The Technology Challenged

[ChrisB2]

But I did think of this, the time when a cell can really make a huge difference is when one member is running late for a gig.

Great example.

Also, I was driving to a private at a bandmates friend's house that was back a long unmarked lane and missed the lane. I had to call him to make sure where I was going. I would've hated to have had to drive back home and call from the landline.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Do you also make it a requirement that people have a land line? Of course not. Everyone knows that everyone has a landline. They're so common that implicitly assuming that someone has one is normal.

Cell phones are ubiqitous. Something like 91% of Americans use one. If we're not at the point today where we implicitly assume that everyone has a cell phone we are on the cusp of that. It's probably reasonable to assume that someone has a cell phone and not make it an upfront requirement.

New technologies change the way things get done and, more to the point, people structure the way they get things done based on commonly available technologies. Not adopting those technologies can annoy and inconvienece people who have to deal with you as well as put you and your bandmates at a competitive disadvantage.

Your attitude amazes me. To think that others around you must adopt technology simply to satisfy your needs is, quite honestly, one of the more selfish comments I've ever heard.

I can certainly understand that some bands believe they need immediate, instant access to all members to be able to accept any gig regardless of late notice. Part of being a responsible band leader is to understand the best way to contact all band members. If you believe that IMMEDIATE access is critical, then tell all members that on the front end.

Blue, I know you're proud that you've replaced this bass player, but you might want to think twice about your position. Certainly, your band knew that their previous bass player didn't have a phone, yet they said nothing and fired him for it. What unknown issue do you think will be your downfall?

 

[BassyBill]

I guess things must be different here in the UK, but this seems like a conversation from about twenty years ago. I would be pretty much amazed if I met a working musician here who didn't have a cell phone (or almost anyone else, come to that). It would seem totally weird.

I'm genuinely surprised that there are guys on here who say they choose not to own one. I'm not saying that you're wrong to do so - it's entirely your choice, of course. I'm just saying that I find it really, really surprising, mainly because I would never expect to find anyone in that category over here.

It's often very helpful to be able to contact band members before arrival at a gig, between set up time and the first set, during an interval... whenever. For all sorts of different reasons. But I can't imagine saying to a prospective band member "It's a condition of joining the band that you have a cell phone", as that situation just wouldn't arise.

On the other hand, I know a few people who don't have land lines. I do, but I never use it and never give out the number to anyone to call me on it. Here, owning a cell phone would definitely be a bigger priority for a musician than a land line, every single time.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I guess things must be different here in the UK, but this seems like a conversation from about twenty years ago. I would be pretty much amazed if I met a working musician here who didn't have a cell phone (or almost anyone else, come to that). It would seem totally weird.

I'm genuinely surprised that there are guys on here who say they choose not to own one. I'm not saying that you're wrong to do so - it's entirely your choice, of course. I'm just saying that I find it really, really surprising, mainly because I would never expect to find anyone in that category over here.

It's often very helpful to be able to contact band members before arrival at a gig, between set up time and the first set, during an interval... whenever. For all sorts of different reasons. But I can't imagine saying to a prospective band member "It's a condition of joining the band that you have a cell phone", as that situation just wouldn't arise.

On the other hand, I know a few people who don't have land lines. I do, but I never use it and never give out the number to anyone to call me on it. Here, owning a cell phone would definitely be a bigger priority for a musician than a land line, every single time.

There is no "us vs. them" story here. Most people here have cell phones, too.

That said, not everyone feels the need to be constantly tethered to their technology. To me, this is more about setting expectations than technology. If a BL expects all members to be accessible 24/7, then that expectation should be communicated to the members. Furthermore, if the BL has such an expectation, then he should never hire someone who doesn't have a cell phone.

 

[BassyBill]

There is no "us vs. them" story here. Most people here have cell phones, too.

