General Music Chat

LOL no this is not a political thread. After the gig last Sat. we had a meeting to talk out some problems we have been having, mainly with the bass player the one that has called the day of the gig to tell me he can't make it. Well he informed us he is burned out and needs a break and as of the end of July he is gone. It freaks me out how he can be burned out. I book the gigs, handle the sound, keep up with the website. I literally handle everything and all he does is show up for the gig plug in his amp and mike and plays. He does however help with the load out, but admitted at the meeting he don't even pick up his bass untill we perform. So now I am looking for a bass player that can sing lead and harmony. We are a 3 peice band. Damn I just wish I could find people that will act reasonably and things would go smoothly for a while. Now I know what they meant when I was a whippersnapper (young fellow) and people would use the term burned out musician. The drummer and I still want to continue this band. Its like how much are you supposed to take before life starts to flow again. Frustrating Grrr....

Sorry to hear that, JH. Hope things change for you soon, man, but it isn't like you didn't already know he was a lil flakey.

Our last guitar player just up & quit out of the blue after practicing with us for 3 months with no notice. That really tweaked my trigger finger a bit, I don't mind telling you!

If he is so burned out, why is he waiting till July Thats like a quarter of the year away.

I don't get it?

Everyone needs a bass player yet all I hear is mumbles about what a bass player wants?

I've played with some mediocre bass players in my time but always upon always have we both got stuff together and had fun.

You lead guys ought to take note that it is not always about the singer/lead.

Drums and Bass kick ass.

Soz

And you know what burns me? People still want to steal music; they still think it should be free.

It's so hard to put a band together and keep it together. And for some of us that's just a cover band! It gets harder when you're doing original material and actually have hopes of making a living from writing music.

I think every person who believes in free music should have to form a band and gig for a year or two. They should have to put up with the crap that we have to put up with. J-HALEY and myself and all the rest of us who have had to endure the difficulties of forming and maintaining a band... Auditioning all sorts of people trying to find a "fit"... dealing with people who aren't as motivated... dealing with egos... dealing with people who don't want to work as hard...

Drives me nuts thinking of the stuff we go through to play music, and then there's some punk 15-year-old sitting on his bed with a laptop trying to rip off the few successful musicians who actually managed to get signed to a label and put an album out...

I agree Colorsfade.
Chippy I always consider the bass and drums and I work twice as hard getting these guys good sound live, double 18's with 6000 watts thru them alone you should hear the thump, that bottom end is enough to give you an erection. I have worked with some amazing musicians in my career and I feel very blessed. The biggest problem I have with my fellow musicians is when their personal problems start to interfere with the bands ability to move forward and play out. I try to be sensitive to problems such as a sick child or as in the case with a keyboard player that I played with for 7 years he had brain cancer and playing music was very important to him so I kept him by my side even though he could barely stand much less play untill he died. I am an unbelievably loyal person to play music with and I beleive, I am a good leader because I have worked under some good leaders and out of admiration I watched them and learned how to keep musicians in the band involved and to make them feel like they have ownership in the project because as the leader of the band it really is in your best interest.
This bass player is not spectacular but he is solid although he is capable of being spectacular he isn't, because he just doesn't put in the personal rehearsal time to move forward. His vocal ability is strong although he has played in bands for years no one ever let or pushed him to sing so his voice is clean. I have a way of taking people that haven't sang much and push them without them even realizing untill after the fact, that they really can sing. To me vocal harmonies=euphoria most bands don't have them and in my opinion that is what seperates average bands from above average bands. Everyone loves harmony I mean check out how far Thin Lizzy's guitar players Scott Gorman and Brian Robertson took guitar harmony and Glen Tipton and KK Downing in Electric Eye. To me that is one of the things missing in todays music.
So I am wondering do I need to take a look at my leadership abilities or is it that human nature causes musicians and human beings for that matter to simply want more or become bored. I am a classic rocker I love all of it Sweet Home, Funky Music, Freebird, Mustang Sally, Stranglehold, Day Of The Eagle, Do You Feel Like We Do.
We played for a very large crowd last Saturday probably 1500 people and in case ya'll haven't noticed I am not much of a picture taker, But we kept them people rockin till the very end and damn it sounded unbelievable IT WAS MAGIC and it pains me to see that end.

I don't know what it is.. but in every single band I was ever in, the bass player was always the root of the drama, and problems. My current bands don't really count because both bass players are guitarists who are filling...

I know there's the typical stereotypes about ahole lead guitarists, egomaniac singers, and drunken drummers.. but it's almost funny how the bass players escape the stereotypes, yet still cause 95% of the damage (in my experiences)

Ok, done venting

Peace!

