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Things you like best about your band?

#21
What I like best about my band? We get along and feed off of each other's energy. We are all mediocre players, but when we get together to play, we sound pretty good. We've been playing together for almost two years and have learned how to work with each other.
 
#22
I don't technically have a band yet, but what I like about the guys with whom I jam and will probably start a band: Our tastes are different enough that we're mixing things up, but our tastes are similar enough that we don't clash.
 
#23
I have 2 main gigs at the moment: a blues band (loosely defined - we're probably equal parts funk/r&b/jam band as well) and a country/classic rock band.

I like the blues band because we push each other musically (see above about being part jam band) and it's still fun. But we don't work much.

The country/classic rock band...they're a good bunch of guys, we stay fairly busy in terms of gigs and they usually pay well. Two of the guys are multi-instrumentalists, and as a result we have a fairly diverse playlist. But it's not really fun; I'm not crazy about the material and the drummer is inexperienced and really isn't interested in getting better. So I do it for the money.
 
#24
well I play in a number of different bands but one is with my best friends in the world and we love each other and love playing and hangin out together no matter what. Other groups as are with some great folks too playing wonderful original and cover music all over the place. Sweet.
 
#25
I am in the absolute most LEGIT Classic Rock band in the entire world! None of what we do is image based. We are all REALLY LIKE THIS. We are as "true" to our image/music as the Ramones. I've been wearing my hair like this almost non-stop since I was about eight years old, back in 1971. I have a closet full of Levi's, leather, dashikis, and all kinds of stuff like that. My wife has the same pair of spandex leopard print leotards she wore on stage in 1985, and matching spike-heeled boots.

Our 24 year old guitar player was raised by a dad my age, who force fed him Hendrix, Santana, Zeppelin, Beatles, all kinds of funk and vintage country, and while the kid may like new music, he cut his teeth on this stuff.

I spent much of the eighties wasted out of my mind listening to all these bands, and have virtually every note of every album memorized, and I STILL like it, and I'm pretty sure I remember my name, and what my point was in this post.

My band is a BAND. If you screw with ONE of us, you have screwed with ALL of us. If you try to steal our gear, we are far more likely to hurt you than call the cops. If you try to stiff us, we will take it out in value on your establishment, one way or another, so in essence, you WILL pay us.

We listen to each other; we believe in each other, and we are each other's biggest fans. We are proud of each other's work. I will spend all night promoting the other band members on stage, and presenting them to the audience like they're the biggest deal who ever graced this venue, or area.

We have fun, and we play WITH each other.

That goes a long way towards survival in this market.
 
#26
I ran sound for the other three in my band for many years in many combinations, so we have plenty of history and mutual respect. As we got older, the search for writing partners took precedence, and after a few different lineups I finally joined this one on bass and we all just knew.
Writing together is easy and natural, and nobody gets their feelings hurt if a particular idea is rejected.
The guitarist and singer are prolific and intense, while the drummer and I are mellow. We prefer to let them create until it looks like they are forcing it or losing track of what the song should be, then step in and help fix it. I'm pretty good with intros and endings for their songs, while they excel at middle bits and new sections for mine.

We all recognize that the sum is greater than the parts, and that losing anyone would ruin the band.
 
#28
We all get along. No band drama (and we've been together over a year). We all have the same goals so there's no conflict with someone wanting to go a different direction. We have fun. And most importantly, we're good. Well, they are. I'm definitely the weak link but we are a legitimately good band and we have fun and the audience and bar owners like us.

As someone who's 51 and in my first gigging band, I'm having a great time!
 
#31
Our band does all originals - and I really like the way everyone begins working on the songs- to find lines that compliment each other and make the song as good as we can - everyone takes suggestions very well so ego's are checked at the door.- we're all in our 60's - so it's very good luck to find fellows that get along so well.
 
