Starting to get a bad feeling about my band ...

For the past 3 months, I've been rehearsing with a drummer and an organ player, as part of a funk project. The organ player is really into the Meters, and the drummer Galactic, so you get the idea. I really like playing with the drummer. One of those funky cats that only needs a snare, a floor tom converted into a bass drum, and some cymbals to really hold it down. The organ player is pretty good too, as long as the material doesn't get too jazzy.

Unfortunately, I'm wondering if this project will ever really get off the ground.

Problem 1: We practice only once per week (at best), and IMHO, we're not getting tight enough fast enough this way. The drummer has a 2 year old, so 1 practice per week is all he can currently handle (or so he says). My feeling is we need to go to 2 practices per week if we want to gig anytime soon.

Problem 2: The project is supposed to include a guitar player and a sax player, but the other guys don't want to enlist these players until after we 'master' the setlist. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me, as presumably, these guys would want some input into song selection, and they need the rehearsal time with the rest of the band too.

Problem 3: So far we are only doing Meters and Galactic covers, but want to do originals. I write tunes, but I think they are too jazz fusiony for the keyboard player (professes not to be able to solo over jazz changes).

I'm beginning to think that this project is doomed to a lifetime of infinite practice and no gigging. I enjoy the playing, but am starting to think that I need to find another project with musicians a bit more committed.

Your advice?

 

... amazingly it somehow is all right on. I've told the other guys that I'm anxious to add the other players, and that I'd like to practice twice a week, so its on the table.

The practice is in my home studio, so it couldn't be lower maintenance. And of course, playing bass in this style can be a lot of fun. Until I run out of bandwidth, there is no reason to quit, even if it ends up being a glorified weekly jam.

So I think it is indeed time to start a new project. Stay tuned for a thread soliciting your collective advice on this ...