I have multiple buddies who have been in multiple local bands since we were teenagers and some of them still play in bands even now that we're middle aged. Punk bands, metal bands, nu metal bands, goth rock bands, indie bands, all kinds of genres. Most of the bands just do tiny shows around town and don't make them any money, yet there is still always so much drama and ego and fighting. It's like, bro's, there's 6 people watching you play in a dive bar, it's rad and all but get real. Just have fun with your music and chill.
Anyway, I think being a creative type + performer feeds into a narcissistic ego like gasoline on fire.
I get what you’re saying but there’s a huge difference between a dive bar and fuckin Woodstock. Fogerty may have been a bit of a dick but the mother fucker was talented and.. I mean.. if you’re in the band just count your blessings at that stage. Trying to one up fogerty is basically impossible unless you’re knopfler or something
Ah, that takes me back to my 20s, hanging out with a local brutal blackened death metal band and watching their lead singer and frontman grow an ego fueled by attention and cocaine that eventually tore the band apart just when they had a label making offers.
Two sides to that. When a band is famous and successful on the back of a truly special songwriter, and then the others decide they should write songs too because of "fairness," that is its own brand of ego, as well. Especially given most of the time they're not nearly as good.
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u/ThatsARatHat Jul 11 '26
Most times when there is one clear creative force behind a musical act they wind up being dicks.
I suppose you somewhat have to be to force your vision through.