Bluewine

I don't drink so it's kind of hard for me to pass judgement. Alcohol effects all of us differently. The one time I took issue was with a band I rehearsed with 3 times and it became apparent that for 2 of the members it wasn't about the music. It was about getting away from family for a few hours to get drunk. Count me out on that sort of nonsense. Blue

When I was 18 and alcohol would have been a requirement. Blue

I will be seeing Carmen Appice with Vanilla Fudge on 3/21 in a very small Milwaukee bar. Gang Of Four is playing the same bar this week. Blue

Now it seems like we must go back to the importance of understanding what we're looking for in a band experience and picking up on red flags as early on as your audition. Guys, it's not hard to pick up on guys with ego issues that you can't and won't tolerate. What do you guys think, well those of you that are looking for the most professional experience as possible. You get to a rehearsal and you see alcohol and guys smoking weed. That's a match for some guys, not me. Blue

Just an overall opinion. Blue

I think there are few scenarios where leaving in a huff with no notice is appropriate. When stuff like that starts circulating in your music community it can hurt you in terms of new opportunities Blue

Yeah, I'm just not sure we can survive losing a founding member that plays guitar,sings leads and plays harp. And he did most of the bookings Blue

No, however we are in the re-grouping stage. We have to replace our 2nd guitarist who also plays blues harp and sings lead on several songs. Balls were dropped and there were some communication issues. Our gigging schedule is dismal. Thing is , quitting is not an option for me. There are no opportunities in Milwaukee with bands that are gigging and making money. At least none advertised publically. I can't quit if there's nowhere else to go. Blue

There are are quite a few variables. The reason for leaving, how long you've been a member. Are the members close friends. Are there any gigs on the books? I would think all those things have to be considered. Blue

Giving notice is pretty serious, depending on the type of band and how long you've been with the band. Please share some ideas or examples. Blue

At the bar band dance hall level you never should put a band in a room without a fully staffed bar ready for business. The band should always be staged close to where alcohol sales are made. I have no clue what these owners are thinking that put bands in barless rooms. Blue

I've found whenever the bar is in a separate room from where your playing the band is doomed. Blue

My choice of words can be challenged. I still love gigging, however if I wasn't getting paid I wouldn't be there. Blue

I have a great time gigging. However if I wasn't getting paid I wouldn't be there. Maybe it wasn't the best choice of words. Blue

We don't play any Beatles material. My comment merely means, If I played the music I like, progressive rock, I'd be broke Blue

Recordings have multiple guitar and vocal tracks that are a challenge for those of us in bar and dance hall bands. Would you a agree that playing covers is a different issue than leaning covers? Blue

I'm only in it for the money. Blue

I don't really pay a lot of attention to what my band members ( 7 years ) say about anything. They're half my age and came into music completely different than me. They don't want to learn from me and I don't want to learn from them. Blue

Started gigging when I was 12. Still gigging at 66. More like once a week than 2-3 times a week. Not a whole lot in life makes sense to me until I'm on stage and well into the first set. It's where I feel at home, confident and in control. I don't get that anywhere else in life. Blue

Some of us don't have that option. If I played music I like I'd be broke and unable to pay my bills. Blue

No real drama to share. Most of our bad gigs are gigs we shouldn't have taken in the first place. Weddings, we're not a wedding band. Private Practice, the host are big fans of the band, they're guests are not. Blue

I'm right behind the OP, we use to gig 2-3 times a week, now once a month is the standard. Less places to play and the band has been together for 14 years and members are moving on and not as interested in gigging. Blue

I like that picking. Blue

Knowing a song and simplifying it is fine. I'm talking about and I think the OP is too, arriving to a rehearsal and no one has bothered to learn their parts. Blue

I think we're talking about 2 different issues. I'm talking about those not willing to put the effort and work into learning a song. That's lazy in my book. Blue