How to Keep the Band Together
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
- Baxter and Jonathan discuss the pitfalls of why bands break up and get into fights. From the Eagles to Fleetwood Mac to the local bar band. Nothing lasts forever and the boys discuss why. What led to your band breaking up? Let us know in the comment section.
Our band follows one general rule: it's okay to not agree with everyone or with everything, but it's not ok to disrespect each other.
So much gold in this episode. The struggled look on Baxter’s face of trying to decide “drugs.. good or no good”. I’m laughing pretty good even after the episode ends. Just hope my wife gets it when I tell her about it in the way to work. Who am I kidding, she isn’t gonna get it.
"Ain't no way to keep a band together. Bands come and go. You got to keep on playin', no matter with who." Del Paxton
Let’s be real here: Whoever owns the PA system is the leader. Full stop.
So David Lee Roth was the leader of Van Halen?
Yep the person that owns the p.a. is king
"Smokestack's the drummer's name because he was always high." is the quote that wins the internet today!
You guys are now my favorite channel you’re upbeat and don’t trash others and you go on tangents like I do
Thanks keith! We try to be a safe haven of fun :)
Running list of Jonathan's best quotes:
1. "I went deep alright."
2. "Do your drugs together."
As a 53 year old used to be punk bands guy myself and two other late 40’s old punkers we have now put together a new original music playing band ... seems like it’s better now even though we are old because we have been through all the bullshit and band dramas and we are over that and just enjoy writing practicing and gigging and hanging out plus now it’s an escape from wives kids and jobs ... so when you get old start a new band it’s fun
A most important element is to have common goals and ambitions. Otherwise this can lead to irreconcilable differences. We're a 10-piece band and have common expectations to what we want to achieve. It's worked for 11 years so far and only covid could force us to take such a long break (>1 year). We're all longing to see each other again...
This episode had the highest number of great lines ever. Hilarious. I would be crushed if I ever found out this was written instead of off the cuff. Great job gentlemen.
I come for the guitar info, and leave with so many nuggets of wisdom. Thank you Baxter, now every time I watch a college football game everyone around me will hear about NASCAR.
Smoking a joint as a band gives time for the tubes to warm up.
Happy 4/20 LOL
We need “Best 10 Band Fights” next
You got it Ryan!
This had me literally laughing to the point of tears, and coughing. "Drink your Coke," and I was like, "Wait, what? That's a thing?" Great episode.
As a bass playing side man, my observation about who's in charge in a band: a band leader needs to have a combination of most of the following things: lead vocals, personality, talent, songs, rehearsal space, a PA, connections in the scene, and their own vehicle.
I look forward to spending my mornings listening to you guys ramble it's awesome
Thank y’all so much for the shout out !! We love your videos and truly appreciate the support you guys always show us local folks. Y’all rock ! And Jonathan we need you to sit in again soon !! Always a good time !! Creep has become one of our most requested full band songs.
Ive been playing in bands on/off with smokestack since 2000. So many stories!
I agree Jonathan. No democracy. I started a band and everybody was listening to me and then I said it’s all of our band which was like a democracy and it never worked out and broke up. Someone definitely needs to be the boss but also values everybody’s input.
Okay..."I used to drink beer there as a child..." is definitely a contender for best quote of the day. It's a tie.
You guys are hilarious! 😅 This was a fun episode. Keep em coming!
I've learned so much from this episode ... the marriage I'm in is actually a band ... drugs are bad in general ... how to get a foot in the door in NASCAR. At least I'm the lead guitarist in my marriage
The only time I was in a break up situation it was over a year period of time. Our drummer decided to go back to school at night while working full time days. Our guitarist/vocalist couldn't rehearse on weekends which was the only time the drummer had. Since the drummer was planning being done with school in a year we went on hiatius. He didn't keep in touch on a regular basis and when I checked in around the time he would have been done with school I found out he had quit school about half way through, quit his job and moved back home which was a hundred some miles away. He never told us any of this. The guitar player decided not to find a new drummer so that was the end of it all. In the meantime I switched back over to guitar from bass, started working on my vocals and writing in a serious way and started the band I'm in now. It's going on four years and things are good.
“This seems like a great player” 🤣
This may be my favorite video from you guys yet!
"This is just good life advice. If you got a buddy don't sleep with his wife... There maybe exceptions but, There are very Few"
This is my new favorite program.