And you know what burns me? People still want to steal music; they still think it should be free.

I agree, however you're in a cover band; do you pay royalties to the publishers of the songs you cover? I doubt it. Did you at least buy the CD of the artists you're covering? Again, probably not all of them. We live in a different age, and intellectual property rights are still being sorted out. Technology is changing faster than laws can keep up. I make it a point to buy the CD of the artist I wish to cover, even if it's a token gesture.

And regarding the main point of this thread, nearly every band I've been in has failed due to alcoholic drummers. We recently fired our drummer in The Farleys; it sucked because he was a good friend and had been with us since 2001. The new drummer we hired is very good and has no vices except he likes to chew tobacco occasionally.

That does suck Haley. I'm sorry to hear that bro. As a bassist, I do have family situations and other personal stuff that sometimes prevent me from making a gig. If at all possible, though, I always try to call the client/contact person with at least SOME kind of notice. I don't know your bass player's situation or circumstances. Nevertheless, it frustrates me to hear about this! With that said:

There have been occasions lately where I've had a gig lined up, and I had to take my wife to the ER due to a gallbladder attack. I drop her off, go to the studio for the session, then go pick her up and use the money from the session to pay for the ER copay. You have to do what you have to do sometimes... I'm working around my wife's health, my daughter's health (epilepsy), family drama, and my FT job! If I can show up for a gig, it amazes me to hear stories like this where other musicians "can't."

Off this soapbox!

I don't know what it is.. but in every single band I was ever in, the bass player was always the root of the drama, and problems.

I know what you mean Kramer... the bass player was always the root of drama in the bands that I've been in too!

:?: If he is so burned out, why is he waiting till July Thats like a quarter of the year away.

Very well written...

HALEY , The only way to put up with that stuff is get pissed off.

YOU HIT ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS RIGHT ON THE KIBULAWKKISAKIES. Personal practice time!!!! Hey Hey Hey, SAY IT AGAIN..
Hey Hey Hey,SAY IT AGAIN.... [NEW SONG]
AIN'T NOOOOO WAY you you could play the way you do if you only played at rehearsal
Tough to keep a band inspired and together,even when you are making money.
LIFE IS SHORT PLAY LOUD!!!!

Wow ... not showing up for a gig is like a RPE in real life... I can't image doing that unless I was too sick to play.... anything else... whoa....

Its tough... I will play bass for you.. but you will have to make me a better offer than Colors did..... For Texas, I will need seeds AND beef jerkey!!

But seriously, I feel for you, been there, done that, bought the CD! It royaly sucks!

Oh and Colors... If you play a song in the woods and nobody is there to hear it... was there really any sound?? I played out for years.. and still to this day, I like nothing more than everyone to hear my music... pay me if you will, but the fact its on your mp3 player is all the validation I need!!

I am actually right now talking to a band about performing some of my songs.... letting them use them in there live show.. and get this... I will let them do it for (wait for it) FREE!!!

I know, I'm sick....

Help?

I agree, however you're in a cover band; do you pay royalties to the publishers of the songs you cover? I doubt it. Did you at least buy the CD of the artists you're covering? Again, probably not all of them. We live in a different age, and intellectual property rights are still being sorted out. Technology is changing faster than laws can keep up. I make it a point to buy the CD of the artist I wish to cover, even if it's a token gesture.
.

I either buy the CD or I pay for the download of the single off iTunes.

I'm a software developer. So I have a big problem with people who want to rip stuff off just because the medium makes it easier. I pay for every piece of software, hardware, video game, DVD or album I listen to.

I am old school, I still buy c.d.'s partly because limewire is so virus laiden and also because I have had my songs STOLEN FROM ME and performed simply because I trusted people. Thank you guys for your kind comments. and I will say I am sure this guy is going to regret this but it is his decision. My musical life will continue just as it has through two divorces and many of my childrens illnesses.

Your bass player sings lead, harmonies, plays bass (duh) and helps with equipment. Sort of sounds like me. Maybe find a bass player who doesn't sing and add another player (rhythm guitar, keys, horn?) who sings lead. Playing bass and singing lead IS a pain in the arse, I know I do it. Maybe he's sending you a message that IN FACT he IS burned out. Maybe talk him into staying with the band and tell him you'll get another person who can take the vocal load off him. I know it's less money per man, but are you relying on music as your sole source of income? Maybe add somebody who just sings (a HOT female vocalist?). There might be a way you can diplomatically keep him in the band. Just a thought...

Hey, I'll play bass flute!!! Ugh, don't need a bass flute player.