Injured! Bandleader wants to sub me out...

Stereo Joe · #1 11-05-2009, 09:59 AM

I'd appreciate if some of you guys weigh in on a situation I'm in at the moment.

On Monday I took a tumble on my stairs and popped my ankle pretty badly. No fractures, but a nice and nasty sprain that's put me on crutches for a week or two.

I've got a weekender gig this weekend (Fri/Sat) at a bar playing covers. I emailed my band leader to explain the situation, saying that I'm capable of doing the gig, I'd just need help with transportation and moving my gear.

He responded by saying he'd check with he old bassist to see if he could sub for me..

I'm a freelance bassist, so subbing is not new to me. However, with this particular band, I had to really convince the bandleader (who hates freelancers) that I could 'commit' to his band and not sub out his gigs. This was OK with me because I'm in school and scaled back my gigging a lot this year.

So basically, I'm in a band where I'm not allowed to sub out without annoying the bandleader, but I get injured and ask for help to play the show and he wants to sub me out immediately.

This seems a little unfair to me. Am I just overreacting? I understand that from the bandleader's position, it's easier to have a fill-in bassist instead of having to help out his gimpy regular bassist. However, I 'committed' to his band and agreed not to sub out his gigs, so I'm a little ticked that I get subbed out without second thought and miss out on a paycheck.

What do you think?

svtb15 · #2 11-05-2009, 10:02 AM

The only thing that i can contribute is that your band leader sounds like a control freak.. Im sorry that i don't have anything else to say.
when you are better , you may want to look for another gig and leave that heartless basstard to himself. Just my opinion

ric stave · #3 11-05-2009, 10:12 AM

Well, if you can't perform the intricate choreographed dance routines, I see his point...

Hell, I had a similar thing happen (ankle problem, couldn't even stand), and I played a full show with my prog/classic rock band sitting on a stool, running direct (didn't haul my gear that week....) Or course, we weren't the type of band who EVER subbed out positions, so maybe my situation doesn't apply. But if the 'deal' is that you are not supposed to sub out for yourself because the leader wants a consistant lineup for shows, and you are able to perform the music/show, then he's being a jerk, and I'd start looking elsewhere (if it's bothering you enough to do that) I'd at least want to hear a real reason WHY he thinks the band/show would be better off with a last minute sub than a last minute gimp......

Kenner · #4 11-05-2009, 10:14 AM

I'd keep cool about it. If he finds a sub, he does. If he doesn't, play the gig and get paid.

Also. Retain your lesson........ If you get an opportunity to play and make a buck, or not, with any band on a stage, I say you play....

If he wants you to commit yourself to "his" band and make it so you can't earn a lil' extra on the side. He should give you a weekly salary and call you an employee.......

just sayin'.......

Kenner · #5 11-05-2009, 10:16 AM

........besides, if you made enough playing for him, you would't sub out "his" gigs anyway.......

two fingers · #6 11-05-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenner

I'd keep cool about it. If he finds a sub, he does. If he doesn't, play the gig and get paid.

Also. Retain your lesson........ If you get an opportunity to play and make a buck, or not, with any band on a stage, I say you play....

If he wants you to commit yourself to "his" band and make it so you can't earn a lil' extra on the side. He should give you a weekly salary and call you an employee.......

just sayin'.......

I don't know about a weekly salary, but I agree with the point on the whole. It sounds as if he wants you to commit to him, but he's not willing to do the same. He's a prick. What you have to decide is if the local market has other gigs waiting to be filled. If not, suck it up and deal with the guy. If there are lots of gigs out there, find a better one and tell this guy to go XXXX himself.

Stereo Joe · #7 11-05-2009, 10:24 AM

Thanks guys!

Just to clarify, this bandleader is a control freak, but he's not a jerk about it. He does it subtly and passively....

I'd prefer not to quit this band just because it's an easy gig and they play every two weeks which is a perfect part-time job for me while I'm in school. Plus, I already charted out all their material...

Haysoochreesto · #8 11-05-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenner

........besides, if you made enough playing for him, you would't sub out "his" gigs anyway.......

I agree 100% (and with your post above too).

Call the dude and tell him that you're going to play the gig. There's certainly no need to have an angry or aggressive tone. Just tell him straight out that you're the bass player in the band and that you're going to play the gig. That's it.

What does the rest of the band think and why does this one guy have so much say?

Anyway, be assertive about your role with the band and your right to profit from your efforts.

