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I've had it up to here!!!

capnsandwich

capnsandwich

Jul 18, 2006
9,120
5,190
Columbus, Ohio
#1
One of my bands, my main one actually, is back to square one. I've been with this band for 3 1/2 years now and we've never gotten off the ground. We get together almost every week to practice and go over songs, write songs, record ideas, etc., but we've never had all the pieces to go out and gig regularly until here recently. We got an awesome singer that can hit the highs, lows, and everything in between. We did a gig after 2 years of nothing and everyone loved us. We were asked back and given the entire night all to ourselves we rocked so hard.

Well, due to the singer's business he has to up and leave Columbus, Ohio, where we're at, and move to California, where his business is located. So now we're back to square one. It took us 3 years to find this guy. He matches our style perfectly and it's going to be impossible to find another one that sings at his level.

We had a band meeting today after rehearsal, no singer today, and we discussed some options. I threw out several options and every option I threw out there was shot down by the keyboardist. He's stuck in the mindset that he wants to play progressive rock, stuff like Kansas, Rush, Yes, Genesis, etc. I'm cool with that and I love playing with musicians that can pull this stuff off but I'm also tired of being in a band that just waits and hopes for something to come along without trying to make lemonade with what we have. I play with some great players and all of them are professional grade players.

We've been through this before, going to practice, playing the same set of songs over and over again, only to be limited by what we can pull off without a singer. I've even offered up the idea of being an instrumental group but the keyboardist is dead set on writing music with vocals and he doesn't want to play out without a full band.

I've had it with wasting my time with a band that doesn't want to move on but I hate the fact that I won't be able to play with these caliber of musicians unless I find a pro act somewhere and you know how hard that's going to be, especially in central Ohio. I'm torn between staying and leaving. We've written some awesome tunes but for what, to stick them on a hard drive and leave them there?

Alright, this is more of a rant than a request for help or advice but if anyone has anything to add then by all means, shoot.
 
#2
If the idea of not playing with people at the same level as these guys is that bad, I'd suggest you stick with this band while actively searching for a replacement. Once you think you've found a good new band, tell the old one you're moving on.
 
#3
Rudreax said:
If the idea of not playing with people at the same level as these guys is that bad, I'd suggest you stick with this band while actively searching for a replacement. Once you think you've found a good new band, tell the old one you're moving on.
Click to expand...

It's not that it's bad, since I am in 2 other bands that aren't at that caliber, but I'll just miss the challenge of playing at that level. Good advice though. I don't think I'm done with them quite yet. I'll give it another month and see where it goes.
 
#8
You guys are all right. He is the one holding us back. Even my wife says this. It's just that he's such an intricate part of the band and our band wouldn't sound the same without him. I know though, who cares how we sound because we're stuck in a studio, right?
 
#9
Actually, since the drummer and keyboardist have played in bands together all through high school and young adulthood, I would probably be the one to move on, even though the drummer and I have played together for the last 4-5 years in church. It just sucks anyway you look at it.
 
#15
Lots of thoughts.

1st, with the attitude that it will be impossible to replace your current singer, it WILL be impossible. If the attidude was, "we're going to find someone who fits this even better now," then I think you'd stand a good chance.

Sounds very much to me like your wife and others have said, that the keyboard player is the holding this thing back. If he's as rigid as he sounds and has been that way for the 3 years you're with them - it may be time to move along. Especially considering the fact that you're not happy with the way things are.

Gotta be 100% honest here too. I listened to the band and whilst I usually take mom's advice, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all," I'm going to forego it this time. All my opinion of course, but I don't think the music on your band's myspace page stands much of chance outside of recordings and rehearsals that stay in your basement anyhow. It sounds to me like completely generic not so good prog rock with musicians who could probably do much better and much more. It sounded incredibly dated and lacked emotion, dynamics, creativity... I thought the music of your other band had more heart and soul. Anyhow, I only say this because I think these guys might have you blinded somehow. You can obviously hold your own eneough to be playing with any musicians you want - why you'd let this particular group of musicians hold you back I don't know. Giving you my honest thoughts here in the hopes that it may help you get yourself unstuck.

A lot of times it's not until I move on that I can look back and say, "What was I thinking?????!!!" I think this may be one of those cases for you. You've probably learned a whole lot in the 3 years you've been with them. If I were you I'd take that experience as part of my musical education and put it into something that works. And something I really enjoyed doing. I wouldn't hang on because I thought the people I were playing with were great musicians. There are millions of great and greater musicians but they won't be met hiding in a basement with the same bunch of peeps.
 
#17
Joe Nerve said:
Lots of thoughts.

1st, with the attitude that it will be impossible to replace your current singer, it WILL be impossible. If the attidude was, "we're going to find someone who fits this even better now," then I think you'd stand a good chance.

Sounds very much to me like your wife and others have said, that the keyboard player is the holding this thing back. If he's as rigid as he sounds and has been that way for the 3 years you're with them - it may be time to move along. Especially considering the fact that you're not happy with the way things are.

Gotta be 100% honest here too. I listened to the band and whilst I usually take mom's advice, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all," I'm going to forego it this time. All my opinion of course, but I don't think the music on your band's myspace page stands much of chance outside of recordings and rehearsals that stay in your basement anyhow. It sounds to me like completely generic not so good prog rock with musicians who could probably do much better and much more. It sounded incredibly dated and lacked emotion, dynamics, creativity... I thought the music of your other band had more heart and soul. Anyhow, I only say this because I think these guys might have you blinded somehow. You can obviously hold your own eneough to be playing with any musicians you want - why you'd let this particular group of musicians hold you back I don't know. Giving you my honest thoughts here in the hopes that it may help you get yourself unstuck.

