Just needing to tell this...a rant of sorts.

[peabody58]

So I'm invited by a local band (classic 60/70's rock) to audition with them at a bar some 50 miles away.  I get their set list and prepare the best I can.  Packed up my acoustics (the Draken is undergoing elective surgery right now), and head on out, getting there early to find the bar closed.  Called my band contact and find out that the band member who set this up (the singer) failed to share with us that the bar opens at 12 noon, not 11 AM.  The owner shows up to off-load beer and he lets me in.  I find out the owner is a music gear junkie and has an entire stage with drums (killer toy box of stuff), full PA system, guitars, basses, keys - everthing at the ready.  Again, the singer knew this, but failed to share this with anyone - including the 2 guitarist's who have been struggling trying to get their gear trailer out of the mud for the last hour.

We'll we all finally get together and the singer in his introduction lets me know that he is not a musician, just a guy who likes to have fun and sing.  Well his idea of fun was to have the sound up so loud that my ears are still ringing 2 days later (I forgot to bring ear plugs).  Not a good sign.  He also went on to bash the cymbals with his tamborine during Freebird, like he was doing me a favor or something.  If it was my kit, I would have decked him right there and then.  Even after I told him to stop it, he still didn't see what the big deal was.  The singer also had a really annoying habit of wanting the timing just right to suit him.  He was always gestering to slow down or speed up.  I turned the metronome on light flash (another drum toy), and quickly realized it wasn't my timing that was off - he just kept changing his tempo and expected everyone else to fall in line.  And then there was his mouth.  Ever other sentence was an 'F' bomb, and/or a disrespectful remark about woman.  I would have been embaressed if my wife had been there with me.

Halfway through the set, all the band members, including the singer were saying that I'm in the band, best drumming they've had in a long time.  But I was also quickly realizing, that as much as I want to be in a band, this singer has got it all wrong on so many accounts.  After the session, we sat down, and since he wanted honest critisism, I shared my concerns for the sound volume and his language.  His reply was that is what he does as the front man to work the crowd, and that if you're not loud, bars won't hire you.  Give me a break man - overly loud and offensive sure seems to me like a long term recipie for failure.

Anyhow, I politely declined their offer on moral grounds as well as my work schedule, and we parted no worse for wear (except my ears).  It actually felt kinda good to turn down an offer for a change, instead of being the one not accepted or let go.  I got the feeling that the other band members shared some of my concerns, but since they've been friends for a while, and good singers (he did sing well) are hard to find, they are tolorating his antics and wishes.

The good news out of all of this was that I was well appreciated for my drumming skills (Peabody's got his groove back!), and I got a little closer to eventually finding the right mix of band mates.  For those of you with a gig - be forever thankful.  And for those who get to use your Zendrum in the band - you are in heaven for sure.

Thank you for letting me rant a bit.   

[Pocket Master]

Just imagine what it would have been like if you showed up with "the Draken".  I have been in many situations just like the one you describe.  It does tend to bum you out but as you stated, the other members are probably just tolerating his attitude and drama for now, but I would bet as soon as an equally good singer comes along with a better attitude, that dude will be gone in a heartbeat.  I am still trying to find the right mix of musicians.  I think that I am close but nothing concrete.  I would love to be out playing and getting paid more often, but all of the great bands are taken, the good bands are around but have drama, and then there is the rock star wannabees with too much drama and willing to pay a club money to play so their music can be heard.  I am too old for that, I just want to jam and have fun making some fun cash on the side.  Good luck to you and if you ever find yourself near St. Louis, hit me up.

Sticks.

[Geosphere]

I've never been in a band where I wasn't friends with the people first.

Human chemistry is far more important than actual musicality if a band is going to survive and have fun.

[Pocket Master]

You are totally right about the chemistry of the band.  I was in a group for 8 years and we toured all over the US.  If we did not have a good chemistry we would have been at each others throats and been looking for something different and ready to jump ship when that opportunity came up.  I can't say that there was anyone in that group that didn't get along.  Unfortunately some of the members were in the 60's and did not want to tour anymore which left "the younger" guys to look for something else anyway.  But it was a great 8 years on the road that I will never trade in for anything.