That said, not everyone feels the need to be constantly tethered to their technology. To me, this is more about setting expectations than technology. If a BL expects all members to be accessible 24/7, then that expectation should be communicated to the members. Furthermore, if the BL has such an expectation, then he should never hire someone who doesn't have a cell phone.

Yes, I did understand that the people who choose not to have a cell phone are in a pretty small minority. I was just responding to the thread title and what others have said connected with that topic.

I do agree that the extent to which someone is contactable "24/7" is a tricky one and that expecting that sort of availability in a strictly literal way is pretty unreasonable. I still think being able to phone or text the band in some of the circumstances I mentioned above can be pretty crucial and I think most working musos would agree with that.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Yes, I did understand that the people who choose not to have a cell phone are in a pretty small minority. I was just responding to the thread title and what others have said connected with that topic.

I do agree that the extent to which someone is contactable "24/7" is a tricky one and that expecting that sort of availability in a strictly literal way is pretty unreasonable. I still think being able to phone or text the band in some of the circumstances I mentioned above can be pretty crucial and I think most working musos would agree with that.

Well, sure, but there have been "working musos" for much longer than there have been cell phones and they seemed to get along pretty well. The need for instant response is a demand that has only existed for the last 10 years.

 

[BassyBill]

Well, sure, but there have been "working musos" for much longer than there have been cell phones and they seemed to get along pretty well. The need for instant response is a demand that has only existed for the last 10 years.

True enough. Except that maybe it's 20 years or so.

But I guess that we managed without cars, amps, regular phones and so on back in the day. It would be naive now to expect to function efficiently as a gigging musician without all these new fangled gadgets.

 

[guy n. cognito]

True enough. Except that maybe it's 20 years or so.

But I guess that we managed without cars, amps, regular phones and so on back in the day. It would be naive now to expect to function efficiently as a gigging musician without all these new fangled gadgets.

Wow. Everyone in the uk had cell phones in 1991? Man, you guys are advanced!!!!

 

[BassyBill]

Wow. Everyone in the uk had cell phones in 1991? Man, you guys are advanced!!!!

Actually, no. I was getting my dates mixed up, my bad. I got my first cell phone in about 1998 and I was one of the last of my friends to get one. I guess most people had them about 96 or 97.

 

[bluewine]

Your attitude amazes me. To think that others around you must adopt technology simply to satisfy your needs is, quite honestly, one of the more selfish comments I've ever heard.

I can certainly understand that some bands believe they need immediate, instant access to all members to be able to accept any gig regardless of late notice. Part of being a responsible band leader is to understand the best way to contact all band members. If you believe that IMMEDIATE access is critical, then tell all members that on the front end.

Blue, I know you're proud that you've replaced this bass player, but you might want to think twice about your position. Certainly, your band knew that their previous bass player didn't have a phone, yet they said nothing and fired him for it. What unknown issue do you think will be your downfall?

I was told that he was told about this numerous times. So, it wasn't an unknown.

I am happy that I was only out of work for 2 months.

I am not proud about replacing anyone. As a matter of fact, I feel bad for the guy. Being asked to leave a band is something I would not wish on anyone.

My downfalls, I am sure I have many.

My main flaw is being opinionated and for the most part I live between my own 2 ears and rarely let anyone in.

BTW, I am not forcing technology on anyone or forcing anyone to adopt to anything. The cell phone and accessability is a band requirement and I was informed up front.

I just happen to agree with the requirement.

 

[bluewine]

Well, sure, but there have been "working musos" for much longer than there have been cell phones and they seemed to get along pretty well. The need for instant response is a demand that has only existed for the last 10 years.

Fact is, we didn't get along so well without them. Communication was slow and opportunities on every level were missed and lost.

Cell technology has saved many lives

 

[bluewine]

I guess things must be different here in the UK, but this seems like a conversation from about twenty years ago. I would be pretty much amazed if I met a working musician here who didn't have a cell phone (or almost anyone else, come to that). It would seem totally weird.

I'm genuinely surprised that there are guys on here who say they choose not to own one.

