I've been in the same band off and on for about 20 years or so. In the last year we have played more shows this year than in the last 13 years or so. The thing is anytime we start to get a little busy, one member of the band starts being unavailable for gigs, practice you name it. We were offered 5 shows at a bar in town, for good money. We could only do two of them because, this member being unavailable. So we have two more shows for the rest of the year and after that I think the band is done, at least I'm done with it. I don't want to play 4 or 5 times a month, I'm happy with 3 a month. I still have passion for the music, I go out and see bands occasionally and that gets me inspired. I would like to play with musicians who can still get inspired. I'm not sure what to do next. I guess this is mostly a rant, sorry about that.
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I have been in a band for four years, same three guys. We seem to be in a cyclical thing where we get gigs, get busy, start playing tight then one member will start getting flack from his wife about missing out on other things because he is booked for a gig and then he backs off and we don't book any gigs or even practice. Then we will get back together and start practicing again and he will get excited and want to start getting some gigs. Doesn't help that he and his wife do not keep a family calendar so they could book gigs while avoiding scheduling conflicts. To the point that we cancelled a gig because his spouse wanted to do something else only to remember that she had a fund raiser thing that night that her group had been working on for a year! Another time he was upset when I made him honor a commitment that he wanted to beg out of because it was his college aged son's birthday. How is that not on your calendar?
Frustrating to the other two of us because we feel we could be really good by now but the one guy keeps backing away whenever we get busy.
Frustrating to the other two of us because we feel we could be really good by now but the one guy keeps backing away whenever we get busy.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I don't know what other options are out there. Is there anyone in the band you want to continue with? Consider taking the nucleus and re-forming. Also, an established band should have a sub for most everyone.
This. For long-term success, there has to be a mutual agreement that the show must go on. A great drummer is important, but even Keith Moon and Ringo Starr were replaced by subs at one point or another.
It sounds like a band meeting is needed.
If the drummer can't manage the extra work that's coming in, and you say you yourself don't want more than 3 shows a month,
then the problem is with whoever is taking in the work and DOES want to be busier.
Getting a couple of subs on board, for you and the drummer, could be the best solution.
If the drummer can't manage the extra work that's coming in, and you say you yourself don't want more than 3 shows a month,
then the problem is with whoever is taking in the work and DOES want to be busier.
Getting a couple of subs on board, for you and the drummer, could be the best solution.
A sub would be a good idea, I sub for a few bands. I don't think it's worth having a sub at this point, we have already lost those gigs. The guitar player has lost his passion as well, I'm ready to start something new/different.
My personal opinion is that the guy who can't commit to dates has a lower level of commitment than you and the rest of the band do. I've found that if you really love something AND are committed to it, you will find a way to make it work.
Everybody has stuff outside of band but again, if it is a priority for someone, they will find a way to make it happen. If it's not, it will take second or third place to something else.
Band meeting should help for sure and get everyone on the same page. We use Google calendar for our band and everyone is responsible to enter blackout dates - when they are not available. Everything else is fair game for booking. You need a real good excuse to get out of it if you don't keep up your part of the calendar.
Everybody has stuff outside of band but again, if it is a priority for someone, they will find a way to make it happen. If it's not, it will take second or third place to something else.
Band meeting should help for sure and get everyone on the same page. We use Google calendar for our band and everyone is responsible to enter blackout dates - when they are not available. Everything else is fair game for booking. You need a real good excuse to get out of it if you don't keep up your part of the calendar.
I said I don't want 3 shows a month, however if I get 3 shows a month or more I will play them. So I shouldn't say that I would start turning down paying gigs.
Had this problem with a vocalist, until we found a sub. #1 hated that!! She made every practice and gig for several months, then went back to her old ways. The sub is #1 now...
