General Music Chat

I was just asked to replace the guitarist of a very well known band here on Long Island that gigs every Friday and Saturday night..... EVERY SINGLE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT!

They have a great following and own their own system as they don't have to shell out a freakin' penny to anyone. It's just a drummer, a bassist who does all the vocals and I... I'm going into the studio this Friday to run a few tunes with them as they're under the impression I'm in. The song selection is pretty bland...classic rock... old Zep, Stones, etc... you get the pic. I on the other hand, am increasing my guitar capabilities and am coming up with a whole new sound for "PANIKATACK" doing newer stuff from Velvet Revolver, Audioslave, Yngwie, Stevie Vai..etc...

PANIKATACK is my project... I started this out in my basement with a couple of friends and a few beers only over a year ago just for fun.... it is now turning into a pretty enterprising "business" but we keep getting these showcase gigs and are getting paid by the amount of peeps we bring in still which is getting very aggrivating as we are now kicking some serious ass and always have new stuff for our fans at each gig...BUT...
this new band is already set....has a ton of gigs...and gets a set salary for each and every gig!

I love my project and have some serious talented musicians in my band that would blow the doors off the other band...but...DAMN... I sure could use the extra money and exposure I know you all can see what my question is...

I can only be in one band as I barely even have time for that one...rehearsals would be at my house as I refuse to pay xx$$$ at a studio for a set amount of time wheras we can play as long as we want at my house on any given weekend night.

The other band said they can learn some of my tunes that I do but most of them are waaay too intense for the bassist to handle along with vocals... they wanna keep it a 3 piece band... DO I DUMB DOWN AND PULL IN THE EXTRA CASHOLA EVERY WEEKEND?...or....DO I JUST HANG IN THERE WITH PANIKATACK AND HOPE EVENTUALLY SOMETHING BIG IS GONNA HAPPEN??

damn that's a tough one.

I'd say your Panikattack band is what you really want to do, musically. If you look at bands like dating, a band is like the chick, and you can go from band to band and never really find a good match, and you never know it until you are weeks, or months, in.

When you got a decent chick, do you really want to bail on her for the next one, even considering the upgrade is more of a looker than your current one?

I've done the classic rock thing, which I now consider "oldies" by definition. It's great that there are still bands out there making good money doing it, but it's not for me, and I'm guessing you would also be musically dis-satisfied.

I joined a new band recently, and we do a LOT more modern rock, and it's so damn refreshing, we do all of about 3 classic rock songs and I couldn't be happier.

You seem to really love high energy hard rock, do you really want to end up playing whole lotta love and satisfaction for the next few years, every weekend? I'd rather have a root canal without novicane.

Well, that's my one-sided answer. Good luck whatever you decide!

Crip, PANIKATACK is your 1st love, & it involves friends. It's coming along nicely, from what you've been reporting.

Seems like a no-brainer to me, from what i've read from you.

Nothing is worse than selling out for ppl like you. I don't think you're really considering it all the way through. Yeah, this other band has steady work, but will it continue indefinately? And even if it does, do you want to work with lesser musicians for a buck, playing lesser quality material?

You don't need to get in a rut with anyone at this point, imho, & that's just what it would seem like after the 1st cpl weeks.

You evidently don't want to do this full-time, & yeah, they're making more money now, but if it were me making this decision, I'd try to seriously get MY OWN BETTER QUALITY BAND into their spot, or some other spot, so me & my friends could benefit from a steady gig, rather than dumping a good band for an okay one.

Thats a tough one bro.

I dont know what to tell you, if you get with this other band you are locked into what will probably become a less than fulfilling situation. Is this new group a house band or do they move around. Personally I cant stand to play in house band situations, Ive been there done that and it just gets old. Im not in my deal for money, although we pull in roughly $150 a man a gig right now, plus our soundguy and merch lady. We are having to dumb down a little to keep the crowd going in AYM these days.

Weve found that sex sells and we are selling it for a its worth.

I dont know what to tell you, just go with your gut. Where will you be a year from now if you stay in Panik Attack, where will you be 2 yrs, 3 yrs, 4yrs. Lay out a plan and stick with it and follow it thru would be my advice.

I would probably try to bring my singer along, but thats just me. 3 piece deals get pretty limiting, and I imagine they have a set group of songs that you will play over and over and over and over.

Good Luck and actually this isnt a bad problem to have,

A Question is there anyway to get Panik Attack opening for these guys? My singer and bassist play in an original band and we have done some piggyback gigs. Maybe these other guys need a little Panik Attack kick in the ass!!!

Do the one that's gonna have you playing the music you like the best.

Somebody clone Crip, so he can be in both
Well, in all seriousness, you should stay in Panik Attack.
Unless you can arrange that one week you play with those and another with those.

