What Input Do You Have with Decisions and Creativy in Your Bands?

[Sean]

Following some interesting conversations with friends who play in bands and thinking about my own various dynamics with bands, what level of input,  control or influence do you have in the bands you play in?

 

Are you an occasional dep, turn up, do your thing and go home, are you the creative force and band leader that gets the bookings, makes all the decisions and leads from the front or, are you, as most of us will be, somewhere in between and if so, what does your "in between" look like? What's the dynamic? Where on the scale are you?

Edited 5 hours ago by Sean

[Lozz196]

In my last band I played a part in the songwriting, probably 30% of the songs had the music written by me, with an occasional lyric or chorus, and an even less occasional vocal melody.

 

In my current band I joined just as they were intending on recording an album with the songs pretty much already written, so I only added bits in when there was a stumbling point - not many times I should add. 
 

And that’s pretty much me, I prefer to be the additional songwriter rather than the main, and to add in extra passages to existing songs such as a guitar solo that has a key change or change of structure etc.

 

And since ditching booze I’m  usually the calming influence in the band, not that I was bothersome on drink, more that sober I listen and mediate whereas when drunk I’d just reach for another pint and ignore whatever the rest were arguing about.

[Franticsmurf]

In my current band, I'm one of the more experienced members and so I tend to have a decent say in terms of arrangements. The bass parts are always left to me and I'm pretty knowledgeable about guitars and keys sounds and arrangements so I will sometimes offer up an opinion on those. I work closely with our sound engineer, mostly with setting up and problem solving 'on the night' as I tend to be able to remain calm under pressure (so he told me at last night's rehearsal, which was a nice compliment). The BL tends to pick the songs and that's fine as he knows the his vocal range and the abilities of the less experienced band members. He also does research on the gigs as we tend to do bigger functions through contacts and word of mouth, so we can tailor the set to suit the client. We all have a yes/no veto and I have brought a few new songs to the list.

 

As an occasional dep I would not offer suggestions on any aspect of the band unsolicited, and even when asked I tend to stay within the bass player sphere. I have been asked for song preferences within a suggested set list but even then I will try and gauge the vibe before answering.

 

In each of those circumstances I feel the level of input, control and influence are what I would expect and what I am comfortable with. I left a previous band largely because I had limited input, limited control and no influence and it wasn't an enjoyable experience. 

[Stub Mandrel]

Bluesfire... I choose the odd song. Total freedom to play what Iike,  so some originals some improvised skme in between, which is more trusting me to get it right than licence to go crazy.

 

Bendricks Rock... very democratic about song choices. Pretty close to originals, go a bit mad sometimes (e.g. Crossroads...)

 

Fortunate Sons... the new boy so take the setlist as I find, but my comments are heard. Pretty much playing the original lines.

 

Fractured Persona... all originals, all my own lines to other's songs. My interpretations have pushed songs in interesting directions but new guitarist is doing a good job of 'producing' the material.

 

Play my part in getting gigs for all four.