So. My drummer calls me up a week ago, and is like "hey when are you going to be back?"
Tell him my last day of finals is April 30, will be back like May 1. So he brings up a show for May 4. I'm like, I'm down as long as we're ready. We haven't practiced in almost a year, and we have a new guitarist coming in that needs to learn all our shit. Drummer says it'll all be fine, for me to just practice my stuff, and we'll get me all set the couple days I'm back before the show. SO HE BOOKS THE SHOW.
I'm fine with that. Thinking the three of them have a month to get ready together. I can prepare myself, and just assimilate myself. I start telling people about the show. Got replies already for "yes".
Today: Set up a convo between my drummer and the new guitarist so they can discuss practice. Drummer says "yea, we're not going to start practicing until May 25". I'm like what? Ask for explanation. Drummer basically says school and work are in the way. And the only time they have available is the weekend of May 25th.
So I'm like what the fuck? A weekend is not enough time to get you two prepared AND get a new guitarist ready. He needs to learn all our songs still. And we haven't played together in like a year. Then I'll only be back for like 2 days worth of practice before the show. So basically 4 days total of practice after close to a year off.
Ask my bass player about it, basically said he's too busy, and didn't want to do the show in the first place.
FUCK. Seriously sick of this shit.
And deep down I know, this is probably the end for this band. They don't have the same passion I have for it, and won't make time in their schedules to make it a priority. And I know that deep down, once this band is done, so is my career as a performing musician, basically. I can't get a band in Nashville. Won't be in Illinois enough to get one started there. A dream basically thrown away because of bullshit I should have prepared for a while ago.
You're being too harsh on yourself. I haven't been able to find the right people to jam with yet either, but it's way too early to say your career as a performing musician is over. You're only 20, right? You have so many years ahead of you. Just keep practicing and keep writing and you'll find people to play music with. It might be next week, it might be next year, but it'll happen. Have you ever thought of putting up a craigslist ad? I know I'll probably do something like that once I'm established in San Jose and have my own place and my car down here.
No offense MC, but if you want to make it as a guitarist you need to get out and play guitar. Staying in and playing video games all day won't get you anywhere. That's why Slap kinda has an edge on you as a prospective musician because he's really not all that interested in anything else. I kinda get the idea you're just fine spending weekends watching 'birdemic' for the 90th time and vegging out on some new RPG. If you want to play, get out and play. There are metal forums individual to every city. I'm sure there are lots of potential band mates in "music city". Even though the shows you seem to get are few and far between, there's some decent talent around that state. Loss is from somewhere near you. Ill even hit you with this to help you get started:
I'm already part of the Nashville Metal Bands Facebook Page. And I've thought about looking more into the city, but without a car I am hesitant to go beyond my school just yet. Hopefully I'll have a car next semester so it won't be such a huge problem.
I used to spend a lot more time than I do now on guitar. Lessons, band practices, my own practice and writings sessions, etc... And even at the beginning of this year I was practicing a lot more. Bad excuse, but my discouragement with bands has killed my creativity a bit. I recognize that. I need to work on it.
i did just had a good convo with my bandmates though about where they are with the band thing. My drummer still wants to try and get as big as we can get. My bassist looks at it as more of a hobby. I can get that. And now that I know that I 'll stop being as uppity about THIS band.
You were gonna be playing mojoes, yes? Im sure it was pay to play like they always do, right? Take the $250 your band is saving and put it towards better marketing/networking. The bulk of your shows shouldnt be this pay to play crap when youre not seeing any benefit.
Truely thinking about it, now, after I've calmed down from the initial frustration...
It may be better for me to wait the two years until I'm done with college to find a fixed band. Obviously I'll still be practicing and writing on my own, maybe dedicate myself to a few studio solo project type things or something, and obviously I'll still jam with whoever wants to, and my band back home... But spliting half my year in Illinois and half my year in Nashville isn't the best for a serious band situation. I should wait until I'm secured in one state for an extended period.
No lol. Whenever local bands have to sell tickets, they are selling them for the venue, all of the money goes to the venue, the more the band sells the higher/better time slot they have.
Although, at least when it comes to bigger shows, I know my friend's band *had* to sell X amount of tickets to open a show, and they had to pay for the ones they didn't sell, which is complete bullshit.
they handed us a stack of tickets and said performance order is determined by ticket sales. Gorilla and the venue get most of the money. Its technically a "battle" type thing. The winner gets like $500 and a choice of two: 200 shirts of your band, free pro management for a few months, and an out of state show with $200 guaranteed.
