Problem One: Many of our covers songs, while not “blues” per se, are treated like blues songs. Many are of the I-IV-V format and feature lots of guitar solos. There are two guitarists in the band and both of them love to play solos. And that works when you only do it occasionally. With us, though, songs like “Pink Cadillac” and “Keep your Hands to Yourself” become blues rave ups. I have tried to suggest newer songs that are not I-IV-V and feature actual parts rather than solos and jamming but the BL says that they don’t fit into our format.
Anytime you have 2 lead guitar players in a band it's almost always like that; a one up the other...usually turns into a volume war as well.
When I used to play guitar and wind up in a band with another lead picker, I'd resign myself to rhythm because I felt it was overkill to have a way extended song just to satisfy a battle-axe competition.
IMO, no matter how good they are audiences aren't there to indulge their insecurities, the band is there to entertain the audience. Too many are in it for the wrong reasons.
Good luck trying to change that because it may not happen. Usually the only way around it is letting one go and hire a "rhythm only" player if necessary.
Were I to try to save it, I would ask them to trade off songs to solo on, but again, you're not dealing with maturity here, no matter their age, or there wouldn't be an issue.
Problem Two: The music that our LG plays through the PA when we take a break is always some kind of blues. Now, I like blues, but I get tired of anything after a while. So, between the actual blues that we play, and the cover songs that we play that sound like blues, and the blues that’s played on our breaks, that’s a LOT of blues. Too much blues for a general non-blues bar going crowd, in my opinion.
If the music the place is going for is say, a blues only motif, then playing blues based songs during break is fine; I would try to vary it away from the specific sound the band puts out.
I know that seems hard with something like blues, but like other genres, it's has a variety of interwoven styles soulful, jazzy, etc. It's just a matter of branching out to find it.
Problem Three: The LG will not play signature parts on songs. I don’t know if its laziness or not caring or thinking it doesn’t matter. Example, the signature intro lick to “Tennessee Whiskey “ by Chris Stapleton. To me it isn’t a difficult part but should be there and he doesn’t play it. On other songs like “La Grange” he just jams on the solos. No signature licks. Okay, I guess, but getting the feel of the original would be better.
It's probably a mixture of lazyness, creativity, and vanity. I think signature parts need to be their. Other parts can be varied quite a bit, but say a song like Tennessee Whiskey, at least that version needs that intro/hook.
Maybe pull up song concert footage of bands playing their songs and show them that while they branch off during solos different from the album, there are still parts in there that make the song recognizable.
At any rate the hooks need to be there and play in the vein of the song.
I played more loose with some songs, except for signature parts...
It's another tough thing to change...don't know if it can be done.
You might point out how wrong the bass part would sound on Tennessee Whiskey
if you didn't play that bass part and just made up something and stuck it in there.
Problem Four: Dress on stage. Last week we played at a private club. The BL was wearing jeans, T-shirt and a camo cap. Drummer wearing jeans, t-shirt, and cap. LG wearing some kind of stretchy loose pants that looked like sweat pants but not exactly. I was slightly more dressy in jeans, nice Henley with undershirt and pork pie hat. I think they all looked like they just showed up to play wearing what they happened to be wearing when they got off the tractor. Now they all dress up more for SOME gigs, although the BL has really gotten slack about dress compared to how he used to dress. I see videos of bands that are playing the same venues that we play who have obviously dressed up for playing. We don’t. Does a band’s look matter?
LOL, I've played with bands that looked like they just climbed off the tractor; caps, camo, etc...
Once guy I played for said we can sound like crap as long as we look good... he was half joking of course, but his point was well taken.
A lot depends of the club your in.
There was a time that a country band, like I usually play in, wore matching, clothes, and I couldn't have worn my cowpunk get up, but it's a looser environment theae days, especially most bars... however If I play a wedding or country club, I dress the part, and I think the band should too.
See if you can get the band to go check these other bands who are doing well and drawing crowds. Ask if there's anything y'all could do to could do to improve; what they think would make your band a better draw.
If it was MY band and it was my decision on how to proceed this is what I would propose:
1. Learn newer and non-blues like songs, including some modern country.
2. Don’t play blues on breaks. Either let the venue play the music they like or play a mixture of classic rock and country, or a mixture of songs that everyone knows.
3. Take the time to learn and play the signature licks of songs. They are just as important as singing the right words, in my opinion.
4. Dress for the gig. A.K.A. dress for success. Most folks who go out to a bar for an evening of drinking, dancing, and listening to music dress up. Why shouldn’t the band?
o, my question is, what should I do. Here are the choices”
1. Take the issues to the band and hope that they will embrace my ideas and be willing to chance a few things to improve the band.
2. Keep my trap shut and learn to accept things the way they are, while gently pushing on the issues in a more subtle way, i.e. keep suggesting new songs of a non blues genre without explaining why.
3. Look for another band that is already doing the things I think should be done.
Sounds like you know pretty well what should be done. Can it be done is the question.
How much say do you have? Is there a band leader? This usually is better recieved by the one in charge and the best anyone else can do it make a suggestion.
After 17 years people are less excepting of change, even if they've changed into what you are trying to change. Some folks just get tired and want to do what they are doing. Anything is possible.
You might just say "Hey guys we're a good band, and I think we can be as good of a draw as those others if we rethink a few things"... what are they doing that we are not?" This opens a discussion to get their ideas.
Good luck with all if this. Bands are a mixture of egos, and one is tough enough to deal with...but a good sales person can bring things around if done with some diplomacy.
No one wants to feel attacked. Put the ball in their court and ask what they think about this and that.
In the end you may either have to accept it or move on. Weigh it if it's worth moving on, or is it worth it to get to play to deal with this
All the beat!
And jazz isn't ubiquitous around here. We open for regional touring acts, and we play noteworthy (to the locals) festivals and events and the occasional private party. People are happy to see/hear us; I like that part a lot.
