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I'm getting tired of it.

#21
If there`s anyone else in the band who`s on the same page as you, why not get together with them and start jamming by yourselves... maybe even find a new guitarist... maybe even a drummer... maybe come up with a name for this little, new ensemble... maybe write a few tunes... maybe start gigging... ha, I think you get the point =P

Even if you just started this process and sort of waved it around in front of those who`re half-a$$in it, perhaps they`d snap into shape at the thought of the current band falling apart. But hey, if no one comes to the rescue then you`ll be on the way to forming a new band you can finally get some work done in.

If I had people in my band who complained about getting new gigs I`d probably strangle them! After all, wasn`t that the original point?
 
#23
I've already found out that things change as bands go from 'formation stage' to 'playing out stage.' What sounds cool when you're only practicing/rehersing/talking about playing out may have become intimidating / taking up too much time when it comes to actually doing the deed. Making music sounds like fun, until someone realizes it takes time and effort to practice/reherse, let alone actually go to gigs; for some people it stops being fun when they're actually expected to work at it. The drummer in our group was fine about talking about playing, helping choose songs, etc.; but when it came to actually finding time to practice, he never could be bothered; always had some excuse. So now we're looking for another drummer. I'm still in the 'just a learner' stage myself, but really need/want to start working / practicing with other musicians, rather than just CDs, in order to get better, so 'our' drummer's attitude was a bit of a bummer. At least I've been able to practice some with our singer and keyboardist. (Yeah, we haven't been able to recruit a guitarist yet, but I figure there are so many of them here - like most places - that won't be too much of a problem, once we get to sounding halfway decent.) It's better than sitting at home playing with the CDs all the time, anyway.
Sounds to me like you need to start another (perhaps a second?) band, and hopefully find other musicians who actually want to play, rather than just play at home. Or perhaps find a slot in a band who needs a bass player. You can always stay friends with the members of the current group, just in case they ever decide to get off the hineys and do something; the very fact you mention playing with someone else - especially as the first group isn't doing anything! - may help them get off those rears and realize that they need to get cooking. Of course, sometimes the hardest part in something like this is getting up the nerve to say something that may be taken in a negative way by those you're talking to; I know that's one of my problems. I hate band drama, and it's even worse when I'm one of the ones who has to cause it... But while it may seem easier to just let things go with the flow, in the long run that leads to even more problems, more ulcers... Best wishes, anyway. Let us know how things turn out!
 
#24
One thing you might want to do is have writing jams without the full band. Maybe you and a guitarist or something. That way the others won't get bored and when you present your song ideas, they'll be more complete and easier to work with as a band. As long as nobody gets their nose bent out of shape that they are not there for the full writing process, it may be an option.
 
#25
I`ve never liked writing jams, myself. Most the time I find all guitarists want to do is solo over whatever the bassist is playing *yawn*. I like going in with everyone having ideas and working on them. If something clicks then cool. If something is good but isn`t working right away then it goes into the book for another rainy day. But if nothing sounds good enough then no real loss. After all that, then jamming can be looked at to write something.
 
#26
I suggest that when ever something happens (cancellation, etc) ask "Why?" as often as possible.

I havent' read any reasons as to why things have changed for the band members (bitchin' at gigs, about gigs, etc.).

Maybe they all have new girlfriends or another band or school or work or drugs or?

There are not unlimited reasons as to why things happen or not happen.

If you're working harder than they are to keep things going, then it may be time to move on or start a second project.
 
#27
Well, if it were me and I was working on an original band I'd be setting goals for myself first and foremost. It all depends on what you want out of it, are you looking to be in an original band with members who are 100% dedicated to making it big? Is it something you want to do for a living or is it a side project type of thing?

Once you have that all figured out decisions will come much easier, if the rest of the band isnt dedicated and they're already bitching about having to play gigs now, what happens when you gain popularity and have to go play night after night?

see what I'm getting at? original bands have to be really, really dedicated to their goals and if everyone isnt driven to succeed you're probably in for a big letdown.
Bands are like a business and marriage combined, you all have to be able to set goals, adapt to changes, stay focused and above all communicate.


One other suggestion, try and structure your rehearsals, get a dry erase board and figure out exactly what you want to work on and list it on the board. Have a band meeting and set some band rules, hell make a policy of fining members a couple bucks when they cancel rehearsal with less than a certain amount of notice. put the fine in a band fund and use it to help purchase stuff when it's needed. You all have to lay down some ground rules and stick to them, again music is a business just like anything else. If this were a regular business would you put up with employees who dont show up, call in last minute or don't do their job? I wouldn't


just my $.02
good luck
 
#28
Well we have a show tonight. I still haven't really heard from any one except the singer (who set the show up) about when load in is. I really don't want to talk about the issues we're having before or after the gig tonight. I'm trying to decide when to show up. The show starts at 8. We're the third band and supposed to go on at 10. I usually make a point to get there before the show actually starts, mainly out of respect to the other bands, but I'm having a hard time justifying that tonight.

