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Got fired today.

#122
I understand band leaders in any type of band, If they created the band, own the name and web presence, and do most of the work. I also understand democratic bands.

What I don't understand are all you guys who can't grasp the concept of band leaders... I hear your reasons for not liking them, but your blanket discrediting is shortsighted.
 
#123
ChrisB2 said:
I understand band leaders in any type of band, If they created the band, own the name and web presence, and do most of the work. I also understand democratic bands.

What I don't understand are all you guys who can't grasp the concept of band leaders... I hear your reasons for not liking them, but your blanket discrediting is shortsighted.
Click to expand...

+1

I've seen democratic bands succeed. It's always a bit miraculous to me, but it happens, and my hat is off to those bands. No criticism neccesary.

I have seen just as many democratic bands implode from the friction created by too many competing and misaligned agendas and ideas.

I think the same could be said for bands with a designated "leader" (filter, arbitrator, veto, executive, call it what you will). I have seen a few where the grip was too tight, and most musicians weren't comfortable with that, so there was a rotating line-up and no real momentum. I've seen many where the musicians respect the leader, get on-board with the leader's vision, and they have much success.

It's purely a preference thing, there is no right or wrong. If you're not on-board with the leader and his vision, move along and find something where you can get more of your thoughts and ideas in the mix. Simple.
 
#124
electracoyote said:
+1

I've seen democratic bands succeed. It's always a bit miraculous to me, but it happens, and my hat is off to those bands. No criticism neccesary.

I have seen just as many democratic bands implode from the friction created by too many competing and misaligned agendas and ideas.

I think the same could be said for bands with a designated "leader" (filter, arbitrator, veto, executive, call it what you will). I have seen a few where the grip was too tight, and most musicians weren't comfortable with that, so there was a rotating line-up and no real momentum. I've seen many where the musicians respect the leader, get on-board with the leader's vision, and they have much success.

It's purely a preference thing, there is no right or wrong. If you're not on-board with the leader and his vision, move along and find something where you can get more of your thoughts and ideas in the mix. Simple.
Click to expand...

Rotating line ups because of ego monsters is more the norm to me. Naturally some guys will be more leaders than others but the premise of everyone having a say in band matters is, long term, the more feasible approach.

OTOH, if the band leader is a name player who has made it in other bands and has a built in following and song book then by all means . . .

Most of the time it's a guy who thinks he knows better than everyone else and can't accept conflicting points of view. They aren't necessarily bad guys, they just won't have a consistent band.

The best thing I've ever heard about band construction is to find guys you like and trust then you have like and trust them. The rest will take care of itself.
 
#125
I have never been in a band that had one clear leader.

I have also never been in a band that was a democracy.

Usually, there are a couple of people who are sort of the "leadership team," and others have varying degrees of say-so based on a number of things, including, but not limited to:

*Musical ability
*Personality
*Length of time in said band
*Quality of ideas
 
#126
I've been in all three: owner-leader, quasi-leader team, and democratic. I prefer the owner-leader; let me pick out a couple songs and tell me where and when the gigs are. I do my share of load in/out and pitch in elsewhere, but I'm a father and business owner by day... the last thing I'm looking for is more responsibility...

And my personal experience with the other two has not usually been good... too wishy-washy. I'm sure it has worked for others though....
 

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