Band Problems
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23261
Printed Date: November 25 2024 at 10:50
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Topic: Band Problems
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Subject: Band Problems
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:18
This all seems so trivial right now but my band has been having some problems lately. Firstly, we argue. Every session. FOR HOURS. Secondly, everyone seems hard pressed to record a part of a song as soon as we semi learn it, thus making it sound like crap in my opinion. Secondly, none of us agree on style of music. I'm the prog guy *obviously* but I don't try to force it on anyone *despite their comments on it* because we aren't a prog band. The keyboardist, I dont know what the hell he's influenced by. The drummer tends to be more mainstream alt metal, which I don't mind one bit. (he likes prog but doesnt want to play it) Thirdly, the bassist, is heading in a semi POP PUNK way, but surprisingy he's the most complient to whatever we decide on. Okay, that was the nice stuff, now for the heavy stuff. The keyboardist is tempermental as hell and throws out every other riff I write, but he's good at writing his own stuff. The drummer seems fine, but when it comes time to actually do something, he makes more comments on how we should be doing something than actually doing something. Then the bassist...first of all as of recently he's starting to blow all of us off, just because his girlfriend is preppy and he must move in w/ that crowd *although she's really nice....dont know why he's blowing us off though*. Meanwhile, I havent talked to him in like 2 weeks. Anyways, onto me. (yes, I'm including myself, it's only fair). I keep writing stuff that's either too prog or that no one likes. So, basically, to summarize, our band is composed of an *starting to be* arrogant bassist who frequently fights w/ the keyboardist, and I just come up w/ guitar stuff while the drummer kinda ignores all of it and goes along. Sound familiar? Seriously though, the whole band is imploding. And keep in mind we're all friends *well, the bassist is questionable at this point*. Wow that took a long time to write, sry, i just need a way to vent. Any suggestions or solutions?------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: AtLossForWords
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:47
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This happens. My band has two competing styles of music, but there's only three of us, so there is less fighting. I'm also complimented by two other very professional musicians that work their asses off.
We had relationship issues with our drummer, but he usually found a way to come through for us 90% of the time. We experimented with a rythymn guitar player who blew us off, but he never really wanted to be in the band anyway, so we kicked him out. If you're out of options for bassists, you have to tell the guy to get his priorities in order. Being straightforward is the only way to run a band. Make it clear to your members that this band's success is more important than anyone's feelings.
Thta being said, it's been a formula for success for my band. We're more unified in our musical direction, and we're happier with each other than we have ever been. -------------  
"Mastodon sucks giant monkey balls." |
Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: May 12 2006 at 23:53
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Schedule a group meeting. Discuss everything you want to thorughly. In this case, the bassist needs to choose either music or his girlfriend. Usually, it wouldn't be so bad, but it sounds as if he doesn't care about the music. I think that possibly you guys need to either take a break, replace somebody, or call it quits. If there's one guy in the band who everyone can't get along with, then a replacement might be a fix. But if there's a lot of tension between everyone in the band, then it might be time to go seperate ways. Get together and talk it all over (ie, where the band is going). If the feeling that the band should break up, then you should think about that. but perhaps all it is is a lack of communiaction, and a meeting might help air everyone's feelings. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 00:50
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Thanks guys, but I've tried meetings before...everyone just bitches about who does what and nothing gets accomplished. I'm becoming at increasing odds w/ the keyboardist now *not for music reasons....he just bites my head off every 3 seconds for no reason*, the bassist, blowing us off not in that he's neglecting the music but that he avoids US because of his new "popular" friends, the only one who won't freakin attack me anymore is the drummer....god I hate my life. Ha wow I'm losing all my friends I have *which is limited in and of itself* and I'm using a freaking music site to look for solace or help....wow im pathetic -------------
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 01:05
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Dude, concentrate on writing by yourself, lyrically and musically. Listen to some juicy prog, get inspiration. Then try and record some stuff by yourself, even if it means using something like CuBase. You can always later re-record the drums or whatever at a later date. Experiment. The best music you produce you'll find is the stuff you do by yourself. No conflicts of interest. When the time comes, you can maybe make it into a project and bring in guests. Obviously this is tough, if you're starting out, or know few people, but if people hear what you're doing, then other like-minded musicians may join you to help out. Of course, if you want to earn money from gigs, this is tougher... but for album or EP purposes, technology means you can do a lot of it via the Internet now. I guess you need the equipment though... Maybe that doesn't help at all... oh well. -------------   
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Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 10:48
That's actually what I was considering doing...cept I don't even have Cubase....or even a stupid little microphone for this computer....oh well
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Posted By: mystic fred
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 11:59
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your group seem to be suffering "musical differences" a bit earlier than they're supposed to ! i suggest having fun and a good old jam for a few months before tackling anything heavy. good luck. -------------  Prog Archives Tour Van 
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Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 13:51
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That's the thing. I've been pushing for us to just have fun and maybe jam, but NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO. We have to get songs done. I'm seriously considering quitting.
