#1892604 - 02/16/08 01:18 AM
The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2815
Loc: Belgium
|
Offline
|
|
So yesterday I get a text message on my cell from the singer, saying he wants to cancel the rehearsal because his throat is really sore and he won't be able to sing. He's been having throat issues a lot lately so in a way this did not come as a surprise. I'd already told the band a while ago that next week I won't be able to come to rehearsal because of family obligations. This means that for two weeks in a row we won't have rehearsals.
Two minutes after I get the text message, the guitarist calls me to say how sad and slightly upset he is that we will again be not rehearsing for a few weeks in a row. He has been hinting previously that he thinks we rehearse far too little (once a week - before he joined it was once every two weeks) and we should play out more etc. And I totally understand his point of view. He's been with us for half a year, I've been working with (or rather trying to get this band to work) for 3+ years now.
The thing is, from his tone of voice and his comments, I expect that pretty soon he will either bail, or he'll want to kick out the singer. Adding insult to irony, there's a good chance that the singer will want to quit ... This would solve half the problem, I guess.
But there's two bigger halves to this problem. One is the Yoko-factor: our singer's been asking whether his girlfriend can come and sing a song with us ("Just one, promised!") for ages, and I have been saying "no" every single time. The reason is that for one, I don't want her to come and sing "one song", I know it'll go from one song to a whole set, and the drummer and guitarist don't want it either. So I foresee that he'll want to suggest getting her to replace him.
Second problem is: the style of music we play (rockabilly / rock'n'roll) is not really popular in these here parts, so it'll be hard to find someone who's willing to sing these songs. Additionally, his voice really suits our music and sets us aside, this is one of those bands where - in all modesty - the whole is bigger than the sum of the parts. We click.
This really sucks, because we're at the verge of finally going somewhere (as far as cover bands can go) with this band, and I may be exaggerating, but I really feel that it's going to implode 
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdans(Will) "Jazz man, together we're invincible!" (Jazz) "Yo Fresh, we good! But people can still see us." The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1892610 - 02/16/08 02:10 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
Kramer Ferrington III.
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 05/12/05
Posts: 9412
Loc: Wellington, NZ
|
|
Offline
|
|
Yeah well... bands that are in it for the money tend to be pretty level headed and have a clear yardstick to measure themselves by: are they making money or not?
All the other bands tend to be these fragile creatures which are always on the verge of imploding. Frankly, I've never been in a band where there hasn't been some sort of tension running underneath. In my case, I wish my guitar player would get his act together and like, learn to *really* play guitar, I wish the drummer would get herself another job where she doesn't have to be on call, and I wish someone would write some bloody lyrics already. And I'm always on the verge of quitting, but since I seem to be the most pro-active person in the band, quitting would be like quitting my own band, so I may as well stick with it and try and make the most of the situation. I also get the feeling that it could last another week or it could last forever.
NOW...
From what you are saying, a lot of the problems seem to revolve around the singer? Is there nobody else that can sing? Is there nowhere you can find people into rockabilly and maybe train them to be a singer?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1892613 - 02/16/08 02:44 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: Kramer Ferrington III.]
|
rickygclef
Gold Member
Registered: 06/14/07
Posts: 684
Loc: LI, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
Seems like the singer is too wrapped up with his girlfriend to care about the band at this moment. You alluded to the "Yoko" factor- LOL. Well maybe it is something like that?
If he really cared about singing, he wouldn't be asking for his girlfriend to sing. It doesn't seem like a female voice would work with the type of material that you do anyway.
It can be tricky to schedule rehearsals. Everyone has obligations, but you all need to be on the same page and communicate to each other. Otherwise it breeds animosity.
I've been on both sides of it. Working full time and having a wife and kids can make it tough sometimes to schedule regular rehearsals.
The throat problems with singer seem like an excuse. Not fond of the whole text message either, direct contact is more convincing. During the Winter throat problems surface for alot of us in cold climates. Barring severe bronchitis, pneumonia or laryngitis you can still sing if you really want to do it.
I would get together as a band and assess everyone's committment. Lay it on the line with your singer. If his heart's not in it , move on and find someone else.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1892634 - 02/16/08 04:27 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: rickygclef]
|
Joe Muscara
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 02/21/05
Posts: 2330
Loc: Houston, TX
|
|
Offline
|
|
"No way to keep a band together. Bands come and go. You gotta keep on playin', no matter with who." - Del Paxton
I think it's totally about attitude. My band consists of five people, and we get along great. We don't play out, at least not yet, we share the same goals, and we're having a blast. Three of us knew each other before the band, and we found the drummer and the guitar player thru online ads. It took a while to find each of them, but it was worth it. We really went through some bozos who had the wrong attitude, but when these guys came along, everything clicked.
It's always a disappointment when rehearsal is cancelled, but can't you get together anyway, work on parts that need to be done that the singer isn't involved with? Heck, I'd just get the rest of the band together and jam! In fact, my singer came down with a sinus infection last weekend and she says she sounds awful, but we're still going to get together this weekend and play, because we do it for fun.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1892974 - 02/17/08 04:14 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: miroslav]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2815
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
Good input so far, thanks everyone  Truth be told, I think it's a "priority" issue, as well as a "what do I want to get out of this band" kind of situation. From the get-go, the drummer and me have been wanting to - at some point - go out and play in front of an audience. I think (but could be wrong) that for our singer it's always been enough to actually be in a band and nothing more. With the arrival of the second (lead) guitarist things have become more serious, we have been working on new material (because yes, we did stagnate at some point, I'll be the first to admit) and played live with him and have been working on getting booked. I don't know, maybe things are becoming too serious for him and he wants out ?
