How do you keep your band motivated during the dry spells?

[mellowinman]

My drummer is in another band (or two.) My guitarist is in another band. What I have to be careful of, is if the dry spell is too long, they will book up those bands, and then I can't have them. I can sub the drummer, but I don't like to. I cannot sub the guitarist.

We're to a point where we enjoy a weekend off, and would rather have quality gigs over quantity. We're not going to play a "fill the room or you'll never be back" club that doesn't advertise. No thank you.

If too much time goes by without a gig, we get off our asses and get a gig.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

if there is a dry month, I'll replace some tubes in something that needs it, re-wire the patchbay, oil the hammond & leslie, calibrate the tape machine, review old tapes for material, sell stuff I don't need, take promo pics, re-work the press kit, write songs, record songs, change drum heads, grease up any squeaky stands, book more gigs, change the website, stuff like that.

damn, I better get busy!

 

[jive1]

To be honest, I don't. They are free to pursue other projects to fill their calendar. We only rehearse when there's a gig coming up and do one promo shoot/recording a year. The gigs pay well, are fun to play, and I provide all the charts. I really don't ask that much from them compared to most bands.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm actually about a month away from what will likely be a couple month dry spell. The time will get used to experiment with strings on the upright and work on drum kit chops. So, I actually welcome the time off.

 

[PauFerro]

I have five gigs between now and August. After that, nothing, and phone isn't ringing. I'm having a HECK of a time getting motivated to do the sales work -- and I have three leads to follow up on. Ah...there are times i wish I was a contractor....

 

[Ric5]

How do you keep your band motivated during the dry spells?

Tell them they need to learn this song here ...

 

[Feral Feline]

Good thread!
Just what I needed. Lots of options to keep oneself busy, or the whole band busy depending on what works for you &/or your band.

I have five gigs between now and August. After that, nothing, and phone isn't ringing. I'm having a HECK of a time getting motivated to do the sales work -- and I have three leads to follow up on. Ah...there are times i wish I was a contractor....

I don't worry about fall too much, stuff always pops up in the fall and before you know it you're extremely busy. Mind, last fall the gigs kept popping up... and falling through.

 

[abbub]

i guess your talking about cover bands? ive only ever been in original bands and any dry spells from gigs is time to write new songs.

Yep. And recording.