watching your old band

Mr Grady · #1 03-29-2010, 10:46 AM

anyone done this?

first band i was in are playing the 2nd gig since i left.

no replacement on bass, and have even written their own songs.

a mutual friend has told me there are some terrible lyrics, but im reserving judgment on that one.

this gig is a bike rally, and im interested in going if only to look at the bikes, which i didnt get to do last time.

so do i take a few minutes to stand and listen to these guys, or will i look like im desperate to get back with them? (im not btw!)

Lazylion · #2 03-29-2010, 10:50 AM

Depends. Did you leave on good terms, or something less than that?

ColinGWood · #3 03-29-2010, 10:51 AM

I say go with a few buddies, watch with a big grin on your face as they struggle wthout you.. and then be on your way!

Gotta hate band morphing....

singlemalt · #4 03-29-2010, 10:51 AM

shoot some video! post to youtube!

M0ses · #5 03-29-2010, 10:52 AM

Yeah, if the parting of ways was unhappy, I would probably not go to see them, but if you guys are still cool, sounds like fun. Maybe a little good natured gloating, but not too bad.

Mr Grady · #6 03-29-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazylion

Depends. Did you leave on good terms, or something less than that?

im ok with the guitarist and drummer, but the singer is a total tw*t.

i would say that 50% of folk who heard us would say, you guys are good, but you need another singer.

sour grapes? nah, not me lol.

Lazylion · #7 03-29-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Grady

im ok with the guitarist and drummer, but the singer is a total tw*t.

Well then, go, say hi to the guitarist & drummer, and leave it at that.

Exploiter8 · #8 03-29-2010, 11:09 AM

Go, and offer constructive criticism during their sets. The usual things, such as the vocals are too loud. Maybe just say the bass needs to be louder! :-)

X8

bassteban · #9 03-29-2010, 11:10 AM

If you want to check them out, do so; who cares what it *looks like*?

Phalex · #10 03-29-2010, 11:13 AM

Go see them. Don't be an A-hole, but don't take any A-holish behavior from them either. I rather enjoy seeing an old guitar player we let go a few years ago. Of course with him, it's all water under the bridge.

Just remember to smile and be nice.

jaywa · #11 03-29-2010, 11:27 AM

Why would anyone want to go see a band that doesn't have a bass player? They're gonna sound like s**t. And a bike rally isn't a place you want to be if the band sucks.

sirmike75 · #12 03-29-2010, 11:45 AM

if you liked the band ...and regret leaving or are upset at all that you are not in the band or miss it .....dont do it ....trust me i have been there and it will do nothing but piss you off

jaywa · #13 03-29-2010, 11:49 AM

If you do decide to go, make sure the other guys in the band don't know about it. And don't take your bass with. If they're hard-up for a bass player and they find out you're planning to be there anyway they may ask you to come back for the gig or at least to "sit in" for a few tunes... and if that happens things could get messy in a hurry.

tercesyrev · #14 03-29-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Why would anyone want to go see a band that doesn't have a bass player? They're gonna sound like s**t. And a bike rally isn't a place you want to be if the band sucks.

+1 . . . They may be looking at you, desparate for your return.

LGT · #15 03-29-2010, 02:45 PM

Why didn't you just fire the singer?

BrianKrashpad · #16 03-29-2010, 03:44 PM

I've gone to see former bands on several occasions.

No big whup one way or t'other.

In general it's a good idea not to burn bridges you don't have to. I've been asked to play in subsequent bands that I'd been with members of in previous bands with.

sobie18 · #17 03-29-2010, 03:58 PM

I have seen bands "after" me...not the same to my ears.

NickInMesa · #18 03-29-2010, 04:30 PM

The only time I did it I wanted to go rip that bass out of the new bassist's arms and show him how it was done.

Personally I never look behind. That works with ex-jobs, ex-houses, ex-girlfriends.

I am still friend with a couple old band mates, including on Facebook, but that's about it.

Move on!

spunj13 · #19 03-30-2010, 03:21 AM

i've had it happen.
i was a vocalist in a band that had grown out of another band i was in....
then the bassist and guitarist decided to "break up" (in order to get rid of me and the drummer) and reformed with a new name and another guitarist, drummer and vocalist.
i went to their first show to be supportive.
it really made me angry when they played songs that we had written before "breaking up" ... new lyrics... that was the only difference.

i'm friends with all of them now though.

T-Bird · #20 03-30-2010, 09:31 AM

Hi.

Well sort of.
In a short while I'll be moving and the band will continue playing.

I've been teaching the new bass player some basic licks to ease the transition period and the learning curve, and about 2 months ago they performed 1st set with the new line-up. I did the second and third.

The bass playing was ok, but the lack of backing vocals I did and the lack of a second vocalist (me) left the set sounding a bit thin.

It'll take some serious work, but the new bassplayer will eventually fit in.

I'll probably see them perform quite a few times in the future.

Regards
Sam