Sounds like you have a similar personality to mine...

I used to be in a band like this. I hated even the thought of playing live toward the end of my time with them. It was always a train-wreck. Thankfully the bass player had made the decision to step down the same time I did so at least I didn't feel like I was the only one that felt poorly about the group.

It is hard to have the desire/drive to continue playing when those around you are haphazard and sloppy.

You are justified to step down and good luck with being a hired gun. Those are some of the best and most challenging gigs you will face but if you are a true musician that wants to grow you will thrive on it.

Hope everything works out for you and keep us posted with how everything goes!

Off course you should quit! The problem is as clear as it could be.

You're clear about what you want (which is not too much asked IMO) and you're not getting want you want by far. You've tryed to change that, and that didn't work. End of the line.

I quit my former band, because the music evolved into something I didn't feel anymore (we grew from hardrock to soft rock, mainly because we started working with a female singer after our male singer quit). Now I am without a band. Been jamming with a couple of guys. First things I try to find out about them is how serious they are, what their aims are, if they practice weekly, etc. Don't feel like sowing and not reeping. Loads of guitarists around with "ideas for songs", but if you make it concrete they just want to jam with a little, with half stolen mostly boring 13 in a dozen blues lines. Nah, not my kind of thing.

Create something new that suits you better. There are serious musicians around, even in the non- or semiprofessional leage, just be patient looking for them.

Get the hell out, Jay! You seem like too nice a guy to put up with this nonsense.

Brian

I have played with working bands. What you describe is not a 'working band' nor does it sound like it ever will be. You need to be with other like-minded musicians. Start looking now. Best of luck.

John

If you're doing this to make a living, or to "make it" as you put it, then these are clearly NOT the people to do it with. Whatever you do though, don't burn any bridges. Remain friends in the end, if you can. It helps things in the long run believe it or not.

The way I see it, maybe you should start a band enlisting the kinds of players you want, calling practices when you want, etc. If they are as serious as you are, then they will do as you ask. Above all, make sure there is good chemistry, on and off the stage. Its no good if you love the way your guitar player or bass player plays, or your singer sings if you can't stand them personally.

That's my :2Cents: anyway

Yes to what others here have said...

These guys are just wasting YOUR time and probably their own too.. Find a new band or even start your own band, with some like minded players to yourself..

Good luck whatever..

John

Like minded. That's it. That's all you need to know.

Hopefully out of the other members you have made really strong friends with them. But as far as being in a band, by the sound of it you need to move on. Don't fret. Just be cool and sound out you're point of view. Be nice, let them be objectionable if they choose. Not you. They will respect you for it, maybe not in the short term, but ultimately they will understand. They need the break too, to get a guy who is in the same frame of mind. Then they can can fun and you can get on with your personal agenda.

$500 is WAY too much to put into an EP with this band. Why are you talking about throwing that money away since live will never match a good EP.

Sounds like everyone here agrees with what you really want to do in the long run with these guys.

Gotta go... life is too short. Yes Sir

Heck... I would call my band an absolute hobby band and we have a set practice every week for 2 hours minimum. We might even hit it two days a week if we are adding new songs to the set list... we are not trying to "make it" we just don't want to suck when we play out.

We are all on the same sheet of music... as they say. band3

It is lots of fun... as it should be!!