Band members......

[geetarmikey]

If it's covers, who needs more than one rehearsal a week unless you're trying to develop a stage show? Rehearsal shouldn't be practice. Practice at home so you know it at rehearsal, you're just gelling it as a band at rehearsal. plus with the ease today of swapping files, it shouldn't be too difficult if someone has question or problems with a part to help them. But that would mean your playing with people who have a work ethic and are team players....not really the people I met in 20 years of doing bands...

Totally agree; rehearsal should be bringing it all together, not for working out whole songs/arrangements etc... I always think of it in the same way an originals band shouldn't really write in the studio as it can be a big time-eater.

In terms of members not being there here's my opinion - even if it's for legit reasons then still look at getting a new member in the near future; if you're doing it for fun then you don't need the extra stress of them not showing up and you and/or the rest of the band having to bitch about or to them.

 

[strungup]

The band:
Lead singer - never been in a band before
Drummer and other guitar player - has not gigged in 10+ years (the guitar player only gigged a few times).
Bass player and myself - 25yrs in active bands

The bass player in my current band has missed half of the practices since I joined 3 months ago. All were legitimate reasons. As you can imagine this is has pretty much halted progress and pissed off the rest of the band. I have been in bands that had 3 full sets by now, we have a little over 25 songs down. The band wants to change out the bass player (I do not disagree in principle). At the last practice the tension was thick and it is obvious that this configuration will not last.
After the bass player left practice I suggested to the rest of the band that staying the course and not changing out band members may be the lessor of two evils as long as he does not miss anymore practices. It also makes sense to try out some other bass players and see what is out there.

It is amazing that this crap is part and parcel to being in a band at any age and any style of music. Maybe I am getting old but I am getting tired of the whole band thing.

There is a distinct formula to being in a successful cover band:
1. Good vocals with 3 part harmony.
2. Play hits, not B sides.
3. Avoid extremes. Stay away from Bobby Sherman and death metal.
4. Don't play the same set list every other band plays.
5. Practice until you are tight.
6. Be available to play when asked (up to the # of gigs per month the band wants to play).
7. Always be professional and polite.
8. Do not play in a band to make extra $$$, pizza delivery is far more profitable.

As obvious as this someone in the band always seems to act like a rock star and screw it up. If your band is not dysfunctional, enjoy it while it lasts because it won't last forever. /End rant

How often do u guys practice? I'd tell him at the very least if he's not going to make practice to do some homework so he can keep up with the rest of the band. If he's been gigging for 25 years it shouldn't take him much work to learn the songs at home and just come in and tighten up with the rest of the band. I've had more than a few times where I've emailed a bass player 30 songs to come do a gig with us with 3 days notice.

I agree with this if you want to keep him the very least he should keep things moving forward by doing his homework and getting prepared for the next practice. If you are looking for a bass player, I might know someone for you, send me a PM. I think his band disolved not that long ago and he is in your area. I can check in with him if your interested.

 

[Mailman1971]

Im going to stop playing guitar and play 12 string bass and take over the sound of the band!

Your hired as our bassist! !

 

[guitarmike]

I was with you until #8.

Why not make some extra money? Playing covers is a GREAT way to make money.

Playing covers will get you $50-100 per man per night. It is far more profitable to deliver pizzas, at least in the Milwaukee area. If you make enough to cover gas and wear and tear on the car it's a win.

 

[MikeSoldano]

As obvious as this someone in the band always seems to act like a rock star and screw it up. If your band is not dysfunctional, enjoy it while it lasts because it won't last forever. /End rant

Pretty sure we all know who that is, lol!!!!!!!!

 

[Beyond Black]

Bass players.

Things are so much easier for us. Got rid of the keyboard, bass player and made the singer play bass. We're a Trio. Getting three guys together is waaay easier.

Singer is doing fantastic on bass. Much better than any bass player we ever had because he helps write the songs and knows them inside and out.

He doesn't have to re-learn the songs every week like a bass player. Morons.

What do you throw a drowning bass player?

His rig!!!

 

[romanianreaper]

I have been in and out of bands since about 86' when I was in high school. I always noticed that I'd bond with one person and they would always be up for jamming, song ideas, practice, etc. I had drama in every band up until my last band in Hawaii. When we had practices everyone showed and we found a balance between the harder rock the drummer and I wanted and the more classic stuff some of the older guys wanted. It was rare, but I was in a band that worked.

I am in a "band" now with a buddy of mine from high school. The amazing thing is we are doing everything online. I have created some songs with drum arrangements (EZDRUMMER2) and play all of the guitars and bass. I take that and turn it into WAV file and he puts a vocal on it. It has been a blast!!! We send ideas and work on things when we can. I'm using a $60 program (Reaper) and can't believe I'm doing fun recordings with a friend.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Bass players.

Things are so much easier for us. Got rid of the keyboard, bass player and made the singer play bass. We're a Trio. Getting three guys together is waaay easier.

Singer is doing fantastic on bass. Much better than any bass player we ever had because he helps write the songs and knows them inside and out.

He doesn't have to re-learn the songs every week like a bass player. Morons.

What do you throw a drowning bass player?

His rig!!!

I hear "he's a bass player" and I automatically want to punch him in the mouth. Why is it that the great majority of bass players are knuckle draggers

Bass player skeleton. LO fucking LOL

 

[skoora]

A lot of bass players werent good enough to be the second, or first for that matter, guitar player in the band's they tried for and became bass players to get gigs. It's a little like when local bands can't find a singer and one of the guitar players said "I'll do it"...they should have kept looking.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

I felt like EVH the past 7 bass players. Yes, 7. Had to transcribe every fucking note to every song for them. This new guy, I just tell him the tuning the song is in and BAM. Done. I can vocalize a melody change for bass and suggest it to him. BAM. Done.

Of course the guy is getting divorced, owns a jewelry shop, has 2 kids, had a new girlfriend with 3 kids and he's in the process of moving.

The guy can play, but time is not his friend. So I guess I should shut up and not complain about him. He's the only bass player I've ever met that
1. Has real gear
2. Recognizes that songs in B tuning do not sound good on a 4 string bass
3. Has a handle on his craft
4. Has a vehicle and has never lost his license.