If that photo is based on a chick you got with then I think you are Lord Datassian and I bow before you!!!
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Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out
- Thread starter Korladis
- Start date
If that photo is based on a chick you got with then I think you are Lord Datassian and I bow before you!!!
sorry, it's supposed to be natalie portman's head on some young russian model's body
Lol.
I don't think Catapult has ever completely broke even. Though we did make enough money at a few dates of the tour to get us to the next dates. And we did make enough in shows to reduce our out of pocket rent one month.
Fire him. The guitarist who won't play in tune or in key. We have three guitarists (sometimes) in Catapult, and sometimes they're all in different tunings, but they do play in tune and in key with each other.
Also, why do you have two keyboardists?
Nah, just one too many. One keys player is fine. Depending on the keys player.
Tonight's practice assured me that we're not as close to recording that first demo as I thought.
The good thing is, the two tracks we've got amount to some 15 minutes of material and (at least in my opinion) are pretty solid.
The third one, though... it might really take some time until we finally make it. Lots of riffs being played, but none seem to stick for longer.
Kinda bummed, some of them were pretty cool.
There. Sorry guys, I had to vent my mild frustration.
Also: guitarist is going surfing again, next week we're gonna pretend we're om, only bass and drums practice
The good thing is, the two tracks we've got amount to some 15 minutes of material and (at least in my opinion) are pretty solid.
The third one, though... it might really take some time until we finally make it. Lots of riffs being played, but none seem to stick for longer.
Kinda bummed, some of them were pretty cool.
There. Sorry guys, I had to vent my mild frustration.
Also: guitarist is going surfing again, next week we're gonna pretend we're om, only bass and drums practice
We tend to record demos as we write. Which is done separately from rehearsal. But we're weird and do things in weird ways.Tonight's practice assured me that we're not as close to recording that first demo as I thought.
The good thing is, the two tracks we've got amount to some 15 minutes of material and (at least in my opinion) are pretty solid.
The third one, though... it might really take some time until we finally make it. Lots of riffs being played, but none seem to stick for longer.
Kinda bummed, some of them were pretty cool.
There. Sorry guys, I had to vent my mild frustration.
Also: guitarist is going surfing again, next week we're gonna pretend we're om, only bass and drums practice
I swear, why the heck do 90% of the interesting sounding bands practice way the hell out west?!?!?!
West coast doom, yo.
Actually, at the Portland show, after we finished, our guitarist heard someone in the audience go "shagin Oakland, man."
Alright, well here's a quick rundown of the group that may or may not survive into next week since some of you seem interested:
Bass - Me, obviously. I am perfect. (Also obviously.) In all seriousness, I write a majority of the material, say 70-80%. I also own the practice space, which is in my basement. I literally built a room and wired it up specifically for a practice space. It is by far the BEST we've ever had. In addition, I manage the sparse FB page, upload any songs we've put up, distribute recordings we've done so others can practice on their own time (which they still refuse to do), and generally manage the day to day stuff as well as spearhead and finance most of the gear for the band, i.e. PA and drum mics for recording. The others do help to pay for them, but it's on their own time, and I'm the only one who actually looks for the stuff, buys it, assembles it etc. In the off chance that I have to cancel a practice, I give numerous weeks of notice, excepting the recent incident where my wife's grandpa died and I HAD to do stuff with that. Which I find to be acceptable.
Rhythm Guitar - Good friend of mine. He writes about 15-20% of our material. Typically he'll add guitar variations on top of my bass/guitar structures and help to flesh out some melodies and leads. He also understands that we can play different tunings and be in tune. He and I are the most broad-scoped of the musicians and just want to play. We both practice incessantly. He knows his gear, knows what works in a mix, and is an all round good guy. No problems with him at all. If/when one of us leaves, the other is coming with. Which will likely be soon.
Keyboardist 1/Vocalist - I really have no beef with him either. I like him, a good guy. He's got two kids that occasionally keep him from practice, but it's not often at all, and he gives notice. My only slight complaints are that I'd like him to try and sing heavier, which to his credit he has attempted, and to use keys more as an accent and not another lead guitar. He often wants to play keys over everything, which is a bit much. But I could handle that if they were a bit less lead-y all the time. I'm cool with keyboard leads, but we need dynamics. Me and guitarist 1 are always pushing for dynamics, but no one else really seems to get it.
