Band stagnation woes

[StyleOverShow]

As a construct 'learning new songs' might be a good idea to introduce in a band meeting. Seems most startups are so busy with the startup they don't really think about the mature band's needs. Learning new material is both grist for the mill, as in the work required, and creatively necessary to keep it fresh for audiences and players alike.

stagnation is a point that must be overcome or it will overtake the band. Keep it light and poll all players for new material, as everyone should have input. Just hope that you can keep Mustang Sally off the playlist.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I've been with the band almost 5 years, but the last 12 months have been far and away the most unproductive ever.

I'm trying to motivate the others, but so far it's been unsuccessful.

I love the music, and they're all wonderful people, but we can't seem to get anything done anymore.

What's been going on:
Drums and I tracked 5 songs way back in February, and the other two STILL have not finished their tracks.

We've added one new song in the last year, and re worked a couple others, but otherwise we're playing the same set as we were a year ago.

Writing songs is tedious, and there is way too much overthinking going on. We need more material, and almost all of our jams could be worked into a new song if we'd just take the time.

Our singer wants everything dialed in, but there's no reason we can't play unfinished material at shows. We're good, we play well together, and nobody else would know the song is a work in progress.

I reached out to them to ask how I can help facilitate progress and get some momentum going, but I've not heard back yet.

How do you all motivate your bandmates?

In particular, this paragraph stuck out for me:

...

Our singer wants everything dialed in, but there's no reason we can't play unfinished material at shows. We're good, we play well together, and nobody else would know the song is a work in progress.
...

The part which I highlighted in red would probably cause me to quit the band, if I heard it more than a few times.

I've had some very embarrassing nights over the course of my years and, while I'm sure they happen (and will continue to for many) because that's just the way life is, I don't need to "borrow trouble" by not having all MY ducks in a row.

Another thing (since I look to offer practical solutions):

You said song writing was tedious. Have you thought about working with others outside the band?

Have you thought about buying/licensing songs completely written by others?

 

[Low End Scum]

I've been with the band almost 5 years, but the last 12 months have been far and away the most unproductive ever.

I'm trying to motivate the others, but so far it's been unsuccessful.

I love the music, and they're all wonderful people, but we can't seem to get anything done anymore.

What's been going on:
Drums and I tracked 5 songs way back in February, and the other two STILL have not finished their tracks.

We've added one new song in the last year, and re worked a couple others, but otherwise we're playing the same set as we were a year ago.

Writing songs is tedious, and there is way too much overthinking going on. We need more material, and almost all of our jams could be worked into a new song if we'd just take the time.

Our singer wants everything dialed in, but there's no reason we can't play unfinished material at shows. We're good, we play well together, and nobody else would know the song is a work in progress.

I reached out to them to ask how I can help facilitate progress and get some momentum going, but I've not heard back yet.

How do you all motivate your bandmates?

I feel for you OP. Your situation reminds me of a jammy rockband I was in for a long time. Everything took too long to write. Every rehearsal had a loooooong jam component that never flourished into a song. It took 5ever to write the album because almost every single song started as a jam and we were a democracy that never really came to agreeing on things. Seems like a good thing would be to have a "come to the light" conversation with your other guys. I was more on the line of thinking of your singer, wanting things dialed in, but I also finished my parts. If the singer wants things dialed in, then they're gonna have to finish out the things that are waiting on them. If not, they're putting the band in a position of having to use unfinished material which is also not what they want.

For greasing the wheels and keeping things moving, I think it really depends on the structure of decision making in your band. My most efficient band was a benevolent dictatorship. We all had a say, most the time, but ultimately Mr Songwriter/Lyricist made the decisions. They'd tell us if we were scrapping or rewriting a song which we did probably a dozen times to most the tracks. But for all the groaning about it that some did, they came out good and we were consistently working and improving. Lately I've been trying a different tactic to varying degrees of success. Basically "write the song, finish the song, and keep moving". Treating songwriting like a muscle that you're just working out and getting stronger. Songs not perfect? Don't care, finish it, move on. That's mostly for situations like I've got now that are imperfect democracies where sometimes I have to be a bit of a taskmaster.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Do you have the time, opportunity, and inclination to join another band? Even if you do, your bandmates might not approve. But if there are no blockers, juggling multiple bands can greatly decrease stagnation/frustration issues.

Learning how to play with different musicians is excellent experience, and the more new songs you learn, the faster you will be able to learn new songs.

 

[Old Blastard]

Old rocker here. Love the classic stuff I grew up with. Never tire playing Mustang Sally in front of a bunch of people. On the other hand, the BL brought in Wrecking Ball a few months ago and we darkened it up, put a hoarse male vocalist behind and some grunge guitar and deep, low driving bass and hit it out of the park.

Personally, after years playing in blues jams and open mics where you make it up on the fly -- an important skill -- I love getting something nailed down. I like to hear "you guys are tight" after a gig.

 

[Wyrdlow]

Old rocker here. Love the classic stuff I grew up with. Never tire playing Mustang Sally in front of a bunch of people. On the other hand, the BL brought in Wrecking Ball a few months ago and we darkened it up, put a hoarse male vocalist behind and some grunge guitar and deep, low driving bass and hit it out of the park.

Personally, after years playing in blues jams and open mics where you make it up on the fly -- an important skill -- I love getting something nailed down. I like to hear "you guys are tight" after a gig.

100% mate! Nothing wrong with a good Mustang Sally. I can't see me getting tired of playing Wagon Wheel either. And changing the arrangement is great fun. We do a 2/4 Johnny Cash style version of Blank Space that's become a real crowd pleaser!