General Music Chat

I doubt you're going to believe me, but it's all true.

Ok, tomorrow I'm meeting with Jim Settle, former bass/vocals for Tantrum of the Muse and Narcissus to record in his studio tomorrow to work on an album, and most likely, join his band. He's also in another band with former members of Underoath and Showbread. This is NOT a joke. He said he sought me out. I must have talked to him for about 3 hours tonight.

While I was talking to Jim, a drummer called me back who answered my ad in CL that I posted last night. A progressive drummer with a big drumset. He actually likes my playing! And to top it off, a Bassist/Vocalist contacted me via email around the same time this drummer. did. I've been corresponding with him all day. Now I have to email him and tell him if he calls I won't be home...no need to say why.

All I can do is thank God. This hit me so fast it wasn't even funny. I feel like I won the lottery 100x. I said I was going to have two bands, and look what's happening.

It's taken me over a year to find anybody.

Sad thing is I told my dad, and he laughed at me. Told my mom, and she scorned me and rushed me off the phone. THIS tells me, that family is something that's created by friends, not really by blood, not in my case at least.

I've always been a lone wolf anyway. Nothing or no one is going to stop me from being happy though. Ok, I'm rambling a bit.

Good luck. All you can do is try and if the chemistry is right who knows how far it can go. Being in two bands is okay if there's no conflict. I don't like being in more than one band but occasionally I play for $$ if the opportunity presents itself. My musical future is with creativity. Cover bands don't do it for me any more.

Thanks Bob!

I really like this Jim guy. We are both pretty upbeat, and seem to get excited about the same stuff. Actually, we're alike in a lot of ways I can tell.

The other two guys I talked to seem really...blah. It's kind of depressing. Like my enthusiasm couldn't get this guys perked up. The longer I pushed the conversation, the more I wanted to get out and off the phone. So far, I'm expected to get all the work done, i.e. find rehearsal. And they don't seem too thrilled that I've found the makings of a full trio. I really feel like I'm starting "my band". I sure hope these guys get a little more happy, and that they get along.

I'm not going to ditch anything now. Nothing is concrete, and I'm not going to be bandless again after searching extensively for over a full year now.

I'm going to be real busy. Not only am I practicing to scratch tracks already, but I have to record bass and guitar from my songs and send them to the drummer. It's worth it though!

OK Kru good for you you've made the connection now keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the prize coz in the fickle world of music and musicians it can all vaporize in a blink of the eye.

Keep it going and good luck.

Thanks Nav, I'll take all the advice I can get, so give me anything that comes to mind. I'm getting back into the scene, and I've noticed things have changed.

I was starry eyed today, and now I'm starting to get realistic. Not negative at all, but I have questions.

first off, even though I have an opportunity to get a top notch recording for free, with an extremely well known musician with connections, I have to ask him:What else am I getting out of this, aside from making up unusual chord changes to songs that are solely yours? Are you going to keep me updated about what company decides to release this? What percentage am I going to get paid for sales? Do you have a problem with me looking at the monthly statements if you do distribute this? Do I get Copyright credit for making up "ALL" of the guitar parts?

As for this other bass player from CL: He said we have at least enough in common to jam sometime at least once. He said he couldn't contact me until the weekend sometime because he was going to pick up one of his "high school" friends. Keep in mind this guy is 40 years old. Hanging out with high school kids!? I hang out with my nephew, but not his friends. And I'm not too thrilled about the "jam at least one" statement. That sh*t just lacks optimism and enthusiasm, and it can rub off on everybody else. So, I'll call him back when I get home Sun. if he leaves a message. The guy was too scared to give me his number.

Now, even though the drummer I just met seemed a little standoffish, he was prompt to call. Not that optimistic, but I can tell he just doesen't want his time wasted...and I really respect that. Now, with that being said, I would hate to have this 40 year old kid bum out my soon-to-be Prog.-like drummer. I think this drummer is about 13 years older than me, so I know he has more stage experience, I don't know anything about his music business sense.

So, after thinking about all of this really hard, yet with a sober mind, my gut tells me that this drummer is the most promising catch...that is...if he wants the gig. I could still be wrong here, everything is still a guessing game. I mean, as soon as this guy Jim saw that I was hooking up with people he got brave enough to call me out. It went from a message, to messages, messages with links, to hitting me up on chat, and then getting phone numbers all within 30 minutes. I had to actually tell him I had to go after about 3 hours. Don't get me wrong, he seems really cool, but I have no reason to totally trust anyone yet. I've been burned too.

This is a new, and unique situation for me. I've ALWAYS had one band at a time. And the best times were in my high school days where everyone was having innocent fun, but were serious and dedicated too.

I'll take creative freedom over anything. That's what I've been searching for, and that's where I'll stand. Back me up guys, I need all the advice I can get. This is like getting married to me, cause I want something for the long haul. Heh, I got divorced because nobody told me I chose the wrong person, I asked my dad about this and his excuse was he didn't think I would listen.. I knew something wasn't right, but I had no confirmation, i was green. So yeah, any help from you guys is worth GOLD. My mind is open.