Lead Guitar - A really great guy. Great person. Have nothing bad to say about him personally, but he just won't play in tune. Bought a 7 string to play in tune with us, brought it to practice once, played it for about 15 min., put it down and never saw it again. Recently sold it to guitarist 1 as a backup. Can't seem to remember licks he's written seconds after playing them, which is kinda weird. Likes to play fast, doesn't get melody or dynamics.
Drummer - Paranoid. Conspiracy nut. Prefers to stay off the grid so no one can track him. That probably says enough, but here are specifics. Won't call anybody. Lives with the lead guitarist, but still doesn't communicate what's happening. Disappeared for about 2 months with no reason. Can't keep time or a consistent fill on parts of songs, then blames everyone else for not coming in on time when it's different every time. During recording told me that he was on time, but the metronome was off. Insists that we "Gotta go to NAMM and get sponsored. Then you get free gear." Will not be dissuaded otherwise. Has also said he's just in it to get sponsors. On top of all of this, he can't keep a job and is expecting his first kid in February. He already can't afford to replace drum heads and has a spotty attendance record. Also likes to play fast on everything. Claims to "know people" to get us gigs, and will "go to venues" to get us a gig, but has done neither in the past 2 months.
Keyboard 2 - Again a fun guy, but terrible musician. Can't play keys, doesn't practice keys, has said he doesn't enjoy keys. But inexplicably wants to play keys in this band. Me and guitarist 1 have tried to kick him out repeatedly, but everyone else likes him too much as a friend. Which I get, but he isn't contributing anything. He's a great artist, so we've tried to get him to do art or something for us, but he won't. Whenever we try to bring up the issue of him leaving, everyone supports him and we look like jerks. When he's not at practice (which is often), everyone openly acknowledges he's not that good and should leave, but only me and guitarist 1 will do anything about it.
Long story short - I like these guys as people, but they're a terrible band to be in. I've been busting my butt for forever, and getting nowhere. I'm tired of it.
Bass - Me, obviously. I am perfect. (Also obviously.) In all seriousness, I write a majority of the material, say 70-80%. I also own the practice space, which is in my basement. I literally built a room and wired it up specifically for a practice space. It is by far the BEST we've ever had. In addition, I manage the sparse FB page, upload any songs we've put up, distribute recordings we've done so others can practice on their own time (which they still refuse to do), and generally manage the day to day stuff as well as spearhead and finance most of the gear for the band, i.e. PA and drum mics for recording. The others do help to pay for them, but it's on their own time, and I'm the only one who actually looks for the stuff, buys it, assembles it etc. In the off chance that I have to cancel a practice, I give numerous weeks of notice, excepting the recent incident where my wife's grandpa died and I HAD to do stuff with that. Which I find to be acceptable.
Rhythm Guitar - Good friend of mine. He writes about 15-20% of our material. Typically he'll add guitar variations on top of my bass/guitar structures and help to flesh out some melodies and leads. He also understands that we can play different tunings and be in tune. He and I are the most broad-scoped of the musicians and just want to play. We both practice incessantly. He knows his gear, knows what works in a mix, and is an all round good guy. No problems with him at all. If/when one of us leaves, the other is coming with. Which will likely be soon.
Keyboardist 1/Vocalist - I really have no beef with him either. I like him, a good guy. He's got two kids that occasionally keep him from practice, but it's not often at all, and he gives notice. My only slight complaints are that I'd like him to try and sing heavier, which to his credit he has attempted, and to use keys more as an accent and not another lead guitar. He often wants to play keys over everything, which is a bit much. But I could handle that if they were a bit less lead-y all the time. I'm cool with keyboard leads, but we need dynamics. Me and guitarist 1 are always pushing for dynamics, but no one else really seems to get it.
Lead Guitar - A really great guy. Great person. Have nothing bad to say about him personally, but he just won't play in tune. Bought a 7 string to play in tune with us, brought it to practice once, played it for about 15 min., put it down and never saw it again. Recently sold it to guitarist 1 as a backup. Can't seem to remember licks he's written seconds after playing them, which is kinda weird. Likes to play fast, doesn't get melody or dynamics.
