So my band, the speedway snails have been playing together for best part of 15 years now. Only the drummers have changed, the rest of us are all original founding members.
Weve had some great times and played in some amazing places but, over the last 18 months it's really begun to feel like a chore for me. We've always been held back by our singers insistance that a woefully underpowered PA lifted from a skip is perfectly suitable for playing high paying weddings and functions and the rest of the bands unwillingness to invest. Add to that our bass players staunch position on "not playing the classics" even though he wants to take the wedding dollar means, that I've had enough.
Our drummer has taken gigs in loads of other bands but says he doesn't want to quit, but his lack of availability and the lack of deps in the area means we can't take the gigs when the do come up which is rarely these days.
i placed an add online for drummer one night but at the same time saw an add for a local function band that wanted a rhythm guitarist. I applied, auditioned and got the gig. Plenty of well paid high profile gigs
It was a no brainer. I didn't quit the snails but it kind of imploded behind me. Within days our bass player has reignited an old band and swapped our remaining dates from the snails to his new band, our drummer basically went "ah well all good things come to an end" and fucked off leaving us with a dep drummer who none of us have met for tonight - which will be the last speedway snails gig for a long time - maybe for all time.
Id hoped if we wound it up it would be with a big gig and a tear in our eyes, but to be honest it all feels like a bit of a relief.
if I'm honest - I don't even want to go
RIP the speedway snails 2001-2016
Comments
Onwards and upwards
Do you 'get the rights' to The Speedway Snails name? It's too good to let go .
Given it a decent burial and move on.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Enjoy the new venture.
it looks good - only difficulty will be adjusting to a life without solos!!
When I was in an original band whoever came up with parts took the lead. When I have a knock with some lads doing just covers we switch it around depending on who knows what/can be arsed to learn.
Unless the other guy has a massive ego I'm sure eventually he will let you take lead duties on some songs @Travisthedog
Sounds like it's the right move Travis.
Unless you fancy a more rock'n'roll ending with a fight breaking out on stage and someone smashing their guitar and walking off halfway through .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
bloody brilliant
a nicer bunch of chaps you couldn't wish to find, totally professional but also a real laugh. Made me feel really welcome and although I really only stuck with playing the real basics all night and had to refer to my chord sheets a fair bit, it went without any major hitches apart from no one told me they played basket case in a different key!!!!
heres hoping to a great future with this lot, I don't feel as sad about the demise of the snails now too