Ross Brown Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 I have posted many times about how I thought our band was good, musically, but boring. I tried things like trying to get the band to look more professional but got resistance from the front man. Learning new material was like pulling teeth because no one would work on the songs at home and/or we would cancel practices. We have just one guy do all of the singing, he is good, but after a while listening to the same sweet vocals all night long gets boring. It goes on and on and on I think the guys in the band thought were doing ok since we played 40 shows this year. Without going into the whos responsibility is it to bring a crowd, the venue or band discussion, we played too many gigs to only a handful of people. We started the year with 9 regular venues in the rotation. Five dont want us back and one went out of business. This seems like failure to me. We had a band meeting on Thursday evening (after several tries to schedule one). We came up with several good ideas. None of them really addressed making our show more interesting. Oddly, the guitar player took all of his equipment (guitar, amp and pedal board) that he leaves in the rehearsal room normally. I asked him about it later that night, ie I asked him if he was quitting. He said dont know. Yesterday we got an e mail from him listing a bunch of gripes that he didnt mention at the meeting that amounted to, he didnt want to change anything. These are decent guys but my time is up in this band. I need to move forward and find ways to stretch myself, not die of boredom. I resigned from the band. Thanks for listening. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamy ALB Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Best of luck with the next adventure Ross!!!! Chin up man! http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Little-Bitter/185235472447 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Gotta do what you gotta do Ross. Good luck! Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 This me sounding like a broken record again: 80 percent putting a band together and keeping it together is getting "the hang" right. Sounds to me like many of the members themselves were bored with the band -- no motivation to work at making it better. Sorry to hear about this, Ross. Hope a new project comes along for you soon. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 I hear your pain, and have been there. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Hey bro, sorry to hear but I am sure that in the end this will prove to be the best decision you could have made. Now go hit those internet sites and look for ads that appeal to you. "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlrush Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Sorry to hear it Ross, but it looked like you were headed that way for a while. Give it time and something will happen. You're a bass player and your position is in demand! Visit my band's new web site. www.themojoroots.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 5, 2010 Author Share Posted December 5, 2010 It has been coming for a while. I probably should have left 6 months ago but I kept wanting to believe it would get better. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottom End Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Good move, Ross, and I'm sure it will work out well. As stated before, you gained a lot of experience in both playing and in making connections with club owners and probably other musicians. Take some time to figure out what kind of band opportunities there are, and you'll be ready to start something new. "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.'-Hamlet Guitar solos last 30 seconds, the bass line lasts for the whole song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 So, what's next? Will you be starting your own band or joining an existing project? Take a break from music and playing out? Take or give lessons? "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 5, 2010 Author Share Posted December 5, 2010 Working on another project. May do jams/open mics for a few months to network. May take some lessons, maybe... Also want to clean up my technique. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Bummer, but it's time seemed overdue. Good luck on the new projects! Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 This is a good thing. Mainly you saying to them and yourself, "I'm a professional and I deserve to be working with professionals in a professional situation. This ain't it." Good on yer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Been there done that more times than I can easily count. Believe me, even though it sucks when a band you have invested so much of your time and energy into crashes and burns, it is better in the long run to move on. Like you said, you realized 6 months ago it was in the tank but it feels secure down in the comfort zone and it's easy to rationalize that it just needs MORE effort/committment and you just end up wasting the time you could use to be productive in a more positive endeavour. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will bounce back and be in a better situation sooner than you think! Cheers! Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Some other band will be very happy to get you! Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Bass players with a professional attitude such as you have should not have a problem finding a better situation. Getting out and networking and playing with others will help you to continue your growth as a bass player. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butcherNburn Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Sounds like it's time to move on. If you're not relying on a gig to pay the bills and you're not having fun anymore, cut your losses but try to keep your friendships intact. If you think my playing is bad, you should hear me sing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemtone Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 When it gets back from being on tour, tell The Shirt about your former bandmates. Nothing more needs be done. It is, after all, the Chuck Norris of quality menswear. Play. Just play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lokair Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Where you at in Pa Ross? I am 20minutes east of pittsburgh, maybe looking to start a band. let me know. Lok 1997 PRS CE24, 1981 Greco MSV 850, 1991 Greco V 900, 2 2006 Dean Inferno Flying Vs, 1987 Gibson Flying V, 2000s Jackson Dinky/Soloist, 1992 Gibson Les Paul Studio, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 6, 2010 Author Share Posted December 6, 2010 York. If I recall, that would be quite a hike??? "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 string Mike Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 In another 6 months, you'll be wondering why you hung on so desperately for as long as you did. We all hate these things when they happen but it really is for the best when they do "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind"- George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric VB Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Good on ya! Let us know when you trade up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98HondaCivic Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 You made a good decision, and I don't think you'll regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yourlord Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Sorry to hear it man. Can't say you didn't try though.. Here's to the next step! Feel free to visit my band's site Delusional Mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 New band: Ross and the Brown Shirts. I like it! "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 6, 2010 Author Share Posted December 6, 2010 wanna play bass...? .... oh wait...... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 wanna play bass...? .... oh wait...... We could cover "Big Bottom..." Think about it, that's all I'm saying. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketRobinson Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Hey Ross- I know how you feel. It's especially frustrating when you know the band has potential but there is a lack of work ethic. I have a successful band, we do some 45 nice shows a year, and overall I am pretty happy with the guys. Biggest gripe is not meeting our potential thru lack of effort on learning new tunes and the selection of the new tunes we do learn. Get's stale for us and our fans to hear the same stuff. Anyway, reading your posts, you appear to be pretty grounded- I imagine you will be setting some ground rules on your expectations when you hook up with something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 Spoke with the singer last night. He wanted to make sure we remained friends and stayed in touch, come see each others bands, etc. It was a good conversation. He too was surprised by the guitar players email and knew what would happen at that point. He said they will probably look for another bass player and he is also auditioning with other bands. Cool. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lokair Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Yea thats a drive, oh well. worth a shot. Lok 1997 PRS CE24, 1981 Greco MSV 850, 1991 Greco V 900, 2 2006 Dean Inferno Flying Vs, 1987 Gibson Flying V, 2000s Jackson Dinky/Soloist, 1992 Gibson Les Paul Studio, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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