Would you join a band named after the lead singer?

[Joebarnes]

I'd rather work for "Susie Sunshine and The <CoolBandNameHere>" ... she gets her billling, the band gets its billing ... and should the two ever separate no sweat no foul, they keep their names.

Now that makes a little more sense to me. Thanks to everyone with their feedback so far, it seems most people "tend" to look at this the same way I do.

Perhaps some more clarification can help drive the discussion. I'm paying money to rehearse in someone's basement (not a rehearsal studio), when I could just as easily use my garage for the same purpose and I wouldn't have to drag all my gear around every week.

Like I said, her voice and look are decent but she's not a "game changer" or anything like that. I have played with younger/better looking/better voiced women in the past and always ran with a band name.

I look at this as we are doing her originals, so for me this is like being in a cover band where I haven't heard the songs before.

I think the biggest mental block I have is when I join a project, I go full force and put a lot of time into promotion and band operations, so I look at this as I'm only promoting the lead singer, as opposed to the "band".

 

[DWBass]

The only issue I have is the 'paying a share of the rehearsal spot'. Sorry, it's not MY band. I'm an employee. Unless I have some say so in the band operations and I'm considered an operator of the band, will I then invest.

I'm kinda in that situation now but the bandleader is stubborn and wants to do things his way or no way. Well, then I am not going to invest into the band! I've offered to be MD, make up setlists, bring in tunes and work them into the songlists but he's keeping me at an arms length! It's cool. He'll either make or break the band.

 

[petermuca]

Well, are there any gigs booked?

 

[heynorm]

I also have an opportunity to hook up with a couple of solid guitarists and start something from the ground up..

What does your heart want to play? Do these guys have gig leads?

 

[Arial Bender]

Wanna live in a Democracy or a Dictatorship?

 

[DwaynieAD]

if the bands in her name she should be paying you. you're hired gun in this instance. this screams out for a contract being needed.

 

[Jim Nazium]

Will you be allowed to do any tapping?

 

[Joebarnes]

Well, are there any gigs booked?

Nothing in the immediate future to the best of my knowledge with either group. Not that finding gigs is entirely impossible, it just takes legwork; but since both groups would be originals, I can't foresee a lot of cash rolling in through the next 4-6 months.

 

[Joebarnes]

Will you be allowed to do any tapping?

Happily married so unless you're asking me to imitate Van Halen on bass, tapping is off the agenda.



Joe

 

[jmattbassplaya]

If this is truly her band then I'd tell her I'd join under the premise that I don't pay for anything; I only get paid. If she wants full control then she has to make sacrifices for that control. That means she covers rehearsal costs, she does all the booking, she writes the tunes, she pays for recordings, etc... I get paid to play and to keep my mouth shut.

 

[EastCoastThump]

+1 to this looking like a sideman gig, not a band. That's fine, as long as it's treated (and paid) like a sideman gig.

The name wouldn't be a stopper, especially if her name has real positive value as a draw (which might be somewhat independent of how much talent she has).

But combine the name (and what it says about how the "band" will be run) with her wanting you to kick in rent (on a free rehearsal space?) and the empty gig calendar? There would have to be some *serious* networking appeal to make this worth any of your time professionally.

 

[metlman72]

Is the garage one of the band members? If yes why in the world would you be paying to rehearse there?

 

[kevteop]

I think if you really love the material and the band and the current terms are the only way you'll get to play then fair enough.

Whereas if you think it's not exactly a golden opportunity then maybe suggest that she should be covering the costs, not you.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Now that makes a little more sense to me. Thanks to everyone with their feedback so far, it seems most people "tend" to look at this the same way I do.

Perhaps some more clarification can help drive the discussion. I'm paying money to rehearse in someone's basement (not a rehearsal studio), when I could just as easily use my garage for the same purpose and I wouldn't have to drag all my gear around every week.

Like I said, her voice and look are decent but she's not a "game changer" or anything like that. I have played with younger/better looking/better voiced women in the past and always ran with a band name.

I look at this as we are doing her originals, so for me this is like being in a cover band where I haven't heard the songs before.

I think the biggest mental block I have is when I join a project, I go full force and put a lot of time into promotion and band operations, so I look at this as I'm only promoting the lead singer, as opposed to the "band".

Wait. I missed this the first time around. You're be paying someone to rehearse in their basement

 

[Joebarnes]

Wait. I missed this the first time around. You're be paying someone to rehearse in their basement

Not "their" basement; "a" basement. They 'rent' the space from some guy not part of the band. A tidy little setup for that guy. Makes me want to convert my garage into a soundproof room and just charge bands $40 a night to rehearse.

Like I said, for $10 a member; we have rehearsal studios in town that you can rent for a 5 hour period and all the gear is there (don't have to drag out the tube amp and cabs).

Oh, and both opportunities are for 2 guitar bands, for those of you that are wondering.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Not "their" basement; "a" basement. They 'rent' the space from some guy not part of the band. A tidy little setup for that guy. Makes me want to convert my garage into a soundproof room and just charge bands $40 a night to rehearse.

Like I said, for $10 a member; we have rehearsal studios in town that you can rent for a 5 hour period and all the gear is there (don't have to drag out the tube amp and cabs).

Oh, and both opportunities are for 2 guitar bands, for those of you that are wondering.

Gotcha, that makes a little more sense lol.

 

[N.F.A.]

Yes, I would.
Yes, I have done so in the past.

 

[Jazzstick]

I had to book a few gigs using my name in order to get on the bill. I didn't like the idea, but it was the only way the promoter would let us play. I paid all the members and took no pay for myself, as soon as I could I dropped my name from the tittle.

If I'm playing my music in a jazz setting I will use my name but a greatly prefer a joint effort.

So.....I would (and have) play in a band using someone elses name in the tittle as long as I respect the musician and everyone's roles are clearly defined.

Brett

 

[Nomadskills]

Will you be allowed to do any tapping?

Haha I'm not sure why but I found that really funny.

Personally, I wouldn't do it but I like to be involved in something where we can share as equally as possible.

 

[wideload]

The name isn't a red flag to me, but I was in a "name" band for 25 years, so...
As long as I am treated like everyone else (pay, responsibility), it's cool. When there are side deals (with band members, not the extra $ the "star" gets for booking and putting up with the BS) then its time to find a new home.