So you finally have a band together. The sound is tight, unique. You got your website up (finally), started working on a CD, found the most solid drummer ever. You’ve only played a few times live but the audience was really receptive and there’s a definite buzz going on locally. There’s a feeling of success in the air.
Great. Now how do you make sure you keep the ball and rolling and don’t end up on the massive scrapheap of Bands That Used To Be? What are the signs that your group may be headed for a fall?
1. Lateness:
I actually could put lateness as number 1, 2 and 3! Nothing drains a band more than flakiness. At this point, I don’t tolerate lateness at all with other band members. Sure, there are the occasional emergencies, but habitual lateness, no way. And no long-winded BS excuses like “I tried to call but my cell phone died and then I jumped on the subway but it exploded and then my cat had hairball and had to be rushed to the vet. Sorry dude.”
Along with lateness goes changing the rehearsal dates a bunch of times. You have to be working with like-minded individuals who are fully committed. You don’t need to hear, “Oh that’s the night Lost is on. Can’t make it.”
2. Drug and Alcohol Use
Listen, I drink beer and down my occasional shots of tequila like the next guy. But when the lead singer runs offstage to barf? Come on. That’s for kids. Besides, for the rest of the band, it’s like playing with half a person. The music suffers. The performance suffers. Some of the most serious bands I know or have been involved with don’t use (and that includes punk bands!)
3. Personal Problems
We lost our best bass player years ago to a divorce. He was going through hell for over a year and while as a friend, I was supportive, as a fellow band member I was done with it! We all have our personal crap going on. Trust me, I could write a list! But you have to know how to hang your personal hat at the door and get to work.
Successful bands are based on a mutual level of commitment. The amount of commitment it takes to be a successful, working musician or band is more than most professions because there are so many external obstacles built-in.
If there’s a bunch of internal obstacles within your band too, jump in the scrapheap of Bands That Used To Be or get some help to sort it out and stay on target.
Pamela Doyle
Filed under: Priorities | Tagged: personal development
