Band monogamy

paulphoenix

What's everyone's view on this?

I'm definitely a one band only kind of guy. For me personally, I feel that it is best to give all your time, effort and musical energy to just one project at time.

Obviously, there are many that are seemingly happy and able (somehow) to be in multiple bands at once.

I have been rehearsing with a band for the last 9 months. A couple of the members (husband and wife) had alluded to contributing to other projects (without ever confirming definitively). We had a bit of a lull after Christmas with no rehearsals (partly my fault plus some bass player problems) but whenever I contacted them to ask, they both confirmed they were still keen once we found a new bass player. Then literally a day after our most recent message exchange they're both all over FB promoting their (other) new bands' first 3 gigs.

This left me feeling a little disenchanted, and that I should back away from (or scrap) our project to let them establish and concentrate on their new band. Both are great musicians and cool peeps and we have several mutual friends (which is how we were introduced). 

Those of you that are in multiple bands (and I don't mean just occasional depping) - do you actively contribute to promotion/marketing, getting gigs, arranging rehearsals/man management as well as the social and friendship side etc..in each band or do you just turn up and play? Maybe it's different for each band you play in? What about conflicts of interests/gigging schedules? 

p90fool

I've been in four bands at once before now, but have made it clear to all of them which one is my priority, and have arranged deps (which I spent time training) for the others. 

I have no idea how you'd make a living from only one band in the UK tbh, I needed to gig at least three nights a week and most single semi pro bands can't or won't. 

Now I have a part time day job I'm happy with one paying band and some creative but poorly paid side projects. 

Musicwolf

Since retiring from the day job, just before the pandemic, I’ve joined a second band.  This is the first time that I’ve played in two bands (they are both covers bands).  I’m currently gigging around 3 times per month and it’s a 2:1 ratio of new to old band.  In the old band I’m the strongest musician, in the new one the standard is much higher and I need to work harder to keep up (I’ll always be the second best guitarist out of two).

In the old band we’re all retired, new band everyone else works (losers).  I’m happily doing 90% of the off the field work for the new band.  Dealing with the agent / venues, setting up and maintaining the website and social media, managing the finances etc plus all the technical work.  In the old band I still do a little more than my share.

Booking wise both bands use the BandMule app to show our availability and gigs go to which ever band takes the booking first.  The agent that I use books both bands and I leave it up to her which band she chooses for a particular gig.  There have been very few occasions that I’ve had to turn a gig down for one band because I’m already booked with the other.  I’ve certainly turned more bookings down because somebody else isn’t available due to other activities.

fastonebaz

I've always been a one band guy so I can devote my time energy focus and creativity to that project.  However I  have been flirting with the idea of another band to double chances of gigging.  In bit yet sure how booking conflicts will go but let's see...

digitalscream

I was in two bands for a while, until recently. I'm just no good at it - rather than being a useful member of both, I was just being completely passive in both bands and coasting along without any enthusiasm.

Quitting one has allowed me to enjoy the other, so...yeah, definitely the right thing for me.

However, in my now-only band, three of the others are in two bands each. When we finally start to ramp up the gigs, that's going to be...interesting. Of course, that assumes we are going to ramp up; as things currently stand, we've played three gigs in the last few months and I've been really ill for a week or two after each one. Not sure that's particularly sustainable...

lustycourtier

Im currently down to 3 but have one main (tribute) that takes priority.

 Its actually temporarily 4, as I got a call to cover 14 gigs in next 6 weeks for a friends covers band whos guitarist hurt his back, but thatll end same weekend tribute festivals start for Shed Heaven. 

 Im always organised (know my stuff, and always first at gig/rehearsal), and literally left a very well paying band recently due to the lack of professionalism and  time keeping (on stage and off) of the bassist.

DefaultM

I've been in 4 at once before and it was alright. I just did it first come first served, if I got asked if I could do a date but I had another gig id just say no I'm busy. 

Danny1969

I've always been in at least 3 bands. 2016 to 2018 was the worse when I was actively gigging in 6 different bands, balancing the calendar was a bit tricky. I played one festival in 4 of them once. It was mainly down to money, I was basically living off gig money so took every gig I was offered. 
Now I'm only gigging in 2 and writing and recording with a 3rd which is a lot easier to balance

Majorscale

I’m in three bands, simply because I love playing music and all three have different repertoires. I’ve been in my main band for 10 years and whilst still good fun and done well, it’s all cover band fodder and a bit pub rock. Whilst audiences love us, I needed to branch out musically so found a soul and funk band. Then the chance appeared to play in a more modern “female fronted pop covers” band appeared and so here I am.