I once saw a guitar player with seperated shoulder and a broken clavicle sitting on a stool with his back against the wall playing a gig once. The guy was in obvious pain but hey, the show must go on. And no one seemed to mind that the guy was visibly injured.

Jefenator · #9 11-05-2009, 10:31 AM

That does seem odd.

I've called up band mates before with injuries/ailments/car trouble and they've always been more than happy to keep me on the job and help out in whatever way necessary... and not just swap me out without my ever even asking for that.

Hopefully the BL is just being a bit quirky?

But this would make me rethink my "commitment" to the group. If the BL will sub me out with so little hesitation like that, I'm going to be at least a little less reluctant to sub myself out.

Stereo Joe · #10 11-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

But this would make me rethink my "commitment" to the group. If the BL will sub me out with so little hesitation like that, I'm going to be at least a little less reluctant to sub myself out.

Yeah, I'm considering just letting the gig go. I could use the rest (although I could use the cash). It would also give me 'ammunition' for when I have to sub out in the future...

PSPookie · #11 11-05-2009, 10:42 AM

Wait . . . Do you play a rig RBONNER would be proud of? If that's the case and you can't help with load-in and load-out then I get where the guy is comming from. Otherwise, I think they should just give you a hand for the sake of continuity if nothing else.

Stereo Joe · #12 11-05-2009, 10:48 AM

Nah, my bar rig is a Markbass SA450 into a Berg AE410. Pretty light and easy to load (at least for someone who can put weight on both legs...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Wait . . . Do you play a rig RBONNER would be proud of? If that's the case and you can't help with load-in and load-out then I get where the guy is comming from. Otherwise, I think they should just give you a hand for the sake of continuity if nothing else.

Steve · #13 11-05-2009, 10:50 AM

I don't think I'd bench a guy just because he can't pull the load in / out.

Are you sure he believes you? Maybe he thinks you got a better gig and are BSing him.

pokeyNW · #14 11-05-2009, 10:53 AM

I'm with Steve. I'd just tell him I wasn't trying to get out of the gig, I'm planning on playing. I just need help getting there. If you can't help I'll find someone else.

If he's so strict about no subs he's probably used to people concocting stories to get out of playing.

DblG · #15 11-05-2009, 10:53 AM

Don't you have any friends in the band who'd of helped you w/ your rig? Or friends outside the band who would have helped, even it it's for a few beers?

derrico1 · #16 11-05-2009, 11:04 AM

+1 To Steve and Pokey. As I was reading your post, I thought the band leader was probably misreading you.

Let him know that if he's got a sub, that's cool; but you'd really prefer to play the gig, if you could just get a bit of help w/ the schlep.

gweimer · #17 11-05-2009, 11:19 AM

To the OP - consider yourself lucky, as bad as it sounds. When I broke my elbow in July, it was 3 days before a gig. My band told me that since there wasn't enough time to find a sub, I was going to have to play it anyway. This was for an outdoor party at someone's house. I told them to bring percocets. I lasted about an hour. Thank goodness that the night dew got into our soundboard, and basically killed it for the evening.

Stereo Joe · #18 11-05-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrico1

+1 To Steve and Pokey. As I was reading your post, I thought the band leader was probably misreading you.

Let him know that if he's got a sub, that's cool; but you'd really prefer to play the gig, if you could just get a bit of help w/ the schlep.

I already sent him a reply like that. He's clear that I'd be willing to do the gig no problem if I had help. There's definitely no misunderstanding...

RustyAxe · #19 11-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Not enough information. Would "helping" you make anyone have to drive significantly out of the way? Would it mean someone would have to get out of work early? You get my drift. Sometimes it's just easier to get a sub. It could be, too, that he's trying to do you a favor ...

I had a situation a couple of months ago, a particularly busy four gig weekend where I was slated to be a sub on Saturday ... I hurt my back on Thursday night, and could hardly stand up by Saturday. I called the guy who hired me, asked him if I could help loading in and out, and played the gig. I guess he didn't have a sub for the sub ...

Kenner · #20 11-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two fingers

I don't know about a weekly salary, but I agree with the point on the whole. It sounds as if he wants you to commit to him, but he's not willing to do the same. He's a prick. What you have to decide is if the local market has other gigs waiting to be filled. If not, suck it up and deal with the guy. If there are lots of gigs out there, find a better one and tell this guy to go XXXX himself.

The "weekly salary" vibe was more along the lines of drawing a line in the sand. Paying a salary would, of course, sound retarded to the BL, but he might think twice before assuming he has the power to dictate what another individual thinks or does. And maybe "OP" guy would be handled with a bit more respect next time....