+1

I think technology is hard for some.

To be honest the people and musicians I know that don't use cells have a few things in common.

Most are:

Loners

Few friends if any

Socially deprived

 

[bluewine]

If the BL has such an expectation, then he should never hire someone who doesn't have a cell phone.

I agree

 

[carlthegroover]

Me and my current bandmates do use e-mail extensively. Aside of that, not a lot of texting or any cell phone fancy thing.

I do own a cell phone because I don't have a landline where I currently rent. I also don't have a very fancy phone as all I use is calling and texting. I'm moving out soon so I might get a landline, I might not.

If so, I could consider cancelling the freakin' cell phone, because it's very expensive and I don't like being "followed", if you know what I mean. I don't talk a whole lot, so I really wouldn't need it if I had a landline.

 

[Gaius46]

Your attitude amazes me. To think that others around you must adopt technology simply to satisfy your needs is, quite honestly, one of the more selfish comments I've ever heard.

That's not what I said.

What I said was that was failing to adopt a piece of technology that is commonly in use can, and does, inconvenience the rest of the world. I said nothing about meeting needs.

You can't deny, for example, that forcing someone to drive across town to speak to you because you refuse to have any type of phone is inconvenient.

 

[bluewine]

Yes, I did understand that the people who choose not to have a cell phone are in a pretty small minority. I was just responding to the thread title and what others have said connected with that topic.

I do agree that the extent to which someone is contactable "24/7" is a tricky one and that expecting that sort of availability in a strictly literal way is pretty unreasonable. I still think being able to phone or text the band in some of the circumstances I mentioned above can be pretty crucial and I think most working musos would agree with that.

I also think most giging musicians would agree. I do.

 

[bluewine]

If so, I could consider cancelling the freakin' cell phone, because it's very expensive and I don't like being "followed", if you know what I mean. I don't talk a whole lot, so I really wouldn't need it if I had a landline.

He makes a good point, some people are not phone people and not big talker.

I am a huge social networker and love running my mouth so me and cells are a match made in heaven.

Follow me anywhere, I'm not that important and have nothing to hide.

 

[carlthegroover]

There really isn't any good excuse for being completely avoidable during any given day.

Nah, I digress. Just because they're your bandmates doesn't mean they own you. There are obviously personal and professional commitments and anyone has to be accountable... but what happened to privacy, then? Is it not the right of any person to be "avoidable" sometimes, as long as they commit to the band work and are in constant (read: not necessarily daily) communication?

Edit: I'm not implying one should not have the means to be reached, and if the band/ work dynamics do require a cell phone, I'd be the first to have one. But if possible, one can still claim the right to be private sometimes.

 

[carlthegroover]

He makes a good point, some people are not phone people and not big talker.

I am a huge social networker and love running my mouth so me and cells are a match made in heaven.

Follow me anywhere, I'm not that important and have nothing to hide.

Exactly. Since I'm the loner type of guy, I don't socialize a whole lot. I have times, though, when I do prefer some regular human contact (like right now), but I can go days without seeing an acquaintance.

I do understand, however, the need of the social/ extrovert types to be on constant contact with other people. To each their own, and it is perfectly ok either way.

I'm not that important either, but too much socializing does drain my energy. Only other introverts truly know what I mean.

 

[bluewine]

Exactly. Since I'm the loner type of guy, I don't socialize a whole lot. I have times, though, when I do prefer some regular human contact (like right now), but I can go days without seeing an acquaintance.

I do understand, however, the need of the social/ extrovert types to be on constant contact with other people. To each their own, and it is perfectly ok either way.

I'm not that important either, but too much socializing does drain my energy. Only other introverts truly know what I mean.

Interesting, I guess there are different levels of being introverted.

I once met Sammy Hagar and he was shy and a clasic introvert. I guess he changes once he's on stage and is being paid to be Sammy.

I'm kind of thinking a lot of famous actors and rock stars are introverts.