Why Do Bands Break Up?
Why do bands break up? Maybe you’ve been in a band that didn’t pan out, or you’re curious why bandmates fight so much. Either way, we’ve decided to answer that by getting to the bottom of why musical relationships fail.
Bands usually break up because of musical or administrative differences. In the former case, bandmates may decide to explore other genres. In the latter case, members may disagree on what gigs to play or how to handle finances.
It’s heartbreaking to see a musical dream fall apart. However, the factors behind bands breaking up are varied and complex.
Eight Common Reasons Bands Break Up
Here’s a shortlist of those common reasons:
- Insufficient funds
- Different music tastes
- Bandmates don’t get along
- Drug abuse
- Romantic reasons
- Different life goals
- Lack of creativity
- Retirement and death
Keep reading for more info on why musicians end things.
Reason 1: Insufficient Revenue
Making money as a musician is a dream come true for many. Unfortunately, the brutal reality musicians face is that few people make enough money in bands to quit their day jobs. Many bands fail because there aren’t enough gigs, or the gigs they get don’t pay well.
When bands aren’t profitable, members have no choice but to work other jobs. Sadly, this means there is less time available for everybody to rehearse, write songs, and travel to venues. Bandmates may remain friends and occasionally play together. However, the hope of being a full-time band and making money on tour together goes out the window.
There are plenty of bands that don’t expect profit. Instead, bandmates are good friends who play for fun. They may play paid gigs, but nobody depends on band revenue to pay for housing.
Reason 2: Different Musical Goals
While a group of friends may share much in common, there’s no guarantee everyone has the same music tastes. Members must get along well and have similar music goals in a successful band.
Of course, it’s acceptable if different people have different influences. For example, the drummer may like nu-metal while the bassist is an R&B fan. However, bandmates must agree on a final sound and style. For songwriting to work, everyone must contribute and compromise so that everyone can get behind the band’s new track.
Problems arise when bands fail to compromise. For example, each song might be met with applause by some and disdainful grunts by another. The band must change their music to appease those who may otherwise refuse to play. Likewise, the person who previously applauded the song may hate the reworked version.
Ultimately, a band in which each member has a different idea of passable music isn’t sustainable. While not everyone will enjoy each song equally, everybody must be somewhat on board with the band’s music. Otherwise, keystone members may leave.
Reason 3: Bandmates Don’t Like Each Other
On the other side of the coin, bandmates may have identical musical goals — but can’t stand one another. Resentment tears any relationship apart, and bands are no exception.
Many bands in this situation may try to put their differences aside for the music’s sake. But, alas, this usually proves to be easier said than done.
A famous example includes Metallica booting Dave Mustaine in 1983. Sure, Mustaine’s guitar skills were a perfect fit for the band. He helped Metallica become a king of the thrash metal subgenre with his playing. However, he was an “angry drunk,” eventually getting into a final altercation with his bandmate, James Hetfield, before he was fired.
Guns N’ Roses was never the same after Axl Rose declared talented lead guitarist, Slash as “a cancer better removed.” While Axl Rose’s vocals complimented the band nicely, his personality didn’t compliment his bandmates quite so well. As a result, the band has since incurred a vicious cycle of termination and replacement.
So while a band can have great musical chemistry, this doesn’t stop members from taking out their frustrations on one another. Unfortunately, finding people who like each other and play well together is an uphill battle for many bands.
Reason 4: Drugs
The case of Metallica booting Dave Mustaine is attributable to personality differences and the negative influence of drugs (or alcohol). Drugs affect people’s behaviors in ways that can cause other problems in this list. For example, drugs can create personality changes, destroy creative brain cells, and drain a band’s budget.
Why do bands do drugs? There are many factors. Young, successful bands may encounter unfamiliar amounts of revenue. Without the developed brains of people 25 and up, band members may purchase “performance-enhancing” drugs like cocaine. Others may adopt a “party lifestyle.”
Unfortunately, addiction sets in quickly. Bands, or individual members, may struggle to kick their drug habits. Cycles of euphoria and withdrawal make drug addiction painful for everyone. Consequently, the pressure of performing when intoxicated or “coked-up” becomes too much to handle.
Reason 5: Romantic Relationships
Getting involved with someone new takes commitment. Marriage takes even more. When a band’s leader, or multiple members, become occupied with romantic relationships, relationships between bandmates can suffer.
Exiting a band may be the best life choice for those in love. While this may stem from significant others making unreasonable demands, this isn’t usually the case. Sometimes, band members may have met their ideal partners when touring.
Being a musician, especially alongside your best friends, can be a fantastic experience. However, even music can’t always be the most critical thing in life.
Reason 6: Different Life Goals
Despite being a side-project between friends, a few lucky bands may take off into stardom. However, most bands that start as side projects fail to become anything more. Consequently, band members may become bored or preoccupied.
Sometimes new life goals consist of getting “real jobs,” as we discussed in reason one. Other times, bandmates have different levels of musical dedication. For example, the guitarist may strive to improve her musical skills. In contrast, the bassist would rather spend the day watching e-sports. Laziness is a factor when firing band members, too.
In reason two, bands being torn apart by subtly different music tastes is a problem of passion. By contrast, bands that split up due to life goals may lack passion. Sometimes, even the most ambitious members quickly become demotivated after a reality check.
Numerous hobbies provide endless enrichment for people without the obstacles of running a band (which is much like running a business). The bands that stick around and make a living must love music, putting it before everything else. Many groups decide to put that chapter behind them and pursue other goals.
Reason 7: Lack of Creativity
Sadly, some people underestimate the difficulties of songwriting. Even cover bands must exercise creativity to stand out from other bands in their area playing similar setlists.
Often, friend groups may realize they sound OK in jam sessions together. However, they may fail to consider outside opinions before taking the plunge into becoming a band. Furthermore, playing well during jam sessions doesn’t equate to being able to compose albums.
All the practice in the world can’t counterbalance (for lack of a more tactful term) sucking at songwriting. Learning chord progressions allow a band to lay down passable melodies, sure. But ultimately, creating “stock” sounding tunes versus inventing unique and phenomenal music are galaxies apart.
Reason 8: Retirement
For most bands, the best-case scenario for splitting up is retirement. Even the most successful rockstars aren’t immune to getting older. Simon & Garfunkel, Lynyrd Skynrd, and Elton John’s band are just a few to retire recently for this reason.
Bands usually retire due to age-related performance difficulties or family reasons. If the keystone calls it quits, bands may have no choice other than to follow suit. Other times, it’s a collective decision between aging band members to enjoy their final years with their families.
A similar cause for bands breaking up is death. The Rolling Stones, for example, have yet to announce official retirement plans at this time of writing. Keith Richards told Rolling Stone magazine, “I really can’t imagine doing anything else.” However, the death of drummer Charlie Watts at 80 seems to suggest that the band may be approaching its final days. Maybe.
Conclusion
Like in any relationship, bands face many obstacles together. The difference between success and failure amounts to how members handle its issues. Unfortunately, some situations are impossible to resolve.
For example, scarce funds are hard to distribute among several members. In addition, personality clashes create stressful conflict, while drugs tear bands apart. Finally, a band’s inability to settle what musical path to pursue is problematic.
However, other reasons bands break up, like retirement, aren’t negative. Instead, voluntarily dissolving a band can be a privilege rooted in a successful career. In addition, family, significant others, and changing life priorities are wholesome ways bands can “break up.”
Ultimately, keeping a band together is hard work. Fortunately, knowing how bands fail can help you out in your band. But even if you end up breaking up, know that you’re not alone!
