• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

People quitting left and right?

#42
buldog5151bass said:
It tends to go in waves. But maybe get one band solid before you get going in 3...
Click to expand...
Ha, wish that was easy. Have three mediocre ones, two others I'm kinda half in, and working on putting together another gigging band today :rollno:. If I ever get "good enough" I'll cut back LOL - but for now I need the challenge :) .

My one "best" band recently replaced the lead singer, horn players, and keyboard player :facepalm: and with 8 or 9 onstage 300 bucks don't go far :( .
 
#44
I had a guy quit on me 5 days before a 40 date US tour. His dad had a stroke. I wound up hiring a fan of the band who lived 600 miles away. We got through it. Bottom line is, if there's something worth doing -you'll find a way to do it. But perhaps stick to one band at a time. I'm guessing there are more great beers in Belgium than there are good gigs. No need to spread yourself out so thin. That said, I loved our shows in Antwerp and Kontich in 2007/2008.
 
#45
Antwerp's always had a good live scene, AFAIK. Glad you liked it.

In truth, I would LOVE to be in just 1 band. But somehow I always end up in several at a time. In this case band #1 rehearsed 8 times in 2016, and did 1 gig (as a trio) so I started looking for something to add to this. Founded band #2 with the drummer from band #1, and a singer we both know. Since we needed a guitar player, we placed an add. After one rehearsal, this guy asked if I wanted to try out for his band. And bingo, I am in band #3.

Truth be told, I have less and less desire for band #3. The guy's really gifted (and fires drummers at random) but my heart's not in it and I know where they are taking this band. Since there is currently no singer, no drummer and no plans for rehearsal I consider it non-existent. If the situation remains the same for a few days (i.e. no mention of potential auditions) I will tell them I am out.

As to the comment somewhere above, about the others not wanting to work with someone who is in multiple bands: I made it clear to every one I play with that I am not the exclusive type (I have a girlfriend for that arrangement) and that I expect everyone to learn their parts at home, so rehearsals can be used to rehearse and not practise. It worked for bands #2 and #3. Band #1 was going nowhere fast, but that's a story all by itself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oddly
#46
firing people at random is nothing you want to be a part of it, unless the firing is done by James Brown - and he's dead. Even then, he had entire bands quit on him for being a cheap dictator.
 
#49
SmokinJoe992 said:
Could you combine what is left of the 3 bands into one band?
Click to expand...

That's a great idea. I got out my calculator and still couldn't figure out what we're left with.

Let's see....

We only have the singer from band 2. Otherwise band one seems to be intact. So take band 2 singer and put him in band one. Make the guitarist from bands 2 and 3 who no longer has time for 2 a defensive back. His hands aren't what he claimed anyway. Then you put the singer from 3 (I think he quit) at shortstop. I'll cover the front and you go around back in case they run out.

Whew. Glad we cleared that up. We made some great progress at this meeting people. Thanks for your attention and participation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blackjac97, Thumb n Fingers and Oddly
#51
EddiePlaysBass said:
Right, up until yesterday I was in three bands:

- Band 1: all friends, used to be my main gig. We'd split 6 years ago (after a 7-year stint) and got together last year.
- Band 2: my new project, great guitarist + drummer of Band 1
- Band 3: new project of the guitarist of band 2, who asked me to participate. I brought on board a singer from a band I was in last year.

Last week, the guitarist of bands 2 and 3 told me that he has no more time for band 2. Fair enough. We have a replacement lined up.

Yesterday the singer of band 3 texts me saying he doesn't "feel" band 3, so he quits. As a result of that, the guitarist fired the drummer (I wish I was kidding).

Just a minute ago, the singer of band 1 texts me saying he can't handle the hours because of work. Fair enough, although in practice it boils down to(1 one-hour practice every 2 months ...

So I went from 3 fully functional bands to having one where I need a new guitarist and one where I need a drummer and a singer.
Click to expand...
Good thing you have 3 "casual" bands to choose from.

I love the guys in my town who play in 6 bands each and fake their way through songs with all of them.
 
#52
fhm555 said:
You laugh. I once played in a band with a vocalist (he was 32) who lived in a pup tent in his folks back yard. They let him in the house once a week to clean up.
Click to expand...

I played with a sax player many moons ago that lived in the second floor of what could have passed as a bombed out German building from WWII. Literally.

He was out of water for a week at one point and came over to my apartment to hose off. I said next time he didn't have to wait a week to ask to use my facilities.
 
#54
It was 2012 when I take my music more serious. Bought a Fender Sting Signature. Just graduating from high school, formed my first band with some friends.

I'm one band at a time guy, so when something didn't work out with my first band, I quit. Not long enough until some folks from my campus asked me to formed a new band.

That's the best band I ever played with. Two guitarists that can change who played rhythm and lead, and both singers. The drummer and I have a great connection!!!

But, me and my drummer have some issues with one of our frontman. That makes him slowly disbanded the band to focus on his education. We're on hiatus for almost a year.

At that time, the other frontman have a side project. He's more focus with that, and quitting our band. Me and my drummer finally make an agreement, this band wouldn't work without them.

After that I joined my brother's band, but just don't get the "zing", so I quit weeks later. At that time, I'm giving up on music. Sold my Fender (which I regret) and only keeping an amp and my 1st cheap bass just for fun.

Almost 6 months ago, I'm playing with some people and thinking I've got the feeling again. After some saving, I ordered a Sire V7 (it'll come on early may).

I really miss my second band, especially the drummer. Should I contacted them? Or should I formed a new band? Or just give an answer to those who wants me to join their band?
 
Last edited:
#55
obimark said:
Good thing you have 3 "casual" bands to choose from.

I love the guys in my town who play in 6 bands each and fake their way through songs with all of them.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by "casual" bands, nor the comment that follows. If you mean to imply I fake my way through the repertoire:

EddiePlaysBass said:
I made it clear to every one I play with that I am not the exclusive type (I have a girlfriend for that arrangement) and that I expect everyone to learn their parts at home, so rehearsals can be used to rehearse and not practise. It worked for bands #2 and #3. Band #1 was going nowhere fast, but that's a story all by itself.
Click to expand...
 
#58
I think modern day stress could be driving people away from music. For me, i tend to be so mentally exhausted most days after work, that the idea of engaging in music and exercising mental creativity isn't always appealing. I actually just quit a project myself, because just didn't have the energy for it anymore when considering my day job and a couple other projects i am in. While i'll miss the band, i know i'll be better off having that free time back for my own mental sanity.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back