I have never had an issue being prepared for any my projects. If anything I find that playing in multiple projects makes assimilating material much easier for me. I am not sure if the variety of the musical styles keeps it interesting for me, if the different styles generate different learning styles, or if it is a combination of those things or maybe even some other factor I have not considered yet. For the most part none of the musicians I work with have any concerns over my involvement in other projects so long as there are no schedule conflicts for rehearsals, shows, or studio sessions.
There was one personal issue that was expressed to me once regarding "loyalty" to the band. I am unsure if this was a concern over "cross-contaminating" material or writing or if it was based on that individual's desire to control every aspect of the operation. For me I am always careful to maintain strict separation between all of the projects on a creative level. In an industry where bass players are replaced more often than strings are changed the comment struck me as looking for a reason to get rid of me. Personally I find the position of viewing a multi-band musician as lacking loyalty rather childish.
Overall playing in different projects serves to fill my toolbox with a variety of skills and approaches that benefit any project that I am involved in. Earlier this year I auditioned for a band I had liked and wanted to be a part of since the first time I heard their music nearly seven years ago. I was in the studio finishing tracks for another band I was in at the time when the recording engineer asked me if I had time to listen to an album he had just finished up. When I listened to it I was both excited and pissed off all at the same time. Excited because it was the kind of good straight-forward American Rock and Roll that I wanted to play and pissed because there was no way their bass player was ever leaving that project.
Fast forward to earlier this year and a drummer I used to work with sent me a screenshot of the band announcing that they had parted ways with their bass player. I reached out to their singer who is a friend of mine and asked if they had a replacement lined up. He responded that they did not and that they were actually discussing reaching out to me. They sent me five songs to learn for the audition and the rest, as they say, is history.
In order to accommodate the demanding rehearsal and performance schedule I had to leave the other bands I was in. All of the bands I was in wished me well on my new adventure and I remain in contact with all of those former bandmates.
https://sleazeroxx.com/american-bombshell-reveal-new-bassist-david-dj-jones-and-guitarist-slick-mick/