Hey, that's a heck pf a start, Krul! Good for you.

On the family side - in their defense, I must say that our parents always have our best interests in mind when they react to things. It may be THEIR version of "best interests," but it IS heart-felt & well-meaning. Their concern is that you will get involved in music to the detriment of your "real calling." I lived through that, myself. Not every parent is gonna be all happy & sh*t when their kid goes into an artistic field where they can be taken advantage of so easily.

Take it easy on them. They're just parents. They love you & mean well...even if they go contrary to YOUR goals in life. That just means they don't know you as well as maybe they should...of course there is also the possibility that they're right...don't burn any bridges...love them for who & what they are, as you'd like for them to do with you.

That's great ! I think ?

Never heard of these guys.

I must come out from under my rock from time to time.

Hey Kru others may have different opinions on this but at the stage that you’re in hold the questions for now go in it first with enthusiasm and as things develop some of the questions may be answered without asking and that is a good thing, asking questions right off the bat may imply mistrust a feeling to be avoided when establishing relations.

As dynamics develop you’ll be in better position to ask the right and valid questions about creativity rights and other doubts you may have.

You’ve mentioned that this guys are top notch musicians I see this as a good opportunity to invest you time and effort even if nothing comes out of it, the fact that you’ve been part of a project with these guys will be a good experience and will look good on your musical resume`.

Of course this would be the worst case scenario, on the other hand at this point there’s no reason to think that this project has to fail and even that takes a while for it to happen.

Be guarded but don’t show it, be agreeable not doubtful, be alert for things that would make you an asset to the group in terms of music and personality coz at first once your musical chops are recognized and accepted the scrutiny move on to attitude, personality important ingredients for the longevity of any band.

Through/out keep it light, enthusiastic and hopeful.

your going to make it happen Krull, I can hear the want to in your writings. I remember when my Dad laughed at me, how hurt I was, cause I only wanted to please him and get his approval. Take philbymon's advice that's the best thing, I've heard anyone say on this forum. Philbymon I wish you could have told me this back in 1977, it sure would have made a difference.

Go for it Krull set your goals high and attempt to attain them.

Sounds like I've wrote alot of BS, but your comment about your Dad laughing at you, brought me back to that day it happenned to me.
Philbymon maybe you ought to get a job as a counselor?

Kruliosis congrats! My parents never even faked enough interests to care, neither have ever heard me play a single song ever. In fact, it’s probably a big driving force to continue, to one day be heard or recognized. But it looks like your day is at hand, my wishes that it all turns out to the best imaginable!

first of all, thanks for your advice and your blessings. It means a lot, and has helped me get a better perspective already.

You know, I do honor my parents, and I know they care about me. I could never understand some of these people who go around calling their folks names, and even going public with it. Often, there's just some things parents and their kids will never understand about each other, and even though you can get hurt, it's still no reason to hold a grudge. I'll get over it.

I was thinking, if I came in today with too many questions I would take the fun out of it, be a little insulting to the person's character, and even shoot down my chances. I'm going to be jamming around 2:00 or 3:00 today, so I'll have a report for you guys by tonight. I promise I'll give you the scoop on it. So, say some prayers for me, and wish me luck. May my fingers be filled with lightning.

And again...thanks guys! I needed it man!

Wring that neck! :

Prayers I can do ...

OH, and Dad said ... break a leg

Brian, I finally listened to Nessie and I think it is fab_u_lus. Is that original? If so, pleeeze let me put a flute track to it. I can understand why people would be lookin you up. I understand your apprehension with the 40 year old teenager. But, the guy that does my recordings has no credit cards, no checking account. He has a small income but it keeps his head above water. It seems so weird to me, livin' in California and all. But he lives in an apartment near the ocean. he has no financial problems. So even though it seems like he needs to grow up a bit. But he is very good at what he does. If that helps at all.

Just hang in there Krul, I like what Nav said, just go in with an open mind. I can't tell you how many times I got excited over meeting people and then just getting everyone together was like bahhhhh then the whole thing just became a dead stick. My first band efforts back in 2002 were even worse. You just have to stick with it.

You have to be a leader and go in there like you're rallying troops, then you rally others. Right now, I'm thinking like PT Barnum, not the sucker scenario, but he was an entrepreneur. I have my band and these guys want to see me blaze in and get people at our shows. Even though they say they'll help, they're still looking to me because they don't want to waste their time. When they see you're out there getting good gigs and putting a foot forward, they're more inclined to work with you even more.

There's nothing worse than musicians going:

"I wanna get a band and get some gigs."

Hello, that's what every band wants, what's the plan? How do you intend on doing that? Can you pick up the ball if the other band members can't get things done? Sometimes it's not fair, but it takes a real leader to get things off the ground.

That's the best I can tell you, other than keep your eyes open, stay focused, stay real and prepare for any and everything. Always have an ace in the hole. Don't let things fall apart on you, especially when you have that ascending momentum. Keep charging forward.

Chaeya