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: May 13 2006 at 16:18
| You should probably just ask them what is it that they want to do, if it doesn tally with your plans at all, then start a new band. |
Posted By: Crazy_Chester
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 11:25
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I've never gone through this with my bro's - all I can suggest is jamming. It seems like their is to much pressure on writing at this point. Learn a few covers from different genres, and use it to get tight. Then try to go after a new sound. Remember there is nothing but time. If you are having problems with some of the members and not others, start doing something with the members who you aren't having problems with. ------------- No one knows what the purpose of it originally was or if it had a purpose at all. Personally I think it was a pure artistic creation from the beginning. - William S. Burroughs |
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 13:00
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I hate to counteract every point here but I've tried making a jam......THEY WON'T HAVE ANY OF IT! They're sooooo damn focused on "putting out a product" *what the hell we're just a little band anyways* that they don't want to do anything but get songs DONE. Not WRITE songs, but get them DONE. They won't do jams, they won't do covers........
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Posted By: Crazy_Chester
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 13:01
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hmm, you need to drill it into their heads that to write songs you need to jam - when we write songs, we'll sometimes jam on an idea for upwards of 2-3 hours until we get the start of it.
------------- No one knows what the purpose of it originally was or if it had a purpose at all. Personally I think it was a pure artistic creation from the beginning. - William S. Burroughs |
Posted By: Valarius
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 02:09
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I hate to sound like a dick and all, but if it were me I woulda left ages ago.
The whole "musical differences" thing never works out. The desire to get "something done" instead of just enjoying it is like a sign of how desperate your friends are to just put something out and try and prove "hey, this is how good we are". Plus if you can't jam and do covers and just generally enjoy yourself what's the point?
When I started out with my band now, we use to have similar meetings to you. We'd discuss the direction of the band... and just nitpick on each other and what people are/aren't doing. Our basic rule was that no matter what happens nobody leaves. And that (sometimes someone would get a bit stroppy) mainly to try and take on board any criticism rather than blow a fuse.
Anyway, it's just my opinion, but I'd go and find a new band.
And just for the record, my keyboard player buddy was into techno when I met him. I told him I wanted to be a prog band. He's now into prog as much as I am. So anything's possible.
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 10:19
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I can only remind you that you are in the toughest business in the world and the group dynamic just may be the hardest part of all. Look at the successful bands like Yes that suffered from the same disagreements that your group is experiencing. You have to be bold enough to be able to walk away from bad-natured bands and follow your own path. Otherwise you'll spend years developing a following or reputation only to see it crumble at your feet because one of the members decides he has to quit for "personal reaons" or somesuch. If it's just forming a band that can play dance clubs and make a living doing it then the process is much easier and clearer by necessity. However, if you are wanting to follow your prog muse you have to go wherever she leads you and that is a rocky and often lonely trail to walk, indeed. Steve Hackett found Genesis by running an ad stating his goal so there's a chance you can find like-minded musicians in a similar way. Be brave! ------------- "Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain |
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 10:24
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I think you should break up the band and stay as friends before it's too late.
Try to find some other musicians who are into the same kind of music as you. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10"> 
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Posted By: Empathy
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 11:00
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Oof. Much of this sounds familiar on one way or another. My advice is this. In my experience, being in a band requires 3 things: Patience Persistence Honesty And above all, you must ENJOY what you're doing. Life is far too short to waste your precious time otherwise. Good luck! ------------- Pure Brilliance: 
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Posted By: moreitsythanyou
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 21:53
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i say kill them all!!! jk if one of you have a camera, set it up at the meeting and record your process. This could in turn keep everyone on their best behavior. Brandon's... i mean... the keyboardist's camera would do nicely. It could give a movie like edge so it inspires you to work as if it were the full process of song writing, which is what you need at this point.
-It's -------------  <font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR] |
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 21:57
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Dan you idiot! You're not supposed to mention names here! I mean.....anonymous person, how did you guess his name? Anyways, that is actually a good idea, but guess what? Suggested it, no one bought.
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Posted By: moreitsythanyou
Date Posted: May 15 2006 at 21:59
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yeah well if we were still doing the epic...
You know how i can maintain a crowd...
but seriously, you need to have meetings without instruments and make sure KEYBOARDIST PERSON takes his medication cause that can't hurt. ------------- <font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR] |