Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

Down beat at 8:30 on west coast!View attachment 7305824

Cool! The ABM is seeing a lot of action!

 

[MCF]

On soon.
View attachment 7305736

 

[Stealth57]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

 

[JJR58]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

Only my opinion, discuss now with your band before you split.
You wanna know where everyone stands with the singers possible wanting to control things.

Kind of a sticky situation in all in all depending on what the others may feel.

Are you the BL?

 

[Stealth57]

Only my opinion, discuss now with your band before you split.
You wanna know where everyone stands with the singers possible wanting to control things.

Kind of a sticky situation in all in all depending on what the others may feel.

Are you the BL?

There really is no single BL, it was more of a consensus operation before the new lead singer. Very democratic with no overpowering egos.

 

[JJR58]

There really is no single BL, it was more of a consensus operation before the new lead singer. Very democratic with no overpowering egos.

Gotcha, but you may now have an overpowering ego on your hands.
But I’ve no clue what the singer’s personality is like.
Best to have a discussion without the lead singer.

 

[Ringhammer]

but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

One of my bands has this person in it. I don’t like it but I’ve come to just accept it. He’s a longtime friend and I know he is not going to change. I’m sticking with it because I have not found an option for a 2nd band that interests me. Luckily my other band is a happy place to be with everyone respecting everyone and all sharing the same tastes and having the same goals.

If you keep this guy, be prepared for stress and possibly blatant drama.

 

[JJR58]

I may get banned for saying this.
Bands are like poli……
It’s how much corruption you’re willing to put up with.

 

[GBassNorth]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

Sounds like the new singer might need a different band, his band goals might not be closely aligned with the rest of the bands goals. So unless you can all align on new goals going forward I’d recommend he walks. Ask yourself, if you had just joined his band and made the types of demands he’s now making of the band, would you be asked to stay, or leave?

Band drama, almost every band has it to varying degrees, and it rarely makes it more enjoyable to play with that band. Tough situation, good luck.

 

[bylar13]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

Get everyone together, in person and have that conversation as soon as possible. You are entitled to clarity around expectations and this happens best in person, with these types of conversations.

 

[dagrev]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

Kind of sounds like you nailed it "he only wants things his way." That you even thought that is telling. It's a bit rich to come into a band and start laying down ground rules. Just from this I would be looking for another singer. If it's weird this soon, it will almost certainly get more so as he feels more comfortable being himself. I personally don't do control freaks, drama queens, uptight, childish or primadonnas. Wouldn't work for me--unless I was getting paid big bucks. Maybe. Playing music should be fun and not have childish drama going on.

That said, talk to the others to get their impression. The rest of the band needs to be on the same page so there is a united front on the situation. Possibly, if all the rest agree with what you are seeing it can be presented and he can't say it's just Dave's opinion. Hard to argue when everyone sees the same problem, but self-important people are masters at it so don't be shocked. But maybe he will stop and think and admit he was acting like it was "his" band and chill out. (I'm not convinced, but you have to try.)

I think the rest of the band needs to reconfirm the goals, then make him aware. And it will allow the rest of you to make sure your goals are still the one's you want. That said, he's part of the band and should have as much say as any member--but not more. Could be the rest of you agree and can say this is really our direction (which hasn't changed), we want your input, but if this doesn't work for you we understand and no hard feelings and we all want different things in life and a band.

 

[dagrev]

Very democratic with no overpowering egos.

The above sounds great and is certainly what I prefer. Realizing at times individuals may take the lead in certain things and times.

Add an ego in and that will mess with the others.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

How good of a singer is he?
Are his skills worth the price of letting him drive?
Or are his demands going to eventually be destructive to what made the band good for everyone in the first place?

 

[Stealth57]

How good of a singer is he?
Are his skills worth the price of letting him drive?
Or are his demands going to eventually be destructive to what made the band good for everyone in the first place?

He is a reasonably good singer with years of experience and fits the genre we laid out before he joined. He's just very particular about which songs he is willing to sing. Unfortunately, we don't know most of them. Maybe I'm impatient wanting to gig sooner vs later and feeling like this change pushes us out even further from that goal.

 

[TBird1958]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

I would be discussing this with your original bandmates right away, find out what they are feeling. What you're describing would be unacceptable for me.

 

[MCF]

This is one for you all that have experience with band dynamics. I'm not sure how to get things back on track, if even possible. Before adding a lead singer, the band had a few goals. 1) get a mini-set together and play out. That was accomplished. 2) put together a full 45-50 minute set so we can play a shared stage event (3 bands). 3) consider 2 45s. Well, we had 9 songs in the bag and really only needed 1 more for for the first 45.

New singer comes in and says he doesn't want to sing 3 of the ones we already knew. So, we add 4 new songs. Those are pretty much done. Now he says he doesn't do shared stage events and only is interested in 2 45s that pay. OK, I say I am gone the entire month of October and to not slow things down, I list all the songs I already know that also fit our genre and say, pick 3 or so to work on while I'm gone and when I come back I can step right in and not slow down progress. The response was to start listing songs that not one of us know but the lead singer. His voice fits what we are doing, but I'm starting to get the feeling he only wants things his way.

Is it time to have a discussion with the other original band members and air my concerns and see how they want to handle things? Being gone a month and having to catch up on 5 songs, while needing to add 5 more isn't a quick process for me. I want to be fair to the band and not be an obstacle to playing out in the near term.

Your new singer is an improvement. But he’s not all that. It sounds like he’s trying to take over as band leader. The rest of you need to decide if you want that. What does he bring to the group? Does he have gig connections? So far it sounds like he’s more trouble than he’s worth. If he’s not going with the flow, and the rest of you have one vision and he has another, then a decision needs to be made…

 

[Engle]

He is a reasonably good singer with years of experience and fits the genre we laid out before he joined. He's just very particular about which songs he is willing to sing. Unfortunately, we don't know most of them. Maybe I'm impatient wanting to gig sooner vs later and feeling like this change pushes us out even further from that goal.

Welcome to cover band politics!
The reality is that audiences will focus on the singer. And if the singer doesn't buy into a song, it's not going to sound good.
If the singer shines, people will like the band.

I agree with the other comments so far. I won't put up with jerks, but I will suck it up and learn stuff the singer wants to do.

Somewhat related:
At the block party we played last week, I was doing sound. I went out front to check and vocals were too prominent in the mix for my taste. But Em sounded great and I left it. That's what people want to hear. It's only musicians that care about the other stuff.

 

[TBird1958]

A bit from last night, onstage sound was abysmal, I really struggled to hear myself the entire evening, sound guy would not put bass into the monitor ( I think it doesn't like it!) The was way too much
kick drum and guitar. The result was me playing a terrible show, I clamed this up.

 

[JJR58]

A bit from last night, onstage sound was abysmal, I really struggled to hear myself the entire evening, sound guy would not put bass into the monitor ( I think it doesn't like it!) The was way too much
kick drum and guitar. The result was me playing a terrible show, I clamed this up.

I think your playing is great.
And love your tone!!!

 

[Stealth57]

A bit from last night, onstage sound was abysmal, I really struggled to hear myself the entire evening, sound guy would not put bass into the monitor ( I think it doesn't like it!) The was way too much
kick drum and guitar. The result was me playing a terrible show, I clamed this up.

Sounds good to me but I know from rehearsals how hard it is to keep time if you can't hear yourself.