Band troubles and a question

Okay, here's the problem. The lead guitarist isn't very good at playing rhythm guitar, and the rhythm guitarist fails consistently to show up to any practices we hold. The bass player can't sing and play at the same time, and he's supposed to be lead vocals. But he's better playing rhythm guitar than the lead guitarist is...

So anyway, is there a way to help the bass guitarist sing and play at the same time, aside from singing and playing and practicing?

Watch Paul McCartney tapes.

oh, so you are in your teens. Now the plot thickens.

anyway... as far as how to help your band, I was in a situation like that.... IE, players not showing for practice, etc. The only thing I can tell you to do, is if you're serious about being in a band... find some other people who are and dump those people who don't care/arent' serious. Where do you live? I live in a small area, and if I can find dedicated people, I'm sure anyone can. my best friend (guitarist/lead singer) and I stuck with it, and now we have 4 dedicated guys who want to work and everything's great. Just stick with it and start looking. If these guys don't care now... they won't later, either. Good luck.

I'm going to ignore this comment so you don't get hissy. I'm tired of listening to your vague and cryptic responses.

I'm hesitant to dump him, however. There's only one person I know well enough and with enough talent to play in our band, but he's a serious asshole with a major superiority complex and I don't want him playing with us. He also lives only two blocks from my house.

Would you recommend an ad of some sort?

You two guys should just go kissand make up and jack each other off in the corner.

why don't you? You seem to be the one obsessed with it.

well... all musicians for the most part have some sort of superiority complex.... and you will appreciate the seriousness if you really wanna do something with your band. This sounds almost just like the situation i was in.

hmmmm.... You might try that, although you can get some real wackos. I would try a website called 'www.bandtools.com' (i'm pretty sure that's it). The site is pretty new, but they have a section of 'musicians personals' where you can search for bassists/drummers/guitarists/whatever in your area. Again, if you live in a larger area, you'd be more prone to have someone close by.

I think I'll pass...

The thing is... he's not a musician yet. He just thinks he's high and mighty because he can play the Mission Impossible thing on his guitar. But he's been an ass for the past five years.

Well, Detroit is a pretty large area... I don't know if I can find the right person through ads, though. I was thinking more along the lines of a smaller ad, like in a local newspaper. (suburb-ish, not a whole Detroit-wide thing)

ahhh, I see... well that can be tough. The thing is, if he's serious he'll get over it and go for the betterment of the band rather than himself.

thing)

I would try bandtools.com... there's a listing and they have descriptions and whatnot, so you sorta get the idea of the person's sound and what they like, then you can get in touch with 'em if you like.

Cough, coughbullshitcough, cough.