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Our Band is doing everything wrong. Should I try to fix it or just quit?
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
Generally people like blues and classic rock stuff in moderation. You have to know the target audience of the places you play in and change your set accordingly. When you're such a small local band and you want to grow bigger, then you have to play what people want to hear. If you don't care about making money or growing bigger, then who cares. Just stick with it until it's no fun anymore.
If you already gained a bad reputation, then you should consider an image change. However that can be incredibly dangerous, as that could potentially make you disappear completly from the grid. Atleast online you'd be reset to 0 and if that's how your leader gets alot of the gigs, then that might be a death sentence.
There's nothing wrong with playing loads and loads of solos, IF the people enjoy it. Meaning you'd have to have tasteful and good solos. There's a reason why people watch guitar shows which consist of basically only guitar solos the entire night. It can be quite enticing. It's just not very likely that your two guitarists there are actually that good. The way you describe it (which can be heavily biased, so I'm not trying to say anything about these guitarists specifically), it sounds like a huge egotrip.
All you really need though to start gaining a better reputation and more gigs, is to play stuff that people want to hear and not do too many experiments on stage. Some experimentation and failing is totally fine
If you already gained a bad reputation, then you should consider an image change. However that can be incredibly dangerous, as that could potentially make you disappear completly from the grid. Atleast online you'd be reset to 0 and if that's how your leader gets alot of the gigs, then that might be a death sentence.
There's nothing wrong with playing loads and loads of solos, IF the people enjoy it. Meaning you'd have to have tasteful and good solos. There's a reason why people watch guitar shows which consist of basically only guitar solos the entire night. It can be quite enticing. It's just not very likely that your two guitarists there are actually that good. The way you describe it (which can be heavily biased, so I'm not trying to say anything about these guitarists specifically), it sounds like a huge egotrip.
All you really need though to start gaining a better reputation and more gigs, is to play stuff that people want to hear and not do too many experiments on stage. Some experimentation and failing is totally fine
That’s a lot of history and perhaps some potential still there. If it were me, I’d probably call a sit down discussion and air my grievances with a clearly stated goal of wanting to improve the band. If others respond affirmatively and are genuinely willing to work on some things, then cool. If not, then you have to decide to take it or leave it as is.
I’ve had that problem with a couple of guitarists and we discussed stage volume as a band. One guitarist was willing to buy an attenuator and is receptive to me asking him to turn down during practice. The other pretends to turn his amp down and my ears ring at the end of practice. I still play with the first guitarist. I don’t play with the second guitarist because I value my hearing AND I value people working together.
And learning songs on stage in front of the audience is a horrible idea. Big no on that one!
Ask yourself: "Would I go to see a band that plays too loud, and everyone song is I-IV-V, with endless guitar solos?" If you're like me, the answer is "no."
I try to stay positive, in general--but it sounds like this band has just gone stale after all that time. Maybe it'd be possible to nudge it in a good direction, to breathe some creative life back into it, but inertia is a powerful force...
I'd agree with the folks who have said it would be good for you to get involved with other projects, and hold off on quitting this one until you're satisfied it's the right move for you to cut it loose entirely.
I'd agree with the folks who have said it would be good for you to get involved with other projects, and hold off on quitting this one until you're satisfied it's the right move for you to cut it loose entirely.
From what you say, the band, or at least the BL sees there's a problem with the bands set list, (asking the audience to pick songs) maybe you make that your starting point? Ask if the reason for calling out to the crowd is to try and shake things up and create interest. If the answer is yes, then the problem is admitted to and ways to fix it can be introduced.
I don't say it will work necessarily, bit at least you'll know you tried before you walk away.
Given you've all been together for the best part of two decades, there must be some reason you've all hung on this long. Maybe some variety of music would be possible without moving away from the bands roots completely?
Maybe some country blues type stuff, a bit of Bonnie Raitt, some southern blues rock? (what part of the country are you guys in?) There's got to be some styles that can be added to mix things up a bit. Plus maybe introduce the concept of bar friendly set lists and more festival type set lists? So the dueling lead guitarists can still spread out in certain settings?
On the other hand, maybe you're just over it?
I don't say it will work necessarily, bit at least you'll know you tried before you walk away.
Given you've all been together for the best part of two decades, there must be some reason you've all hung on this long. Maybe some variety of music would be possible without moving away from the bands roots completely?
Maybe some country blues type stuff, a bit of Bonnie Raitt, some southern blues rock? (what part of the country are you guys in?) There's got to be some styles that can be added to mix things up a bit. Plus maybe introduce the concept of bar friendly set lists and more festival type set lists? So the dueling lead guitarists can still spread out in certain settings?
On the other hand, maybe you're just over it?
Many years ago, I was playing in a pretty good blues band. We were playing at one of our regular venues one night. Start of the first set, the place is packed, there's a large group of 20-somethings out having a real good time. They're into what we're doing, which was a nice mix of blues, until we got to our mid-set slow blues. The place emptied out like a skunk had just let go on the dancefloor.
My point - if you're going to play blues and expect people to stay in the room, it better be uptempo and danceable. As said above, most of the crowd is not there to hear guitar solos.
Unless you're playing a blues festival, NO slow blooz.
We made extra effort to minimize straight up 1-4-5 12-bar songs and find good fun songs that varied from the form. Unless you're Muddy Waters, 12-bar gets real tiresome after a few songs. There's tons of great material out there.
Good luck.
Look for opportunities elsewhere and keep playing with them if possible.
Sorry for the typo.
I re-read the OP, you've been in for 18 years? Then you have a lot invested in this band and you've been along for the ride for almost two decades, so you're part of the issue. Be part of the solution, or at least give it a shot. Keep some blues in the set list but try to move to something more danceable.
fixable? maybe, maybe not --- but if you don't try: what does that say about you after 18 years in this effort? after all: you are just as responsible/culpable for letting this go on, in this way, for almost two decades!
it isn't an "it is what it is" circumstance if you speak up and make an attempt --- you must communicate! speaking up doesn't guarantee an outcome, but it does change the dynamics, at the very least for yourself, going forward.
you're kidding, right? you post a thread on TB to "talk about it" with internet strangers, but you wouldn't bring it up to the cats you've been jamming with for 18 years?
talk to your bandmates for gawdz sake --- good luck!
and don't forget to follow up with us: your thread!
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I'm guessing 18 years ago their format was way more popular. Blues had a big resurgence right before that. During the late 90s even Clapton was huge again.
These days, in most areas, not so much.
My experience is that a band's success is largely due to how it makes the audience feel. Make them feel they are part of what is going on. The band is there for them.
I guarantee you that this is more of a problem than everything else combined. Calling songs you can’t play isn’t helping either, but volume is what kills crowds and retention.
Sadly, probably not fixable. Plus kinda sounds like you don’t want to be there anyway.
Maybe advertise yourself as perfect for clearing the bar after last call? Cuz it sounds like that's what your band wants to do