One band I was in "belonged" to the 3 guys that started it. One of which was the band "Leader", he made most of the decisions, but often had to discuss them with the other two. On stage, he also made the momentary decisions as needed. However, for performances, I was the band "Conductor". The 3 guys were soloists, I conducted the rhythm section. We had a few different drummers and bass players over time, they had little to no say in what happened, and were my responsibility. It seemed to work OK. When the band was no longer viable (various reasons), the name and workings were left to me. Now I'm just a marker for the name. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and it lasted longer than any of us thought it would.
A few years ago, I got to see an alt-country band break up on stage and it included a fist fight between the lead singer and the bass player. Fortunately, the other band performing there that night was able to jump in and put on a great show.
Sounds like the breakup and fight were the show.
Which band?
Kitty Litter sounds like a sweet person.
Reading the chapter titles for this video is worth the price of admission.
I'm the general director in my band, but we all have input. I'll generally set the agenda and plan, but do a vote on songs.
No jerks and be respectful.
Finally,.....The "Kitty Litter" story is the best ever on this series. I really want to meet her.
If you are the one booking gigs for the band: GET THE DETAILS FOR THE GIG! It's great to find out at the day before the gig that you have to be there at 3pm to set up but you don't play until 7pm that evening...or...they want the band to set up at the "stage by the lake" which turns out to be a gazebo with no power and they've daisy chained three 100ft extension cords down a hill from the main building expecting the entire band to plug into that! Or even the basics: do we need our PA? Are we getting food, drinks etc? Is the "stage" covered (for outside gigs) Etc.
We finally made a check list for the "leader" of our band to try and keep these "dramas" from unfolding.
I've had 2 backup guitar players on 2 different occasions that completely froze on the first chord when the lights came up. The one froze up so much I physically turned him around and shuffled him off the stage. The gig actually turned out pretty good. We adjusted and carried on.
Guys, I've been watching your videos for many months now, and have enjoyed all of them. Yes, you guys got to promote certain things, I get it. If you didn't sell stuff we wouldn't have the channel. You guys go way beyond that though and there is tons of good info on everything related to music and the creation of it. Thanks for all the hard work you guys do to make the videos fun to watch.
Thanks Larry, we are just a bunch of knuckleheads that love music and guitar and like talking about it. Glad to have you in the Casino Crew!
@@CasinoGuitars Yeah, you guys are so much fun I might even move to Southern Pines, NC. Seriously though, I really hope someday I'm in your neck of the woods. I would love to jam with both of you guys.
Uh... guys, I thought about what I said and thought I should add: I live in Illinois, so you don't have to worry, I won't be stopping by anytime soon. ;)
Y'all are hilarious! Love the content.
Thanks!
Happy 420 Smokestack .
hahah Good timing :)
A pal of mine achieved a couple baby steps up the Ladder To Success in our little local music world. I asked if there was some special sauce to this rise in notoriety, he said "I fired my friends and I hired musicians. " ... gave me something to think about for a while. Many people I have played music with have been (or have become) some of my best friends ever.
That "pal of mine"? well, we haven't kept in touch much ...
,
Many musicians take music too seriously and egos get involved. Ego is what destroys most bands.
Hey guys...love love love your stuff... Im a musician from Southport, and a pilot. Gonna fly up sometime soon and check out the shop.
Moore County Regional Airport right down the street! Come on by :)
Its good to share😎
Woot! Cocktails in Lexington is about a mile down the road. I try to get out of there before 11 as it tends to get a little crazy.
I’ve been playing with the same guys since 1989. A few other folks have come and gone but the core has stayed strong. I’m not sure how we have done it but we love each other like family
Let Kitty Litter know that I'll be in a band with her.
Finally found my replacement channel since Rob Chapman left Anderton’s channel. Chap’s not my favorite guitarist, but he and Lee has good chemistry.
I saw Elton John and Billy Joel together in concert in Toronto. It was two days after John won the Academy Award for that Lion King tune. He brought the Oscar on stage. Anyways, Elton has classic songs but Billy Joel was, by far, a way better performer.
As a sober musician, I can attest to the negative juju drugs bring to life and bands. Adults (sometimes tragically) get to do their own thing, and make their own decisions. However, if they use heroin or are addicted to hardcore drugs of some sort, ya don't want them in your band.
All about respecting each other
I’ve been in the same bar band now for going on 22 years. 3 of us are original members. It’s our band. A few members over the years have tried to play us off each other but we are still going. We also split the money including our sound man.
