General Music Chat

This is a conversation I've wanted to get started for a while. I'm wondering what everyone's take is on band leadership.

Do you have a designated band leader? Do you run it by committee? What's been your experience with leadership? What do you consider to be good qualities in a band leader? Bad qualities? Who do you consider to be a good band leader and why? Or if you run it by committee, how well does that work out for you?


I've got a story that is the impetus for this post, but I'll share it after I hear some input from everyone else. I'm really interested in this topic because I don't think it gets enough attention and yet I think it can make a big difference on a band.

well... its works different for the 2 bands im in. SOTB is mainly me being the leader, Axis of Arrows is diffinatly a democracy.
Matters the people your around and if they actually care or not.

It sounds like what your going through is what we like to call the "Toki Wartooth Syndrome" Where you want spot light but dont get it enough.

Good leaders- Alexi Lahio
Bad leaders- Dave Mustaine

I think that every band situation is different, and it really depends on the maturity and ethic of the band members. I've been in bands with a more communal feel, and bands with a "leader." I personally like the communal leadership better because all parties of the band are involved in decision making.

Having a set leader can be tricky. In some cases, the band "leader" can have a God complex, making all of the decisions without asking the rest of the band for input. In some cases the leaders are down to earth and involve the rest of the band. This style of band management seems to work better in situations with artist/talent with hired musicians, like what I do as a session player.

I honestly believe that no democratic band can or will be successful in the long run. All the bands that do succeed, even those who claim democracy, have someone who took the leadership role and ran with it.

A band needs leadership and the real problem with the democracies is that when a split decision needs to be made, democracies tend to squabble and feel dissent each time a member isn't happy with the decision of the band (which ends up being every decision eventually)..

My band is democratic in song selection. Its simple if our singer will sing it we will play it, if he wont we move on. Thats democratic right?

I guess, business wise Im the leader. I keep the equipment in a trailer at my house. I handle 90% of the myspace stuff, I get the gigs and handle the PR stuff.

My biggest suggestion is that you need to decide on someone to handle booking. Did you get that someone, the key being ONE PERSON.

I am that one person, and what Ive done is take a calendar and find out to the best of my abilities what dates the other guys have something planned. Our drummer is like me and has kids on alternate weekends. I know this and work around it, unless the gig pays a premium. The other 2 members have a wife and GF and I ask them if they have any plans I should know about. I have these dates marked off in my telephone calendar. So if someone calls and says can you do a gig, I can immediately tell them yes or no. A lot of times you only have a few minutes to decide can we do this or not. Once I book something I check with all the members and make them aware of it. SOmetimes I have to go back and reschedule, but ussually I have the info so I can make a decision. I dont think you can book a band democratically, it would take too long to call everyone and take a vote.

This could turn into a very in depth post if you want to get into other areas, but for me song selection is an issue and then booking gigs is the other major issue in my "COVER" band. So take this in the context of a cover band, original bands are a whole other animal, where one person tends to drive the ship musically or maybe 2 people, but there always seems to be a dominant musical member.

Hmmmmm (Here we go again I hear them say).

Isn't a band leader the Monkey who runs around like a headless chicken booking things, organizing things, making sure everything goes according to plan, gets the cash from the venue, records stuff, has contacts, pushes through no matter what to get the band where it is going?

I've been in a couple of bands that had leaders and my what a relief that was! However seeing some people for what they truly are and despite being good friends I've found myself being the above on more than one occasion. I didn't mind it so long as folks do what they say they will.

So then my question is this.

Is being a leader a double stroke of the bloke that does everything while others apparently sit around and play?

I like the communal thing as regards writing music myself. You might as well be a solo artist if not.

U asked for leadership qualities also, hum

I think the leader needs to have a fairly level head and understand what the other members want out of the band. If the band is like mine a weekend warrior type band and wants to play 2-3 times a month and make x amount of money then you dont need to line up a bunch of free gigs and book the band for a solid month.

So the leader needs to be sympathetic to each members needs.

A leader needs to be excited about his band without going over the top, in other words dont make comments you cant back up. We recently were in a bidding war over a local festival gig. I had to cut our pay $100 to get the gig, I bidded it high to start with, but the guy that booked us told me the commitee that chose the bands like what I put in the bid. One of our competitor bands who actually cost me the $100 made a few statements about how many people they could bring to the gig. This band actually got their start a couple of years ago opening for us, and they didnt bring anyone to our gig that I could account for. Their claims were without merit. I just said in my bid that I couldnt say how many of our fans would come out, but that we would promote the gig to the best of our abilities and I told them to look at our myspace which has hundreds of pictures of our gigs of people in the crowds. The other band had about 30 pictures on their deal and one of the pictures had them playing on our equipment with our logo on the back of the stage.

One thing a leader needs to do when it comes to dealing with promoters or venue owners is no matter what happens and how wronged your band has been never go off on some one. Keep you cool and just move on to the next thing. I have seen club managers move between clubs, so Ive said this before if you deal with someone in a local market, more than likely you will see them again over time.

Just more thoughts

This is a really good subject, makes you think about the basics.

well... its works different for the 2 bands im in. SOTB is mainly me being the leader, Axis of Arrows is diffinatly a democracy.
Matters the people your around and if they actually care or not.

It sounds like what your going through is what we like to call the "Toki Wartooth Syndrome" Where you want spot light but dont get it enough.

I think you're reading way to much into my question and post there brother...

This could turn into a very in depth post if you want to get into other areas, but for me song selection is an issue and then booking gigs is the other major issue in my "COVER" band. So take this in the context of a cover band, original bands are a whole other animal, where one person tends to drive the ship musically or maybe 2 people, but there always seems to be a dominant musical member.

