Overloaded myself and it got sketchy.. Any tips?

[lokikallas]

I don't see the problem here. I suppose the only real issue is your lack of a back up plan, but that's your life to worry about. Unless you have too much material to learn in too little time, or constant schedule conflicts rock on. I'd drop band A first, because it sounds like the biggest money sink.

 

[Short-scale]

I'm in 2 working bands and the praise band at church. The calender on my phone has been helpful so far....

Being in more than1 band can be challenging but also rewarding.

 

[BusyFingers]

Mind you, this advice is in light of the fact that you are getting session gigs.

Drop Band A like a hot potato. It's over, move on and appreciate the memories.

Drob Band B. It's not your band. You'll always be known as their umpteenth bassist to them and it doesn't really sound like they're as dedicated as you really want to be, anyway, considering the only thing that's kept them from making more albums is an inconsistent bassist.

Cultivate your Band C opportunity and continue to do session gigs.

Unless, you really, really, really love the rock band thing. Then you can keep B or drop B and do C until you get D (your own rock band).

 

[bdplaid]

OK, rambling response ahead:

You want make music your career... The bad news is that you have to look at the business side of it first, and this is complicated, far more complicated than just figuring out which of three bands to play in. It involves PR, professional associations, work ethic, media law, yadda yadda. And then depending on your flavor of music, you might have to find the time to keep up chops. And after all that there is ZERO guarantee. It's a tough, grueling, sh!tee, sh!tee business. But get an agent, for both work and press; they might be two different people.

Having said this, Band A needs to address the business issues if you want to go anywhere. If they are unwilling, then that's your fun project, period.

Band B, might be a lot of smoke and mirrors. Or not. Tough to know, But I agree with others, the lure of great players is very strong. In their case, however, I might prefer to be on salary for the duration of a tour, and us it for my CV/resume.

I agree with others that band C is a no-brainer, if for no other reason than you control it; you control the business end.

Others have said get promises in writing; very true. And not just that, but it kind of doesn't matter what the bands themselves decide; I'd want to talk with, or at least meet and listen to, whoever is doing the business and what's the plan, and what's concrete. And in the music biz, at least my part of it, probably only 1/4 of what is concrete actually exists and comes to fruition. There are just so many nutjobs in this business it's frightening.

Do studio work, for sure, and if it were me I'd prioritize it. You'll meet more people and get your name around the fastest this way.

I'd be looking at a career long-term, not just in a band. My model for this is Pino Palladino. I don't know him, but looking at his career, one can see a crazy amount of sessions, tours with all kinds of people, and a name that's as big as anyone. And there are others... Lee Sklar, Will Lee, Chris Pratt, these guys have made it in the music biz, and clearly they take the business end of it VERY seriously.

There's a ton of ways to approach your dilemma, and you really should talk with someone face-to-face about what each band offers as an opportunity. This is why you need an agent.

And of course, this is all just my opinion.

Good luck!

 

[DavC]

is the serious girlfriend in band C . ? that is what you seem to enjoy playing the most .. ! and it pays .. !!
win , win , win ... plus the session gigs here and there ... or maybe teach lessons .. ?

i gave up offers to tour with older kinda one hit wonders ... woulda been a great stepping stone ...

but i decided to stay around home to be mr mom during the day, for the first few years ... and play full time 6 nights a week ... then when the kid was old enough for school = daytime job / night time job ... running all over the state of Ohio ...

do what feels right for your situation , ... including the bigger picture

 

[Groove Doctor]

Look at WHAT IS and don't be seduced by WHAT MIGHT BE.
- How many gigs does each band do in a year?
- How much do you make/lose with each band?
- You're either a band leader, hired hand, or a volunteer. Be honest with yourself.
- Learn to say NO.
- Learn when to cut your losses.
- Learn when you're being taken advantage of.



My opinion...
- What Band A means to you, that's what Band B means to them.
- Churning thru 15 bass players? I'd talk with a few of the previous bass players and get the real story behind it.
- It's easy to get a fill-in for a paying gig. Only Band C has that option, plus you love it so definitely stay in that band.

 

[monsterthompson]

Your sketchy situation is your strength. Your demand gives you leverage for dealing with each of these bands. Do what pays the bills. If one of the bands isn't gonna put up dollars to show their interest, then tell them you've got too many other paying gigs, and you can't fill your gas tank with exposure, opportunity, and hope.

 

[pcake]

band A - they're your buddies. keep playing with them till you can't, but don't make them the priority.

band B - are you gigging with them at all, and if so, do you get paid? do you have a written contract spelling out the money, the arrangements (who pays for accommodations and travel, for example) and other stuff regarding this tour? to me, a band that has churned through that many bass players (or any other type of musician, for that matter) isn't a secure bet. they either hire wrong bass players and drop them or they're horrible to work with or they don't do what they say they do.

band c - sounds like a winner. fun, satisfying and pays.

if you want to make a living playing music, you need paying work. that's the bottom line. hopefully you can love what you play and enjoy the hang, and that's all good, but money is what pays the rent. bands that get paid often include those that do corporate and wedding stuff. but any band that is actually getting paid is one where you'll also get paid.

and sure, sessions and backup can be very good. even if a solo artist pays you to back him in rehearsal, it's good.

best of luck on whatever you decide to do.

 

[bdplaid]

Man, there's good advice in this tread. Wish I had seen this 30 years ago.

 

[filmtex]

If your ready to start making music a career, you'll need to start thinking less about what might make the "band" a success and more of what will make YOU a success. Getting paid for your efforts is part of that.

Yep. My calendar can get quite complicated once I add in all the shows for the 4 bands I'm currently working with. The one "original" band has yielded the most expenses and least income and is seriously on the botom of my priority list. In term of gigs, I generally use the "first-come, first-served" method and there really has to be some payoff for me to work the show. I will allow for engagements that pay a bit less than my normal amount, just to keep busy, but at the end of the day, if I'm going to be away from home- it's gotta pay. This is a business for me now, played for fun in the 70's, started making a pretty good income in the 80's and 90's, and now-good hang, good money, good music, gotta have at least two for sure!