A raging rant about clueless "musicians"
 

Background: a co-worker is a pro drummer and looking to get back into playing so we've been talking to folks about getting a group together.


These are actual conversation I had with various folks:

Female lead singer. Her statement "music is my juice - I live for it". So I listened to a couple Youtube videos her band posted. Literally the worst singer I've ever heard. I felt like Simon Cowell at a bad AGT audition where he has to break it to someone that they are delusional and can't sing at all. I didn't say that, obviously. She said she can't get any gigs because the music scene here is really corrupt and the local booking agents have everything locked up.

Band looking for another guitarist. They want to play corporate events, lawn fetes and community days. I ask for a sample song list. They want to play Nine Inch Nails, Korn and Metallica.

Male-female "classic rock" duo. They want to play hard partying music and so want to step up to Christopher Cross and America.

Guy starting a One-Hit-Wonder cover band. Sounded interesting so I asked which songs he wants to cover (like 50's, 80's, all of it?) . He sends me a snarky reply to go look up what "one hit wonder means". I explain that I know what it is and, in fact, play a few myself. I was wondering which specific songs you are working on. He replies " the usual: Diana Ross, The Bangles, Journey, Frank Sinatra."

Guy wants to play 80's new wave dance songs. Insists on sticking with his current gigs in biker bars.

Band advertises for musicians. Posted "we are not going to be playing all that common music. We want to play what WE like and when the audience sees US having fun, then they will have fun seeing us have fun."

Talked to a guy about playing 80's classic rock. Says he loves that music, but hates Prince, Journey, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, etc. I asked what he loves playing and he gives me his list of 80's songs ......all from 1979-1980.

It goes on, and on.........

I know it's tough making a go at being a musician

Finding "normal" musicians feels like speed dating in Alice's Wonderland.

Yipes! It would appear it's time to check for hallucinogens in the water supply.

This is why I don't play in bands anymore.

This is the real world of modern musicians. And once you find a musical connection you start in dealing with personalities and the different levels of skill and talent. After that you hope they deal with life in a similar way as you. Are they on time, money issues, they don't show up at all with no call or bring friends and family with them and they have personality issues it goes on and on.

Well musicians are actually humans first :D

Been in this game since 1962 - and quite frankly, I'm not so sure... :confused:

:D. Got a smile out of this. I auditioned and was chosen to play bass for a band playing “country and southern rock”. Two short rehearsals. Second gig the BL calls out four Neil Diamond tunes in a row (none were rehearsed, but no problem other than I hate pop music generally). I quit on the way home. ;)

Well according to Agent K, Elvis did not die he just went home :D

“Confidence is the prize given to the mediocre”
Robert Hughes

This is one of those you-can't-make-this-stuff-up things, and I believe every word of it.

Musicians are the quirkiest bunch out there.

I understand your rant and I share your feelings.
It’s certainly frustrating. KevWind said it best.
Good luck, you’ll need all you can get.

And unlike the general population (which would be bad enough) also burdened with a creative side. That makes it all much worse in terms of flakiness.

The OP goes to one of my core beliefs that perception generally trumps reality...

I actually kinda agree with this one. Now, I also realize I won't get many gigs with this plan, but I'm OK with that. I'd rather play one or two gigs that I enjoy rather than a handful of gigs that I don't.

Hold on, let me get my banjo.

Went to listen to another guy play and sit in on a couple of songs so we could see what each other sounded like. I started to help him set up and he tells me to leave him to it, so I go and look around for a bit, then come back after about 10 minutes and he's packing up without having played a single song! He didn't like where they had him set up and just cancelled on them after already having set up!

I'd already driven 30 miles to come listen to him play and meet up and he says he can't now because they've made him emotionally distraught, and tells me we'll get together "next time". Well, okay then!

As a banjo player, it could only help the situation!

Was that when he was down by the river with the alien.


I love the Bubba Ho-Tep movie. :D

Way back down the road when I had aspirations there was too much drugs and alcohol. I am much more settled and a better player but lack the desire to leave my wonderful wife at home and fool with it.

I was talking Men In Black , but s'all good

This thread made me laugh and cry.

Back in college during the 70’s I wanted to be the next Denver/McLean/Browne/Fogelberg...and then I grew up, got a real job, raised a family and realized the world didn’t need me to duplicate those fine musicians. Couple years ago I got back into performing and wanted to do my favorites from my favorite artists that no one cared about. So now I play covers and popular stuff and everybody, especially me, is happier. “Sure, I’d be happy to play Margaritaville again!” (But I’ll sneak one of my songs in every once in a while.)

Making music should be a choice that touches each individuals hearts. But if you want to touch others you better be flexible.

We are a trio, two guitars and a singer. Our singer is also in a choral group. He mentioned our group to one of the women in that group. She said she was interested in singing with us but wanted to audition us first. I ask what songs she wants to sing. He said, she just wanted to be a part time backup or harmony singer. She would join us from time to time at gigs. What the heck....we should audition her but I really don't think we need a part time singer. Thankfully the other guitar player agreed with me.

I think this topic is capable of lasting into next year.

Do you guys realize this is a musicians forum? I'm just saying ……….

This might help... :lol:

Attachment 28854

Only been in one band. The members were younger than me by at least ten years. All great at first, but then the disconnect began. I was more pragmatic, I wanted us to get better as a band before playing gigs, the kids simply couldn’t wait to play a gig. So I was out-voted. We were gigging after just a month playing as a band. It was also my very first live gig. Gig came and went in a flash, what a rush! Second gig came by, and we sucked. But I was the one who got fired. That was enough band drama for me to last a lifetime.

Some people are players, and some people want to be musicians for reasons that don’t involve joy in making music.

Players play; wannabes make excuses.

I’ve dealt with both and strive to stay on the player side of the equation. I’m wiling to play with most anyone and help them sound good, as long as they’re willing to extend me the same courtesy by learning the melody the words, the timing, etc, of whatever tune they’re bringing in.

I'm always suspect of some things...

If he's a pro drummer, isn't he already working as a drummer?


In the town I live in you can be Aerosmith and not get a gig unless you're in with the local booking agent...

As a biker who hangs out in biker bars, yeah, stay away from this one...

That doesn't sound completely out to lunch to me. A crowd likes to see a band having fun...

He now has a really good business job. Quite the professional in abilities still. Is this relevant or just a premise for "suspecting something" as you put it?


Not here. And, in fact, getting gigs is always an "easy" topic with all the other folks I talked to.


I am totally cool with biker bars and bikers - don't try to paint me as some sort of bigot or snob. My comment which you selectively disassembled was that he wants to play new-wave dance music in a biker bar. Wrong music for the wrong crowd. My statement stands,



Yes having fun is important but playing the wrong music with total disregard for the crowd and what they came to see is just self-indulgence.

Not sure what this means but I remember playing at a biker bar down in Wyoming one time and the booking agent said the owner wanted the music to be nothing but country, played quietly enough that we would just be background music. We finally got the room on our side when we ignored the instructions, cranked it up, and mostly quit playing country. Don't really see the 80's new wave stuff necessarily fitting in well either.