#33
The guys I am playing with in my band are all great players - and stand up guys . No ego issues - pecker measuring contests, etc.......

not everyone can make all the gigs - we have friends who are like minded people - also great players- performers, etc. who fill in along the way. Bad JuJu is a Blues Brotherhood - and we all strive to make the show a great time for our friends, guests, venues, etc. We ALWAYS do sit ins with friends, guests, etc......not open mic - or jam with "Just anyone" but a truly fun - quality show of strong performers.

I don't sing, but this is My project - I put together, manage and book. Its also my first band I had an active role in development of - and feel pretty good about it. 5 years - a couple of different base lineup changes - and about 25 people in the brotherhood.

NOt everyone's way of doing it - and I am ok with that.
 
#36
band 1- a throw together of old school road warriors, singer can play a crowd like a pro, the lead guitar player is king of the tasty licks, rhythm player has a lot of charisma and energy and the bass player (yours truly) has a impeccable sense of timing and has personal hygiene above reproach :D, Drummer TBA, we are looking after the reg drummer quit 2 weeks ago.

Band 2- we have had our road bumps , but to be expected, primarily writing and recording songs right now. We hope to have an EP in the mix here soon , and a full album written before Christmas, lead player is a good kid, very dedicated to the project.
Rhythm player is the same from band 1, very pro attitude and makes great suggestions on stuff we are writing. Drummer is an animal , we do have to pull him back from bonham mode once in a while , but for being self taught , very impressive. Bass player is king among men and very sexytimes to the ladies. We are currently searcing for a singer, as none of the rest of us has chops to put us over the edge

all in all , both projects are a blast and keep me busy
 
#37
I've kvetched about my BL/guitarist a fair amount on TB, but in the spirit of the thread, I've got to say; the guy has a heart of gold, he's passionate about the band, he gives everybody their chance to shine, he doesn't crank his volume crazy loud, and he can really play. I argue with him a lot, but whenever I start to complain about the band I remember the OTHER projects I've been in and I'm thankful for this one.

For the band as a whole - no inflated egos, nobody who fails to pull their weight, everybody gets along and plays well together and makes the band fun. It's really a good setup.
 
#39
mellowinman said:
I am in the absolute most LEGIT Classic Rock band in the entire world! None of what we do is image based. We are all REALLY LIKE THIS. We are as "true" to our image/music as the Ramones. I've been wearing my hair like this almost non-stop since I was about eight years old, back in 1971. I have a closet full of Levi's, leather, dashikis, and all kinds of stuff like that. My wife has the same pair of spandex leopard print leotards she wore on stage in 1985, and matching spike-heeled boots.

This is part of what I like with the band I'm in too, 3 out of 5 of us ride bikes, so denim and leather is all we wear regardless of weather were on stage or not, and the other two dress as they normally do. We play music as we are, we're a real bunch of guys. The drummer and guitarist have been two of my closest friends for years, and the other guitarist is my older brother. We all hang out outside of band, and have a blast either going out for drinks, or just sitting around a fire. The singer is super humble, you get the impression he's just happy to be along for the ride. Super easy going guy, lots of personality. At the end of the day, we're just in it to have fun, and nobody takes it more seriously than they need to. And someone always brings a case of beer to practice :p
Click to expand...
 
#40
For my jazz band:

- There's a good mix of ages and people. We've got 9 members in the band, 3 women and 6 guys. The youngest is our 18 year old singer, the oldest is one of the brass guys, who's touching 65. Everyone works during the day and then comes to band.

- We've got our material pretty much sorted, and suggestions for new material come from everyone. Any suggestions are democratically decided as to whether we play them. Our music tastes range from my jazz to my singers' folk and classical.

- My drummer is also a bassist, and so gives me help if needed. He's also a great guy to have on drums for me as a bassist, as his rhythm is metronomic and he's a great player all-round.

- No egos. Everyone in the band respects everyone else and we try and make the band as egalitarian as possible. No dicks in this band!

- We're not too fussed about gear, and for the most part certainly we're all happy with what we play. My guitarist in particular favours Epiphone guitars over his expensive Gibson, and my Yammie is a workhorse bass which seems to handle anything I can throw at it.
 

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