General Music Chat

Ok, here's why I write this:

Everytime we have a band meeting I end up $50-$100 dollars lighter, I'll explain why in a sec. We meet in the same place everytime. But does the place you meet help with creative ideas? We finally decided to go with a progressive act after trying to decide what we are capable of, which it turns out a lot. Axis of Arrows has a profile on here that I hope will will post our first pro-metal song on here so everyone can hear it, its one of the better pieces Ive been involved with. Its got time changes, signiture changes, sweep picking, ripping bass lines, creative drums (more then just a 5 piece). Its the works!

I just have a feeling that the place we meet keeps us distracted from ALL the issues. Seems like we could get done ya know? Im just looking for what others do to help their movements within a band,

Oh, and we meet at the rock 'n roll strip club becuase we get the VIP seats. Fun stuff

You must be talking about a bar/pub right? I've tried that a few times and although it was fun nothing ever got sorted out at all. When one band I was in decided to have a meeting at the rehearsal prior to rehearsing a lot more got done and sorted out.

Was it a bar?

Our band "meetings" take place where we have rehearsals/band practice. Meetings for us means sitting down as a group to discuss things - something we do without instruments in our hands. These types of discussions are usually about everything except writing songs.

Our meetings are usually short; they only drag on if we go off on tangents that are unrelated to the band and music. We usually hold our meetings before or after practice, but sometimes during our 'halftime' show.

Right now our drummer hosts our practice space at his house, and his wife cooks for us. So halfway through a practice session we'll typically take a break and go sit down for a meal. It's a nice way to break up a long practice session.

When it comes to creativity - song writing and such - we do that with instruments in our hands. That's not a band meeting thing. That's something that happens in between practicing songs.

I'm a believer that if you're going to be 'creative' you need your instrument in your hand. I don't see how "meeting" in a pub accomplishes that or sets up that environment at all.

Personally, I don't think I'd feel comfortable hosting a band "meeting" in a bar/pub/restaurant. It would be too distracting. When I'm with my band mates, that's what I want my focus on, and that's what I want their focus on. And that's a lot easier to accomplish sitting on a stool with my guitar strapped on and everyone else at their instrument as well.

Band meetings? Rehearsals? WTF are those?...Oh, yeah. We call 'em GIGS!

so wait... am i being told that no one else has meetings about sales, demos what tracks are going to be played, band merch, posters, publicity, etc?

we use these meetings to set up the business and structure of what comes next, and how things are going to change for us in the short run. Am i being told that no one else does this?

We have practice, dont get me wrong, its were we write, play, practice, sow off etc, but business in a playing enviroment would turn that place sour for me.

Yah but you said it costs you between 50 and 100. I've done that, gone over the ledger, made things clear but I think there is a point at which being in a band and being in a society of a band make people confused and........ frankly bored.

Sales come if you have a product. do you have a product and what is your market?

No offence, Yeah we've all been there. (I suspect).

We have our meetings on line / via text etcetra.
We talk things out and "vote" on them before during and after rehearsal.
We have never had a formal band meeting.
We can handle most issues in 10 minuets and never put our instruments down.
For us the business is about the music, none of it is distastefull.
As far as set list. Ray usually goes through a tentative list and we vote yes, no, or whatever. Then he developes the list order and we play it, no sweat. He also frequently will make last minute changes, but as we have our music books and much maligned stands, it's no big deal.

hahaha, i guess we are the product and things related to the band.
are you saying its bad publicity for a band to hang out with some of its fans? I find that to be the opposite. We promote and what not while we are there, in the end its a small buy-in ofr a larger payoff. takes money to make money kinda thing. plus the ladies dance to our songs when we are there, not the best way to promote, but it works!

yeah I see where you guys are coming from. im just wondering if there are better areas to reeach a broader spectrum of people
we are gonna start putting together the Axis street team when Im back from the desert.

Humm, strippers dancing to our music as a sales pitch?
Naw, that wouldnt work. LOL

Humm, strippers dancing to our music as a sales pitch?
Naw, that wouldnt work. LOL

i wasnt 100% on it before, and im still not, but if it brings us closer to some fans it helps right? AAAhhhhh looks like ive opened my mouth to much again hahahha

Come back from the desert safe my friend.
In some ways I envey you young guys.
Too much of my own youth was wasted chasing whores, doing drugs and being a drunken fool. Life can pass you by so fast.

Yeah, I was just kidding, kinda. We don't have band meetings anymore because, like I said in a previous thread, everybody else just leaves everything up to me. Our "band meetings" is a call to the bassist and to the drummer to see if they can do a certain date, and the rest is up to me. I've lost the professional drive that I used to have (or misplaced it rather) because of having to do everything. I know if we had CD's to sell, they would want their share of the money, and I would give it to them. So I don't offer my studio to make them, because I don't want to do all that work and go to all that trouble to make extra money for guys that don't put any effort into it. I'll wait until I get that ULTIMATE BAND together and then we'll work together and come up with some marketing for all of us.

AirViking Wrote:

we use these meetings to set up the business and structure of what comes next,

I thought that was what the band-manager was for. It's hard enough work just being the musician and being able to entertain people.

Band meetings come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Almost every band meeting I've ever been in usually brings bad news, like somebody's shown the permanent exit door. I don't like band meetings. I'd rather just play music...

ah... one man band bliss. No meetings. Just playing.