Drummer - Paranoid. Conspiracy nut. Prefers to stay off the grid so no one can track him. That probably says enough, but here are specifics. Won't call anybody. Lives with the lead guitarist, but still doesn't communicate what's happening. Disappeared for about 2 months with no reason. Can't keep time or a consistent fill on parts of songs, then blames everyone else for not coming in on time when it's different every time. During recording told me that he was on time, but the metronome was off. Insists that we "Gotta go to NAMM and get sponsored. Then you get free gear." Will not be dissuaded otherwise. Has also said he's just in it to get sponsors. On top of all of this, he can't keep a job and is expecting his first kid in February. He already can't afford to replace drum heads and has a spotty attendance record. Also likes to play fast on everything. Claims to "know people" to get us gigs, and will "go to venues" to get us a gig, but has done neither in the past 2 months.
Keyboard 2 - Again a fun guy, but terrible musician. Can't play keys, doesn't practice keys, has said he doesn't enjoy keys. But inexplicably wants to play keys in this band. Me and guitarist 1 have tried to kick him out repeatedly, but everyone else likes him too much as a friend. Which I get, but he isn't contributing anything. He's a great artist, so we've tried to get him to do art or something for us, but he won't. Whenever we try to bring up the issue of him leaving, everyone supports him and we look like jerks. When he's not at practice (which is often), everyone openly acknowledges he's not that good and should leave, but only me and guitarist 1 will do anything about it.
Long story short - I like these guys as people, but they're a terrible band to be in. I've been busting my butt for forever, and getting nowhere. I'm tired of it.
@kleinenenten New band w/guitarist 1. Get new drummer. Sing if ye can, add vocalist if ye must. MIDI trigger the synths. You keep all the songwriters & stay nimble w/three musicians.
Of course, I'm biased toward power trios and have muddled around in five piece bands for years. I'll never go back (yeah right).
Of course, I'm biased toward power trios and have muddled around in five piece bands for years. I'll never go back (yeah right).
*** is it about drummers? I've rarely worked with one that was mentally stable.
Man, I have been there.
Can I ask what your chief aim is? Is it to DIY record/release and tour around a little? Something bigger?
Sounds like you're driving the bus in this band.
Definitely bring this dude along to whatever you end up doing. Sounds like you have a pretty solid songwriting team going with him.
This dude could be good to bring along, too. Maybe try to get him to fill more the rhythm guitar role than the lead guitar one with lots of chords, ala Deep Purple.
This dude seems to be worthless as a bandmate. Playing in tune is number one. Also, likes to play fast? Wrong for the genre. Especially with his lack of understanding of dynamics. Ditch his ass.
Let me guess... since he lives off the grid, he probably does zero promo? Also, good luck getting sponsored without any social media presence. Sounds like a complete idiot. He should have been fired when he disappeared for two months. And can't keep time, to boot? Why are you playing with this schmuck? Another person who likes to play fast? Wrong for the genre as well.
It can be nice having keys in the band, but never have a bad keyboardist. There are enough keyboard players that you should never put up with a bad one. Don't bother with him.
Start something else with guitarist 1 and maybe keyboardist/vocalist 1.
I'm always extremely skeptical of any drummer that isn't already in at least one other band. To me that's a red flag.
In Catapult, I've been lucky and worked with three sane drummers. First one had to leave because he was moving far away for work. Second one couldn't afford both being in our band and his other bands. We're on our third one now, and he seems like he's going to last longer. Great dude, good drummer, easy to work with, has a steady job and a car, and also used to be a mechanic.
My main goal is to just play out. I realize that I will likely never make it big or anything. Play shows, record some stuff, eventually make an album or something maybe. Maybe minor touring WAY out in the future. Nothing huge. I'd be fine staying local, I just want some people to want it like I do, instead of just claiming they do.
Yeah the whole "go to NAMM, get endorsed" thing? That's not how it works. Everyone there is too damn busy and the place is FULL off really talented musicians. I'm sure you know this already.
Also, very few endorsees get free gear, they get discounts, and even those aren't that impressive.
Also, very few endorsees get free gear, they get discounts, and even those aren't that impressive.
Man just work for the MAN and try to keep him down man, namm is what you make of it... I've been to namm... I know... The horror... The horror
