The recording breakup

[boo]

I had a band in here recently that started fighting in the studio, went out for coffee and broke up. It got me thinking about how many bands actually do break up when they start the recording process.

I think it really does bring out any problems, resentments, and crap that the band has not dealt with. It also brings up issues of commitment, financially and time wise, if they're producing a cd.

I started asking around, and most of my musician friends, including myself have encountered this with bands we have been in.

Have you all encountered this phenomenon?

[newkid]

Originally Posted by boo

I had a band in here recently that started fighting in the studio, went out for coffee and broke up. It got me thinking about how many bands actually do break up when they start the recording process.

I think it really does bring out any problems, resentments, and crap that the band has not dealt with. It also brings up issues of commitment, financially and time wise, if they're producing a cd.

I started asking around, and most of my musician friends, including myself have encountered this with bands we have been in.

Have you all encountered this phenomenon?

I hope you got paid up front.

Good question.

I would be they break up all the time at anytime for any trivial reason. Guessing they are mostly artistic , money, or ego based break ups. Not necessarily due to recording unless one of those three reasons arises at that time.

[brandondrury]

I've never had a band break up in the middle of a session. That may even be funny. I get my night off!

I have had bands break up after tracking while I was still mixing. It's no more or less frustrating than when a band breaks up after finishing the recording. I've seen that may be a dozen times.

Brandon

[TonyB]

Hasn't happened to me, but it's why I charge 50% deposit before hitting the RECORD button!

[brandondrury]

Good call, Tony.

I found the more hurdles you put in the way of you and the clients, the better they respond. It probably wouldn't work for walmart, but for this gig it's the only way to keep people in line.

I had a band just yesterday who wanted to record first and pay later. It blows the mind what people will try. I've found that there is something about being good with bands (in a social-type way) that automatically makes them think of you as a joke on the business end. Nope. Your paying, buddy!

Brandon

[TonyB]

Red Flag #1: If the band's not willing to pay to have their material produced then they must not be serious about their music.

So when I get all those stories I throw up the Red Flag for them. I usually get:

"Oh, okay, I see what you mean. We'll borrow money from our parents."

or

"We'll come back when we get the dough!"

[glenlata]

i've had a few fights break out in sessions and more then a few people try to get over on me with money, dealing with rap the fights were to be expected, young punks. i normally get paid all the money before i even let them in the room. altho sometimes i do things for free or reduced, depending on if i really like your music and think you may go somewhere. i've even had groups break up after recording a song and each member of the group come back with a new group to finish the song that they didn't with the old members. they would say hey, can you take them off and put my new group on.