A philosophical question,
Would you rather play with a band that sucks? or would you rather not play at all?
There’s a competition amongst music people, this thing about ego and image and standing in front of strangers with your genitals exposed,
I’ve seen it forever.
When then spirit is there ,and it’s night time and the crowd is with you and the drinks are flowing …
You feel like a king.
If you sound good and look good.
Feels immovable .
All that time you spent in solitude, learning your instrument…
People tend to worship and pedestal musicians because they create such a cool thing,,but something no one thinks about.
They’re bitches.
They tend to be very fragile and delicate creatures. Unsure of themselves.
Not a hero, not a legend,
Just a monkey that loved an activity more than hanging out with other monkeys.
Daydreamers and bad childhoods,drug addicts and insecurities, that’s what makes musicians.
And the vast majority suck.
A guy that works in another department shoots me a text.
“Hey man, our bass player quit, would you consider joining us on Thursday with your bass rig”
An Eyebrow goes up…
(You do enjoy playing bass)
I do…
Then the guy sends a Youtube video of their band practice…
(You’re better than his lead player..)
Alright, this is the point where I could be mean or I could be charitable ..
I can understand what a music person is after about 30 seconds.
Not good, these guys will never be anything. There’s hints of cool stuff but the firm reality is…
Drums -6
Guitar work-4
Songwriting and vocals-3.
Then the positives.
I enjoy the fuzzed out guitar lines,
The drummer stays in time but he’s got no fills.
The songwriting is very 90’s.
They practice weekly.
Back to the root of the question.
(Would you rather not play with the other monkeys at all??)
You’re a public person as soon as your music lands on someone else’s ears, before that you’re just a dude playing in headphones.
I never liked that jamming became such a competitive thing, always was a dick size competition,, just how it goes I guess.
The really fun stuff is when the band likes each other and opens up possibility for organic creation.
Lot of shitty musicians out there, you’re reading one.
But I miss playing.
I miss standing next to the drums and feeling the kick, I miss locking in the groove, I miss practice
(Are we talking about PRACTICE???)
Yes, we’re talking about practice.
Band practice in a garage is a cool place, it’s a special place to pinball musical ideas. To uh,,,, I guess artistically converse.
I ran in those groups and they’re my people, insecure little bitches that we all are.
However….
Not jamming with other people is bleak.
I’ve got a lifetime of experience in my hands and no outlet. Typing, video games and headphones….
SO I’m gonna do it,
I’m gonna get my bass rig together and go jam with these 40 year old dudes, still writing original music,,
(The nerve)
Yes, the nerve.
How dare they try?
How dare they assume that it’s worth it or anyone cares.
The fucking nerve,, to not realize they suck and commit suicide immediately.
Some degree of fight…
You’re fighting all the others..
You’re butt-fucking the haters,
You’re playing for every mother fucker that said you couldn’t,
I dig that.
I.
Need.
To interact with other human beings, holding their stupid instruments, making some holy noise, locking into time.
There’s nothing else like it and it made me feel alive.
(All you create, and all you destroy,
All that you do….all you say…)
It’s important….
More important than this and more important than what you’re doing,,,
IF YA STOP MAKIN NOISE, YOU’RE DEAD.
Imma do it.5
dawn 