Ernie

Yeah, that's a big problem with band frustrations. They make you want to play LESS instead of more...like you're supposed to. Ever since I switched to drums and my band went down to a 3 piece (we were a 4piece when I was on guitar), I've just wanted to play more. Me, the guitarist, and bassist get along so well and mesh so well musically that it just works out better this way. We're still not quite used to being a 3 piece, but it's definitely more fun and easier. As far as playing out goes...even when I suck live, it's the most fun in the world. Our old drummer kept saying "We're not ready, we're not ready." But then just practicing once or twice a week gets very boring after 6 months. That's why we NEEDED to play. So we weren't ready to play out, but we were bored because we didn't. So what to do? The 3 of us thought we should play a show once a month to get motivated, and then practice biweekly as usual. Otherwise we would suck but get better, instead of sucking and being frustrated. Our drummer didn't agree.

Old Steve...I completely agree. Well put. If he's having problems singing and playing, and he's STILL not practicing...then yes, he should be practicing. Let him know. Don't try to prove him wrong or insult him, just let him know that you can tell it's not up to par bass or vocalwise...both are being compromised. Maybe you should get a temp bassist while he works out the difficulties...or just go without a bassist for a few weeks until he can hack it. But yes...you all have to agree on what your absolute commitments are. If it turns out you are much more committed than they are, then maybe you should part ways. This SHOULD BE completely amicable...as long as all parties are intelligent and mature. Good luck to you.

Yeah, I know the type. You have to lay it out flat. Just tell them, if you're into this as much as you say, then we gotta practice. As far as jobs go, that's a pretty good excuse. Until you ARE famous, you can't just skip out on work to have band practice. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way, especially if you have a real job. And what your singer says, I kind of agree with. When I played guitar in a band, practicing at home didn't help much. Practicing with the band, however, was so amazingly helpful. And I did the metronome/drum machine stuff. It's just not the same. So basically, you just gotta let 'em know what's up. Especially about the dedication thing. Our old drummer, the first time we practiced (we got his name out of the local music paper, so we tried him out), he said "if we're gonna do this, I have to take it seriously. We have to practice more than once a week." And the three of us just thought...cool, this is perfect. Then we parted ways for some reason, I think it was because he kept cancelling practice. Then he got an offer to play a show (he was friends with the booking guy at a local bar)...so we did. And instantly, we all agreed to play again. Then we played another show (same place), still not officially a band again. So we got back together, played twice a week, rented out monthly rehearsal space...then he broke his bass drum head. He said "practice is cancelled until I get a new head...I'll call you when I do." He never fixed it. What dedication, right? So we kicked his ass on the street...and then I picked up drums.