Members Janx Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 A jab (maybe in good fun) was made in the "what's the Point" thread that a guy who's band only gig's once every 10 months, wasn't in a band. So, I figured it'd be fun (or abusive) to see what folks personal definition is. I'll start: a group of 2 or more people that play instruments and may include at least 1 singer with the output being music. It sounds lawyerly wimpy. I assume dudes getting together for 1 show is a band. An accapela group is not (no instruments). An instrumentalist group is a band (no singer). People getting together to work on doing a show is a band (even though they've never played out). People getting together just to play is a band. I think I'd tighten it up to require the group was formed with an intention to play out (backyard tour counts). I also don't really think 2 people make a band, 3 I'll buy. Others? Not so Webster's Dictionary-like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I think I'd tighten it up to require the group was formed with an intention to play out (backyard tour counts). I also don't really think 2 people make a band, 3 I'll buy. I don't agree with the stipulation that the group have the objective of "playing out". I'd consider a group meeting the other requirements that get together for the sole purpose of recording to be a band as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhat Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 bands have band practice inorder to play together. There are tons of bands that dont play out. gigs may or may not be their goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members strathound Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I think the definition depends on the definition of the word "a". JMHO, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yrfuneralmytria Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 In the spirit of fun, I'll chime in with a couple of tidbits. One, the most internationally successful indie band in our town (40,000 records sold in Japan, 15,000 sold in the UK) plays locally maybe twice a year. What they're doing is very cool and I personally like them a lot but locally, it just doesn't connect. In fact, it doesn't seem to be connecting in the USA. But, they're a band in my opinion. The rehearse, record, make records and are really great when they do play live. Just an ananomoly I guess. Two, I definitely count some two-pieces as bands. White Stripes, Jucifer, The Black Keys etc... My project is a two-piece. I play a VERY electric-acoustic, sing and trigger "ambient in key" loops. The other guy plays drums, sings backing vocals, percussion bells and theramin. It's physical, it rocks and we play 90% on "band" shows. The number 1 comment from new listeners (besides "can I have your baby?" lol) is, with widened eyes, "I can't believe two guys make that much sound". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members strathound Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 In the spirit of fun, I'll chime in with a couple of tidbits. One, the most internationally successful indie band in our town (40,000 records sold in Japan, 15,000 sold in the UK) plays locally maybe twice a year. What they're doing is very cool and I personally like them a lot but locally, it just doesn't connect. In fact, it doesn't seem to be connecting in the USA. But, they're a band in my opinion. The rehearse, record, make records and are really great when they do play live. Just an ananomoly I guess. Two, I definitely count some two-pieces as bands. White Stripes, Jucifer, The Black Keys etc... My project is a two-piece. I play a VERY electric-acoustic, sing and trigger "ambient in key" loops. The other guy plays drums, sings backing vocals, percussion bells and theramin. It's physical, it rocks and we play 90% on "band" shows. The number 1 comment from new listeners (besides "can I have your baby?" lol) is, with widened eyes, "I can't believe two guys make that much sound". I'd like to hear some of this. Got any live recordings? MS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jaxn slim Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I think the post the OP is referring to was a bit of a joke. I don't believe that a band has to be gigging. But, personally, I feel my band is much more legitimate if it is gigging at least semi-regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blackknight Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I could see my not-yet-formed band only gigging a few times a year (3-4?) and I would be very satisfied with my "band". Obviously there is room for lots of levels within the term band. I personally don't think of a duo as a "band" really...certainly they can be every bit as legitimate musically, I just probably wouldn't think to use the term "band" in conversation for that type of group. Is Britney Spears a "band"? How about Elvis (when he was alive, obviously)? I could see arguments either way I guess. I know there are acts that release albums under band-type names, rather than an individual's name, but that only have 1 core member, and then fill in with studio musicans, etc. for each record (not really coming up with good examples, but I know they're out there...anyone?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blackknight Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 Nine Inch Nails? that guy that did The Real Slim Shady? I don't know much about these folks...not really my personal genres of choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yrfuneralmytria Posted September 11, 2008 Members Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'd like to hear some of this. Got any live recordings?MS -I've got a couple of unsatisfactory ones. I'm actually desperate to capture a good boot recording as the project started with me releasing a solo (w/guests musicians) record and has really evolved quickly since. It's much more "folkadelic", minimal and bombastic live than the record suggests. A classic case of making a record before severely gigging the songs. A mistake on my end. Anyways, we've got shows coming up and if I catch one that represents, I'll pm ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sabriel9v Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 A band to me is any group of musicians that practices and performs live together on a regular and consistent basis ie at least once or twice a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blackknight Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 A band to me is any group of musicians that practices and performs live together on a regular and consistent basis ie at least once or twice a month. So, if Aerosmith takes 6 months or a year off after their last world tour, they're not a band during that time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sabriel9v Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 So, if Aerosmith takes 6 months or a year off after their last world tour, they're not a band during that time? Too bad they played 50 gazillion live shows at the beginning of their career genius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tucktronix Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 So, if Aerosmith takes 6 months or a year off after their last world tour, they're not a band during that time? ..or if they spent time in the studio recording their next album:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wades_keys Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 Y'alll are making it harder than it has to be (this DOES seem to be a trend with bands ) All it takes to be a band is a group of musicians playing together... Any of you cats ever heard of lead sheets and sheet music? Not all "bands" need to rehearse as a unit to make good music; just the less skilled ones (just calling it like it IS - there's a whole other class of pro-level musicians out there; schooled cats like Scofield who can take any stage, ANY TIME and still play their asses off.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ckcondon Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 Here we go...Why not just ask the definition of "Good music"? I do get the futility of the OP's question and realize that everyone has their own vision of what a "band" is.My $.02... A band can be anything you want it to be. You don't have to play live, you don't have to record.A band can be any group of musicians who play together in any degree of regularity. Garage, living room, storage unit, studio or stage, all are legitimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caveman Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 As soon as you start thinking in terms of "the band" you are in one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blackknight Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 Too bad they played 50 gazillion live shows at the beginning of their career genius Oh, good...this helps me sort out who the teenagers are and who the adults are here...thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted September 12, 2008 Members Share Posted September 12, 2008 Nine Inch Nails? that guy that did The Real Slim Shady? I don't know much about these folks...not really my personal genres of choice. You mean Trent Reznor and M&M? I wouldn't call them bands because, well, they are just one person (each). But when they perform live they are surrounded by other musicians. Who would probably be know as "Trents/M&MS band". This kind of gives me a headache.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sabriel9v Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 Oh, good...this helps me sort out who the teenagers are and who the adults are here...thanks! Don't take a holier than thou stance with me. I cut clean through your argument and took you to the mat without breakin a sweat. So fess up to it. Personally, I define a band as a group of musicians that practices and performs live consistently and thats what it is. Otherwise, you're just three or four guys jammin in a basement or garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boxorox Posted September 28, 2008 Members Share Posted September 28, 2008 I think a lot has to do with position and purpose. and elimination of redundancy. A duo can be a band if the instruments complement and contrast with each other in such a way that the sum is greater than the parts. A group of strangers who jam on common material for an evening but never see each other again can be a fine band. Four guitar players trading songs and licks isn't. That's just jammin'. A group of strangers (or friends) who jam on common material but lack the recquisite parts to render the material in a way that is musically complete is just jammin'. Now I've seen a guy Fingerpick guitar, sing, play harp, kazoo and whistle while he kicks a suitcase and stomps on a bent cymbal, and make great music. All the recquisites but for feet on the ground. No band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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