I just kicked out two bandmates :( I´m shocked!

[Felix Neumann]

Hello Dudes

This is propably the highest point of my musical depression. After long deliberations, I deceided to dismiss two ACT OF RAGE members. The singer & the drummer. I had to take responsibility! The whole Band was curbed, we had no practice session since 6 weeks, recorded nothing since "gunman´s poem" (on this song I played fuckin ALL instruments) and the singer still needed a music stand for songs, who are over 2 years old

But the main reason was certainly the human, social aspect. It did not work longer. Mutual appreciation and respect = ZERO. No eyes contact, no smile, while playing together. I played in a dead band! Now I buried it.

I´m a little bit shocked of myself, because I was very cold and determined. But it had to be done! It was like in a unhappy relationship. No good vibrations and no respect.

Now I don´t know, if I should keep the name Act of Rage or if I should make a complete new beginning with Angelo(bass) and Robin (guitars) Would YOU choose a new fresh Bandname?

What is your experience with splits and associated problems? How was your "new start" ? What is the most important element, to let a band work together well in your opinion? Maybe we can exchange some thoughts, dudes.

I wanna let the metal flow!


Felix

 

[abyssofdreams]

Hey Felix, what's with all your recent name-changing wishes?

I feel ya and I know this situation, in fact I was in the same some weeks ago. Though I have choosen to abandon the band and quit myself, so...
Depends on how much energy you put into building that name, also, who writes the material? If those guys played a huge role in songwriting I'd probably change the name but other than that I'd probably keep it.

Keep it up man, I know those decisions aren't easy...

 

[slashvanyoung]

Hey Felix,

sad to hear this dude! We've just currently "parted ways" with our singer too, so we're basically in the same situation. It just wasn't working out anymore, dude worked his ass off for the band but he didn't realise that his behaviour was poisoning the band morale. If we hadn't pulled the trigger now, I'm sure the whole band would have had collapsed eventually... Not an easy decision, the band was his life, but I believe in the end it was probably the best for both sides.

Anyway, we were confronted with the same question: Do we keep the name?

I liked the idea of a fresh start and I never liked our name to begin with (democracy, fuck yeah) and everybody would have kept his face, BUT we've invested lots of money and hard work into this name, playing our asses off to build momentum and investing every cent into merchandise, records, banners etc. so eventually decided to stick with the name.

The main songwriters remain in the band (he couldn't even contribute to the lyrics, because his English is horrible), we'll continue playing some of the old songs, so I think our decision is legit.

It seems like you're the musical and spiritual core of Act Of Rage, so just do what seems right to you!

Our biggest concern was to be unable to find a replacement in due time to keep our schedule going and to avoid creative depression, well it seems like we've already found our Mr. Right...

Good luck, dude!

 

[Felix Neumann]

Thank you so much for your sympathy, Bernhard and Slash! I also hear you, dudes.

I feel really depressive now, because I worked with em 5 years and also founded the band with both.

his behaviour was poisoning the band morale

Exactly this is the fact in my Band´s case. Also ambition was very different ( singer = just wanna having fun, drink beer) and the drummer was the master in saying nothing. And after 5 years I still do not know him. I always tried to create some positive teamspirit, but even today not all handy numbers was changed mutually of all bandmembers(!) This is remarkable.

I talked to Angelo a lot the last days (he joined the band very fresh) He said: "Now I can say, that the vibes, the presence of you 4 guys mutually was completely fucked up and bad, as I saw you the first time playing together!"

 

[Felix Neumann]

Bandname...hmmmm I can say, that I wrote completely all music. I also like the Bandname ACT OF RAGE..it has kind of impact. But so much negative elements are associated with this name. A fresh new bandname would be good, but FIND ONE...it´s so damn difficult!

The problem will be also the lyrics. The majority of it wrote the singer. I think, I´ll need the permission to perform it furthermore.

 

[slashvanyoung]

Could it be that the name, Act Of Rage, was a little "tribute" to the mighty Dew-Scented?

 

[Felix Neumann]

Could it be that the name, Act Of Rage, was a little "tribute" to the mighty Dew-Scented?

I know they have a song called "Acts of Rage" hahah who cares. That was randomly, believe me. You are not the only one, who attract me to this

Mir gefiel der Gedanke von Raserei und Wut sehr gut, allerdings wollte ich die Band nicht grad "Rage" oder "Fury" nennen Gibt´s ja beides schon. Fuuuury

 

[vespiz]

If you have invested time and effort into making something out of the band with that name, I'd say keep it. Might be easier for the public to accept a line-up change than start a new band (even if it is, kinda, the old one).