23:04 Brand X was an epic 70's jazz fusion band with Phil Collins on Drums
Yo, y’all are great together, had some good laughs👍
Great epi9sode. You guys are awesome. I only left one band, and the sole reason was for lack of commitment to rehearsal time. Guys wanted to be in a band and loved playing for folks but could never find time to rehearse. Heck, several of them didn't practice much on their own time to prep for the few times we DID rehearse. I put up with it for a long time but in the end, I just had enough of the frustration and left to save my sanity. We all have day jobs and families, so I get the time challenges, but even as a bar/festival band, if you're getting paid you should commit to prepare a bit more. The final straw for me was, after a gig that was good but could have been tighter, one of the guys made the comment, "hey, they didn't pay to get in so they get what they get". Worst part is, we could be really good and had some great shows.
I used to be in a band that never rehearsed. Several members lived in different cities, but we had a song list & everyone knew the songs & their parts. We mostly plated parties, crawfish boils, Bar be cues corporate gigs. It worked & the $$ was good, we had fun.
Hmmm...Connect the dots, folks ~ it's 4/20 Day. Laughin' my Ass off at this episode! Thanks, Fellas ~ I blast from the past + realized how I miss the pre-pandemic hilarity with my music friends here in Po(r)tLand. Keep up the fine work!
I was LOLing through this whole episode!
A Leader or if Duet a Power Duo or Trio is always best, usually they Write the material, own the gear and even the Ride you get to Appearance's with and Songs people show up to Hear. So even if Johnny is best New Young Guitarist Ever the Crowd Loves, they still came to See the Headlining Guy and Hear his Songs and might enjoy Great Solo's but still came for the Guy that Got you there
I have personally experienced every scenario in this video. No regrets.
DO NOT have family members, your significant other, or your friends in your band. If you have to give them constructive criticism or fire them, those relationships are affected forever in most cases. It’s much less painful to wrangle people who were strangers to begin with. Plus, you can bring in a stranger based on their talent and skill level, not because you have a personal relationship with them.
Tension creates great musical moments. Tension breaks up bands. Anyone found the right way through this?
“You never once paid for drugs... not once!”
That look on Baxter's face when drugs came up!...Been there when my kids ask me about playing out in bands and hanging with my friends in the last years of the 70s and through the 80s and a bit of the 90s (at least the parts I remember).
Don’t start in a band with anyone you know you can’t be happy with or alternatively isn’t in it for the joy of it. As good as it seems if you know in your heart of hearts it’s unwise walk AWAY. Even if it causes awkwardness for a little while after you say no it’s better than ongoing stress and unhappiness. Trust me. 😔
Another comment: the "scene" in your town for live music is critically important for a band. You won't get better if there are no or few cool music clubs in your area. In contrast, if you're in a very active community for live music, then you will work harder to get better. Sort of a "rising tide lifts all boats" philosophy.
Well honestly it’s the only way to gain a following as a band in my opinion. You also open for well known artists. You need that ecosystem of people coming to your shows. Your co workers and family will eventually grow tired of coming to your bar gigs that you have to sell tickets for.
Talk about the guitars on the wall behind you in a video please and thank you! 😁
In my Punk band the Bass player’s GF started going out with the Singer. Since they were both Skins, it was in our best interest to break up before they tried to kill each other.
stay SHARP!
In my bands case..it's when one of them drop dead from old age..we're averaging 65..
But still kicking ass
I love seeing johnathan try to convince Baxter that drugs are bad
That was fun for me as well!
I can't trade away Songs from the Attic.
I k ow it very well may be boring but could you discuss wood, building materials. Flatsawn neck, quartersawn necks.
My band mostly fell apart over theoretical stuff that isn’t reality based. Discussions about how you might open for a band that might eventually come to town.
Digitally. Is where I keep my band. They don't drink,smoke,drug,complain and they dont have girlfriends/wives and they're never late.
From a scene in the series: Al Bundy: "Why, oh why did I ever leave high school?" Peg: "You were thirty, Al."
Such a great show.!
I have a 3 piece trio that do my original material. Personality issues are minimized by scale :-)
We do not have money issues. There isn't any. With only 3 players everything you play or for that matter do not play counts. Only players that want to be in a band where what they do really counts fit. In short it does not attract anyone that does not wish to or can not hold up their end. With 3 pieces there is nowhere to hide.
You forgot one of the biggest ones, reliability. I've had so many bands fall apart because someone is completely unreliable. Sometimes the singer, usually the drummer. I don't mean to stereotype drummers. I know there are some good, reliable ones out there. I just don't know why they're so hard to find.
Cuz drumz r hard, mmkay. Hahaa. All jokes aside.... being a top-notch drummer is probably the hardest thing to be. A great rest-of-the band is toast without one, and a mediocre band is much better if they have one.