Yeah, I should have clarified this a bit, because this is basically the way I see it to. When it comes to song selection, band names, logos - the creative stuff - we're a democracy. We have a unified vision and we work as a team, and I love that aspect of it.


Where I wanted to go with this post was more in the direction of booking, managing and scheduling the band, and the contact point for potential new members, rehearsals, auditions, etc.

I think when it comes to the creative aspects of the band - democracy is the way to go. Everyone has to feel invested.

When it comes to managing the band as a business - gotta have one person in charge. Otherwise it can get real confusing really fast.

I've got more on this, but I'll save it for a subsequent post...

Some bands are really lucky and don't have to waste fret on such a vibe. Others are not so lucky and I'm guessing (only) that this the angle this post is based upon perhaps?

To be completely honest being on Bandmix and though it has moved me on as regards people noticing my site etc. I am finding that talk about stuff isn't helping me at all. I hate politics in general, bands are fun things really and forgive my lament on my previous post but I've found it to be the case.

There are doers. (Band Leaders/perhaps others) and those who follow. I don't subscribe to either though because the chances of being found/wanted/given are all too slim. I however do agree that there should be some foundation in any band but that it should not be that and only in essence.

I chance that 90% of your original message was lost which gives at least some credence to your last post.

Question: What is the question?

I think when it comes to the creative aspects of the band - democracy is the way to go. Everyone has to feel invested.
When it comes to managing the band as a business - gotta have one person in charge. Otherwise it can get real confusing really fast.
I've got more on this, but I'll save it for a subsequent post...

Question: What is the question?

There is no question That's why I didn't start the thread with "I have this question... "

I wanted to start a conversation. Different from a question/answer.

There are people on this board, like JW, who have had TONS of experience being in a band, and I think I can learn a lot from them about band leadership, where it's necessary, how it works and doesn't work, etc. So that is why I wanted to start the conversation. To have people think, and reply, so I can gather information going forward.

Do you have a designated band leader?

Yes, I am the band leader.

Do you run it by committee?

When it comes to band direction, logistics, booking, and finance (so administrative stuff) I make all the decisions.

But the creative process is a democracy and everyone has equal input.

What do you consider to be good qualities in a band leader

The most important qualities in a band leader to me are:
1) A person who sees the strengths of the band members and makes it possible for the member to showcase their talents.

2) A band leader who can provide a positive, professional and balanced atmosphere where creativity can flow.

3) The leader is relentlessly pushing to make the band better, both creatively and marketability.

4) A leader who is able to diffuse tension between members, and also can take critisizm about their own flaws.

5) Make desicions and stick with them.

6) The band leader to have excellent skills, well versed in theory, innate talent with an open mind.

Bad qualities?

The opposites of above mentioned. And also leaders who tolerate heavy use of drugs and alcohol

Who do you consider to be a good band leader and why?

I would imagine playing with Zakk Wylde and having a great time under his leadership. From the interviews I've read he seems to be no nonsense, experienced and genuinely a nice guy.

The bottom line is that I think there has to be a Band Leader.

Ray is the "leader" as he is the front man, and due to the fact the whole band thing idea originated with him. We pretty much make all decisions by each person having his say them we vote (more or less).
Many times for instance I will have no real opinion or input on a subject and I will just say "Hey I am just the guitar player"
It is not at all unusuall for people to come to me with questions or information while we are at a venue, as I pretty much am responsable for logistics.
So far this lazze fare style of government works well for us.
Each of us seek out gig opportunities then check against the grou[ schedule before confirmation is given.
In an amiture band like ours it would not work well to have a dictator.
Besides I am one of those people you can ask to do most anything.
But you aint telling me to do anything.

Well my take on things are this. I think all members of a band should have equal say. All should agree on everything. Look at Rush, at the beginning they all decided everything would be split equal. And it has worked for them.

Only if there is a writing team, or one writes they should get a extra cut and only if agreed upon. Many years ago my band had a record deal on the table and by the next day at the signing it was gone. Due to the two guitar players greed it cost us dearly.

I now am trying to start again after having a family and raising my daughters. I know it will be a long haul, my age, finding good musicians, and then the possible traveling. LOVE IT.

So agree to disagree, put everything on the table, divide everything equal, and it will work. Good Luck

I must agree with several others, when they say that it works differently with different bands. I've sang in bands for over twenty years, and have been involved with democracy's, where each member has a vote. Also, I've played with dictatorships, where one individual has run everything. Both can work well, depending upon the situation.

The dictatorship is probably the most difficult, as a single entity is controlling all, and people tend to have a issue with taking orders. For this type of enviroment to work, the other members for one; have to know their place and should understand that going in, and need to set their ego's to the side, which can be difficult. I was involved in one particular project where the guitarist did it all. He paid practice hall rent, for studio time, wrote most of the music and when he didn't, still had final say. So, as you can imagine, being as professional as possible, is very important, otherwise it's doomed from the start.

The democracy is much easier, but can still lead to problems. Depending upon the number of members within the band, each member has a vote, with the odd member having the deciding vote cast. I've been that member in very important and hard band decisions, as to, giving others their leave. Sometimes, that can weigh heavy.

Also, I've been the leader, and not on purpose, but, more from default, as others choose not to step up. Personally, I like taking the reigns, so to speak. Yet, even in those situations, I would still bring any and all idea's/thoughts/etc...to the other members and ask their opinion or, at the very least, run it by them. It can be very tricky and is something that has to be handled, either at the beginning of the project or in some instances, just sort of happens as the band evolves.