What makes a band successful?

af_thefragile

I was wondering about this lately. No this one is not about the music and production aspect of the band but what makes a band remain intact and not break apart.

I see a lot of bands form and then break up in a couple of months and a lot of musicians over here consistently looking for bands and things not quite working out for them. So what is it that makes a band successful?
Is it the chemistry between the musicians, is it cuz everyone's got similar influences, is it cuz all the band members are chasing a similar sound and goal for the band? What does it all come down to?
I've seen a lot of bands where all the musicians have different influences and musical tastes but they still manage to keep a healthy musical relationship in the band and become successful. While some bands, even when all the musicians are looking for the same thing, don't last more than a few months. I guess all it takes is one weak link to destroy a band. Or the band mates lose interest in the band. Or the band loses its creative drives and ends up at a dead end. Or the band members don't get along with eachother well. What is it?

So i'ld like to ask you musicians here, what do you look for in a band to join one and what makes you remain in the band and make things work. And also what makes you leave bands or not work out with musicians. What is it that you're looking for when you post an add or reply to one and when you turn up for an audition or look to audition someone??

This could bring us some light as to what musicians are actually looking for and how to form the successful band.

ZakAttak

I've always made an effort to make any band I was in work. Sometimes this isn't possible.

Alot of people start playing music and then get involved in a band-then realise its alot of work and, quite often, a real pain in the arse (lugging equipment around, playing to empty venues etc.) being in a band isn't for everyone.

Also some people end up having to choose between a job(making money) and being in a band(not making a feckin penny). Remember, alot of people want to get married and have kids- being in a band doesn't quite fit in with this.


Bands break up for many reasons such as these, however, the most common reason is musicians themselves. If you are joining a band I think the best thing to look for is wether or not you enjoy the company of your bandmates- because if you don't then nothing can happen. You can end up in a situation where a particular person stops turning up for rehearsals, etc. simply because they can't stand the sight of someone else in the band- its just part of the game.

and lets not forget collective laziness

af_thefragile

^I can see some people are just not ready for all the challenges they've gotta face when they're in a band. But if they're not ready for such a thing, why do they join a band in the first place when they know they can't fully commit to it.

When musicians first join a band they're all enthusiastic bout it and would do anything to make the band work. Then slowly it all dies out and the band members start getting lazy about the band and start seeing it as too much work. Though they still might love to play their instrument 24/7 playing with the band starts becoming daunting.

And i do believe a lot depends on how well the musicians get along with each other and how well they can have fun making the music together. Though i've been with musicians who get along really well but making music with them becomes a painful experience and things just don't work out. So setting up the perfect band set for success isn't as easy as it seems.

I'm kind of looking here for the perfect formula for setting up a successful band. I'm working on a band idea and sometime in mid sep (after my exams) i'ld be holding auditions for the musicians for the band. I've been in bands before that just seemed to drag along and die eventually. But this time around i want to plan things much better so i can pull this idea through by finding the right musicians to form the right band.

And this thread might help the other musicians too looking to form bands. So they can have a better idea of what to look for in the band/musicians they want to work with.

Savman

I'll make this quick cos these can go on for ages :pac:

Unfortunately, in this particular field of work, knowledge isn't necessarily power. i.e. just because you know the pitfalls, doesn't mean you can avoid them.

af_thefragile wrote: »

So what is it that makes a band successful?
Is it the chemistry between the musicians, is it cuz everyone's got similar influences, is it cuz all the band members are chasing a similar sound and goal for the band? What does it all come down to?
I've seen a lot of bands where all the musicians have different influences and musical tastes but they still manage to keep a healthy musical relationship in the band and become successful. While some bands, even when all the musicians are looking for the same thing, don't last more than a few months. I guess all it takes is one weak link to destroy a band. Or the band mates lose interest in the band. Or the band loses its creative drives and ends up at a dead end. Or the band members don't get along with eachother well. What is it?

All of those things you mentioned. Well done you've solved it.:)

nyarlothothep

Imo its mostly dependent on personalities working together and good musical chemistry. Influences aren't as important. A band usually doesn't last if everyone hates each other and the music that is produced should be exciting to everyone involved, it should flow naturally or be developed through a process that everyone understands or finds accessible. And of course there is the work factor, which shouldn't really factor in because even the crap side of it should be totally diminished in scale by the fun/noble pursuit of creating art. Also, its a lot harder to set up a band if you want to do anything that even slightly deviates from the norm. A lot of people are lazy or just not interested enough but thats their problem, so in other words, its best just to ignore them or to paraphrase Tyler Durden let that which does not matter truly slide

BumbleB

Perseverance Perseverance perseverance,

Also people that are aligned to the same purpose is essential ,its called the mastermind in thye book "think and grow rich " . Keeping everybody's ego in check ,Bands that have been around for a long time usually have no major ego problems .Ego destroys everything . Most performers leave their ego onstage .