First band I was in had two songwriters, me and this other guy. I was loose with songs, wanting the other musicians to arrange their own parts. The other guy was fussy and told everybody what to play. I just got fed up with it.

Politics & ego!

Lack of success, I played in a band called Corporate Steal back in the early 1990s. We were a kind of techno/punk band in the Jesus Jones/Carter USM mode. Unfortunately, being based in Bristol where the 'scene' was all Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky, while the majority of the venues were only booking established or 'covers' bands, we struggled to get bookings and so couldn't build up any kind of following. We were also our own worsed enemies in that we had no dress sense so looked awful, when we pressed a 7 inch single we stupidly left off our strongest song???, when our demo got a good review in the industry magazine, Music Week, we had 4 or 5 major labels requesting a copy of the demo, but instead of getting a courier or driving up to London ourselves, we posted it to the record companies and it got lumped in with the hundreds of demos that record companies received every day back then, and so we got the obligatory rejection letters. That's why I quit my band, anybody looking to break into the music industry should do the complete opposite of what my band did then they might have a chance.

Interesting to read about your experiences from the 90s richchannelle. I quit my last band as I didn't get on with the drummer very well! Simple as that really.

Yup drummer for me too. I play bass...I'm not a pro so not perfect by any stretch but the drummer honestly thought he was, sped up, slowed down...,often due to checking his phone, and that was during gigs too and if you brought it up he didn't think there was anything wrong, needless to say no back up from the others in the band about it either. I can't be arsed now to get into it all again now, really put me off the whole band thing.

I just got tired of playing CRAP music, with CRAP musicians (specially drummers, you see a pattern here) to an audience that doesn't give a CRAP.

Ha that sounds a bit ......unfortunate!

Played in a 4 strong folk group taking turns choosing what to play (3 of us also sang as well as played). We enjoyed playing togetehr and doing small local gigs. A lady contacted us and asked if she could sing the odd piece with the band - fast forward a year, as she couldn't play an instrument she effectvely sang most of the songs, became the group's vocalist and changed direction of the band. Time for me to go as I didn't want to be just a backing instrument - shame really as we had a good time before she arrived.

I could write a book on this topic, but if you are not happy move on. Life is short.

Drummer bought a Singer along who liked the music we were playing then within two weeks refused to work with the material they did'nt like, rest of band sided with the lovely girl, I walked. I put band together got the gigs provided instruments Transport in fact did everything. Band no longer exists.
Move forward eight years different music even the original stuff we jammed on was good enough to gig, Bass player bought in Girl singer he'd worked with, "Also" liked the music yet within two weeks they are all discussing doing other material, Band had me on the go for five years, a couple of musicians going off on tour then rekindling unit. I stuck with it for five years all because the music would have worked so well in the theatres and music clubs. Band no longer exists. After putting good bands together for forty years that worked theatres and festivals I decided with a little work and selection I could sing well enough to go solo, not as much fun but much less hassle

Got fed up with 'two-note Ted' the singer and him always criticising everything the other band members came up with. He would try and take over everything and put the mockers on whatever we came up with to the point that, if I didn't leave, I think I would have squared him away with a nice right hook! He was nothing but a lecherous perv, also, having tried to hit on the Bassist's 'just turned 16' friend, as well as the wife of one of our band members, even trying to get the number of the barmaid at one of our gigs whilst his other half was sat there with him. Happy to say that I am now in a collaboration with several guys from around the world, enjoying each other's input and creating some really cool stuff.

It's nearly always personality issues in my experience, even bordering on dare I say a 'bullying culture' in a couple of instances. It's really put me off joining bands in many ways, but I live in hope I can eventually connect with more like minded people.

Egos, drummers and taste in music.
Eventually I made my own cover band with a friend from school (35 years ago) and other musicians from adverts and we were really enjoying it until covid.
So.....don't give up, move on, keep playing.

Left when the singer suggested we cover Purple Rain... I'm a massive Prince fan!

I was offered a 7 night per week gig here in the Algarve. Salaried...highly unusual! money was very attractive and a steady future promissed.....Rehearsed for 6 months solid, every day, until we finally show-cased the band
Friday night. The place filled up, we played like demons , tight beautiful harmonies to boot!
Deal was that for the first two weeks we (drummer and myself, bass) would be paid nightly in cash. After first night(place was brimming with punters), no pay. After similar second night, no pay. After yet another brilliant night(Sunday)and yes , you guessed it, NO Pay, I decided enough was enough.
Me and the drummer collaborated to meet back at the gig the following night but an hour before opening. All the bands gear was mounted on the stage. We collected all our own gear and left without saying a word! Taught the lead singer(the Boss) a lesson....he turned up to sing an hour later...crowded joint waiting for a brilliant band...but whoops NO BAND!!

Two words: racist bassist

I was in a band in the 60s 70s we were pro gigging up and down the country also Germany. I met a woman at one of the gigs we marred the rest of the band didn't like it i stayed for a little while but got fed up with the bitching so I left. Had to sell all my gear to clear debts. 10 yrs later I joined a band for fun but my work took me away a lot. Now 30yrs later I've started playing for therapy and enjoyment after that same wife passed away.