It can be hard work learning and keeping on top of all the material whilst juggling rehearsals and gigs, but it can be done and I enjoy having such different styles of music to play.

All the bands know about each other and as far as gigs go, it’s first come first served. Works fine.

TheBigDipper

I'm monogamous. I've never been in a band that was anything other than for fun - even if we're gigging and getting paid, it's still for fun and not for income. One band is enough for me.

I find it quite frustrating if/when the only person who can't make a date (again!) is the guy in 2-3 bands as well as us. That has included having gigs blown out because they're now booked for a paid job somewhere else - and I understand the conflict, just don't like being affected by it. My leisure activity is just as important as their work activity. 

So now I only play with other monogamous people (as far as I can tell, anyway!). 

Rowby1

I’m in three bands. A number of the other players in all three also play in other bands. I assumed that was quite normal…..it has seemed to be for me for many years.

Dates are first come first served basis, any cockups diary wise it’s the cockee that sorts the dep generally. 

Seems to mostly work without a problem but does rely on there being no twats in any of the three bands.

firepaulmusic

I’m in a 5-piece tribute band but there is also a 3-piece covers band containing me and two members of the tribute. This works really well. I also do solo gigs when the others aren’t available so it’s good all round...

Gulliver

I'm currently in 2 (covers band and acoustic duo) but have been approached about some other opportunities.  I'm happy to play in any of them, I don't like playing favourites so I make it really clear that my rule is and always will be - whoever books my time first gets it.

LastMantra

If the other members need to book you for a gig are you actually in a band?

TheBigDipper

LastMantra said:

If the other members need to book you for a gig are you actually in a band?

This resonates with me. 

I went to a gig last Thursday. The headline act were a Dorchester-based band called Cee Luna, playing originals. I could sense a "gang" mentality between them and see the fun they were having playing their music together - mistakes and all. That connection just isn't present at a gig much of the time. The musicians often seem to be doing a job (often flawlessly) but not really connecting with each other. I don't like that as much. 

And if anyone from Cee Luna is on here - you were great and your raw live sound is better than your studio sound. :-) 

EricTheWeary

I think there’s something about what you contribute to a band. In my case in my last band most of the organisational stuff plus some mediocre guitar playing. Our keyboard player was in multiple bands, our drummer did other stuff but what they brought to the party was better musicianship. But the time taken to organise any gigs plus bits of social media, never mind actually playing unless someone had been looking for a mediocre guitarist I can’t see how I could have fitted in another band (plus work, family, keeping up with Emp Fab’s car search, etc). 

Danny1969

EricTheWeary said:

I think there’s something about what you contribute to a band. In my case in my last band most of the organisational stuff plus some mediocre guitar playing. Our keyboard player was in multiple bands, our drummer did other stuff but what they brought to the party was better musicianship. But the time taken to organise any gigs plus bits of social media, never mind actually playing unless someone had been looking for a mediocre guitarist I can’t see how I could have fitted in another band (plus work, family, keeping up with Emp Fab’s car search, etc). 

It's also about how many other musos you know as well I think. I lead a fairly insular gigging life in a smallish pool of rock musicians until I ran the studio. Then I met a huge range of different bands, did a load of dep work and got asked to join quite a few. The more bands you play with, the faster you learn songs. 

I would say though, my greatest skill as a band member has been keeping the bands van MOT'ed and road worthy on a shoe string budget. Mechanical, welding and electronics, whatever is needed I will generally do it myself rather than let it come out of gig money. 

Stratavarious

It is tricky, 

I was over invested and monogamous and we were getting loads of gigs and a great rep.. but three of the other members had crappy hobby bands they kept going.. then the clashes started and then the far out booking of their band meaning loads of unavailability or ‘can’t confirm’ for NY etc. 

You are either in it to make it work… or all in various bands and it ticks over as a low level free for all. 

If some are all in and some are not, it is unbalanced and hard to reconcile.

CaseOfAce

One band is more than enough for me - we've actually started having a rehearsal or so each month (!) on top of gigs at weekends. 
I just wouldn't have the energy or indeed inclination to do anymore on top of that!

PolarityMan

I played drums in a band for a while as a side project, neither were massively busy gig wise so wasn't an issue. Both originals projects.

That was pre kids though and before I stepped up the productions of the main band so doubt I'd have time for it now. 

lustycourtier

Im in 4 but dep for others too. I dont like sitting still.