Tired of Waiting...

[LowActionHero]

Not every message invites or requires a response. If you are asking a specific question that requires an answer, make sure you are clear that you are asking a question that requires a response.

My wife disagrees. . .

 

[RichardW]

I heard an interview once with one of the computer engineers who did pioneering work in developing email and texting technology. He described how he and his colleagues were excited about the idea of asynchronous conversations--that is, any conversation would not require an immediate response like it would in person or on the phone, but that one could wait hours or days to respond without losing the thread of the discussion. The engineers saw this as potentially liberating from the "tyranny of now."

Of course, the exact opposite happened. Everyone expects immediate response regardless of time of day or circumstance. The tyranny of now simply expanded to cover 24/7.

 

[OregonJim]

Text message == stop what you're doing and answer this right now.

I've known a few people who believe this.

None of them made it into my circle, nor I into theirs.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

The band might not be the priority in everyone's life. I'd call instead for immediate response.

 

[JohnMCA72]

Shared calendars can be great tools, but take discipline on everybody's part. Once somebody doesn't update their calendar, the whole idea is screwed.

 

[40Hz]

He described how he and his colleagues were excited about the idea of asynchronous conversations--that is, any conversation would not require an immediate response

That's a big CYA exception he carved out there.

 

[Zoffy]

I'm the guy that does not respond to texts right away. Unless someone is dying or Ed McMahon is texting me to tell me I won the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, it can wait. Right now my band is frantically texting each other back and forth trying to finalize a set list for the Fourth of July (all but me). When it's decided then I'll learn the selected songs. The way I see it, I have a stressful job - my time is my time, and that includes responding to texts.

 

[Renaissance]

There was a thread on this recently:

What is a Reasonable Text Response Time-Frame? Might be time for a new drummer:)

Every band and every band dynamic is different. Communication and expectations are key.

It seems to me it's always the bandmembers not doing the business of booking the band or scheduling rehearsals, etc. that only check their phone "monthly" or "when I get around to it". YMMV

 

[LowActionHero]

I'm the guy that does not respond to texts right away. Unless someone is dying or Ed McMahon is texting me to tell me I won the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, it can wait. Right now my band is frantically texting each other back and forth trying to finalize a set list for the Fourth of July (all but me). When it's decided then I'll learn the selected songs. The way I see it, I have a stressful job - my time is my time, and that includes responding to texts.

Alot of times I'll get a group text about a gig or practice and I'll just wait and see if everyone else is in before I answer. Sometimes it solves itself before I'm even involved.

And I never worry about setlist, we never stick to em anyways.

 

[OregonJim]

Shared calendars can be great tools, but take discipline on everybody's part. Once somebody doesn't update their calendar, the whole idea is screwed.

Life doesn't work by a schedule. Things happen. Plans change. Just look at this past year for example.

The best laid plans of mice and men...

 

[mstillman]

A good solution for me has been:

• Text for time-sensitive
• Phone as backup for that
• Email for other

Another band used Telegram, a chat "room" similar to What'sApp, strictly for time-sensitive gig and rehearsal communications. This allows you to set a different notification sound than text (useful for folks who get many texts during the day). The disadvantage is it requires people to get and use another app...a challenge for drummers and the like.

 

[beaglesandbass]

If something is urgent, call.

If it's in a group chat, it's whatever. Most of the time it's just BS anyway.

 

[dasherf17]

I'm in two bands. Both have great guys, great players, great songs. No egos, no wingnuts. No complaints, really. But the singer in one band and the lead guitarist in the other don't respond to band texts for hours, sometimes days and, occasionally, not at all. Why does that bug me so much? Does this sort of thing bother any of you folks? When a bandmate texts or emails or calls me I respond as soon as possible, always. Oh, well. Many worse band problems to have than that, I guess.

I'll just leave this here...

Uuuuuhhh, hey-hey-hey! I'm guessing you had a question or some information you wanted a response to...to me, "I guess" doesn't work... I get the same from a kid or two, my brother, coworkers...yup, their busy, I get that...but to not respond at all...well, yeah, got busy...every ONCE in awhile, not all the time. I can go for an hour or two occasionally. After that, they're just being selfish and/or rude.
You have a right to be ticked. No consolation prizes.
Have you taken it up with them?

 

[devnulljp]

I'm in two bands. Both have great guys, great players, great songs. No egos, no wingnuts. No complaints, really. But the singer in one band and the lead guitarist in the other don't respond to band texts for hours, sometimes days and, occasionally, not at all. Why does that bug me so much? Does this sort of thing bother any of you folks? When a bandmate texts or emails or calls me I respond as soon as possible, always. Oh, well. Many worse band problems to have than that, I guess.

So? Call them instead of texting or emailing.

 

[Marc valero]

If it is timely, my band leader will call, such as if a new venue wants to book us or a last minute booking comes up.