Career limiting bassists

[gretschman]

A couple of stories with morals, for those who pay attention.

I play sometimes with a blues singer who likes to use a jazz guitar trio behind her. She has a group she likes to use, but often has to use subs. One bass player is a fairly young guy with a ton of chops but very small ears and an overdeveloped sense of his own worth (why would anyone call "So What" if he doesn't know how to play the head?).

So this kid was subbing with us one night at a restaurant on the far side of the metro area, about 35 miles for me, and 45 for him. The singer called everyone the day of the gig asking us to all be there at least 30 minutes before start time. No problem.

Well, chops man was late. Not only was he late getting to the suburb involved, he missed his turn and wound up driving around for an unspecified time trying to find the restaurant. When I asked him why he was late he said he'd gotten directions from Mapquest, but didn't realize how far it was, even though MQ prints distance and time required on the bottom of the page. He missed the entire first set, which was fun for me, the guitarist, and the trumpeter who was sitting in. When told after the gig that the singer was docking him half his pay he threw a tantrum. The band works fairly often, but we won't be seeing him on a stage for a long time.

On another gig I play regularly, straight jazz at a restaurant for a meal and good pay, another young bassist who I'd recommended to the singer who books the gig talked himself out of that gig. Although everyone is told to eat before the gig starts, he waited till the second set to order food. Naturally he was still eating when it became time to start playing again. When the restaurant owner suggested that he needed to get back on stage, he reportedly (I wasn't there) replied, "Who the f*** are you to tell me when I can eat?"

To which the other fellow said, "I'm the mf who owns this place, and you better get your a$$ up there" at great length and with much energy.

Now most people would have realized the error of their ways immediately and apologized. Not our hero. When confronted about it later by the singer, who also wasn't there that night, he first denied knowing about the food time. Too bad the singer who did the gig had kept the multiple emails where she informed the band about the rule. Then he denied swearing at the owner. Again, it's too bad the drummer was sitting nearby and heard every word, as did most of the restaurant staff, who were mightily entertained by the owner's resulting tirade.

This is a guy who's trying to get more work, and seemed really happy when I recommended him for the gig in the first place. Too bad he won't ever get asked back. I was frankly surprised, as I'd never seen that side of him displayed before.

Word to the wise; the music business is hard enough without making things more difficult for yourself. There are plenty of good bassists who are easy to work with and play well, and no reason at all to hire someone who's undependable or volatile. We can all be replaced, often with a single phone call.

[Lorenzini]

Just sounds like an asshat. Move on.

[capnsandwich]

A word of wisdom I heard when I first started making money, "Never bite the hand that signs the check". I have yet to taste human flesh.

[El-Bob]

Originally Posted by gretschman

There are plenty of good bassists who are easy to work with and play well, and no reason at all to hire someone who's undependable or volatile. We can all be replaced, often with a single phone call.

that's what happened to my bands old bassist

[Spoiled Grape]

If headliner:

load-in
soundcheck
get free meal.
wait to play.

if support:

load-in
get free meal
sound check
wait to play.

[Pilgrim]

I've never understood why so many people are quick to take offense or consider themselves the most important thing in the world. It's pretty easy to deal with most situations if you just take a moment to consider the other person's viewpoint and needs.

Life's too short to work with the butts. Just move on.

[mutedeity]

Those stories speak for themselves really. Obviously, if you want to be treated as a professional, act professionally.

[manicbassman]

Originally Posted by gretschman

Word to the wise; the music business is hard enough without making things more difficult for yourself. There are plenty of good bassists who are easy to work with and play well, and no reason at all to hire someone who's undependable or volatile. We can all be replaced, often with a single phone call.

he's blown it... he'll be lucky to get any gigs at all in the future... the word will go round that he's trouble...

[justabass]

These stories are also why you have to be very careful who you recommend for a gig...You're really putting yourself out there.

[DrayMiles]

Thank you with all my heart for putting this up.

I see this all of the time. And I've become less tolerant because of it.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by justabass

These stories are also why you have to be very careful who you recommend for a gig...You're really putting yourself out there.

Agreed

[DrayMiles]

Was the sub playing electric or double bass?