MikanHannille Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I've played with these guys for a year now. 8 months of rehearsing before we actually did our first gig (I know, one of my frustrations with this band.). Just to say that I am playing for fun these days not for the money. The problem is these guys (vox, and two guitars) are too much into their own comfort zone. We are a covers band and we advertise ourselves as "from 70's to current hits" band but we seem to be doing mostly 70's rock and roll stuff. Our drummer (a mate of mine) suggested months before our first gig, if we would like to do a support kind of gig for exposure, like do 5-6 songs for the night before the main act but the guys seems reluctant. Even open night jams, they are passive-aggresively turning it down. 70's rock and roll is okay but as I've said we are a covers band but we seem to be more of a tribute band now. Any new songs suggestion being shot down straight away by the vox because people won't know these songs apparently. Another thing me and the drummer are struggling at the moment is our set list. Our vox seems to think that 40 songs is the right amount of songs for two sets. He claims that each set needs to be at least 1 hour long each. While I do agree that the second set could potentially be longer than the first one but 40 songs for two sets seems to be too much isn't it? My main issue here is with the vox, while he can deliver his vocals really good he's also so unbelievably stubborn and inconsistent. This January he said he wanted to gig as much as possible, that he can swap shifts just so he can do the gig. So our drummer did some leg work and managed to books some gigs until June.(one each month) But then he came back to us and said that slow down with the bookings as it's too much and he has to prioritise his work. It's just frustrating and not fun anymore I've told our drummer that I'm playing the upcoming gig on Feb 14 and that's it for me. I'm done. Is my reason too shallow or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Sounds like you made the right decision to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 If it's not what you want then leave. Shallow has nothing to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weststarx Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Sounds exactly like my band and situation but I've never had the balls to it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I think one of them doesn't want to gig and is putting any excuse he can find to hinder the whole reason for the band in the first place. 8 months is way too long and you've been too patient. I think bands should have gigs lined up before they even start. It doesn't matter how many songs you have if you never get out there and play them... I'm surprised you've lasted this long, tbh.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 The other thing that occurs to me...he seems to have an awful lot of opnions for someone who doesn't gig.. My first retort to him would be 'how would he know' but then that would also mark the beginning of the end somehow, no doubt..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I thought you were going to tell us you were leaving because you didn't like the other band members' dress sense or haircuts. But it sounds like you have valid reasons, so not shallow at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 i'd have left too, sounds like the singer likes the idea of a band but doesnt actually have a clue or the desire to work for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 One of my very earliest bands took an age to finally gig with me on board, I was a relative beginner and they were all older, experienced players who had gigged lots in the past, taken a break and then looking to get back into it so I foolishly went with it but I wouldn't now. Turning down songs that 'people won't know' is often shorthand for 'songs that I don't really know, probably can't sing and can't be bothered with learning right now'. You joined a band in the expectation of regular gigs in sensible time frame and they haven't delivered, I don't think that's shallow at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Nothing to do with being shallow. It isn't working out the way you'd like, and it doesn't sound like it's going to any time soon so getting out seems like the way to go. Hope you have better luck with your next endeavour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Perfectly valid reason for leaving. Sounds like you and the drummer who would be a good basis for starting a band playing what you want to play the way you want to work. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 not shallow, you've just seen the situation honestly for what it is and done the right thing. it was never going to end will with people behaving like that. been there, seen it. you've saved yourself a load of time and hassle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 Thanks guys. I was just thinking about how much work I put into it and just ending up like that would be shame. But that seems to be the more logical solution right now. [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1422892535' post='2677962'] I thought you were going to tell us you were leaving because you didn't like the other band members' dress sense or haircuts. But it sounds like you have valid reasons, so not shallow at all! [/quote] Actually it's only me and the drummer who has actual hair left! [quote name='KevB' timestamp='1422894246' post='2677995'] One of my very earliest bands took an age to finally gig with me on board, I was a relative beginner and they were all older, experienced players who had gigged lots in the past, taken a break and then looking to get back into it so I foolishly went with it but I wouldn't now. Turning down songs that 'people won't know' is often shorthand for 'songs that I don't really know, probably can't sing and can't be bothered with learning right now'. You joined a band in the expectation of regular gigs in sensible time frame and they haven't delivered, I don't think that's shallow at all. [/quote] Age-wise I think we were in a similar place. I'm the youngest being 25 with them well in their 40's and up. Experience-wise it seems that it's the opposite although the vox claims he's been gigging for 20 odd years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Ther drummer sounds ok, so perhaps you should see if you can find another guitarist, singer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1422898511' post='2678078'] Ther drummer sounds ok, so perhaps you should see if you can find another guitarist, singer [/quote] +1, good call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Obvious really. You have 2 bands in one . Just take Mr. Drums with you, and leave the other band behind . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 You don't have to be in any band you don't want to be in, only thing I think is that if anyone leaves a band it should be done in such a way that you honour any commitments that you agreed when they where booked or make sure a new player is in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 If your doing this for fun and not money why are gigs an issue? Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Seems to me the gigs are the fun part no? Rehearsing 70s rock songs for 8 months doesn't seem like any fun at all to me. I bet you do Alright now don't you? You have 4 reasons to leave. 1/you don't like the singer and think he's pompous and controlling and lazy. 2/you don't like the guitarist and think he's lazy and not interested in music after 1976 3/you don't like the set which is full of 40 year old dad rock songs. 4/you will never get an equal say in how the set and gig list develops because they will always insist their experience (20 years man and boy) means they get to do it their way. You don't have to waste another year with musical dead ends, there are absof***ing loads of bands looking for committed bassists. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1422901803' post='2678148'] If your doing this for fun and not money why are gigs an issue? Blue [/quote] Gigs or not, integrity counts. Saying one thing (that others act on...), then reneging, thus wasting the efforts of the others, is not on. Being up-front from the off would be preferable. That's how I see the situation. Just my tuppence-worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Gigs or not, they sound like a nightmare. Good exit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 [quote name='MikanHannille' timestamp='1422891210' post='2677934'] It's just frustrating and not fun anymore [/quote] Perfectly valid reasons to bag it mate. Got to ask though, 8 months of rehearsals before your first gig and you didn't see the signs ? Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 This sounds like you play with a couple of guys who just want to be able to say, they're in a band. Leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Sounds like a ball*che to me. Vox/guitards are 10 a penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 8 months of rehearsal is WAY too long. I like to be well-rehearsed personally, but in fact it's better to get out as soon as possible even if it's not totally 100% - it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking your sets have to be absolutely polished and perfect before gigging - this is a waste of time because it really doesn't work like that. You want to get good at playing gigs, not good at doing rehearsals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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