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Would you Continue?

#21
baddarryl said:
Hi all. I have had another band break up after working together for a year. It gets a little frustrating. I have painted myself into a corner where i really don't want to play country or the same ole worn out classic rock as everyone else does anymore. I have jammed twice with these two guys that are so Punk they didn't even know who Steve Harris is!! Fine with me, I rather enjoy playing for myself than for crowds. We are doing Dead Boys, Dead Kennedy's, Buzzcocks etc. Someone once told me to have fun and ride the wave for as long as it lasts. I try to do that.

Problem is two fold: one the guitarist plays in a touring band and can't always be there. The drummer told me in essence he is doing us a favor until we can find a permanent guitarist (two actually). Problem two is the drummer had a car accident years ago where he suffered a brain injury that makes him get tired and need to quit after an hour. If I were being honest I don't see this going anywhere. Really I don't have many goals beside being able to get good and play out locally from time to time. Just ride the wave and continue to scan the horizon for bigger sets? I love the material.
Click to expand...
Listen to your heart... and that little voice, as Magnum, PI used to say. If it doesn't feel right, like an old shoe, then bail. Music's about having fun, that's why Led Zeppelin used to throw TV's out hotel windows and get hammered before each show. Haha. Just kidding. If you aren't enjoying yourself and wishing you weren't there, then I guess that says it all.
 
#22
You probably already know this old saw. Consider three factors: the music, the hang, money. You need to enjoy two out of three; then you're doing pretty good. If you're only getting one, time to walk (unless you're a working pro and the one thing is money). This perspective helped me out with the last band I quit.
 
#26
I can't think of how it would work to have a drummer that can't play for more than an hour. You'll always be stuck playing one set shows. And you don't have a guitarist, you have a sub. I'd look elsewhere, you're kidding yourself if you think this is going anywhere.
 
#27
Its like bad relationships

You stick around to be social or meet other people. LOL
Sounds kinda bad.

Ive done Punk gigs before when it was not my thing.
But we had fun and the lifestyle grows on me.
Listening now, some songs and bands is very much me.
eventually it becomes a part of you.
My area and scene was all punks and skaters.

Anyways, I tolerated at first because the players were good.
And the band was good and got booked quickly.

Seeing a lot of very bad punk bands. Its a dead end.
With your situation and the band members " issues" not being able to perform or enjoy practice well.

It seems like a dead end. Then again being in the scene and at the clubs helps to find
actual working musicians. Then again now...there is no scene anyways.
 
#28
You dont have to shoot for the moon with this project. If you can play any kind of gig (at least once) that would be great, maybe try to get some live/rehearsal recordings for your records. Once you develop the right punk attitude you'll be able to apply it to everything in your life.
 
#29
"being able to get good and play out locally from time to time. Just ride the wave and continue to scan the horizon for bigger sets"

thats been my last 35 years more or less.....first band i was ever in for 8yrs, with recording an album and 3 short tours to germany...For a 21yr old kid, that was as "rockstar" as i could get back in the 80's....the only real drama didn't catch up to me until the last band i was in 2 yrs ago..Now in my 50's i have alot less tolerance for it. But it's all good, i just love to play regardless, with or without people.
 
#31
baddarryl said:
Hi all. I have had another band break up after working together for a year. It gets a little frustrating. I have painted myself into a corner where i really don't want to play country or the same ole worn out classic rock as everyone else does anymore. I have jammed twice with these two guys that are so Punk they didn't even know who Steve Harris is!! Fine with me, I rather enjoy playing for myself than for crowds. We are doing Dead Boys, Dead Kennedy's, Buzzcocks etc. Someone once told me to have fun and ride the wave for as long as it lasts. I try to do that.

Problem is two fold: one the guitarist plays in a touring band and can't always be there. The drummer told me in essence he is doing us a favor until we can find a permanent guitarist (two actually). Problem two is the drummer had a car accident years ago where he suffered a brain injury that makes him get tired and need to quit after an hour. If I were being honest I don't see this going anywhere. Really I don't have many goals beside being able to get good and play out locally from time to time. Just ride the wave and continue to scan the horizon for bigger sets? I love the material.
Click to expand...

Yeah stick with it until it falls apart, sounds like Drummer is ready to retire or move on to something he likes,and he's just giving you a heads up before the new members come in & complete the band. maybe start branching off this band discreetly.
 
#32
Not sure how much time you have to devote to music, but something to keep in mind: this one project doesn't have to be your only outlet. Doesn't sound like the other guys are hounding you to make it your main priority, and it wouldn't be the end of the world if you had something else take off and leave them in the dust, so play with them when y'all can get together, but keep looking, networking, auditioning, and writing your own stuff.

I've found that, even though I'm not a great singer or multi-instrumentalist, writing and demoing my own tunes gives me a lot more say when I do find cool people to play with. Rather than being stuck with whatever the bossy guitarist/songwriter wants to do, I can say "I've got some tunes, check it out" and guide the band towards stuff I want to do too.
 
#33
I hate to sound like a prog elitist, but playing DK doesn't take a ton of skill so you should be able to build a band with guys that are a bit more solid. I think you should consider being the "leader" of the band so you can cater it to your needs and wants.
 
#36
baddarryl said:
Hi all. I have had another band break up after working together for a year. It gets a little frustrating. I have painted myself into a corner where i really don't want to play country or the same ole worn out classic rock as everyone else does anymore. I have jammed twice with these two guys that are so Punk they didn't even know who Steve Harris is!! Fine with me, I rather enjoy playing for myself than for crowds. We are doing Dead Boys, Dead Kennedy's, Buzzcocks etc. Someone once told me to have fun and ride the wave for as long as it lasts. I try to do that.

Problem is two fold: one the guitarist plays in a touring band and can't always be there. The drummer told me in essence he is doing us a favor until we can find a permanent guitarist (two actually). Problem two is the drummer had a car accident years ago where he suffered a brain injury that makes him get tired and need to quit after an hour. If I were being honest I don't see this going anywhere. Really I don't have many goals beside being able to get good and play out locally from time to time. Just ride the wave and continue to scan the horizon for bigger sets? I love the material.
Click to expand...

I can understand your situation. I’ll be 69 by year end and most of my peers either don’t have the chops, or the stamina/health to keep on going. I’m also relocating this spring and have reservations on a band taking on some old coot that looks more like a retired financial planner than Keith Richards, regardless of how well he can play. Hopefully I can land something, even Union work.
 
#40
You have nothing else right now. Stay with it - maybe the drummer will improve, maybe not. It certainly gives you a reason to leave if you get a better offer - "hey guys, I love the music, but we have no guitarist, and can't play more than one hour - there is no way we can become a gigging unit".
 

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