Brian reportedly told fan in L.A. that the Band Needs More Practice

From a guitar player's perspective, I see what you're saying.

However, as someone who's played in several bands (Jumped between drums, bass, guitars and vocals), it takes time to get comfortable playing with a solid group of people. TGA have been a band for seven years, sometimes the entrance of a new member isn't all smooth.

That's why a lot of bands sound bad on their first few shows after a long break. It can take time to find each other musically.

Harbortown wrote:

From a guitar player's perspective, I see what you're saying.

However, as someone who's played in several bands (Jumped between drums, bass, guitars and vocals), it takes time to get comfortable playing with a solid group of people. TGA have been a band for seven years, sometimes the entrance of a new member isn't all smooth.

That's why a lot of bands sound bad on their first few shows after a long break. It can take time to find each other musically.

This can all be true. It's also entirely possible that Ian is just not a great guitar player, or not a good fit.

But he is. I saw him with The Horrible Crowes. I know.

why on earth would they choose a bad guitarist to play with them live?
I mean they are not idiots, just be patient!!

plugga wrote:

why on earth would they choose a bad guitarist to play with them live?
I mean they are not idiots, just be patient!!

Because he's their friend, and he's there. He may not be as bad as he's sounded, but they could've gotten someone a LOT better.

bakerfall wrote:

plugga wrote:

why on earth would they choose a bad guitarist to play with them live?
I mean they are not idiots, just be patient!!

Because he's their friend, and he's there. He may not be as bad as he's sounded, but they could've gotten someone a LOT better.

you realize that doesn't make sense? if he was just a mediocre player but a friend he would simply go on tour with them fixing their guitars.
Maybe it's just me.

plugga wrote:

bakerfall wrote:

plugga wrote:

why on earth would they choose a bad guitarist to play with them live?
I mean they are not idiots, just be patient!!

Because he's their friend, and he's there. He may not be as bad as he's sounded, but they could've gotten someone a LOT better.

you realize that doesn't make sense? if he was just a mediocre player but a friend he would simply go on tour with them fixing their guitars.
Maybe it's just me.

Not just you. Bakerfall is being irrational.

We already had this conversation. There's a whole thread about Ian where some valid points were made as to why he's there. Perhaps you should go over there and consider them. Unless you were part of the decision process, there's no way you know why Ian's there. You don't know anything about it. At least give Gaslight some credit for having some thought behind the decision instead of assuming they said "Hey, Ian's a nice guy. Who cares how he plays. Let's let him join!"

Still no one has proof Ian is messing up. There are three guitarists on stage and unless you have some kind of camera footage of each of them playing their individual parts the entire show, I don't see how you can carry on with this argument that he is solely responsible for any off notes.

Question:

In the event the detractors of Ian can prove that Ian is not a good fit for the band (a nearly impossible task due to the nature of the question, being based on opinion), what can we do about it?

MattL wrote:

Question:

In the event the detractors of Ian can prove that Ian is not a good fit for the band (a nearly impossible task due to the nature of the question, being based on opinion), what can we do about it?

obviously Ian's not going to stop playing just because some fans have found fault with his guitar work but that doesn't mean those fans shouldn't have an opinion.

There's having an opinion, and there's having an attitude.

MattL wrote:

Question:

In the event the detractors of Ian can prove that Ian is not a good fit for the band (a nearly impossible task due to the nature of the question, being based on opinion), what can we do about it?

Obviously light all of Gaslight's vinyl on fire and celebrate the death of the band. Duh.

Klown wrote:

There's having an opinion, and there's having an attitude.

Sure and that's a two way street. I'm not going to go on and on about Ian, I said my piece in the other thread. Some people agreed, some people didn't. I hope he does a great job on the new songs.

ral wrote:

Klown wrote:

There's having an opinion, and there's having an attitude.

Sure and that's a two way street. I'm not going to go on and on about Ian, I said my piece in the other thread. Some people agreed, some people didn't. I hope he does a great job on the new songs.

I agree, I wouldn't want this place turning into a certain other board, where you can't say a bad thing against a certain band, but when people coming in acting like THEIR opinion is final, na, no time to entertain that. No talking to those people.

