ras52 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Guitarist A assembles band with Guitarist B, me and a singer. We look for a drummer, we rehearse, we record some demos with a session drummer, we look for a drummer... a year later we find a drummer, and shortly after that the singer announces that they're leaving the country. We lethargically stumble on but work committments and general fatigue mean it's hard to get in the same room at the same time and when we do it's all rather aimless. Meanwhile, I've been writing songs that don't suit the band, and am keen to demo them and possibly hawk them to publishers. My plan is to recruit the drummer and Guitarist B - but not Guitarist A - for a brief rehearsal blitz/studio project. (I'll get a session singer in and double on keyboards myself.) The drummer is up for this and I'm waiting to hear back from Guitarist B. My problem is when/how/what to say to Guitarist A: there's no role for him in this project, but I feel guilty that I'm taking advantage of his efforts (he found the other guys) when the project he started is foundering. All's fair in love and war? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 All's fair. Besides, he can drive the band around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulypbass Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I would be abit pissed off if that was me you done that to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I see your dilema as you have sort of stolen his band from him BUT if the other 2 are up for it then its obviously not a concern for them and so you should'nt feel guilty about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 If this band had the necessary drive and commitment you would be overcoming the problems caused by work and fatigue. However, I would have presented your new songs to the original line-up first, to give them a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1332323624' post='1586503'] However, I would have presented your new songs to the original line-up first, to give them a chance. [/quote] plus the one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Happens all the time! I have lost count of the bands I put together, only to find that two or more members were doing stuff behing my back, causing the band to crumble!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Just go for it. Why do you need to tell Guitarist A about it? If it's a completely different project then it's none of his beeswax, surely? The fact that he initially introduced you to the others has nothing to do with it. It's a completely different situation. Look at it this way. If he had introduced you to some bird you subsequently had a relationship with, you wouldn't ring him up and tell him every time you shagged her, would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibody Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332324612' post='1586531'] Just go for it. Why do you need to tell Guitarist A about it? If it's a completely different project then it's none of his beeswax, surely? The fact that he initially introduced you to the others has nothing to do with it. It's a completely different situation. Look at it this way. If he had introduced you to some bird you subsequently had a relationship with, you wouldn't ring him up and tell him every time you shagged her, would you? [/quote] BUT if it was his bird in the first place, he would be mightily p******d off I would imagine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It all down to personalities. If you think he, G A, can take it, tell him, it's always best to be open and up front. I would probably tell him anyway, there will always be something to upset him in the future if he can't understand your position. I'm afraid the art is what you have to serve in the end, you can't compromise it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332324612' post='1586531'] Look at it this way. If he had introduced you to some bird you subsequently had a relationship with, you wouldn't ring him up and tell him every time you shagged her, would you? [/quote] I reckon that's a fair contender for quote of the year! Back to the thread - I wouldn't be worried - the band is doing bugger all really, the fact you're showing initiative and getting on with another project is fair enough in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='Thor' timestamp='1332324890' post='1586540'] ...the fact you're showing initiative and getting on with another project is fair enough... [/quote][quote name='silddx' timestamp='1332324890' post='1586539'] ...the art is what you have to serve in the end, you can't compromise it... [/quote] These +1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanJN Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It's fine; you're starting a separate project with new songs. There's no reason why the original line up *couldn't* continue, it just sounds like it *won't*. If you'd nicked the songs, that would be different, but you haven't. That said, it might be worth explaining the new project to guitarist A explicitly, so he knows where he stands. Bands are like 4 way relationships. Gigs are sex, and rehearsals are anything from a romantic walk on the beach to a weekend with the mother in law. O_o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='BassmanJN' timestamp='1332325974' post='1586560'] ...rehearsals are anything from a romantic walk on the beach to a weekend with the mother in law... [/quote] Christ, can we have some pics of your last rehearsal, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332324612' post='1586531'] Look at it this way. If he had introduced you to some bird you subsequently had a relationship with, you wouldn't ring him up and tell him every time you shagged her, would you? [/quote] But that's what i normally do... just me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I always think it's best to be straight with people, so tell "guitarist A" you are doing the second band. As you are not doing very little with that band he should understand. Just tell him you aim to continue with both bands so long as you all agree. If he has a bottom lip and walks, you are not really losing anything because as you said, you are doing very little work anyway. It could even kick start the first band into being more active if "guitarist A" thinks you all might pull the plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332324612' post='1586531'] Look at it this way. If he had introduced you to some bird you subsequently had a relationship with, you wouldn't ring him up and tell him every time you shagged her, would you? [/quote] Oh hell. That's another social faux pas I need to correct then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I've had this in the past where I've wanted to work with other musicians alongside an existing band. I always make a point now of being upfront and honest and explain that I reserve the right to work with other musicians as I see fit. I'd be inclined to take the gentle approach and just explain that this is a project you want to work on and that it doesn't affect your current level of commitment to the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 (edited) Just tell the guy that you have a new project going, you need guy A and guy B and you are trying a few things to make them work. He might not like it, but you have at least told him..and put him in the picture. You might also throw him a bone and say you might like to call him if the project requires it. Being left out will more likely to hurt his feelings, more than anything. Edited March 21, 2012 by JTUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Thanks for the feedback guys... and the reminder that I owe some people phone calls regarding lady friends past and present I've sent a message suggesting we might focus on working towards demo-ing our unrecorded material as a short-term project, even if the band isn't going to be an ongoing concern... and slipped in that I'll be doing similar with my own material on the side. How devious! The band's already had a crack at a couple of my songs, with mixed results... Guitarist A is really a basic riffs guy, and is fine with material he's come up with himself, and hard work with anything else! However he's the one with the "vision" who got us together in the first place (conversely, Guitarist B is versatile but very backward in coming forward . . . hang on, I must stop before I describe myself as "luke-warm water"!). So I guess I feel sorry for him that it's not working out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 My theory: Don't tell him, but if he asks, then be truthful, and if he asks why you didn't tell him, use the age old answer of you didn't ask... Works in most situations (Or that's probably just for me actually) Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1332341184' post='1586933'] My theory: Don't tell him, but if he asks, then be truthful, and if he asks why you didn't tell him, use the age old answer of you didn't ask... Works in most situations (Or that's probably just for me actually) Liam [/quote] Does that work when you're shagging your mate's bird too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1332346080' post='1587032'] Does that work when you're shagging your mate's bird too? [/quote] Never tried it, but i urge you to try if you feel that way inclined. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I would just be upfront and honest- believe you me he will respect you for it, if not like you. I know which one I would prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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