breaking up: easy to do
by Bing Futch
The thrill and satisfaction of being in a band is often undercut by the tense, stressful and highly unenjoyable moments of being tightly yoked with other artists. Face it, there are many different approaches to music and no two people think alike, which is why there is counseling available for those who have been in the same group for too long. It’s a marriage, a bond based on mutual love and trust that cannot be betrayed. It’s everyone’s ass up there on-stage and it takes a strong family to pull it all together. Oft times, it is family up there, and they have the bond to sling it through. But many times, you’ve got folks who didn’t know each other from Adam before answering an ad in the local musicians rag and meeting at a bar someplace to sniff each other out. If you even get along and have somewhat of the same approach to music, you can decide to go ahead with the process of getting hitched– rehearsing and working together to create magic in the marriage. Your approach is about the same as with the love of your life, at least it should be. Choose carefully whom you wish to jam with, you’ll be spending an awful lot of time getting to know their every pro and con. Of course, if the clashes far outweigh the harmonies–you’ll be rotating band members like toilet paper, or even worse–the whole outhouse could come crashing down.
Great bands, talented bands–they break up all the time. Out of the ashes form other entities, it’s a fact of life, a musical resurrection. But sometimes, the news is a bitter pill to take. For example, the break-up in early 1998 of HERONYMUS. This ambitious art-rock band crossed genres, added horns and dramatic stagings to powerful ensemble jams that had fans clamoring for more. The trials of trying to arrange rehearsals between a staggering seven members added to the daily frustrations. With their complex music, rehearsals were a must. Lead singer TIM WILLIAMS, guitarist ROB HOULE and bassist JOSHUA CHIET formed the nucleus of a band that was always fluctuating, with or without their mighty horn section–drummer changes, the six years of intensive labor– from living rooms to the House Of Blues. They were nominated for an Orlando Music Award in 1997 and received much airplay on Real Radio 104. 1 FM. Towards the end, however–tempers flared more violently in meetings as the band struggled to pay bills and cover costs for recording their debut CD. Outside management was brought in; disenchanted members failed to show up at rehearsals. Something had to give, and the band fractured–some of its crew going back to school while others took to freelancing in the Orlando scene.
No more exciting live shows from a band that was poised to set the town on its ear. These things happen. Though not a few people thought it would happen to BIG SHIRLEY, the high-ridin’ funk outfit that has been an O- Town favorite for the past two years. With an eye-popping 10-piece band throwing down intense, sweat-filled grooves, these guys easily captured two Orlando Music Awards in 1997 for “Best Funk/Groove Band” and “Band Of The Year”. Radio/T.V. promotions with Burdines followed along with shows opening for Earth, Wind & Fire, Rick James and Parliament. Things got good enough where the guys could quit their jobs to go on the road full time with Big Shirley.
However, splitting the take between ten dudes on-stage leaves not a whole lot to go around, and the crew would often break even after long road trips. The name got out, but no money was being made. In time, the members had to revert to “real jobs” once again–with not enough venues in town, bookings became scarce at home and road trips proved to be too expensive. They pared down to an eight-piece eventually, but tensions between bandmembers escalated, especially on long drives on tour. Things seemed to be looking up for the group with the release of a new album, “Funkasm”, but shortly thereafter, rumours of a split within the band surfaced. Sure enough, it was confirmed by former drummer BRETT CROOK that the band had indeed ceased to exist as Big Shirley as we know it–though bassist BUTCH GONZALEZ, lead singer AL CHEEK and keyboardist DOUG BARE are currently playing with others in a pared-down version of Big Shirley, that apparently has some of the other members none-too- happy.
It’s happened to the best of the best. John Lennon and Paul McCartney squabbled publicly over the break-up of the Beatles and Don Henley was sued by the other Eagles over songs that he wrote for the band that were being performed during his solo shows. For those seeking to share intensely poetic moments with other passionate performers, expect there to be more twists and turns in the road than there are pleasant things to sight-see . It’s very personal stuff, and it can turn ordinary strangers into the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Part of the risk you take when seeking that perfect blend of like-mindedness and impassioned determination.
The members of both bands will continue to turn up, most likely–the talent will leap back into the pool. As what, the next combination begs–we have yet to see. Sort of like a Mr. Potato Head, mix and match and one pull of the handle on the great Slot O’ Bands. The right set of players will get the golden ticket and there are only a few leaving the chocolate factory.
