The runaway band

[Telenator]

I'm at my wit's end! I sub with an 8 piece band that keeps getting these great gigs but they play everything so freakin' fast it's just not enjoyable. I'm giving serious thought to letting this one go. As a sub, it's not really my place to tell them they play too fast, (although I have), and the keyboard player feels the same way. We're rapidly becoming a couple of whiners as far as the band is concerned but it's actually becoming difficult to play the parts. Anyone familiar with the riff in the chorus of Southbound by the Allman Bros knows that it's a nice little lick when played at the proper tempo, but play it at light speed and I can't even keep up! Then the solo starts to sound like "southern shred" because the song is way too fast for those little, dragging expressions you use in southern rock. Or, try playing "Alright Now" by Free so fast that you can barely play the solo riffs correctly and the singer can't pronounce the words properly. It just takes all the fun out it. Anyway, just needed to rant a little. I'd love to hear a few suggestions from seasoned players out there. The band is already tired of hearing it from the keyboard player and myself so I don't that there's anywhere to go but out.

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by Telenator

The band is already tired of hearing it from the keyboard player and myself so I don't that there's anywhere to go but out.

There you go!

Cheers, Tim

[Joe-Bob]

I understand totally. I play in a jazz big band, and our new director has a poor sense of actual tempo speed. Our drummer has stopped him several times.

If it were me...I'd tell them that if they're unwilling to use reasonable tempos, that they would have to do it without me.

[Telenator]

Yeah, unfortunately the answer appears obvious. If they didn't get such great gigs that pay so well the decision would be easy. I'm currently subbing with these guys and another band as well as my own band so it's not going to kill me to give one up. Heck, I'll just go ahead and book my regular band at some of these clubs, spread the money between 4 of us instead of 8, put on a better show and enjoy it even more. Yeah, that's the ticket.

[Joe-Bob]

Originally Posted by Telenator

Yeah......spread the money between 4 of us instead of 8, put on a better show and enjoy it even more. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Yeah! That's it.

[chickenpicker]

It's ok sometimes to mess with the tempo and arrangement of a song, for effect; but every song played fast is obviously not working.

I'd surreptitiously plug a drum machine in to a combo amp and aim it at the drummer - then select the "right" tempo at the start of each song, and hope that he would follow it!!!

Or I'd leave.

[getbent]

what happens when you tape the band and make them sit (sober, so the next day) and listen to the gig... Man, those listening parties can be soul crushing but truth discovering events...

[ye olde fretmonkey]

Whatall instruments are 8 guys playing on songs like that?

[Telenator]

We did the tape thing and most of the guys heard nothing wrong with it. In fact, several of my bandmates from the other groups I play with have seen this band and asked "why do you guys play everything so freakin' fast?!

The band consists of Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys, Percussionist, 2 saxes and trumpet. It's a big sound. They've been around for over 20 years so you'd think they'd know better. They're all seasoned players who should have a handle on this but the songs either start too fast or the tempo runs away as the tune progresses.

When I had met these guys I was coming off a 5 year drought. No band for 5 YEARS! I was so happy to be gigging again, it didn't bother me too much. Trying to keep things in perspective, I didn't want to raise a big stink about this but some of the tempos are just torturous to play to. As time passes we all like to think our situations will improve, not get worse. Apparently they like it the way it is. I have stated my case have found myself to be in the minority. It's just hard to let something go when you know the answer is right there. Then again, it's only "my answer." (and the keyboard guy's) Everyone else in the group feels that everything is just fine. Very frustrating.

I suppose I was just hoping for a magic answer to pop up here. I know the answer. Sometimes throwing it out there to others helps make the answer more apparent.

[getbent]

then, you either have to accept it or quit. If you are at the stage where you are going to quit and you think it might help... you could take your recording and the original recording and do the bpm count and show them that... but, I kinda think you are going up hill at that point... Usually the drummer or the bass player controls the tempo (I know it can kind of vary from band to band) but there must be one person who is setting the clock for this band, can you divide and conquer with that person... that might be the guy who you show the bpm map to.. if you have a DJ friend they probably have the little gizmo that determines that quickly and easily.. if evidence won't work... maybe they actually like it fast... sorry man, I'm not crazy about songs that are so fast they are like musical typing.[/i]

[Joe-Bob]

The horn players are the problem. As a rule, they love to play fast tempos because it makes their notes shorter, and makes life alot easier for them in general.

Let them find a replacement for you. It won't be easy at all, especially if they play everything "Moocho Fasto".

[68tele]

How does the audience (assuming there is one) respond to the hyper-speed-song-blur?
Complaints? Kudos? It is there the answer lies.

[Telenator]

Originally Posted by 68tele

How does the audience (assuming there is one) respond to the hyper-speed-song-blur?
Complaints? Kudos? It is there the answer lies.

Agreed.

The audience responds well for the most part except when we play a song that is known to be a "slow dance" and people take to the floor only to find themselves twirling around trying to slow dance to a now moderate tempo song.

The sound of the band is really BIG with 8 pieces and it moves some air. This alone is responsible in part for the favorable crowd reaction. The band does well, but could do better with a little restraint.

This is really my problem. Most of the other guys like playing at warp speed so I have pretty much resigned myself to that fact. It's not up to me to change it, just to decide if I still want to do it or not.