Then again, I won't hold it against you if you want to change the name because of past bad associations. (It's a cool name, tho'.)

 

[Emdprodukt]

you just solved a problem that's in front of me. we (I) have serious problems with our drummer. we talked about everything and I hope things will change. If not one of us has to go.

you'll have a new band! for sure!

and the name thingy: look what hatesphere did. except for pepe no one's left.

 

[-J-]

fuck! I was digging your lineup on gunman's poem. but I know how it is, I've jammed with some real deadbeats before, and it does suck.

weird how when it comes down to something like that, it really feels like ending a relationship with a chick.

 

[Felix Neumann]

Thanks so much, dudes It´s good to be heared.

weird how when it comes down to something like that, it really feels like ending a relationship with a chick.

Absolutely! I feel very bad. I´m in a terrible mood..in the last 4 hours I gave Guitar lessons and played the cheerful guy Sometimes I hate my job.

fuck! I was digging your lineup on gunman's poem

Thanks man! I hope I will perform it some time with a new line-up.

@Emdprodukt, we´ll definitively write about in on ICQ..I´m interested in your story as well.

 

[Emdprodukt]

yeah or give me a call! you got my number dude!

 

[Metaltastic]

Hey Felix, on the one hand I'm sorry to hear it, but on the other I think it's good that you finally did it, cuz I can't even begin to describe how much I know the feeling - like you, I'm always the one mainly in charge of the bands I've been in, writing most of the music, organizing stuff, getting practices together, taking charge during practices, etc., and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm always open to the other members' opinions (in fact, I value and encourage then, I'm no dictator), and the singer always writes his own lyrics (my attempts at lyrics are so bad it's really pretty ridiculous ), but still, when it comes to the tough decisions, specifically about dealing with people, it's always on me, and I've gotten pretty good at knowing when it's not working out and letting the person know. So what I'm saying is, I think it was really good for you that you were able to do this; you should never let fear of the unknown keep you from ending a shitty fucking relationship! Fuck them both, you're the one with talent, and drive, and ambition, they don't deserve to share the stage with you!

As for the name, I dunno, I'd change it just so the other two guys don't have anything to hold against you, but I agree coming up with a new name is tough; maybe just never play any of the songs they helped write anymore, and act like they never were a part of it!

 

[Fifth_Horseman]

Marcus is right on the money... "you should never let fear of the unknown keep you from ending a shitty fucking relationship!"

Had to throw out a bassist once out of both my bands, he was poisoning the band morale by not being dependable and having a very self-focused attitude... he was practically a big diva and always had to badmouth something just to present a different opinion and set himself apart, but also thought he was the best bassist ever. Recording sessions showed he wasn't. Also he wasn't much into metal anymore at the end.... Best decision ever to get rid of him.
At first he was furious about it and basically started a hate-campaign, which did him nothing good and us nothing bad. Now after a few years we're actually at pretty good terms and he has kind of realized what an ass he was, and that we had to take that step. He hasn't been playing metal anymore since then.

I also quit one of the two bands at the beginning of the year. That decision took me quite awhile longer, but was much easier in the end, because there just wasn't any perspective for me in the band.
Although we had finished our debut album two years prior to the split and had many great gigs, we never advanced in those two years and sometimes it was really hard. Over the years the band had developed into two camps: Singer and drummer (non-alcoholic reasonable guys) against other guitarist (creative mind and main songwriter, much into drugs, fickle and stubborn). With me being the only one who got along with both sides. Atmosphere in the band was really bad at the end, almost no communication during rehearsals except for when the other guitarist didn't come (which happened very often). We were just playing our setlist and then quickly leaving.
We tried several times to speak about it and always found we were pretty much on the same terms, but still it didn't change. All we accomplished (in terms of gigs and other stuff like promo photo shoots) was organised by the singer, but we didn't manage to finish and rehearse a new song in two years, although the other guitarist had many songs finished at home.
I didn't want to take that any longer, but also didn't want to fire the other guitarist, as that would definitely result in a new direction for the band. So I quit.
The other guys split up the next day when they found out that they couldn't work with each other without me being the link between them. They did debate a while about who would carry on the name and songs, now the singer and drummer have found new guitarists. They are writing new songs at the moment and as expected they told me the new songs are very different. No remorse on my side.