A lot of times it's not until I move on that I can look back and say, "What was I thinking?????!!!" I think this may be one of those cases for you. You've probably learned a whole lot in the 3 years you've been with them. If I were you I'd take that experience as part of my musical education and put it into something that works. And something I really enjoyed doing. I wouldn'thang on because I thought the people I were playing with were great musicians. There are millions of great and greater musicians but they won't be met hiding in a basement with the same bunch of peeps.
Click to expand...

Totally agree here Joe. What you heard on the page is older and it does lack. We just haven't put anything on that page recently but it is better stuff. I guess I just need a confirmation from you guys to say what I've been thinking all along. I really want to move on and play with someone that has vision outside of a one room studio with thousands of dollars in equipment but no desire to move it. We just keep making excuses as to why we can't do things instead of doing something else we can. The keyboard player is right, we can't play the type of music we're writing without a singer, however, we can play something else. that's where the problem lies. Those guys are stuck in the 80's and early 90's with pipe dreams of being the next Dream Theater or Kansas but the way it's headed, we're going to be the most frustrated band in America.
 
#18
Just my two cents worth here, but that keytard has got to go. Too bad the drummer is attached to his hip, talk to him9the drummer0 and see where he stands. I'm telling you man ( and so is everyone else) THE KEYTARD IS THE PROBLEM HERE!!!! How about an add for a keytard/vox ? Maybe even a female? There are a lot of keyboard/vox girls out there.
 
#19
xgator4u said:
Just my two cents worth here, but that keytard has got to go. Too bad the drummer is attached to his hip, talk to him9the drummer0 and see where he stands. I'm telling you man ( and so is everyone else) THE KEYTARD IS THE PROBLEM HERE!!!! How about an add for a keytard/vox ? Maybe even a female? There are a lot of keyboard/vox girls out there.
Click to expand...

I think the entire band is the problem IMO. Yeah, the keyboardist plays like a Derek Sherinian/Jordan Rudess clone but since he's so headstrong and stubborn, I feel as though it's in my best interest to just move on. I love these guys, I really do, but if I'm going to do anything in music I think Joe Nerve hit the nail on the head when he said that I may have been blinded, mostly by all the great jams we've had together. That's where we shine. Our songs just don't have that edge that we've been looking for. Maybe they're just too old to rock out or maybe we just can't write, but we can play. I think we would be a great band to back up another singer and play their stuff but IMO, the stuff we're writing is weak. It is getting better but the guitarist is afraid of distortion, the drummer hates metal, and the keyboard player is stuck on Genesis, Kansas, and Yes. That leaves me to play root notes, straight eighth note scales, and doesn't allow me to be flexible when it comes to improvisation. I think I want to go a different direction in my playing. Where, I don't know, but I definitely want to learn more about groove, especially in jazz and gospel. I've always loved that stuff.
 
#20
capnsandwich said:
Yep, you're right, however the problem is the keyboard player again. He says he doesn't want to do it. I can't do it. I sound like Helen Keller with man glands and so does everyone else for that matter. The keyboard player is actually pretty good but he's just way too stubborn.
Click to expand...
Geez! Now I have to +1 my own previous post!
Replace him.
I know...easier said than done...BUT...

Listen, this guy is holding everything back. You guys had a plan and a dream and now there's a reason that it can't happen (no singer).
So compromise! Nope...can't.
Why? Cuz the keyboard player DOESN'T WANT TO!
Again with this keyboard player!

If the drummer wants to sit around and rot in a studio somewhere waiting for the day that Robert Plant walks into the room and says, "Hey mates, let make a record!" let him. I think if you talked to the drummer about the issue he may decide to talk to the keys player himself--or--he may elect to stay with you and audition another keys player.

Tell you the truth, if it was me, I would start looking for a good vocalist but even if I did find a good one, I'd still replace the keys player. People who are not easy to work with are NOT going places--period.

Even if you got Geddy Lee to do your vocals sooner or later, this keyboard player would find another way to throw a stick in your spokes. Someone somewhere is going to reject you guys from moving onto the next level because this guy is too stubborn.

And look, man, I feel for the guy. I really do. I was a keys player for years! I was in a band that was having trouble and when the guys started to fling poo at me, one day I got really pissed and I told them all, "Look! I'm a keyboard player...I don't need ANY of you. I can sequence everything, play my own basslines, and use a drum machine! So you can all go to hell!"
Not the best thing I could have said and our band ended up making up after that; but the point is, I'm sure the guy BELIEVES deep down that he doesn't HAVE TO compromise because he's a keys player with writing skills.

My sister is an incredible singer, but she's reached a point where she can't get any gigs because NO ONE will play with her (me included)! People who are hard to work with never get anywhere. If you stick with this guy, you're going to end up stuck in a rut, man.
I'm sorry but I believe it's just that plain. :(

No offense to the genre either; I'm probably ignorant about what sells but I don't know of any prog-rock groups getting any signing deals. I'm not sure that's really been big since the late 70's/early 80's. I would have liked to hear a sample of your stuff on MySpace but I didn't hear any music on there. I think I'm missing a plugin or something.
If you want to move your fingers a little bit, you might just go ahead with the Gospel and Jazz stuff you're thinking about. Gospel and Motown are very similar and James Jamerson was all over the frets (well, the ones below the 7th anyway).
 

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