For me this is still pay to play. Add in "the more you sell the better slot we will give you" and its suddenly about rewarding popularity. I really dislike this method, but I digress. For me youre being used as a pawn to make others money and maybe youll see some benefit. Network man, network! Break away from this battle bullshit. Your band isnt getting anywhere doing these things. Not trying to be rude but youre holding yourself and your band back.
when I was really serious about my bands, I would get to know the booking agents at the local venues so when a cherry opening slot would come up, I'd have the nigga on speed dial
Comments
So I'm like what the fuck? A weekend is not enough time to get you two prepared AND get a new guitarist ready. He needs to learn all our songs still. And we haven't played together in like a year. Then I'll only be back for like 2 days worth of practice before the show. So basically 4 days total of practice after close to a year off.
Ask my bass player about it, basically said he's too busy, and didn't want to do the show in the first place.
FUCK. Seriously sick of this shit.
And deep down I know, this is probably the end for this band. They don't have the same passion I have for it, and won't make time in their schedules to make it a priority. And I know that deep down, once this band is done, so is my career as a performing musician, basically. I can't get a band in Nashville. Won't be in Illinois enough to get one started there. A dream basically thrown away because of bullshit I should have prepared for a while ago.
it always sucks trying to accomplish something with other people when they aren't as in to it.
Markymarkthisismymicstand.gif
You're being too harsh on yourself. I haven't been able to find the right people to jam with yet either, but it's way too early to say your career as a performing musician is over. You're only 20, right? You have so many years ahead of you. Just keep practicing and keep writing and you'll find people to play music with. It might be next week, it might be next year, but it'll happen. Have you ever thought of putting up a craigslist ad? I know I'll probably do something like that once I'm established in San Jose and have my own place and my car down here.
>:D<
I agree with Slap
then y don't u hit the agree button, bitch
No offense MC, but if you want to make it as a guitarist you need to get out and play guitar. Staying in and playing video games all day won't get you anywhere. That's why Slap kinda has an edge on you as a prospective musician because he's really not all that interested in anything else. I kinda get the idea you're just fine spending weekends watching 'birdemic' for the 90th time and vegging out on some new RPG. If you want to play, get out and play. There are metal forums individual to every city. I'm sure there are lots of potential band mates in "music city". Even though the shows you seem to get are few and far between, there's some decent talent around that state. Loss is from somewhere near you. Ill even hit you with this to help you get started:
http://nashville.craigslist.org/search/muc?zoomToPosting=&catAbb=muc&query=metal&excats=
https://m.facebook.com/NashvilleMetalBands?id=103138649748070&refsrc=https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleMetalBands
I'm already part of the Nashville Metal Bands Facebook Page. And I've thought about looking more into the city, but without a car I am hesitant to go beyond my school just yet. Hopefully I'll have a car next semester so it won't be such a huge problem.
I used to spend a lot more time than I do now on guitar. Lessons, band practices, my own practice and writings sessions, etc... And even at the beginning of this year I was practicing a lot more. Bad excuse, but my discouragement with bands has killed my creativity a bit. I recognize that. I need to work on it.
i did just had a good convo with my bandmates though about where they are with the band thing. My drummer still wants to try and get as big as we can get. My bassist looks at it as more of a hobby. I can get that. And now that I know that I 'll stop being as uppity about THIS band.
I'll keep lookin.
You live in TN?
You were gonna be playing mojoes, yes? Im sure it was pay to play like they always do, right? Take the $250 your band is saving and put it towards better marketing/networking. The bulk of your shows shouldnt be this pay to play crap when youre not seeing any benefit.
@beef. I live in Illinois and Tennesee. Tennessee for school.
@jag. Its a Gorilla Music sponsored show. Didnt cost us anything. Our play slot is determined by how many tickets we sell.
They handed you a stack of tix and you keep all money from sales?
No lol. Whenever local bands have to sell tickets, they are selling them for the venue, all of the money goes to the venue, the more the band sells the higher/better time slot they have.
Although, at least when it comes to bigger shows, I know my friend's band *had* to sell X amount of tickets to open a show, and they had to pay for the ones they didn't sell, which is complete bullshit.
they handed us a stack of tickets and said performance order is determined by ticket sales. Gorilla and the venue get most of the money. Its technically a "battle" type thing. The winner gets like $500 and a choice of two: 200 shirts of your band, free pro management for a few months, and an out of state show with $200 guaranteed.
Any excess tix go back to Gorilla, no cost to us.
Ah, okay, didn't know it was a battle of the bands type show.
It's not always that way, but my friend's band had to pay for the extra tickets when they opened for Andrew WK.
For me this is still pay to play. Add in "the more you sell the better slot we will give you" and its suddenly about rewarding popularity. I really dislike this method, but I digress. For me youre being used as a pawn to make others money and maybe youll see some benefit. Network man, network! Break away from this battle bullshit. Your band isnt getting anywhere doing these things. Not trying to be rude but youre holding yourself and your band back.
when I was really serious about my bands, I would get to know the booking agents at the local venues so when a cherry opening slot would come up, I'd have the nigga on speed dial