First post

So, it recently came to my attention/realization that I have a lot on my mind, and a lot of advice for young bands trying to make something of themselves in the industry. After 10 years in the music industry (4 years in a touring/signed band, 6 years running a studio and producing records)... I've seen a lot of my friends "make it" ... and many more fail. Along the way, I've noticed consistencies on both ends of that spectrum... and with the growing popularity of what I like to call the "Band Boom" ... I'll be touching on some of those observations.

I'm simply starting this blog, for the same reason that most people do, because I have opinions. You don't have to agree, but this may help some of you.

Each night, I will try to hit on one or two specific topics... because lets face it, you're not in a band because you turned down Harvard... your attention spans are very short.


Tonight's topic: "Practice makes perfect"


Every time I record a new band, or see a new band live, I can tell immediately how often you pick up your instrument, and actually practice. I can usually tell if you're self-taught or have had formal instruction (no strong opinion on this matter, some of my favorite musicians have had little-to-no formal training) ... I've just been doing this a long time, and I can usually tell.

Most of the time, there is a whole spectrum of competency levels throughout the band. Sometimes there is a "ringer" keeping the rest of the band together, and sometimes there is just one turd holding the whole thing back.

My philosophy on this is simple: choose the people that you play music with wisely. Steel sharpens steel. When I see a band that I can TELL has overall equality and proficiency, my heart flutters... because this is SO fucking rare.

You NEED to practice... you need to practice by yourself, you need to practice together... usually equal parts of both. Please don't be the dude letting everyone else down because you can't hold your shit together... no one wants to be that dude, and really, no one wants that dude in their band. If you don't love your instrument enough to play it by yourself, you don't love it enough to play it with other musicians, and you're doing this for ALL the wrong reasons. Please, stop before you're given a real opportunity, only to fuck it up.

Back to selecting your band-mates....

If you're just doing this "for fun" ... and don't intend on making a run at this for a legitimate career, this doesn't really apply to you... friends are friends, and I know how it is.... you have a buddy that isn't really that great, but REALLY wants to be in your band... you hand him a bass, and turn him down in the mix a little... let him hop around on stage without causing too much damage to your sound... whatever... I get it.

BUT, if you're really doing this because you have a deep passion for music, and really can't see yourself doing ANYTHING else in life, PLEASE (I'm begging you) weed out the crap. I know it's hard to look someone in the eyes and tell them they aren't good enough. No one likes to do this... but watch a few episodes of Kitchen Nightmares with chef Gordon Ramsay, and take some pointers from him... tough love is sometimes the best kind. You cannot go far if you're constantly hiding/compensating for a band member that can't get their shit together.

This gets complicated though... Sometimes, the person holding your band back is honestly talented... maybe even a genius.... but for whatever reason, can't pull their head out of their ass long enough to see it. Maybe you have a member that you KNOW deep down is amazing, and when you're writing or recording is a huge asset to your band... but maybe that person is tough to get along with, or drinks too much, or any number of things that prevents them from fulfilling their potential when it comes to actually playing your songs in front of people. I feel for bands that have this problem, because some bands would not be the same without "this" person. Some bands are maybe even formed BY "this" person... I will only give this advice to bands in this particular situation: do your best to help them realize how important they are to you. Be a friend. If they have issues that are deeper than they are willing to let you get to, try to help them put that down on paper, or on to tape. .... But if you try and try, and just can't make it work... you may need to find someone else.

Usually, this person is either why people love you or hate you (in the music industry, those emotions are actually quite close, and even related... both can be a good thing for your career.) ... so if you end up replacing them, be prepared for most of your fans to jump-ship. Van Halen is a perfect example of this (for you young'ns, maybe "Dance Gavin Dance" or "Saosin" would be easier to relate with) ... once the original singer was gone, everyone who came after was EXTREMELY talented, and maybe even better than the original... and they still managed to sell tons of records... but for every one person who embraced the change, you had a dozen people saying "yeah, it's good, but it's not as good as the original"  ... these days, we refer to those people as "haters" .... (that will be another night's topic).  ... then someday the original guy inevitably comes back, and no one really gives a fuck anyway. (by this time, the band has usually run it's course anyhow)

These are things that happen to bands EVERY day. I watch it happen. I've witnessed several bands kicking members out, on the spot, in my studio... It's no fun, but if your band doesn't go through any lineup changes at any point, you are the minority.... but this all irritates me SO much, because it can USUALLY all be solved if everyone commits to practicing.


Let me sum this all up with a few key points:

If you aren't willing to practice your instrument, you shouldn't be willing to waste your parent's money trying to "follow your dreams."

If you are awesome, but you have someone in your band who sucks, don't be afraid to part ways... they'll get over it... and in-fact, it may help them find their passion, and give them the kick in the ass they need to actually do something with their life.

If you suck, but think you're awesome, you aren't going to listen to a word of this, and probably think I'm dumb.

If this is really (and I mean REALLY) what you want to do, please be warned that it is not an "easy way out" ... full-time jobs are 40 hours a week... full-time bands (when done RIGHT) are 24/7/365.

-Furry.