Not tolerated as a musician

[Jeff Roller]

This is strictly a rhetorical question, but what do you do with yourself when involved with musicians who aren't interested in stretching their abilities? I got dressed down tonight for suggesting the drummer withfrain from a 4/4 rock beat over the top of a "yacht rock" ballad. Got downright hateful about it. Of course theres more to the story, and I don't feel like vomiting it all out here tonight...

The only question for me is do I stick to it and play the gigs (they stay booked regularly), or do I go out and have fun playing with guys who work less often but play with passion and spontenaity and have some real fun?

Like I said, rhetorical, but wondering if others hold their nose and collect the steady work?

 

[jallenbass]

If you can't stand it, get out. If you can come to terms with it, stay in. That's what I would do anyhow.

 

[PauFerro]

This is strictly a rhetorical question, but what do you do with yourself when involved with musicians who aren't interested in stretching their abilities? I got dressed down tonight for suggesting the drummer withfrain from a 4/4 rock beat over the top of a "yacht rock" ballad. Got downright hateful about it. Of course theres more to the story, and I don't feel like vomiting it all out here tonight...

The only question for me is do I stick to it and play the gigs (they stay booked regularly), or do I go out and have fun playing with guys who work less often but play with passion and spontenaity and have some real fun?

Like I said, rhetorical, but wondering if others hold their nose and collect the steady work?

Couple thoughts -- everyone has a threshold beyond which they can't be pushed. When that threshold is reached, you're not upset about losing the benefits of being in the band by quitting. I was in that position a few years ago. 80's band whose sound I loved. But the personalities were stubborn, insulting, nasty, and wouldn't progress musicically. Eventually, I crossed my threshold and quit. The band went on to play a couple high profile locations (name up in lights on a Marquee etcetera) and it still didn't bother me as the threshold had been reached. So, the litmus test is whether you are at the point you wouldn't be upset if you left all the benefits you get from the band behind you and quit.

It also sounds like there are underlying issues not found in the opening post that are contributing to this angst, which is only part of the story. So I would consider those things.

Bottom line, if you've tried your best to influence the people to change, and they won't, you know it's time to quit when you don't feel upset about leaving it behind anymore....when I quit, greener pastures opened up that I never believed possible. I am so happy now and largely drama free. What drama has come to the fore has been manageable.

 

[dreamadream99]

This old wisdom still applies to every “should I quit?” thread:

There are three reasons to play a gig: the money, the music, or the comradery.

• If you have all three, stay.
• If you have only one, quit.
• If you have two, your choice

 

[oldrocker]

Withfrain? No sure, the drummer should or shouldn't be playing 4/4?

 

[Stumbo]

Both

 

[Bassbeater]

I'm stuck at "yacht rock" ballad. I can offer nothing of value.
Am I allowed to put "yacht" in front of any genre? That would be a game changer.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I’ll admit I’m a fan of a good and bouncy Yacht Polka myself.

 

[Skybone]

The only "Yacht Rock" song I can think of is The Beach Boys "Sloop John B", not sure if it's a ballad though.

 

[Bassbeater]

Everybody knows you can't play a barnacle blues beat over a yacht rock ballad.

 

[buldog5151bass]

What is the reason you are playing - gig, money, love of music, what? I understand your frustrations, but is the alternative playing good music in your garage?

 

[Wisebass]

The only question for me is do I stick to it and play the gigs (they stay booked regularly), or do I go out and have fun playing with guys who work less often but play with passion and spontenaity and have some real fun?

Hi Jeff Roller

When you don' t need the bucks, stop to play with @$$holes!

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[DirtDog]

The only "Yacht Rock" song I can think of is The Beach Boys "Sloop John B", not sure if it's a ballad though.

That’s more of a sea shanty than yacht rock. Or maybe it’s a f$&k song?

 

[saabfender]

Moving on from a stagnant music situation is cause enough for me. I’ll work with dickheads if I feel I’m getting something out of it musically. I’d have to be making really tall cash to put up with both of those.

 

[AdamR]

I just left a band for the same reason basically. Myself and the guitarist wanted to write a bit more technical music. Second guitarist and drummer wanted to take the easy road so they didn't have to work on the music on non-rehearsal nights. God forbid you have to actually practice on your own.

 

[bassliner50]

We play "yacht klezmer" occasionally. (No really.)

 

[Jeff Roller]

Thanks for all the response.

I've been fortunate to have been in several bands where I scored the trifecta "money, music and hang", this project at most ticks 1.5 of the boxes at different times. I do have options with other projects, but the current one demands most of my time and commitment, which is in short supply.

At my age, the law of diminishing returns applies, it's way too much work and effort if you're not having fun.

I know what needs to be done, I'm just venting.

 

[Jeff Roller]

We were rehearsing some songs specifically requested for a wedding, the song in question fell under this category in my mind.

"Yacht rock (originally known as the West Coast Sound or adult-oriented rock) is a broad music style and aesthetic identified with soft rock. Yacht rock was one of the commercially successful genres of its era, existing between the late 1970s and early 1980s."

 

[saabfender]

Do you have to wear Sperry Topsiders to play Yacht Rock?

 

[Bassbeater]

So Yacht Rock is basically Cardigan Metal then?