Harley Davidson shirts, what's more rock and roll than that? They insist they are being discriminated against and won't bend.

I know what the answer is -- I'm not a good fit for this band, leave. I'm struggling with it, because I have time in, the music is coming together and I want to get back on stage. Anyone have any ideas as to how to work this out?
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#260
Arrogant, intolerant, violent and extremist. Given that your avatar is a take-off on the Soviet hammer and sickle symbol, I can't say I'm very surprised. Yeah, now THERE is a model we should all be following for prosperity, freedom and human rights. lol. Frankly as offensive a symbol as a confederate flag in my book. I don't have use for extremists of either side. all are idiots
 
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