To be fair-
If Ian does in fact prove to be a colossal screw up and kill everything I love about this band and its live show, then I will admit that maybe him joining was a bad idea. But for now, I just can't buy into the arguments presented.

NeverTrustAJunkie wrote:

To be fair-
If Ian does in fact prove to be a colossal screw up and kill everything I love about this band and its live show, then I will admit that maybe him joining was a bad idea. But for now, I just can't buy into the arguments presented.

I don't think Ian will do any of these things. If you reread my first post, all I said is I don't think he should be out there for every song. Even if he was a totally serviceable guitar player, is it necessary?

And I truly love the band and hope he makes them better in the long run.

I like more guitars in a band to an extent. More guitars mean that players can do more technical stuff on their part. Then again, after I think 4 guitars- that is where it goes from more technical playing to just overkill.

Usually I think that three guitars can be a bit much. Bad Religion is a good example of that, whenever they have all three guitarists on stage the soundquality gets kinda weird...

However, The Gaslight Anthem isn't a band with two rhythm guitarists. It's a band with a lead guitarist and a rhythm guitarist. Two rhythm guitars never hurt anyone, rather I'd say it can improve their sound because I've always found Brian's guitar to be so quiet.

Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen have delivered some decent stuff with three guitars through the years... With a look at the producer and the main-influences on this album, I think it won't be a big problem for TGA to use the three guitars in the right way.

YES! Foo Fighters are an excellent case. Pat, Chris & Dave. Plus they do that guitar battle in the middle of the set. That Pat isn't part of but never mind. I just love that Pat's there at all cus it's like punk rock history staring me right in the face.

The thing with E Street though is-It seems like Steve's guitar part is well....less than it used to be...Compare a video from The River tour, to a video from The magic, Working on a dream, or WreckingBall tour. Yes I am aware of Nils being an amazing guitarist, and yes I am aware they are all older. But still, it seems like Nils gets most of the guitar work, then Bruce, and steve gets what is left...usually backround strumming that is too much for Patti (No hate to Patti, but, she really does not add much Guitar-wise IMO)

NeverTrustAJunkie wrote:

I just love that Pat's there at all cus it's like punk rock history staring me right in the face.

Camus wrote:

plugga wrote:

bakerfall wrote:

plugga wrote:

why on earth would they choose a bad guitarist to play with them live?
I mean they are not idiots, just be patient!!

Because he's their friend, and he's there. He may not be as bad as he's sounded, but they could've gotten someone a LOT better.

you realize that doesn't make sense? if he was just a mediocre player but a friend he would simply go on tour with them fixing their guitars.
Maybe it's just me.

Not just you. Bakerfall is being irrational.

I agree completely. Those guys are way too focused on getting the sound they want to just be nice to a friend. Also, if you heard Ian play Horrible Crowes stuff you'd know he's good.


Also, based on that logic, the entire band should just got find normal 9-5 jobs because you could find someone a LOT better at guitar than Brian, Alex & Alex.

StitchesOnTheRadio wrote:

Camus wrote:

plugga wrote:

bakerfall wrote:

plugga wrote:

why on earth would they choose a bad guitarist to play with them live?
I mean they are not idiots, just be patient!!

Because he's their friend, and he's there. He may not be as bad as he's sounded, but they could've gotten someone a LOT better.

you realize that doesn't make sense? if he was just a mediocre player but a friend he would simply go on tour with them fixing their guitars.
Maybe it's just me.

Not just you. Bakerfall is being irrational.

I agree completely. Those guys are way too focused on getting the sound they want to just be nice to a friend. Also, if you heard Ian play Horrible Crowes stuff you'd know he's good.


Also, based on that logic, the entire band should just got find normal 9-5 jobs because you could find someone a LOT better at guitar than Brian, Alex & Alex.

I'm sure there is more too it that that, I just don't know what he's adding to their sound, I guess well see with the new songs.

Alex R is pretty good, definitely unique. He's pretty spot on, when no too drunk.

Brian is the real talent because of the song writing/singing. I agree his playing is nothing special

Alex L is a bass player, nough said . He's fine.

Benny is probably the best musician in the band, outstanding drummer.

Benny's not really that exceptional, though I love his style.