Ever wonder why there’s so much drama in local music over the years? I have been a part of local music for over 10 years or more. Drama in the Capital Region of local music still happens to this day. Basically, it’s mostly musicians getting into heated debates and feuds online. They mostly argue about things that happen at their gigs. Somebody online rants about what happens at the gig, then other musicians join in. Then all of a sudden, a heated flame war explodes. I’ve seen it happen all the time. Still happens in facebook, craigslist musicians section, etc. Musicians like to debate about stuff at the gigs like if they feel if they’re getting ripped off by payment, musicians acting unprofessional, their sets getting cut short, bands simply not getting along, etc. All kinds of bullshit. Musicians will even go as far as swearing at each other, threaten violence and all kinds of name calling.

You see, here’s what I think it is…

A lot of musicians want to believe that they are good and talented players. Whatever they do: sing, play guitar, play bass, drums or other instruments. A lot of local musicians don’t like to be criticized by anybody. A lot of these musicians have this arrogant attitude about them. They want to think they are better and feel smarter than any other musician since this musician happens to be technically talented. If they feel that this other musician is below their level, they’re gonna get criticized by the pros. It’s not just that, even the talented pros gets criticized by other pros, not just the amateurs. One professional musician feels the need to be outspoken to others. They want to tell their side of the truth while others tell their side. That’s part of why heated flame wars online happen.

When one musician says something bad about another musician, then other people are gonna go, “Wah, wah wah, you can’t be talking bad about other musicians, this needs to be a positive music scene”, and all that stuff. Other people who are offended at heated flame wars will try to play babysitter and get them to stop but the other musicians won’t stop, they’ll keep the heated debate going. Both sides want to think they’re right on everything, ya know?

That’s the name of the game in local music, ya know? You’re going to meet a lot of musicians with arrogant, ego-driven attitudes — musicians who jerk themselves off with their self importance. They don’t like being ridiculed.

It’ll be nice if these musicians will shut up and play the music but they never will. I believe the main reason why there’s so much drama in local music is because musicians enjoy it. It is all about ego if you think about it. I’m not playing innocent victim in band drama. I had my share of starting band drama and hating on bands admittedly so all of this includes me as well. It is unfair how we are not allowed to be talking trash about other musicians & bands when we should be allowed to. It’s music. That’s what it’s here for! To criticize and give honest opinions! People can’t understand that but whatever! That’s the internet. It’s an open forum. There will be all kinds of crazy people, and back & forth hypocrisy everywhere. When one musician or people in the music scene calls you a badguy for talking trash about other musicians that makes them bad too ’cause they do the same thing when they talk trash about you and they think they have every right to. Isn’t it funny how this one musician can’t say what they want and others can? That’s the hypocrisy I’m talking about.

You can’t trust everybody in the music scene. You can’t believe in everybody you set your eyes upon. You never know if they don’t really like you when they pretend they do. Not everyone in the music scene is kind, trustworthy, and friendly. All the drama in local music over the years was the big reason why most popular local music forums have been shut down. Of course, I get blamed for drama in the music scene but it’s not true. All musicians had a hand in it.

The trick to keep going in music successfully and positively is ignoring all the bullshit. Ignore everything completely. If you want a good career, don’t let it get destroyed by other musicians. It’s not that other musicians are jealous, they just want to tell you their side of the truth that you’re nothing in music. It’s just an opinion, nothing more. You’re just like all musicians. You just want to play your music and get heard. Yes, when you get yourselves out there in the music world, you’re probably gonna get into feuds with other bands and musicians, all that drama stuff. Just don’t let it get to ya and stay above that stuff. It’s sad that musicians don’t get along well over some silly online stuff but it is what it is.

Musicians get so hung up in drama ’cause it helps boosts their ego even more, period. That’s why they enjoy it.

Kev