Do bands suck?

Rotti · #1 12-31-2006, 11:40 AM

I finaly have a band together. We did our first gig and the crowd loved it. It was fun and everything but now certain band members are realy starting to annoy me. Coming up with crazy ideas, and taking things way too serious. Are bands always like this? or is it just a matter of finding the right guys? Cause I can see myself quitting this one soon.

Myst and rain · #2 12-31-2006, 11:55 AM

If it ain't fun to be in the band you're in, I'd say quit ASAP. It's supposed to be fun.

Myst

Rotti · #3 12-31-2006, 12:23 PM

Thats what I keep tellin the guys.

**GilkyBear** · #4 12-31-2006, 12:34 PM

I think it all comes down to expectations. You have to really think about what you are trying to accomplish. Is this something that you enjoy doing "for the love of the game" and get great pleasure from but not necessarily any real money? Then quit if it isn't fun. But if this is something you intend to pursue as a means of making some serious money and possibly a living from, then you kind of have to deal with the BS if the band is going somewhere. The BS you are willing to put up with should be equal to the potential of the band. It's all about what you are trying to accomplish and your expectations.

**jono** · #5 12-31-2006, 01:24 PM

I agree with what Gilk says. If you play for fun, then get out of the situation if you're not having fun.

If you're playing to make a real go of it, as long as the crowds like the show then put up with the hassle.

Dee · #6 12-31-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

I finaly have a band together. We did our first gig and the crowd loved it. It was fun and everything but now certain band members are realy starting to annoy me. Coming up with crazy ideas, and taking things way too serious. Are bands always like this? or is it just a matter of finding the right guys? Cause I can see myself quitting this one soon.

Tell those n00bs to calm down and don't get so excited. The music business (and unfortunately, I'd like to accent the word "business") does suck -- believe me. It ain't kind to most of us. Personally I just had another little dream shattered, but that's life and sh*t happens.

I guess you're fairly young, having only just put a band together. Well, if the band chemistry isn't right and those guys are annoying you already (it will most certainly get worse), think about replacing them or moving on to another band. Sure, if your first gig went well there will be excitement in the air, but you have a very long road to travel. A small, local gig means absolutely zilch in the grand scheme of things. Tell them that there's a point when they would become ill from sleeping in crapped out vans next to the bass players smelly feet for 2 months, a bunch of people will try to rip you off, you have to work for nothing and really pour your soul into it, and they will become sick and tired of it all. It's a test.

When you sell a million albums on a major label, then it's fine to wet your pants and come up with crazy ideas. Until then, tell those fools to chill the F out. The music business is horrible. People who you thought were friends? Forget it. There are sharks EVERYWHERE. This will become apparent if you get a record deal. I've walked out on one (10 years ago), and just had another (5 album deal on one of the biggest major labels in the world) taken away at the last minute. I should have been a plumber.

mccabekyle · #7 12-31-2006, 01:38 PM

Define "crazy ideas"?

Rotti · #8 12-31-2006, 01:42 PM

Well I'm not that young, I just had a long layoff since my last band experience. Since then I've been wanting for many years to get back into a working band. For me it's strictly for fun. I have no interest in going on the road or anything like that. My goal is to play in a local band that sounds realy realy good, and have lots of fun doing it.
Right now it's still fun, we already have a few bookings for the next couple of months but I think one band member in particular is going to ruin it.
I'm just wondering if it gets to where it's not fun do I leave this band and look for aomething else or will there always be some issues to deal with. Maybe I suck. I should have added that as a poll option.

Quote:

Define "crazy ideas"?

Oh man I wouldn't know where to start. Everything from song ideas, to practicing methods, to dealing with club owners and other band members.

Dee · #9 12-31-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

Well I'm not that young, I just had a long layoff since my last band experience. Since then I've been wanting for many years to get back into a working band. For me it's strictly for fun. I have no interest in going on the road or anything like that. My goal is to play in a local band that sounds realy realy good, and have lots of fun doing it.
Right now it's still fun, we already have a few bookings for the next couple of months but I think one band member in particular is going to ruin it.
I'm just wondering if it gets to where it's not fun do I leave this band and look for aomething else or will there always be some issues to deal with. Maybe I suck. I should have added that as a poll option.

No, you don't suck -- you're in this for the right reason, and that's to have fun. If you see one member might ruin it, get someone else in. You have to be slightly ruthless at times.

mccabekyle · #10 12-31-2006, 01:51 PM

I dunno, man. I'm kind of in the same boat. But I seem to be the one full of "crazy ideas". I can't get along with the musicians I'm working with because everything I write is "too complex". Not to mention, I'm toggling a full time business, a growing family (just had a new daughter born Thursday), and my music at the same time, and the do-nothings that I'm playing with are too lazy to hold to a schedule.

I have always been in metal bands. That's what I listen to mostly, and that's the majority of what I write. But, believe it or not, I think I actually found my niche with a rapper (go figure). He's the only artist I've worked with in the past 5 years that actually has his **** together.

JJEMMER777 · #11 12-31-2006, 02:05 PM

Bands are GREAT if you find the right guys! (FRIENDS)

I've been in and out of other peoples bands.

Always dealing with EGOS, people not getting along, attention whores, etc!

(same sh*t, over and over)

Plus having to play OTHER peoples music!

I realized that I could never be in a band unless it was MY band and only with friends as members. Even if the talent level isn't where it could be (but getting there) at least we are having FUN and all getting along!

Now I'm having a blast. All original songs.

We just need a singer! Everyone else is set in place

Wooo hoo!

I'm going to post some vids soon for you guys to rip to pieces

Bands don't suck Rot! People do

crevis · #12 12-31-2006, 02:06 PM

it doesnt mean the other guys suck it just means you're in the wrong band. You shouldnt burn them for wanting to be something and put some effort in to do it, you're the one holding them back so find another band if you have conflicting interests.

kirk · #13 12-31-2006, 02:33 PM

I think there are a couple of ways to look at this.

If you're doing it for the enjoyment of playing, then it is important to have a good relationship with the people in the band.

However, if you look at it as a job then you don't necessarily have to like the people you're playing with. I'm sure that anyone here who has a regular job will admit that there are several people who they work with who are essential to the organization's success, but they don't particularly like them.

Randy Rhoads · #14 12-31-2006, 02:55 PM

If you are on any Job that gives you satisfaction and fun... but wont make you rich...go ahead, those are very rewarding activities.

If you are going to have a Lousy Job with tons of problems and hate some parts of it, BUT YOU WILL MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, be sure you are in for the money.

Everything in life is the same, you have to choose, there are blessed ones who have a wonderfull high paid job that is fantasctic and trouble free and fun, but those are not that common....

Playing live is Fun, but be sure those gys share your goal, your fun and are willing to LISTEN. I have always said that people who wont listen to other point of views are the biggest PRIMA DONNAS and a PITA..

my .02