David Hooper
No one wants tohave to do it, but there may come a point when a single member of theband really is holding everyone back. It isn’t a decision to be madelightly, but if it is really keeping you from seeing your potential,you need to make your decision with your head, not your heart. How doyou know if it’s time to fire a band member? Here are some signs tolook out for:
1. They aren’t making it to practice/rehearsal
Beingin a band requires a certain commitment of time and energy. Regularrehearsal is the lifeblood of any hungry young band, and if someoneisn’t willing to take the time to be there, it doesn’t matter howtalented they are (or think they are). It is simply not going towork. A successful band has an element of business to it, and holdingregularly scheduled practices that everyone is expected to attend isjust good business. It ensures that you’re ready to kick ass at yourshows and it gives the band time to gel and work out the kinks in theirperformance and relationship. This is a totally non-negotiableissue. No practice, no play.
2. They are easily combustible.
Everybodyhas problems. That doesn’t mean it is ok to blow up and freak out onother people regularly. If everyone in the band feels like they haveto tiptoe around one person because they don’t want to deal with theensuing drama that is sure to occur if they get upset—then it’s timefor that person to take some time for themselves and work their issuesout. Just like a family, a band is dependent on each member making apositive contribution.
3. They refuse to support the decisions of the whole group.
Hey,it’s great if you have strong vision and a lot of creative energy, butif everything always has to be one person’s way, then things are goingto get very uncomfortable very quickly. Every member should be able tocontribute in ways that makes them feel good and excited about whatyou’re all doing. Every member should be able to say how they feel andexpress their style. If one person is making it all about them, or ifthey are a control freak who insists that they know what’s best at alltimes, then it’s not a band. It’s a dictatorship.
4. They don’t buy in to the whole vision of the band and music.
Everyband has a vision for their music. The collective talent of themembers creates a unique and beautiful blend that comes across in asingle style which defines them. Because of that, it’s important thatevery person in the band feels like they can stand behind the musicyou’re playing. If even one member of the band doesn’t feel like theycan support the overall musical vision of the band, then you’re notgetting 100% of their creative energy, and it’s going to affect yoursuccess. Sometimes it is as simple as a mismatch between one person’sstyle and the rest of the band. Sometimes it may be something deeper. Whatever it is needs to be addressed. Until everyone gets on the samepage, you’re not going anywhere.
5. They refuse to try to improve themselves.
Eventhe most successful musicians in the world can’t sit back on theirlaurels and coast through their careers. Being an artist requiresconstant attention to your craft. That means practice, trying newthings, learning techniques, knowing the business, and being open tonew creative ideas. If someone has an attitude that they don’t need toimprove themselves, or if they are just plain lazy, they aren’t readyto move forward with your band.
6. They have a problem with drugs and booze.
Thiscan be a difficult issue, because you don’t want to hurt someone whenthey’re at a low point. On the other hand, you don’t want them tothink they can go on destroying themselves and taking your band downwith them. It’s worth talking to them if they seem to be developing ahabit that is out of control, expressing your concern, and giving themsome information and resources on how to handle things. If they refuseto listen, or if it’s beyond anything you think you can handle, it’stime for a serious ultimatum. For some, using drugs and alcohol can bepart of the musical culture, and sometimes it is hard to know where todraw the line, but if you see someone’s habit affecting their art,their relationships, and their health, it’s time to get serious.
7. They are hyper-critical of one or more members.
Everyband wants to be the best they can be, and it’s really important tohave honest self-criticism from both inside and outside the band. Butif someone is fixated on every single tiny mistake or error that ismade, they are not being helpful. Constant criticism is a good hintthat someone is dissatisfied overall with what they are doing. It maybe time for that person to move on and they might not know how toexpress it to the band—or they may not even realize it themselves. Butyou can’t let someone be a constant drain on the energy of your groupjust because they themselves are dissatisfied. It’s time to sit downand talk to them about what’s happening, and whether or not they needto go somewhere else to be happy.
8. You find out they’re talking smack about one or all of the members to other people.
Everyoneneeds to vent once in a while. Bands are like any otherrelationships. Sometimes there’s conflict and sometimes you need tojust talk to a trusted friend and get some perspective. But if one ofthe members of the band is out airing dirty laundry all over town, it’stime to have a “family meeting” and find out what’s going on. Creativeenergy is best expressed in an environment of trust and confidence. When a band gets together to create music, they’re baring their soulsto one another. If one member of the band is untrustworthy and can’ttalk to the other members about a problem they have with them, then thecreative energy is not going to flow. A person who refuses tocommunicate with the band but is talking all over town is a liability.
9. They refuse to pull their weight.
Inthe beginning, every member of the band has to wear multiple hats. Everyone is collectively responsible for publicity, sharing expenses,and being present and honest during practice. There’s no free ride,and no one is too good to hang up flyers or pick up a case oft-shirts. If someone doesn’t want to roll up their sleeves and pitchin, tell them to go be a slacker in someone else’s band.
10. They are always trying to borrow—money, instruments, drugs, etc.
Evenif one member of the band has more than the others, it’s never ok tomooch. If you can’t buy your own beers, it’s not ok to ask everyoneelse to cover you. Same goes for rent, guitar strings, weed, hair geland toilet paper. Some people might view their band as a family, butyou know something? It’s still not okay to mooch of your family,either
Reprinted with permission from www.musicmarketing.com
