July 6
I remember when my sister was graduating from college and she complained that every conversation centered around questions of grad school and/or future employment. Being in a band is a lot like that, most of your conversations become about your band. Ordinarily this is a good thing, particularly given you ego-centric most musicians are. We relish any opportunity to talk about ourselves.
Our current problem is that we have been mired in a band fight for about the last 2 weeks or so. This is not a big deal, and has nothing to do with why we are not playing in Philadelphia, but it starts to wear on you. I have reached the point where I don’t want to talk about the band anymore. This is why this blog has been silent for a few weeks.
As we reach the end of this current band fight, I have been reflecting on band fights in general, and the many fights that I have had. In my last band, I had a shouting match with my bassist while we were recording over a single note. We were just yelling at each other for an hour about one note! Given the cost of studio time, it was probably the most expensive argument that I have had. It is also interesting to note, that I have been a central component of every band fight in the bands I have been in. Were I more humble, I would probably think that I might be the problem.
The one constant in all band arguments is that they come at the intersection of artistic, financial, and personal concerns. Tension just gradually builds up, and eventually one little thing will happen and all of a sudden everyone’s problems with each other come gushing out. Just imagine tension you may have had with your friends, your co-workers, and then try to create something while working with these people. I should add that these problems are being resolved by people crazy enough to try to make a living playing rock music. Suffice it to say, things can get ugly.
But things have worked out themselves out, and we are pressing onward. We hope to see you all at the Velvet Lounge on Friday, July 13th! What can possibly go wrong on such an auspicious day? We will be playing with Lights Resolve and Black & White Jacksons.