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How good are your bandmates? Hint: They are never going to be this good.
- Thread starter Neon Blues
- Start date
I showed up with bronchitis about 6 weeks ago to a duo show. BL says "are you ok?". I'm like "of course I am!". Affected a few songs where I falsetto a bit but nothing more. After the 1st set was done he's all "are you gonna see the doctor?"...
"Nah. I'm fine!"
Next day he does a group text;
"What did the doctor say?"
"He said the same thing I did. I consulted him in my imagination and I'm fine. Just like I was last night!"
Frikkin guy thinks the drummer has quit every time he's 2 minutes late and has a hangnail...
"Nah. I'm fine!"
Next day he does a group text;
"What did the doctor say?"
"He said the same thing I did. I consulted him in my imagination and I'm fine. Just like I was last night!"
Frikkin guy thinks the drummer has quit every time he's 2 minutes late and has a hangnail...
I disagree with this statement. I am by far the worst musician in my band and I tell them this all the time. All the other members in my band are trained, jazz band or drum line etc. I am not. I taught myself how to play bass. Somehow they have kept me around and we continue to get bigger and better gigs. It works because I put the effort into not F up and we all get along with each other and enjoy each other's company.
To spell it out: this thread is about skill specifically, but there are MANY other qualities that go into being a great bandmate. I want to work with someone who is punctual, professional, prepared, personable, positive, polite... and those are just the P words.
Sure, skill is important too, but it's not tops on my list. Bands who constantly bounce members for the sake of skill often wind up with personality clashes, 'nuff said. I juggle a bunch of bands, and am delighted to have bandmates with merely adequate skill, but who are first rate in those other aspects. It should be a pleasure to perform live; last thing I need is a super-talented but difficult bandmate.
I’m MORE comfortable busting a buddy’s chops, than someone I only “work with”.
There aren't many bosses in any business that will keep a substandard employee. To put the shoe on the other foot, sounds like some people here would just as soon have an OK player vs someone that is able to run concurrent with what their individual band has to offer. I totally agree with your "Ps". But again , the ability to be on at least an equal platform with the rest of the band is important as a new hire. It may take a couple of gigs to figure this out. Some even audition fine but, fall apart in front of a crowd. Then what?
As I've said, a band is only as good as it's weakest link. But, according to some that isn't so. If band "members" realize that a new drummer, guitar player, or whatever, is not what they need, they are supposed to keep him / her because they are all buddies or they are just a good guy? Not my choice at all. I have pretty broad shoulders and I believe what I believe through experience. I don't mind a difference of opinion.
As I've said, a band is only as good as it's weakest link. But, according to some that isn't so. If band "members" realize that a new drummer, guitar player, or whatever, is not what they need, they are supposed to keep him / her because they are all buddies or they are just a good guy? Not my choice at all. I have pretty broad shoulders and I believe what I believe through experience. I don't mind a difference of opinion.
I think the difference might be in the definition of a weak link and perhaps differences in temporary vs long term bands as well. If you have, say a bass player who can't play Giant Steps but is an amazing songwriter. That might not be less desirable than a better player who can't write, sing, be the person they need off stage.
Iron Maiden is a whole other thing. Those guys do everything together. They even were playing on a football team together between records. No band does that.
So much for team spirit
Maybe that ruthlessness is natural on the way up, but an established band should look after those who helped them get there.
We’re not discussing a young/ fresh band.
We’re discussing a band that has had 23 members since formation in 1975, has a touring schedule that few acts have been able to achieve.
They choose to rally behind someone that has been there for 40 years .
A new member at this point in their career is completely unlike your example.
(And when I say “they” I mean Steve Harris)
As in he IS the “Anchor Being” in the maiden universe.
And likely would like the run to the end to be with those they know and respect.
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You should see some of the bosses I had then...
Amount of times in the music world of all genres I heard the simple advice of "be kind, it'll get you gigs" and I am shock to see some people struggle with that sadly. I can say for myself I rather take a guy who can play just well and is kind, a team member than a dude who is the best but is an a-hole. I feel I would struggle with the unkind jerk band member more down the road...
Just my opinion, probably not meant to make bands but hey that is how I view it when I make a crew.
Don't forget... Maiden had a guitarist leave the band, they replaced him, he came back, so they toured with all three!
That's kind of cool...
That's kind of cool...
That’s very rare. In 53 years I’ve heard “But he’s a good guy” or “But he’s a friend” exponentially more as an excuse for their bad behavior and shortcomings, rather than as a reason to hold them accountable.
People do fear change, and many are adverse to conflict, and more are victims of their own indecision.
I hear you but the opposite can be true, and often is.
That's why I said exponentially more rather than 100% of the time.
I'm just saying what I've found over 53 years of playing. That doesn't mean other people haven't had different experiences, but I absolutely have found that no on wants to be the bad guy. I'm almost always the bad cop holding everyone to the standards and obligations that they agreed on when they joined the band.
Huh? Paul took over on bass permanently in January 1961, and they recorded their first album on February 11, 1963.
Sigh! My band could be so much better but that's for another thread!! Currently, our drummer is our weak link! But it ain't MY band or else he'd been gone.
