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I think I'm done

iriegnome

iriegnome

Bassstar style
Supporting Member
Nov 23, 2001
11,262
5,574
61
Kenosha, WI 53140
#1
After 15 years + with the same band, I think after this last weekend, I have about had it. Guitards on 13 in a room smaller than a closet, bitchen between the 3 of them constantly about how loud each is and how much they each need to turn down but none of them are too loud themselves. Monitors so loud they drown out the drummers. Drummers so loud I can't hear any monitors, me being pushed to behind the drummer so the guitards can have enough room at the front of the stage. Me singing 90% of all backups and not having a monitor. Drunk guitard singing over all my harmonies to show off to his wife. Super drunk everyone except me (I don't really drink) so bad that the drummer was using his coat as a cymbal the other gig. 15 years I have put up with this. I can't take it. 9 gigs and I have driven at least one if not both ways for 6 of them and there are 6 people who are capable of driving. Getting bitched at for a missed note and the same guitard completely just stops playing so he can get someone to get him another beer (usually 15 or 20 per night)..
I mean am I wrong?? I have been looking to join another band for about 2 years, passed on a couple of questionable ones. Seems everyone in my area wants to play metal.. not down with that. Want to be happy. Just hating life in my band right now.. Nobody else to complain to other than my TB family..
 
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#2
Hi,

iriegnome said:
After 15 years + with the same band, I think after this last weekend, I have about had it. Guitards on 13 in a room smaller than a closet, bitchen between the 3 of them constantly about how loud each is and how much they each need to turn down but none of them are too loud themselves. Monitors so loud they drown out the drummers. Drummers so loud I can't hear any monitors, me being pushed to behind the drummer so the guitards can have enough room at the front of the stage. Me singing 90% of all backups and not having a monitor. Drunk guitard singing over all my harmonies to show off to his wife. Super drunk everyone except me (I don't really drink) so bad that the drummer was using his coat as a cymbal the other gig. 15 years I have put up with this. I can't take it. 9 gigs and I have driven at least one if not both ways for 6 of them and there are 6 people who are capable of driving. Getting bitched at for a missed note and the same guitard completely just stops playing so he can get someone to get him another beer (usually 15 or 20 per night)..
I mean am I wrong?? I have been looking to join another band for about 2 years, passed on a couple of questionable ones. Seems everyone in my area wants to play metal.. not down with that. Want to be happy. Just hating life in my band right now.. Nobody else to complain to other than my TB family..
Click to expand...

I was once where you are, brother. I was frustrated, disillusioned, underutilized, taken advantage of, taking the blame, and the butt of jokes.

Then I saw the light. I heard Johnny Paycheck sing "Take This Job And Shove It" and it sounded like an angel choir epiphany.

I decided to give up music and join a country band.

Seriously. The musicians are less flakey, don't play as loudly, the crowds are better, the gigs pay more, the music is more varied and interesting. Give it some consideration.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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#4
Funny enough, I was touring 6 nights a week in a country band when I left to join my current band. I toured for 4 years 4 to 5 nights a week in Florida with a country band. Old Country. It was a blast. However, I am having such a difficult time finding a working playing band. I have not taken a break from playing since I picked up bass in 1980. Been playing nearly non-stop.
 
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#6
Oh and almost all the bands in my area who I know, I really like the bassists. Most I consider pretty good friends. So I can't call my guitar player friends in these bands and say "Yo, fire your bassist so I can join". I genuinly like almost all the bassists that are giging in bands around my area!! It really sucks because most of them are very good bassists as well!!
 
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#7
iriegnome said:
Oh and almost all the bands in my area who I know, I really like the bassists. Most I consider pretty good friends. So I can't call my guitar player friends in these bands and say "Yo, fire your bassist so I can join". I genuinly like almost all the bassists that are giging in bands around my area!! It really sucks because most of them are very good bassists as well!!
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I have the same problem. All the bands I dig have bassists and it looks like no ones leaving any time soon! I do a lot of subbing though.
 
#13
buldog5151bass said:
Let's see:

1. You don't like the music.
2. They play too loud.
3. You don't like the people.
4. They get drunk when they are supposed to be playing music.
5. 9 gigs in 15 years.

That's not a band - that's an excuse to make noise and get high.
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A little misunderstanding here.
1. I love the music.
2.. They play on 12 and complain they can't hear themselves
3. Disrespectful and degrading people who actually think that is the way normal relationsips work
4.. Get WAY to drunk (among other things) but 3 of the best guitards I have ever heard (Still no excuse)
5. 9 Gigs this last month.

just wanted to clarify..
 
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#15
I feel your pain. I'm in a rock band that plays 3 gigs a year and a country band where the lead singer is 82 years old. He knows all the old country stuff. He still spry and carrys the PA system but he always says he counts the days till each gig. He IS the band. Don't know how much longer he will be with us. Then I will be just another bass player out of a job.
 
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#16
iriegnome said:
.......
2.. They play on 12 and complain they can't hear themselves
3. Disrespectful and degrading people who actually think that is the way normal relationsips work
4.. Get WAY to drunk (among other things) but 3 of the best guitards I have ever heard......
Click to expand...

No, they really aren't.
If they're too loud, get drunk/high, and are disrespectful, they're poor examples of humans, and they may play guitar well but are not real musicians.
Good guitar players are as common as dirt.
Time to find some better ones to play with (rather than against).
 
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#17
It's tough. I love to play and I get to play with some great people, but at some point I'd either punch someone or have to leave. There may come a time when you just hate showing up and then it's time to quit. As long as the music is good and you're getting something out of it other than just income -- or if you need the income -- keep playing.
 
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#19
Have you tried talking to them about this? If you've been playing with them for a decade and a half, they have to be aware that something is wrong too.

Bottom line is that if you're not happy, do not waste a minute of your time. I'm not sure if you're a pro or just a working stiff like most of us, but either way, this is about passion and spiritual joy more than anything else. If its not fun anymore, what's the point?
 

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