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Problem with 2 bands

D

Dub Wood

Sep 11, 2009
59
0
Lubbock Texas
#1
I need some advice from you experienced guys out there.

Hard Rock Original Band

Pros:
Love the Music
Small Crowds but Great Crowds
Played some on the radio regionally
Just Fun to be in
All good friends
All good musicians
If we do "get signed" it will be national

Cons:
Not alot of my ideas get taken into consideration untill it's too late
Bad Travel Conditions ie. van that may or may not get there
It costs money to play



Texas Country Band

Pros:
Love the music
Guys are good musicians and friends
I get payed to play
Travel is pretty good always have a place to sleep
Things seem to be going in a direction i like
Recorded a new ep that radio promoters are very interested in

Cons:
Basically one guys writes lyrics and chords and the band makes it music (not really a horrible thing)
The most likely thing that would happen is popular throughout the southwest.



I have been in the Rock band for 4 plus years and i started playing in the country band about 2 years later. I kept both going for a while but it seems now shows are conflicting a little. Both bands are growing stronger but i see the country band having better luck generally. It just feels like I've been with these guys so long that if i quit something will happen with them and i will lose some friends.

Overall the question is should i stay with the rock band and keep my fingers crossed or go with the band that looks more promising to me.

Maybe i'm just being a bitch or maybe i just need therapy (ha) but let me know what you think.
 
#2
I think it depends on a lot of things. If you don't need the money, want to have fun, aren't too picky about travel conditions, etc, then I'd go with the hard rock band. Can't judge you without hearing your band play, but I do know this - the odds may be against you, but if you do make it big, you'll make it B-I-G!

Myself, I'd go with the country band. It might or might not make it as big as the hard rock band, but it seems a bit steadier to me. And if you're going to travel all over the place, being comfortable is a really big plus. And, you're getting paid, and as Charlie Sheen would say, that's "winning"!

And don't worry about you friends, worry about Number One! ;)
 
#4
To me it's pretty evident that the Country band has more going for it, both short and long term.

I would prioritize them and give up the Rock outfit if necessary... especially since it appears from your descriptions that you actually have more creative input into the Country band than you do the Rock one.

And BTW the whole "getting signed" thing isn't what it used to be, and it's happening less and less all the time.
 
#5
Marginal Tom said:
Finding a sub for one band or the other shouldn't be impossible. I'd at least explore the possibility with both bands before I quit either one. Murphy's Law says you'll pick the band that fails, whichever one you choose.
Click to expand...

Whatever band you pick give the other band plenty of notice if possible. Maybe even help find a replacement if you're plugged in to the local scene and know other players. Then follow you gut feelings and play what gives you what you need out of music. I had a friend in the 80's who quit a band just making their first EP because he had a kid on the way and needed "a paying gig". Well that band is still playing areanas & festivals today, the other "paying" gig, not so much. So follow your gut and don't burn bridges. And good luck.
 
#6
Strav, I think the country band seems like a better deal as well.

Tom, The reason this rant came about is because my dumbass double booked myself and my backup couldn't make it. I have been playing with both bands for a while now but it's spreading me thin. And why did you have to go and throw in Murphy's law you jerk. Ha Ha

Jaywa, I know that "getting signed" isn't what it used to be. Indeed it can be pretty sketchy. i used to think that it was all butterflies and flowers untill i read, "All You Need To Know About The Music Industry." BTW good book.

Thanks guys
 
#8
Unless both bands are gigging 4-6 times a month, as long as stuff is scheduled in advance, you should be good. Don't let one setback make you think you have to give one of them up. Now that you've had this obstacle, you have a better idea of what you need to do to. And once you get this down, you may find yourself joining a 3rd band.:eek:;)
 
#9
I'm all for hedging bets via multiple bands whenever possible... but if one of the OP's bands takes off they are going to require a full-time commitment and at that point it will either be go all-in to that one band or lose the gig to a bassist who's willing to make that commitment. This might be a case where it's easier (and more fair to both bands) if the OP makes that decision sooner than later.

Another possibility might be to give priority to the Country band but let the Rock band know you are available as a sub in a case of dire need and as long as it doesn't conflict with anything the Country band has going on. This would allow you to keep a bit of a hand in the Rock band vs. quitting cold turkey although again I think a clean break from the Rock band would be preferable and is probably more fair to whomever they hire to replace you as well.
 

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