At any rate, I'm not going to think about it too much just yet. But I am keeping in mind the possibility that he will bail, or that the lead guitarist might pull the plug (which at this stage would kill the band) and that I may find myself looking for a new project soon. Heck, I may even start to practise singing again  I used to do backing vocals in various bands, and wasn't half bad but not quite good enough to do lead ...although I did sing lead on a cover one of my previous bands did of Uriah Heep's "Stealin'" which I really liked doing. At the very least, I might then convince the drummer and guitarist to go at it as a trio for a while, whilst we look for a new singer.
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdans(Will) "Jazz man, together we're invincible!" (Jazz) "Yo Fresh, we good! But people can still see us." The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1893777 - 02/18/08 11:27 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
10k Club
Registered: 05/23/00
Posts: 12740
Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Sounds like you, the drummer and lead guitarist are heading in the same direction...so I would cultivate that and not lose the guitar player in favor of a singer that doesn't seem to want to sing out.
_________________________
miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1894839 - 02/20/08 08:00 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: GeoffB]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3732
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
Quick- record your songs. Or at least the vocal tracks. Then do reverse-karaoke, and play along to the vocal track at your shows. At least you'll always know how he's going to sound- now more sore throats to befuddle you. You could even get someone to mime the vocals on stage with you- don't plug in their mic (or even give them one!). See if anyone notices.
The show must go on.
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1897958 - 02/25/08 09:09 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3732
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
And the resolution is...?
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1898022 - 02/25/08 10:01 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: Danzilla]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2815
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
And the resolution is...?
Start the rehearsals earlier  Believe it or not, but it works ...
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdans(Will) "Jazz man, together we're invincible!" (Jazz) "Yo Fresh, we good! But people can still see us." The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1898479 - 02/25/08 06:32 PM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
jay da cop
Gold Member
Registered: 01/01/01
Posts: 543
Loc: Waldoboro, Maine
|
|
Offline
|
|
ok, maybe I am missing how this is gonna be that lifechanging for him. It is an hour and a half earlier. What is the big deal, unless he is wanting to catch the earlier movie with Yoko.
Jay
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1898518 - 02/25/08 07:49 PM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: Danzilla]
|
mattulator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/27/04
Posts: 2382
Loc: Fishbum, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hey EPB -
Hate to sound drastic but it sounds like your singer is on his way out - either by choice or not. I would suggest quietly searching for a replacement.
I know you're like me and you put a lot of time and effort into your band(s). To have one flaky turd set you back for 6 months is frustrating indeed.
As for the G-frenn coming to sing - are there no karoake bars there? I mean really. Horrible can of worms to open dude.
Be glad it's a cover band. When our original band finally cut the singer loose it took months to find one and then lyrics were slow in coming and the total time lost was 10 months.
_________________________
Standing in a river, waving a stick.
"Screw it. We're all gonna die in 2012 anyways." Cartman
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1898891 - 02/26/08 10:33 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: mattulator]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2815
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hi Matt  Let's say he's on my (s)hit list for the moment, and had better cut back on the prima donna act. You're right, I do put a lot of time into this band, sometimes at the expense of personal practice time.
Of course, as it usually goes, I get little feedback or apparent appreciation, but I guess their taking it for granted is appreciation in its own weird way 
That said, if he starts acting up again, I'll simply call it a day and move on. There's only so far I will go, and so much I will put up with ...
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdans(Will) "Jazz man, together we're invincible!" (Jazz) "Yo Fresh, we good! But people can still see us." The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913748 - 03/21/08 11:44 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2815
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
Okay. It's official. I hate singers.
We have a 15-minute set (yes, you read it) coming up this Tuesday for a local radio station. Heaps of fun, and a free recording for us. We've known about this particular gig for ages. I asked for half a day off, the lead guitarist has asked for a day off and the drummer is in university and it's Easter holiday. Today, the singer calls and asks if I could find out at what time we're supposed to play and whether we could switch with the other band that's scheduled for the same radio show, because he has long hours (truck driver) and is not sure whether he'll make it and so on.
And you know what? I am tired of always having to work around his prima donna preferences. If two out of the three working members can make arrangements with work, then I think it's fair to expect the third one to do so likewise. And I don't care what argument y'all bring to the table, I changed departments three weeks ago. My previous team leader and I got along great so I could get time off mostly whenever I wanted, but since three weeks I have a new team leader (two, actually) with whom I do NOT have that relationship yet.
So I called the radio guy and asked what the schedule looks like. He told me: 07:30 PM soundcheck, 08:15 PM our gig, 09:00 Pm the other band. I text messaged the singer (his cell phone was turned off) and told him this was a non-negotiable schedule. After all, this is the real world.
If he manages to screw this one up, the band will have a choice between a new singer or a new bass player.
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdans(Will) "Jazz man, together we're invincible!" (Jazz) "Yo Fresh, we good! But people can still see us." The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1913753 - 03/21/08 11:48 AM
Re: The probable demise of yet another band of mine?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3732
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
Maybe he can just text-message in his part?
Sorry to hear he is screwing it up again. No after-gig beer for him. Tell him it's radio- he doesn't have to stop and change clothes & fix up his hair after work before heading to the studio. That should free up an hour from his schedule, thus allowing him to be on time.
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Dave Bryce, Bluesape, A String
|
|
|
This could effectively reduce our singer's throat issues, if I'm right 
We'll see what happens ...
