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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ A Minor Setback..
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 8 2011, 10:36 AM
That album that I was recording with The Reckoning will never be finished as the band imploded and they all decided to leave. By this I mean the singer, bassist & drummer. For live gigs, our very own Chris Evans at GMC was helping us on second guitar but thankfully, he wasn't involved in any of it and remains the brilliant friend that he always has been 
I won't bore you with details but we had some fundamental disagreements that weren't able to be sorted.
So, if you you've been following the band and were looking forward to the album I'm sorry about this.. I definitely didn't want it to happen but in retrospect, it's better if people leave something if they don't believe in it
The band will continue when I get new people.. I don't give up that easily ! 
It's quite funny as there's been an ongoing post about joining / forming a band started by Zeus.. this is an example of a band situation right here ! 
Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Dec 8 2011, 11:08 AM
I am very sorry to hear this Ben! 
I would have loved to hear that album.
You perseverance in this difficult situation is what will keep you going towards new heights any way - I am very much looking forward to what your next step will be.
Posted by: Chris Evans Dec 8 2011, 11:37 AM
yes its a darn shame, the album was so near yet so far, was really looking forward to hearing that all come together.
but .. onwards and upwards, personally I`ve had a blast playing the gigs with you, I`m still stoked you asked me in the first place.
The new generation of The Reckoning will be stronger than ever .. a metallic will that cannot be killed \m/\m/
Posted by: JaxN4 Dec 8 2011, 11:48 AM
Ah Mate, that's no good..... But in the long term, as you said, If your heart isn't in something, then you may as well not be a part of it. "All or nothing" principal i guess...
Of course you dont ask for these things to happen, but, it's funny how some things turn out....
This could be the instigator that turns "Ben Higgins" into a household name.....?
I am also looking forward to what your next step will be.....Best of Luck Mate
Posted by: MickeM Dec 8 2011, 11:58 AM
It's a shame. I really hope you'll manage to gather new musicians to replace the ones who left.
Posted by: Nihilist1 Dec 8 2011, 12:42 PM
If I could actually sing, and lived near you, I would lend a helping hand. I am sorry this happened. band break-ups are always a terrible experience!
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 8 2011, 02:45 PM
Thanks so much for your kind words, everyone I'm a strong believer that things happen for a reason, so I'll trust that things will get even better from now on.
I also have GMC to thank for introducing me and Chris together in the first place !
Posted by: Fran Dec 8 2011, 02:53 PM
Sorry to hera that, hope you find a new project soon!
Posted by: Marek Rojewski Dec 8 2011, 03:04 PM
What, the singer also? People really don't know what they want, two guys just joined recently, and now leave? Why join in the first place... They should be smitten to the ground for postponing Reckoning glory, and posthumously awarded for making room for their better counterparts 
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 8 2011, 03:09 PM
I love your words Marek.. I'm going to get you to join us on tour and deliver motivational battle speeches before every gig !!
Posted by: dark dude Dec 8 2011, 03:52 PM
Ahhhh, that's rubbish.
You've got some awesome material, I too am gutted about the album. When you say it's never being recorded, does that mean they won't give you the rights to the material? I'm sure you could salvage some stuff from it, or just use large chunks in a new band / Reckoning with new members.
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 8 2011, 03:55 PM
You've got some awesome material, I too am gutted about the album. When you say it's never being recorded, does that mean they won't give you the rights to the material? I'm sure you could salvage some stuff from it, or just use large chunks in a new band / Reckoning with new members.
Oh no it's ok because the music/lyrics are all mine. Everything that's been done under The Reckoning name is mine. The album will be recorded at some point in the future, but it just won't be these versions
Posted by: dark dude Dec 8 2011, 03:59 PM
I thought as much! That's great to hear
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Dec 8 2011, 04:16 PM
ah man, it's for the best im sure, you don't need people that don't believe in the band.
keep going man!
Posted by: Mudbone Dec 8 2011, 05:40 PM
Ben Higgins = the Dave Mustaine of GMC
Ben Higgins > Previous band members
Ben Higgins < Donuts
Ben Higgins = Win
See how a little math can put things in perspective? lol 
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 8 2011, 05:52 PM
Ben Higgins > Previous band members
Ben Higgins < Donuts
Ben Higgins = Win
See how a little math can put things in perspective? lol
Haha, I like your maths Senor 'Bone !
keep going man!
That's right, thanks Adrian
Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 8 2011, 10:16 PM
I've been there, and I know it's tough, but I'm sure it's not hard for you to get musicians who would be interested in playing with a guitarist like you, keep going, and make sure you let those solos shine on the band!
Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Dec 9 2011, 12:13 AM
"Who knows why it's good", is an old saying
Posted by: Sensible Jones Dec 9 2011, 02:18 PM
Sorry to hear that Ben. These things do have a way of sorting themselves out though! Have been through a few Band break-ups/downs in my time!!
I'd offer my services but unless you want to start playing at about 1/8 of the speed I don't think it would quite work!!
PS. *Cryptic Clue*
Thing will be in post tomorrow. Apologies for the delay!!
Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Dec 9 2011, 06:49 PM
All the greats have had days like this ... I am sure you will bounce back and when you do finish the album you will wonder what on earth you were thinking with the present version - the new version will be exponentially more awesome for sure!
Posted by: jstcrsn Dec 9 2011, 07:18 PM
Ah yes , I remember this well. One time I tried out for this band , they all dressed up like cats{with make up} ( it was called "Cat Fight"),I got the gig,as they were needing a second guitarist for a gig on the sunset strip.we had 2 practices before the show and as I was getting ready to go to the first practice,I called the other guitarist for the directions and could never get a hold of him .The next day he calls and says that they found someone else ( so this is the closest I got to play the strip)
anyhoo ,there were many stories of bands I was in for a short time
and looking at your band, I think that if you could find musicians that are more of" musicians for hire", rather than equal band mates ( sort of like senior Bone suggested about mustaine ) there would be less " heads and ego's colliding"
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 9 2011, 09:00 PM
Andrew, thank you ! I think I needed to hear that
You're right, I will think that Yes, I think all the experiences with ex band members had to happen to lead me to this point now. I reminded myself of Mustaine = Megadeth and another one today I came across was Annihilator.. although I don't have any of their albums it's another example of a band that is basically one guy, Jeff Waters. Gave me a lot of encouragement
Posted by: MickeM Dec 11 2011, 04:50 PM
Hahaha!! That's so funny. Imagine that at some point someone came up with an idea to dress up like cats, wear cat makeup, name the band cat fight and there must have been three, four other band members who shine up and agree it's a cool idea
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 11 2011, 10:38 PM
So sorry to hear that man, and knowing you worked so hard on this. I hope you will have more time for practicing, work, and other important things, and new band will come, you are awesome player, musician and above all - great guy!
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 12 2011, 09:57 AM
I hope you will have more time for practicing, work, and other important things, and new band will come, you are awesome player, musician and above all - great guy! Thanks Ivan.. as you say, I have more time to practise !
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 12 2011, 10:02 AM
It could be that this break was needed so you develop yourself even further as a musician. We all need a change here and there, and it usually doesn't look like we do, but when the time passes, and we look back, the change becomes the part of us, who we are, and determines our destiny.
Anyway, I'm going to follow your practicing log and attend some of the chats, I hope you can teach me some interesting speedy legato licks.
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 12 2011, 10:15 AM
Oh man, the pressure is on !
I haven't worked on my legato in a while !!
Posted by: Bossie Dec 14 2011, 08:22 PM
That was a bit of a shock to read 
....but it happens and it won' be the last time unfortunatly.
Maybe we can take some pieces of Belgiums ' The reckoning' and the English 'The reckoning'...
I have to mention they play " death metal "..ofcours .. 
Succes (seriously) ..i wouldn't be too hasty with finding members...take time and see who rolls around the next couple
of months .....Just keep it as metal and dark as..aaah enough!!
Posted by: Alex Feather Dec 15 2011, 04:49 AM
I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you can take the parts of the songs that you wrote and make new ones out of them with your new band. Sometimes just moving on and doing something new can be good too. I wish you success with your next band.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 15 2011, 06:07 AM
Sorry to hear this ;( This sort of thing does happen all the time for various reasons. One thing to keep in mind, if you join a band and notice that you are a bit "better" than the other guitar player, try to play it off. Play it down, keep it simple when soloing etc. at least for a while. Egos can be a tricky thing. If you start overshadowing a "core" member, you may find yourself being replaced. This actually happened to me a while ago and I was really unprepared for it. Just another thing to look out for. And a good reason to start your own project so you are the "core" guy
Todd
anyhoo ,there were many stories of bands I was in for a short time
and looking at your band, I think that if you could find musicians that are more of" musicians for hire", rather than equal band mates ( sort of like senior Bone suggested about mustaine ) there would be less " heads and ego's colliding"
Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 15 2011, 10:34 AM
Thanks guys, luckily I am the core guy as I started the band and wrote all the music, so I can keep all the arrangements and lyrics as they are, which is good
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