Band troubles...

nobodythere

I write most of the songs in our band... which now amounts to a measly 5/6. I feel like I'm oppressed by them though, like I have to live up to what I've previously written and if I write something that's different and I like it I'm always taunted by telling myself "oh this isn't material for the band. They won't like this. It isn't anything like the other stuff".

It's really oppressive and stops me from writing anything original or thinking outside the box but I can't help it. I want to be able to write without thinking where this will fit in with the other stuff or where it would go on an album and just write! Quitting the band isn't an option though taking a break for a few months is crossing my mind (downside is we'd probably end up doing this again and again).

Any thoughts, comments or experiences greatly GREATLY GREATLY appreciated.

NotMe

You think that the rest of the band won't like it? Don't you think you should show them the song first and see what they think? Anyway even if they don't like some of the songs that you write it's not really a problem. You should write whatever you want... maybe you can use it in the future.

ferdi

so your writting the material and they are doing **** all? man if they slag anything you write tell them to **** off and write thier own stuff, you're putting in the effort in here,m they cant critisize unless they have a better alternative.

Giblet

ferdi wrote:

so your writting the material and they are doing **** all? man if they slag anything you write tell them to **** off and write thier own stuff, you're putting in the effort in here,m they cant critisize unless they have a better alternative.

Thats it exactly, if they aren't doing better material themselves you should tell them to go fúck themselves.

Brother A

Well this is classic stuff really. If I'm not mistaken Johnny mar left the Smiths for pretty much the same reason. Of course the Smiths were probably rich and famous at the time; so get it together, or as James Brown would say, leave it alone.

Bands change their style all the time anyway. In fact, if a band sounds the same all the time people say they're just rehashing an initial formula. There is some money to be made from this (see Dido, The Thrills), but if you can't or won't do it, then you should explain the new direction to the band. If they disagree and want to be the next Westlife, fire them and become the chief songwriter for a Rick Astley comeback. YEAH.

Mr. CooL ICE

If they don't write stuff and you do, then surely they should do what you write? Can it not be as simple as that?

This is the image in my head of what's happening: You write music for a bunch of possibly uncreative or lazy 'musicians', and while they sit back and do nothing, you bring them some music on a plate for them to disapprove and throw away your hard work.

If you want my advice, get out and see what they do without you. Or simply refuse to do anything until they do

nobodythere

It's nothing like that, they're not a bunch of lazy musicians. I mean we all write our own instruments, what I mean is I'm generally the one who starts off most of the stuff if you get what I mean. We have a start and then start throwing ideas in. By not liking I mean that I get the impression that they don't want to do anything with a certain thing I show them. They've never actually said that they didn't like anything I've written straight out.

It's something that's all in my head, like if I could write without thinking if it works for the band or not I can be very original and creative, but I can't. In general we'd all like the band to be something that excites us on stage rather than captivates us (i.e. heavy, not too slow) for most songs so I feel like I should write in that direction. Problem is, subconsciously trying to write in a certain direction ends up as not being able to write at all. It's a form of forcing it all out. If I want to write a slow song I have to shut my left brain off... which I find hard to do. There's always this little wee bastárd in the back of my head going "no that's not gonna be fun to play, I don't care how much you care about it and how lovely it sounds!" and I'm posting here because I want to beat the crap out of him with a 2x4. The exciting songs would flow if I could freely write.

Didn't think my post would project the image that all of the replies have shown but I'm certain that it's nothing like you're thinking. Reading back I can see how you get the impression though. Thanks for the hints of useful advice

Mr. CooL ICE

Bloody hell, you got me all feeling sorry for you for a minute there. All I can say now is you should get your head checked to get rid of whatever personal demons you claim to have, and sit down and discuss with the other band members about what to do. Theres nothing else that can be done by just posting up here.


P.S. Are you having your period?

Doctor J

If you're trying to take the music in new directions and the other musicians don't want to go, maybe you should find musicians who do want to do different stuff. Perhaps you are being stifled and you'd be happier with other people?

nobodythere

LordChessington wrote:

Bloody hell, you got me all feeling sorry for you for a minute there. All I can say now is you should get your head checked to get rid of whatever personal demons you claim to have, and sit down and discuss with the other band members about what to do. Theres nothing else that can be done by just posting up here.


P.S. Are you having your period?

In all my 16 years I've never seen my penis bleed.... I didn't mean an actual leprechaun going "arrr ya can't be playing that shur 'tis not heavy at all at all. Think I'll take the sitting down and talking advice. We played the most meaningless disgusting gig yesterday and we all agreed. We're all up for taking a break except for one who thinks it'll solve absolutely nothing. I just need time to get some new material without any pressure on me. Pressure from those damn dancing leprechauns.

Thanks a lot everyone!

magpie

Give it up, or turn it loose.

nobodythere

meaning?...

Beerbreath

Grasshoppa...
First off, I take it you would like to actually establish yourself as the songwriter in this band of yours yes? If that's the case, you have to spell that out pretty clearly to the band members.......If you really do write 80% stuff...be it riffs, chords, melodiess, lyrics, whatever....well then you have to make a decision as to how you split the credit up between all the members. Now I think I've got it right when I say you're 16 right?
You've got plenty of time..........but if is music is something you want to pursue in the near future.....far into the future...whenever...do try to establish, even in your own head....how you'd like any band you're in to operate. Would you like a band where you write everything and have musicians who take it all on without much resistance because they acknowledge you as the 'driving force' behind the whole operation?
Or would you like a group that is more of a collaboration between all members? It's good to sort of think these things through.
Anyway, as regards wondering will the people in your band like the stuff you write...there's only one thing I can say. If YOU think that the stuff you're writing is good and you get a real kick out of it, no matter what style it seems to come out of your head in, and anybody you're playing with can't grasp that or is completely unwilling to even give it a chance, then you're wasting your time with them. That's being blunt but it's true. Now I'm a 27 year old who's been writing and peforming for a good few years talking to you who's probably in his first serious band and still in school(I take it I'm partly true with this?). So...you've got bags of time and lots of things to live through, experience, find out about the music you might want to play, the sort of band you'd like, etc etc. But I just get a little inkling that it's the actual creation of different kinds of music that gets you going. If that's the case, then just keep writing and writing, even just for yourself for now. Hone it and sharpen and most of all.......Listen to ALL sorts of music. Even from genre's you might not readily listen to. Just be interested in as many forms as music as you can....if you really have a good ear for it, you WILL find inspiration in loads of places. Just out of interest, what music do you listen to generally? Just name a few bands.........and what music really inspires you?
What kind of music does your band play?