We have one more show scheduled for the end of the month. I plan on having a talk with everyone to see where their head's are and to see if we are all still dedicated to doing what we set out to do. I understand people change, and people get married and have children. I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is everyone saying they want one thing, but either not acting on it or acting completely counter productive to the goals we set out.

If we can't dedicate 4-6 hours a week to practice, maybe it's time for a change. As an original band it takes work to accomplish anything. I'm beginning to think we either need to become a cover band, which I have no problem with, or we need to hang it up. I really don't want either of these things to happen with this band, but I just don't see the dedication it takes to make anything of it.

We'll see what happens tonight, and if we have practice this Sunday.
 
#29
Heh. No practice again. I also called a band meeting for this weekend to talk about some stuff. Guess how that went. No one could 'make time' to have the meeting. The practice space we use is in my name. I'm very close to telling everyone that the 30th is my last show with them, I'll buy the PA for my share of the band funds, and to get everything else out. I have the feeling it's time for me to move on.
 
#31
Songs don't magically write themselves out during practice. One has to come up with the basics for new material before you actually try them out. If not, rehearsals will sound like a constant jam of the same riffs and patterns over and over again.
With new material flowing in, band members feel happy to work and the music remains fresh. Not all songs are keepers. You need to try many and let time sort them out.
So, which one is the songwriter? If you don't have one, playing strictly originals is going to be difficult.
 
#32
The issues are not limited to song writing. I just used that as an example of some of the frustrations. It's the lack of direction, focus, and dedication. I don't care, much, that we're not writing new stuff. It takes more than playing the same set at the same bars in the same town for over a year. We can't play out of town gigs because someone always has something else to do. That is where my frustration is coming from. Not from song writing. Like I've said, I understand people's priorities and goals change. Not only in bands but in life. I'm fine with that. I just want to know so I can move on if I feel it's time. It's hard to know if that's the case if we can't get together.
 
#33
I`d say it`s time to move on man. You seem to be putting in the effort that no one else can even seem to find the time or energy to do. Cut your losses now and split.

As always, don`t burn any bridges you can avoid too.
 
#35
So we had a little meeting. Everyone said that they were willing and able to do what it takes to take the band to the next level, out of town/state shows, more recording, etc. Like I told my wife, "We'll see."

We actually had a practice last Thursday night. I felt it was pretty good. I hate to bring up song writing because that's what people seem to think this thread is about, but we started messing around with a new idea. We even decided to contact some bands out of town to do some show trading. Fast forward to next Thursday, June 11th. We are not having practice again for various reasons, nor are we having practice again next Sunday. Skip to today. I get a text from the singer saying his wife is sick and he has to stay with her. I don't make a big deal because we're messing around with this new idea. It has some weird changes and counts in it, and it will be easier for the singer to write to when the song is closer to being finished. However one of the guitar players said he wanted to skip practice.

I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, and I'm giving them a few months to show me they want to do this. If nothing changes by the end of August I'm out. They don't know this is my time line, but the clock is ticking in my head. I'm in another band now, and I'm talking to a few more people about getting together. We'll see what happens.
 
#37
Consider:...I went thru the same thing....we broke up, and since then I haven't had a good chance to play w/ a band.....choices are available for musicians here in Houston, but band members here have a LOT of growing up to do....seems like a DISEASE...but after helping to kill our band, I REALLY MISS IT...so FIGHT for yall's band...let dem ne'er-do-wells know that they are not only killing YOUR dreams and hopes, they're also killing their OWN....Good Luck n' GodSpeed
 
#38
'However one of the guitar players said he wanted to skip practice.'

Their hearts aren`t in it man. IMO, they all 'think' they want to be in a band and play out and make at least a little of a name for themselves, but the facts seem to be saying that they don`t have the time, energy, emotions, etc... into making any of that happen on their own. They just don`t have the drive.
 
#39
jmattbassplaya said:
'However one of the guitar players said he wanted to skip practice.'

Their hearts aren`t in it man. IMO, they all 'think' they want to be in a band and play out and make at least a little of a name for themselves, but the facts seem to be saying that they don`t have the time, energy, emotions, etc... into making any of that happen on their own. They just don`t have the drive.
Click to expand...

This sums up the situation very well. I have just been involved in a similar situation with a friend. It is obvious most if not all the band members simply aren't willing to make the necessary sacrifice to make the band work. I would be getting out of that band as soon as I could. It's over.
 
#40
stflbn said:
The bad thing about bands doing originals is that you're tired of the tunes usually before people even hear them. Imagine if you went on tour and got to play them over and over and over and over and over...
Click to expand...

I was watching the R30 Rush Tour video the other evening, and I got to thinking "those guys have been together that long, and most of these songs they've played hundreds of times in hundreds of places, not to mention rehearsals, recordings, etc. How do they keep up the enthusiasm?" After all, it was their thirtieth anniversary tour.

I guess you just gotta love what you do, and why you're doing it.
 

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