Rob

[randtor]

Hi All,

Well, I haven't posted for a looooooong time. I 've been really kinda busy with my business, and actually got a bit frustrated trying to learn the Zendrum technique a few years ago. I stopped playing for a while, then decided to go back to it, and I am very glad I did. I found some guys through Craig's List 3 years ago, and started playing with them. They were auditioning for a female guitarist to complement the 2 of them (both guitarists), and I didn't know that! They gave me a listen anyway and we never turned back.
Since then, we've had a few other members come and go. Our current lineup is the original rhythm guitarist who does most of the lead vocals; another guitarist who also plays mandolin and sings; bass player (also stand up bass) and vocals; and me with the zendrum and vocals. We also have a keyboardist that sits in with us when the venue allows for it (room). The main thing we ALWAYS talk about is having fun. It's just not worth it if it isn't fun.
We are a 'garage band', old farts that love to sing and play, and we actually get paid!! Imagine that! We play 2 or 3 times a month generally, classic & oldies, 50's to 90's and more modern stuff as well. Some bluesgrass, americana, R&R, country...ie, a very eclectic and varied set list. Acoustic electric mainly, with some tunes done with electric guitar, some folk electric, and the electric mando; the bass player plays regular and upright, both electric.

OK, so I am responding to your "rant" because I feel your pain! I tried playing with a few bands when I played acoustic or the v-drums, and either they were like your guys (loud, to compensate for lack of talent), or they all had drama and issues. I actually tried auditioning for a Santana cover band, and that was a train wreck! They wanted a "real percussionist", and I was still a novice on the ZD, so things went downhill fast! When I started practicing with the 2 guitarists that eventually formed our band, (The Fuzzy Side band) I was very pleased to to have found some guys who were easy going and actually loved the zendrum. It continues today.

In fact, the mando player (our most recent addition) also has another band going on. They are more quiet americana, and focus quite a bit on deep vocals. I recently sat in at the request of our guitarist, and they liked the zendrum so much they are trying to get me to be a permanent addition. Ouch! 2 bands at once does NOT make for domestic harmony, lol! We (Red Eye Flight) did some recordings over the past few weeks to test the waters, and the rest of this band loves the addition of the zendrum to their style of music, so it looks like I will have to spend lots of dough bribing my wife so I can do both bands.    PYRATE.... any loot lying around you can lend me?  :-)

My point is, after playing for 3 years I am finally getting a groove going and feeling more confident. I am hardly scratching the surface of the capabilities of the Zdrum, but I am learning every day. DON'T GIVE UP !!! There ARE musicians out there that will appreciate your talents and the zendrum. You just have to be patient. This most recent opportunity came about completely by surprise. And everywhere I play, people are always asking me, "what is that?". Musicians are very taken with it as well, so stick with it Peabody, and it will happen eventually.

RandO

[Pyrate]

Avast Thar Matey,

       Alas, economic tymes being what they Arrgghhh, Pyracy has been somewhat on the declyne, Pyrate crews being a somewhat hungry lot, just keeping them in fresh oranges eats me budget straight away.  Less shipping means more competition from other Pyrates as well.  Fewer pickens to go around as they say!  And dealing with the Admiral (i.e., your spouse) is never something Aye want to get in the myddle of.

       But I wish you,

Fair Winds and Following  Seas,
Pyrate

[peabody58]

So I get a phone call the other night from the guitarist who originally asked me to audition.  Turns out everyone was pretty much in agreement with my initial assessment, and the band split up (an effective way to give the singer the boot).  The two most likable and best musicians regrouped with a former bass player and a new family oriented singer.  They want me back!  (holding back tears....)   So I get to jam with them this weekend, and hopefully finally find a gig with some decent human beings and musicians. 

Pays to stand up for your morals, be nice and not accept anything less.  I pity the fools though.  The Draken is back (internal wireless and volume knob), and is ready to unleash itself in rockin' glory.

Film at 11.

[Tom Roady]

Peabody, Kudos to you for sticking to your guns...at this stage of my own career, I never take any gigs unless #1 the music is meaningful and challenging, #2 FUN!, or #3 and the least important of the 3....get paid big bucks!...playing with musicians that are great players with material that shows their talents is primary for me....it makes it fun and challenging.  You did the right thing and it has come back to show you that you did...bravo! "the mayor"

[zendrumdude]

Peab, (and all)

This is a great thread.  You guys are right... PERSONAL before MUSICAL.  I have seen my share of drama, and I loathe it.  I have to admit, in my high school/college bands I played some part of drama myself... we all have to learn, I guess.  I can thankfully say I am in the perfect musical situation(s) for myself right now.  I play in about 6 different groups fairly steadily (2-4 gigs a week, mostly jazz trio/quartet/quintet, some rock covers) and make decent cash, at least for around here.  I play some music I find very challenging... with some really great jazz players for sure!  And I also play in a band in which I sing 1/3 of the tunes and lots of backup vox, so I am happy and challenged there too.  And I play my Zendrums a ton!  All of the groups I play with are ZD-friendly, and a couple of them are ZD-ONLY!

I want to say (and I really hope the guys I am talking about already know this, or read it here): I play with the BEST musicians in my state.  Musically, yes... but PERSONALLY moreso!  I learn something at every gig, because I have the great fortune of playing with some dudes who are better musicians than I'll EVER be... and that's what I want!

Jer