Band leader or member?

[13bass]

So if you’re in a band are you a band leader or or a just member?

 

[arbiterusa]

Current: member
Last: leader

Average about 50/50. Being the leader sucks IMO (for many reasons) but if you have a clear idea of what you want to do it's the only way you're gonna get it done.

 

[jeffbrown]

Currently a "member," but we are an enlightened democracy, i.e., we make decisions jointly. It usually works out, lol!

 

[Mike N]

As of last Friday, I'm an ex member. The self appointed BL decided he spoke for the rest of the band and when we butted heads for the second or third time, I bailed.

 

[mike o]

Just a band member currently. I learn the songs the BL wants perform, go to rehearsal prepared, show up for gigs early, help with breaking down PA then go home. Although I have what I believe much better ideas for a successful band (of course we all do right), I just don’t want the hassles of being a BL anymore.

 

[bigswifty1]

No inducement on earth would entice me to be a band leader. Ok ok, but it would have to be a super duper large enticement. Honestly I'd rather have a regular desk job. And I'm not just saying that because I don't have the talent, drive, dedication or determination. Although I don't have any of these

 

[SunByrne]

Neither. I'm a carrot.

More seriously, still a noob, not in a band, but someday maybe...

 

[Depth_Charge]

Both. Band leader (and almost everything else) for my original project.
Band member (who helps source/manage gigs and promo) for the covers band I'm in.

 

[Fishyfishfish]

For a couple years I was a BL and it was awesome. When the group started it we were all good friends and Our set up was simple: know the tunes, show up on time and get some money playing dorky bar songs with a few of our favorites thrown in. Guitar solo going good? No problem! Want to stretch out a bit because people were dancing? No problem! the OG’s left (kids/jobs) and replacements turned it into an episode of Jerry Springer. I boxed up the PA and called it quits as boss.

 

[marqueemoon]

I write/sing/play guitar in one band, play bass in another. Both are original projects, so I have a fair bit of freedom to play what I want as a bass player.

I enjoy playing both roles. I think the key for me is someone needs to be in charge. It doesn't have to be me.

 

[LBS-bass]

This poll should really be edited to include member of a leaderless band. The main band I'm in functions as a democracy and we work well that way. I put "member" but that doesn't really convey that we aren't subordinate to a leader's demands. We are equals.

 

[garp]

I'm kind of like Darryl Jones, but with maybe 10% of his talent. I'm not a full-fledged member of one band, but when that band plays gigs, I get the call 100% of the time. So I guess I'm neither a band member nor a leader.

 

[lfmn16]

I’m a band member until things go wrong, then I’m the band leader.

 

[brianrost]

Only been a bandleader once in 40 years. It was only about a year before I gave the band to the pianist who is still leading it years after I left.

 

[jeffbrown]

I’m a band member until things go wrong, then I’m the band leader.

I hear you. Sometimes, although infrequently, this has had to have been me. Usually it happens when nobody else steps up to talk about missed chords/notes or poor timing. As I said -infrequently-. I'm the only one with formal music training, but since we're only hobbyists, and almost all of our stuff is originals, I really REALLY try to not be *that* guy, the know-it-all, because I don't. My comments are usually well received, and I do not insist my way is the "right" way. We're friends first.

1) The Hang
2) The Hang
3) The Music

 

[gln1955]

We're an anarcho-syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week, but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more major...

 

[SunByrne]

We're an anarcho-syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week, but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more major...

Do you need help? Are you being repressed? I hear there's violence inherent in the system...

 

[gln1955]

Do you need help? Are you being repressed? I hear there's violence inherent in the system...

You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!

 

[mrcbass]

Member of a democratic band where we all actually pitch in on peripheral tasks where our personal skill sets fit. We have a BL of sorts, but he defers nearly all decisions to the group. In addition to being bassist, I deal with set lists and assist with MD duties. I also do all of our video editing and will be our recording engineer/producer for our pending demo recording next week.

Even at gigs we all - including the LS - do what is needed to facilitate load in/out for each other. In this regard we are a much better team than my previous band.

 

[fishdreams]

I'd call the structures I'm in 'collectives', since there is no designated leader. The music is all improvised, so that reflects the basic setup that while everyone has ideas for the music, noone can tell the other what or how to play or do.

Of course, some members speak up more than others, gravitate towards certain secondary tasks (engineering recordings, design, promo etc), some have more time than others, etc. All par for the course.