After reading the other posts, I am really having a difficult time with my answer. But, this is my input on the subject. Is Panickattack your dream or is music your dream? If your dream is in music you want to be able to afford that dream. You need income. If your dream was to be a computer programmer, you would seek out the highest paying job for the dream that you have. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, basketball players- go for the money. Why can't musicians? There is nothing wrong with seeking out a more lucrative position if it is going in the direction of the dream. If you had not been doing Panickattack, you would not have been approached by the other band...am I correct? So your vision has sparked someone elses vision. I say, sit down with your buds and discuss this over some Bud. I would see what could be worked out. Even if you have to find someone to replace you in Panickattack. That is my 2 pennies.

Crip,

I guess what it really boils down to is whether you want to be the boss or not? Am I correct in this, if Im wrong just nail me up. Im used to it.

Do you want to be a hired gun with no responsibility other than playing lame ass music you dont like or play whatever you want to play and dictate the circumstances.

Of course I remember that there are times when people quit and you have to replace them and it gets real frustrating for you from some of your previous post.

I guess it could depend on how much money this other band is offering, I dont know do what feels good Dude.

I believe the answer to the following questions is NO:

1) Are you going to have more fun in the new band?
2) Is the music going to be better in the new band?
3) Are you the kind of man to dishonor the loyalty of your current band members who have stuck with you?
4) Do you want to sabotage the potential greater profits of your current band to jump ship and join this new band?
5) Some time after you switch bands are you going to be happy wih your decision?

LISTEN to wise old fisherman bob. I may be an idiot but I"m no fool. The pictures you put on Bandmix tell me you're having way too much fun in this band to ditch it for something that may not work out. Eventually YOUR band could end up being WAY more profitable. Are you really that hard up for money that you HAVE to switch bands? How much more money are they making? And why couldn't YOUR band be making that much money sooner or later? Maybe get some business tips from some of the people on Bandmix that are making some good money. Maybe write some originals and put out a CD which you can sell at gigs or on the web. There's got to be ways to make YOUR band more profitable. Bottom line is you should stay put, chance are you'll regret switching later on and won't be able to get your old band back together. Later...

Yeah , Im with the FISH BOB on this one too.Man , I really like your alls vidoes and orginal material You guys have that jellin magic that . thats hard to come by.I cant inmagine you playin the run of the mill classic rock/blues/ contemporary thing for very long..PLUS, YOU KNOW, those every FRI and SAT gigs live on borrowed time. Yeah , all ya gotta do is go back and re-read your post up to where you say BUT, then say, NO BUTS.. ..Man you ooozzz with pride with those guys.Thats the vibe I get.Yeah , I know I know , Been in your shoes quite few times myself. Wish I could go back and change a couple of those decisions.

John

WOW!!! So many opinions going from north to south! Thanx guys.... Talked it over with the wifey also who is my rock... I'm gonna stay with PanikAtack ..after all, it's my personal project... I had the guy from the other band send me the songs that they do and I know right off the bat 50% of them.... I will learn about 3 of their songs before Friday and go on to the studio an check it out.... then I have serious rehearsal with PanikAtack on Sat. night working on 4 new tunes we're all in the process of learning... I'm gonna try and do both but just like the majority says... I'm going to be more loyal to PanikAtack but I'm still gonna do the other gigs when we're not playing... who says I can't do 2 things at once???? I'm just gonna hafta make time and take advantage of the extra exposure... and $$

Well I'm late to this party, but I agree with several of the above commenters when they said "tough one". I think that the fun factor and the artistic satisfaction factor should weigh heavy as should the loyal friends factor.

The new band would be consistant but consistantly limited too.

Glad you are deciding to stay with PanikAtak!

Nice to have options eh?

After reading the other posts, I am really having a difficult time with my answer. But, this is my input on the subject. Is Panickattack your dream or is music your dream? If your dream is in music you want to be able to afford that dream. You need income. If your dream was to be a computer programmer, you would seek out the highest paying job for the dream that you have. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, basketball players- go for the money. Why can't musicians? There is nothing wrong with seeking out a more lucrative position if it is going in the direction of the dream. If you had not been doing Panickattack, you would not have been approached by the other band...am I correct? So your vision has sparked someone elses vision. I say, sit down with your buds and discuss this over some Bud. I would see what could be worked out. Even if you have to find someone to replace you in Panickattack. That is my 2 pennies.

All that may be true, Mary, but would a guy that gets big bucks playing for the NY Yankees quit to make better money working for the Cubs? I think not. It would probably ruin his chops & his rep both, & then he'd lose money later, & he'd never get that World Series ring or trophy or whatever they get. (Gawd...I'm so bad at the sports analogies...maybe I should learn a bit more about them, eh?)

I still think it's better to keep growing musically with the better musicians, if at all possible.

What does your heart tell you Crip?

Do the one that's gonna have you playing the music you like the best.

Crip,
I'm with RhythmMan on this one.
I would also be concerned that the brothers in Panic Attack might cut your balls off.
Ultimately, of course, the choice is yours.
Howlin'