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 Monday at 17:32 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.

[Bassassin]

Aside from my first gigging band when I was 19 - which already had a full set of original songs written by the guitarist - I've been main composer or co-composer in every original band or recording project I've been involved in.

 

I suppose I'm reasonably prolific & have for the most part put bands together, rather than joining them. I've always been open to other people getting involved with writing - but maybe for some musicians it's just easier not to!

 

 

[BigRedX]

I've been involved at every level from doing all the writing, recording and production (except the vocals) and organising every aspect of the other band members musical lives, to simply turning up and playing what I am told to play.

 

However as I see myself first and foremost as a composer rather than a musician I have been the major creative force behind the vast majority of the bands I have been in over the last 50 years. When it comes to music I have the sort of personality that if there is no great creative or organisational force within any band that I am part of, I will gradually take over those roles.

 

For my current band all the musical and non-musical duties are fairly evenly split between the three of us. The synth player and myself come up with the main musical ideas and our singer adds lyrics and vocal melodies. I do the drum programming and our synth player does the production. On the non-musical side it's pretty much evenly divided up: our singer does all the people stuff, I do the graphic design and our synth player provides the band transport. It seems to work very well.

[Sean]

Some interesting dynamics. 

For the last few bands I've played in I've been what a friend calls "a perma-dep". You learn the parts as per the originals plus any specific differences/deviations, you turn up, do your thing and that's it. No input, no involvement in band discussions, bookings or decisions, very little comms and no "ownership". It becomes "the band I play in", rather than "my/our band".  It has its positives, it's like using a vending machine to get a snack compared to buying ingredients and making it yourself but at the same time you feel totally out of the loop especially when you're updated on something that has been discussed in detail by the others, like turning down a festival booking, the need for a dep for a month or someone leaving and getting a replacement. 

 

All these bands were long-established units before I came along, they had/have set lists that work, regular bookings in good venues, long-standing members, a band culture that grows from people operating together with a common purpose over a long time. I've been the new boy. I remember doing my 30th gig with one of these sort of bands and still feeling like a stranger. 

 

It's been about 10 years since I had what I'd call my own band. Where I was principal songwriter, vocalist, band leader etc. I'm at a stage again where this appeals and obviously understanding how others roll is interesting insight. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 06:57 by Sean

[Leonard Smalls]

In the punkyfunky and the funkybluesey bands most of the songs begin with a full structure written by me, but everyone writes their own parts with collective input.

In the FunkyRockDancey band songs are usually started by guitarist producing a synth backing and sending it to me, then I add a bass line to it and that gets sent to singer, drummer and other guitarist - all this is by WhatsApp and email. These "jams" then become the basis for new releases and even get played live very, very occasionally (look out Chester - 11th October is the first public Weeds outing in at least 9 years!).

[Rodders]

In my originals band - I have more input from a rhythm and chord change standpoint (knowing the most theory) than anything else. But no real melody or actual "song" input if that makes any sense..

[Cat Burrito]

With my main duo, I am very heavily involved, from booking / organising through to choosing the majority of covers and co-writing music together. I think all the lead tracks / singles have started from me. Aside suggesting lyrical themes, I let Nick do the lyrics as it's definitely his area. I think we both acknowledge that it is all very much a partnership. I think we both bring something to the band that the other one can't and are hugely respectful of one another. Oh, and I run the social media too. 

 

My other band, I co-produced the debut record but now we're on album #2, I just write my bass parts and show up when asked. I practice my parts prior to getting together but my involvement is a fraction of what it is for my main venture. I think we value everyone's contribution and I have worked with them since 2016.

[bertbass]

As I seem to be the only one who is willing to do anything I end up having a major say in most things.

[Stub Mandrel]

I go this about 11:30 last night... it's off a 20-year-old album. I have the freedom to be creative but will start by learning the original, now in a minute...

[Cliff Edge]

It’s a duo and we’ve both been there and done it all so these days it’s pretty much “shall we do this?”  “ yes ok let’s give it a whirl.” 

[neepheid]

Both bands, equal say on everything.

[tauzero]

The covers band I've been in the longest (Dirty Roses, classic rock) - some influence in song choice (we all make suggestions, some get taken up, some don't), basslines are up to me and my conscience.

 

The covers band that I've transitioned from dep to permanent member in (The Bonnevilles, R&B) - I have yet to find out if I have any influence in song choice, fairly free on basslines but the guitarist has put me right on a couple of them.

 

Originals band (RJG band) - the band is there as a means to turn the BL's already recorded material into a live set. Currently in a bit of a hiatus as we're not sure what's happening with the drummer. I've got total freedom with the basslines and it appears I haven't yet done anything stupid.

 

Covers band I've just been recruited to (Magenta Protocol, genre spanning) - apparently everyone can make a small number of suggestions which are adopted unless they're vetoed. Basslines, again, are up to me and my conscience.

 

I've done the website for Dirty Roses and for other past bands. Our drummer seems to be the best at getting us gigs.

[itu]

I try to nail the bass part in the very beginning. Then we (drs, b) can give the base to the others, as we are 11 in my main band. From that point of view it looks like I have not very much space, but actually more time to fix the tinier details (tempo and agogic changes, accents, colouring notes...). 

 

There's quite a lot of arranging within the band, and it is easier if the drummer and me can support arrangement work from the start. Besides many choices I do are subtle compared to winds (3) or singers (4) in the big picture. Not meaningless at all, but different. 

[bassbiscuits]

I have different bands:

 

My main band - a fiery soul/blues trio in which I share lead and backing vocals alongside bass, work on songwriting with the singer, and have a fairly free rein creatively to bring whatever I bring to songs. I also provide the PA, lights and transport.
 

My solo gigs - I choose to do (or not do) whatever I like, as it’s just me. No one to have to run anything by apart from my wife in terms of gig times/dates. My PA and my gear, mix of my own songs and covers, all sung and played by me. 
 

Tribute band bassist - all the publicity and marketing is done by the band leader. I just learn my lines and show up, and do my bit on setting up, taking down and transporting kit. 
 

Dep bassist - again I have little to do with promoting or influencing the band’s direction, and just turn up when they need me to provide bass and backing vocals, and help set up and take down the gear.