Guy we fired playing across the street

Phalex · #1 03-25-2011, 08:22 AM

My band is playing at a place that has competition directly across the street. It's always a lot of fun when we know the band over there, because we'll run back and forth on break, and do shots, maybe sit in for a quickie if there's time........

The band there this weekend is comprised of Tycobb's old singer, and the guy that used to be our singer (He's a good drummer) playing drums.

The guy can sing really well, but he had zero stage presence, and we had to let him go. That was maybe 2 years ago or so. He took it really hard when the guitar player fired him, and from what I've heard from various sources, he's still pissed at my band.

I always liked the guy myself. He's really easy to get along with, and I never had any issue with him.

So I'm kind of wrestling with whether or not I should run across the street on break and say hi. Maybe do a shot or three with the him and his singer? If he's still extremely pissed about getting canned, should I just try to avoid him? I'm thinking shots are in order, but not sure how well my presence will be received.

FretlessMainly · #2 03-25-2011, 08:28 AM

Extremely pissed and shots may not be the best combination (except in the UK, where they are inevitable companions!).

However, if he's happy with his current band, I can't see why bygones can't be bygones.

Sleeq · #3 03-25-2011, 08:29 AM

Do it... this might break the ice and you become friends again. In the end you have nothing to lose.

And drink coffee instead

tangentmusic · #4 03-25-2011, 08:34 AM

A lot of water has passed under that brigde in the last 2 years.
He most likley never had a prob with you (You are a bass player after all)
I say break the ice & do it. Since he's now in another band, he should be over it by now.
Good luck. Tell us how it went.

tangentmusic · #5 03-25-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeq

Do it... this might break the ice and you become friends again. In the end you have nothing to lose.

And drink coffee instead

Great minds think alike!

elshunko · #6 03-25-2011, 08:36 AM

I say do it. Truth is he'd probably appreciate you coming by. Especially if you two didn't have any beef. I don't buy into the whole staying angry thing. People have a tendecy to move on. Who knows you might work with the guy again. But, if he is still upset, hey at least you tried.

Phalex · #7 03-25-2011, 08:41 AM

I'm really leaning towards running over there. (I think I'll leave my guitar player and drummer behind though.) I just don't want to make anyone (Myself included) uncomfortable.

**TheFantod** · #8 03-25-2011, 08:49 AM

Definitely head over there, just to break the ice, and show some professionalism. Although I don't know if doing shots & professionalism go hand in hand.....

THUNDERGODX · #9 03-25-2011, 08:50 AM

Shots are always in order.

Phalex · #10 03-25-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THUNDERGODX

Shots are always in order.

I concur! And sigged!

jaywa · #11 03-25-2011, 09:16 AM

Yeah, go over there and extend the olive branch.

2 years is plenty long. If it turns ugly, it's on him and you can break-off the relationship permanently, in good conscience.

Just make sure your band's not waiting on you when it's time for the next set!

Hope it turns out well.

bassmonkeee · #12 03-25-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

2 years is plenty long. If it turns ugly, it's on him and you can break-off the relationship permanently, in good conscience. Hope it turns out well.

This. "Glad to see you, hope the band is going well, have a shot" can go a long way towards closing old wounds.

And, as Jaywa said--if he doesn't feel it, that's cool, too. You can only make an effort. You can't make him accept it.

Phalex · #13 03-25-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

This. "Glad to see you, hope the band is going well, have a shot" can go a long way towards closing old wounds.

And, as Jaywa said--if he doesn't feel it, that's cool, too. You can only make an effort. You can't make him accept it.

I hear you guys. Thanks for the reassurance. I'm definitely going to run over there. I was leaning that way originally, but everyone I've talked to that knows him has said how angry he is / was.

Probably a good idea to leave the rest of my band at the bar we're playing. There were issues with those guys......

ButtUglyJeff · #14 03-25-2011, 09:33 AM

Alcohol can only make it better...

StuartV · #15 03-25-2011, 09:37 AM

Yeah, if somebody is going to be antisocial or unfriendly, don't let it be you! Especially if you're doing it first because you THINK he might be that way.

JohnMCA72 · #16 03-25-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

...the guy that used to be our singer (He's a good drummer) playing drums.
...

As a singer, he's a heck of a drummer!

NOAH_FX · #17 03-25-2011, 09:56 AM

We'll he's angry now, but a shot and a beer go a LOOOONG way to making someone feel better, maybe it's just me. Even the fact that you say Hi, just wanted to see how your new gig was going, could be all he really wanted.

They really did care!!! It just took awhile to show me :P

rayzak · #18 03-25-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeq

Do it... this might break the ice and you become friends again. In the end you have nothing to lose.

And drink coffee instead

This... minus the coffee

Kael · #19 03-25-2011, 10:09 AM

If you would normally go across the street, then do so in this instance also. Ehf letting other people dictate your actions. You already know the right thing to do here. Just do it.

pasta4lnch · #20 03-25-2011, 10:17 AM

if there's one thing I've learned in this bizzzz is it's never good to have anyone pissed at you. (and how to hold my booze!)

go, drink and be merry!