Why are good drummers so hard to find? Probably because they already have several gigs. Also, drums are logistically difficult. They take up a lot of space, make a lot of noise, and are usually kind of expensive, at least to go from zero drums to a reasonable kit. Finally, the minimum skill level to perform as a drummer is probably higher than guitar or bass. Add all that up and it's not an easy instrument to get started on.
@@5000rgb I don't disagree with any of that but none of it really has anything to do with being unreliable. I haven't found it that difficult to find a decent enough drummer but finding reliable ones has been extremely challenging. I'm definitely not saying they're all unreliable but in my own personal experience it's been difficult to find a drummer that, a) can play a basic beat, b) owns a functioning drum kit, and c) doesn't disappear for weeks at a time, ignoring calls and missing practices. The last one has been exceptionally difficult to find.
@@devilsguitaristmusic Agree 100%... It's rare to find an actual good one, and more rare to find a reliable one. haha.
I had a band that was great, three piece. Unfortunately the bass player murdered the front man(I still love and miss you every day. It's been hard without you.
This is the funniest episode I've seen yet roflmao
OMG !! U guys crack me up !!
Haha, super entertaining. The part about marriages are so true lol.
Never Mind the Bollocks is awesome!
top ten desert island album
LOL-this is one of your funniest, largely because it hits home to so many of us who have been in bands! (like Spinal Tap). I have come to agree with the notion that a band can't be a democracy. BUT-an even worse scenario (I've been there) is to start off under the assumption that your band is a "sort of" democracy, and then later have one person try to take over as a dictator after you've together for awhile. That's a guarantee of bad feelings and most likely, band breakup.
Phil Collins - Buster... good film.
Wait whaaat ? Billy Joel is great too 😀 , none the less great video as usual guys thanks !!!’
Random comment to the most obscure part of the video: Your Taekwon-Do uniform is called a Dobok. You’re welcome. 🤣
Great content, the mix of relevant and random keeps it entertaining!
how many of you looked up "Kitty Litter bass player"?
It's like being married without the physical part, which is like being married. I'm crying and laughing at the same time.
Drugs and Alcohol comes with the territory. When it affects the Band negatively, you got to deal with it head on. Drugs and Alcohol have destroyed more Bands and People than Anything else I've ever seen.
Soooo funny hahahaha hahah Tonight playing on bass let’s hear it for kitty litter 🤣🤣
Boxer Rebellion Baxter
Stick to schedules for rehearsals. Be reliable. Never have to ask or be the one that asks “are we still rehearsing tonight?”
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo have been together for decades. I think some guy in the band was married to the singer in the Sundays too. So that's two!
How did you break it to Bon Jovi's bass player?
East Tennessee State University has a Appalachian music degree available. They also have upwards of 300 registered bluegrass bands associated with the university.
What about Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks? Seems to work out pretty fine. 🙂
Baxter's face is so funny when he's pondering whether drugs are good or bad. My rule is: don't start the drugs or alcohol until you are at least 3/4 of the way thru your scheduled rehearsal. Then by the time it starts to kick in, you're done and you can continue as needed.
My band The Velvet Bush Pilots broke up over whether the D in the chorus of the Song White Room was a D or a Dm. The fact is that you can finger both and pick the same notes! Why are musicians such babies?
the key was john lydon, upper level singer w/ magnetic communication power
My first band was with my best friend at the time, he was bad, it ended badly, not friends anymore.
I once had a drummer ask if he could play with us one time. The day before practice he phoned me up and asked if it would be ok if he brought beer. I thought this dude is pretty cool and of course I said yes. He brought beer, but just for himself lol. I never invited him back even though he was a good drummer.
Something I’d like to say to your younger viewers, regarding trying new things. It occurred to me when you guys mentioned it. In your priorities of what you truly want. Ask yourself. Let’s say you love Bluegrass. Something you & your family have played & listened to for generations. But would you in an effort to obtain success fame & fortune. Would you you become (really insert anything) a hip hop metal band. Listening & playing (also could be anything) Bluegrass privately. 10 million a hundred million a year. And every one knows you. But your stage act, completely different from you. I think deciding that early. To work as a musician VS not working unless it’s exactly the music you want to play & be associated with.
Slept with the drummers girl, sold my amp for a sack o grass and insisted on playing lead guitar 'just like santana bro' many bands ago. Learned my lesson and doing much better now as an adult
Baxter, mate, you remind me of John MacEnroe