Lyrcial content - does it affect if you take the gig?

To any of you guys that takes session gigs or do fill-in work, I'd love your opinions.

The subject line says it - does the lyrical content of the project have any weight in your decision to take the gig?

"Lyrical content" is intentionally vague here. This isn't limited to music that has lots of profanity, advocates kitten eating, is pro/anti-lifestyle choices, overly political... any of those and more could be a factor.

I'd especially welcome Nick Mason's thoughts here!

Depends entirely on what the lyrics/message are, and what the pay is:

If I heard good songs, but the lyrics were just terrible (quality-wise), I'd pause for consideration...

I wouldn't take any gig that advocated racism, lyrically or otherwise, no matter what the pay was...

On the flip side, while I don't believe in any god, I'm not anti-religious either, however a REALLY preachy super-Jesus-Iz-AWSUM!!! lyrics kind of gig would be a big stretch for me as well, because I wouldn't feel too comfortable about it personally...

Unless the pay was REALLY good, that is!

I don't like creepy stuff period. I hope I'm never faced with a for food kind of dilemma.

i'm a pretty principled fella, so i just couldn't play in support of lyrics i vehemently disagree with. and on the other token, if they're just stupid ... i wouldn't do it either.

If I'm playing for money I don't care. S' why I use a pseudonym.

If the lyrics are the lyrics of idiots the gig prolly isn't going to work out for many other reasons. So lyrics might help me decide if it's folks I'd like to work with or not.

Given I've been known to say whatever into a mic if the opportunity presents itself, as is with the rest of my band, we try not to play the "family" places...lol

kinda an easy answer for me.....the question is"will this bother me having my name on it". Even if the moneys great....it would not make up for having to explain to people why I did that. The only way I would put the money first is if my family in some way depended on it. I/E"we need cash or we or going to lose the house kinda thing" But even then....probably would not feel good with it. Theres always other doors that will open.

I'd do the gig cause they looking for me to play drums, not comment, not produce. They want my playing and that's all. There is still freedom here in this country to be whatever they want to be...I don't have to be approving or supportive. I just play to the best of my ability. Of course, my playing style probably doesn't even accommodate that style of playing anyway....so I probably wouldn't even get the call...

I used to play in a Christian punk band. I am not Christian. So not so much. I'm not a session guy either. Just having fun..

That said, I wouldn't play in any band with hate speak. No exceptions.

I feel dirty playing for anything with any sort of religious tones, but past that, I could care less. And +1 to what box said, I won't ever play with skinheads.

Bad lyrics kill kittens.

true story ... the first band i was ever in was a christian band my friend from high school put together. he asked me to learn to play drums to play in it.

i was subsequently fired because word got out i was smoking weed and banging my erstwhile girlfriend.

Nice!

Thanks for all the candid feedback, guys! I really like seeing the different perspectives on this.

This is actually more in tune with the session in question: cool music, big family vibe (it's like a 9 or 10 piece band), but they have a strong positive message. I'm a very positive guy.

Their message, however, goes into areas of advocacy I'm not big on - polticial speak, activism, a strong anti-drinking stance; just something different for a guy who drums in a beer-soaked cover band called "Head First."

Long story short, I'm persuing the gig, but I love hearing the opinions about this. Side note: mostly unpaid gig. Just a joy for the music and experience.

For you, better get used to show biz.

Thanks for all the candid feedback, guys! I really like seeing the different perspectives on this. This is actually more in tune with the session in question: cool music, big family vibe (it's like a 9 or 10 piece band), but they have a strong positive message. I'm a very positive guy. Their message, however, goes into areas of advocacy I'm not big on - polticial speak, activism, a strong anti-drinking stance; just something different for a guy who drums in a beer-soaked cover band called "Head First." Long story short, I'm persuing the gig, but I love hearing the opinions about this. Side note: mostly unpaid gig. Just a joy for the music and experience.

Well now...there's my rub. The only unpaid gigs I do are for good friends and that is at my discretion. Call me the road whore, but after so many years of "oh this gig is really gonna take you places and make you a star, if the money is not there and they are not friends...I pass! And I LOVE to play, but it would have to be something I REALLY REALLY wanna do before I move my kit!

Signed

The old fart stick in the mud!

Hahaha! Carm, I love ya. This is one of those things I can do because I just love playing the drums with great bands sometimes. Besides, when else am I going to get a gig with a horn section?

fitch.....I am a christian, go to church everyweek, and try to stay out of trouble. But, I also drink on occasion, go to bars to listen to bands, and do things that I am sometimes not proud of. It almost sounds like the group is of the radical type. If the musics good, Id say play it. Maybe the correct question would be if they group would be upset if they found you playing in a bar??? Id think I would get it out in the open before it came to that point.

yeah, give em full disclosure. if they don't tolerate stuff you like to do it might not be a good fit for either of you.

I read Fitch say "Sessions" as in one or two times thing, not a full on tour or such. So if he can fit the bill and enjoys the different type of setting then fine.

It's the Political speak and activist speak that I'm not so sure about. I would have to take it on a case by case basis. After the Dixie Chicks fallout it really got me thinking, Why do so many artists and bands have to include their political ties?? Most people go to a concert or live setting to hear music and unwind, not to get informed on how to vote.

I think that if you believe in the message and don't mind if people know you're associated with the group then go for it. Just be aware that others may not want you in the future because of it. I could understand playing in church for religious music much easier than Political or activist music.

My appreciation for the Dixie chicks grew leaps and bounds after seeing that Doc. about that situation. Especially the courage it took to say it to what was their base. I love bands that take a stand and don't give a {censored} about how it affects their "image".

And most bands DON'T include their political views....it's a shame more do not.....so it's not like there is a shortage of other 'non controversial' bands out there for one to 'relax' too.

Music is suppose to be what ever the person doing it wants it to be about. Complaining that an artist puts their "views" into their art is one of the strangest things I've ever heard.

it would be different if most artists weren't total dweebs. having a microphone and a PA doesn't mean you're worth listening to.

Some of the most legendary music has been political.

But they were all anti war. Don't recall of any bands pro-Vietnam.

I don't think ANYbody was pro Viet Nam. As far as political crap, if you aren't a GS operation, you're asking for trouble from one. lol

Most were pro Vietnam in the beginning. Propaganda worked. Protests in the early years were quite small and nobody was paying attention. The rise of the Vietnam protest movement and 60's and 70's activism was a great example of people power and music and art played a huge part in that. To bad most American's have forgotten what they are capable of.

And WTF is a GS operation?