 

[Meisterjäger]

... and always had to badmouth something just to present a different opinion and set himself apart, but also thought he was the best bassist ever. Recording sessions showed he wasn't.

Happening to a friend right now, although not that extreme. In this situation we have a guitarist who remorselessly talks down other people ideas, even when he doesn't have his own opinion, just to set himself apart. He doesn't necessarily think he's the best guitarist in the world (though, I'm sure somewhere in his inner monologue that opinion arises), but his recording sessions were very disappointing.

 

[Felix Neumann]

yeah or give me a call! you got my number dude!

It was very pleasant to phone with you, dude

Hey Felix, on the one hand I'm sorry to hear it, but on the other I think it's good that you finally did it, cuz I can't even begin to describe how much I know the feeling - like you, I'm always the one mainly in charge of the bands I've been in, writing most of the music, organizing stuff, getting practices together, taking charge during practices, etc., and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm always open to the other members' opinions (in fact, I value and encourage then, I'm no dictator), and the singer always writes his own lyrics (my attempts at lyrics are so bad it's really pretty ridiculous ), but still, when it comes to the tough decisions, specifically about dealing with people, it's always on me, and I've gotten pretty good at knowing when it's not working out and letting the person know. So what I'm saying is, I think it was really good for you that you were able to do this; you should never let fear of the unknown keep you from ending a shitty fucking relationship! Fuck them both, you're the one with talent, and drive, and ambition, they don't deserve to share the stage with you!

As for the name, I dunno, I'd change it just so the other two guys don't have anything to hold against you, but I agree coming up with a new name is tough; maybe just never play any of the songs they helped write anymore, and act like they never were a part of it!

I cannot say, how much I appreciate your sympathy and words. You rule, dudes!! I feel understood here. Thank you very much!

I feel terrible now, because I think, this was a hard impact for them..and it also hurts me. The best thing is, I buy new gear..always a great consolation for SOME BULLSHIT!!!

"you should never let fear of the unknown keep you from ending a shitty fucking relationship!"

+1000 This sounds wise for me, Marcus.

 

[MarkG]

Just a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

I was in a similar situation about a year ago. There was no energy, and I really didn't feel like the band was going in a direction I wanted to go. I left that band, and found a new one.

Looking back, the decision really worked out. The band I left is in exactly the same place it was a year ago...and I'm in a really fucking cool band now. I love the music, every bandmember has great original input, and we get along extremely well. Thanks to them, I now know what Shakespeare would be like if he were a stoned metalhead grunter. Not to mention we are tracking new songs for a demo, and getting ready to resume gigging.

Only good things can come from ending whatever isn't working. Chin up, Amp on, rock out.

 

[Felix Neumann]

Just a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

I was in a similar situation about a year ago. There was no energy, and I really didn't feel like the band was going in a direction I wanted to go. I left that band, and found a new one.

Looking back, the decision really worked out. The band I left is in exactly the same place it was a year ago...and I'm in a really fucking cool band now. I love the music, every bandmember has great original input, and we get along extremely well. Thanks to them, I now know what Shakespeare would be like if he were a stoned metalhead grunter. Not to mention we are tracking new songs for a demo, and getting ready to resume gigging.

Only good things can come from ending whatever isn't working. Chin up, Amp on, rock out.

Thanks, man It´s good to hear that.

I will propably make a break with all the Band stuff and improve myself as a guitarist a good intensive year and expand my studio /guitarschool. In addition I will look at some cool collaborations here, maybe I can contribute some lead stuff A perfect functioning Band is like a dream...seems utopic. But like my friend Arnie says...I"ll be back I get to the chopper now!

 

[_Brutalism_]

Hi man, first off I'm sorry to hear things didn't work out but you did the right thing in my opinion. If it was just going downhill inevitably, why prolong it and slow you down?

I just heard your songs man, (loving deadman's poem and the meaty tone, great work on the recording and mixing) It's sad to hear that your band shall cease like this, but I'm sure you know what you're doing and will do what you can to get you on your feet again.

 

[Jevil]

Sometimes it is better to prune the withered flowers so they can grow strong again.
About the band's name, if you are the owner of the license keep it, if not, be careful and register it before the members who have been fired could do it and create a band with that name. That would be annoying.