Guitarist asks for "hiatus."

[butchblack]

If we played dance venues, we used to extend the shortest songs out to at least 5 minutes to keep the crowd dancing.

Our basic formula was:
9 songs x 5 min. = 45 min. per set

Some songs were longer so we sometimes played 8 songs per set. With short breaks between the songs, we played 4 hour gigs with around 35-40 songs.

Most of what we were playing were songs with a set pattern, other then maybe extending a solo an extra 12 we weren't set up for it. And using your formula our 1 hr sets had 12 songs. 12 songs x 5 min. = 60 min. set

With a new guitarist coming in with more of a 70's blues rock background I hope we'll put in some material that lends itself to a longer jam. We got caught flat footed once, underestimated the time of a set and started the last song and then realized that we had about 15 minutes left. We stretched that song for about 10 min. A couple good jam songs would have saved the day.

 

[Inverness]

Well, I'd say that our guitarist is starting to get his life back in order. Both guitarists came over on Thursday and recorded the last parts of the demo. I actually used my Sansamp Bass DI and blended it with the tone from his effects processor footboard. We could a pretty nice lead sound out of it. The rhythm tone is a bit bass heavy (surprise!), but it'll suffice.

But really, not like it totally matters in the short term. Our drummer is out of town in Monterrey, CA, until the 27th, and then I'm in Monterrey (on a totally different trip) from the 27th to 30th, and then our guitarist and singer are gone to Brazil from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13.

Sigh.

 

[Inverness]

**update!**

Okay, well, our guitarist finally got his head back on his shoulders. He found a new job, broke up with his dead-weight crazy girlfriend (who was separated from her husband... augh), got a new apartment, and got a car. He has also started trying to curb his drinking with moderate success.

On the downside, the rhythm guitarist graduated and moved back to Charleston.

But yeah, he's finally turned his life around. I'm happy for him (and us).

 

[MatticusMania]

Yeah, I don't know if "making bad life decisions that cause the company to lose money" is covered by federal law though, is it? You certainly can give notice if the person is not performing in terms of their work agreement.

though, they arent necessarily losing any money here. the OP did say theyve only played out twice in the last year, and they have no scheduled gigs. so why not wait for him, especially since musically, he's far ahead of the other band members

 

[stflbn]

If he's 'trying' to curb/control his drinking problem the very last place he needs to be is playing gigs in bars. Seriously.

I've walked away from many bands with members who have past drinking problems. I have no interest in being a participant to their relapse.