You vs. your predecessor

pklima · #1 07-21-2009, 04:04 AM

When you replace somebody in a band, is he usually similiar to you or very different? In one band they tell me I replaced a very shy and skinny vegetarian hippie with curly hair. Me, I'm an insensitive *******, eat at least ten pounds of meat a week and shave my head.

Steve! · #2 07-21-2009, 04:03 PM

HAHAHAHAHA! I replaced an experienced bass player who was twice my age. I'm still in shock!

AwesomeMcBadass · #3 07-21-2009, 04:21 PM

I'm usually better, hence why I'm asked to play.

Mojo-Man · #4 07-21-2009, 04:36 PM

No two people are the same.
Just be yourself.
It's all about the music, and friendship.
What you look like, or, what you eat.
Should not be a factor.
P.S. tone is everything

MatticusMania · #5 07-21-2009, 04:42 PM

When I replaced your father your mother told me I was 3 times the man he was, and twice as long, too!

*this comment is intended as a joke and not directed at anyone on this board.

cujjo91 · #6 07-21-2009, 04:48 PM

Apparently the bassist before me didn't know all the songs in the set list.

They were at a gig and they said ok we are going to play *song* now. He agreed and they started playing, but he played a completely different song. So the guitar player started asking him what he was playing. The bassist then stopped playing. Then start playing something else 10 seconds later.

I know all the songs I have been told to play.

scottbass · #7 07-21-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeMcBadass

I'm usually better, hence why I'm asked to play.

I know I'm not being modest, but +1.

Beginner Bass · #8 07-21-2009, 04:57 PM

The old bassist had to go to rehab.

FronTowardEnemy · #9 07-21-2009, 05:01 PM

In all my years I have been lucky enough to either co-found a band or start one from scratch. There was a couple of times I was asked to replace a bassist from some local bands, but I can only do one gig at a time with a full time job, family and all.

anthowl · #10 07-21-2009, 07:10 PM

i joined a punk band a while ago and pretty soon i played a practice that had a few of the band's 'friends' present, i did'nt know them.
one guy watched me the whole time.
i later found out i was playing for the guy i'd just replaced.
he was a short (shorter than me anyway) tubbish root note riding newbie-to-bass kinda guy..
which made sense in a punk band.
i am an explorer on the bass. me joining that band changed thier sound a lot, i ended up playing the lead like instrument.

StyleOverShow · #11 07-21-2009, 07:26 PM

I've been playing long enough that I have a definite approach and style (both in tone and presence). I try to get at the essence of the tune as interpreted by the band. If it works, its good, if it doesn't then I won't gig with them or vice-versa.

-richard

wagstaff · #12 07-22-2009, 02:55 AM

Old bassist left to play more complicated bass lines, then joined a pop rock band...

I was friends with the singer and play complicated(ish) bass lines (Sometimes). I am yet to hear the old bassist play but it's somehting I want to do.

Other differences:
She's female - I'm male
She plays 4 strings - I play 6
She plays fretted exclusivly - I play fretless when I think the song calls for it.

GOX42 · #13 07-22-2009, 03:58 AM

the guy I replaced was a friend of mine whom regularly borrowed my gear (which was cool i like to help out) When they called and said he'd quit I had to "learn" 40 songs in about 4 days. so I called the ex-bass player to see if he could give me the set list.....I don't think he knew he had quit....that was a little strange...To sum it up no one gave me a set list I learned a few chilli pepper songs I knew they did and just winged it.

Sad thing is about a year later a guy who had seen us play a lot came to me (and he had talked to me previous several times) and asked "Hey Where Pat" I said I am pat......my name is joe

Sartori · #14 07-22-2009, 04:02 AM

The closest thing to replacing a bassist I've done was with my college band. The guys who I was in that with were the core of their old band in San Diego, and we played some of their songs. The bassist from the San Diego band played some Fender-ish thing and was very ska influenced, but would also play high up the neck in the same range as the guitars. I was playing my Ibanez Ric copy, of course, so I had a very different tone to start with, and played everything down low.

The next closest thing to replacing someone was when I subbed in for the bassist of my friends' band. He's very good and a jazz guy, plays with his fingers exclusively and plays a modern 6 string. I play mainly with a pick and use passive 4 strings only. His tone is very smooth and thumpy, mine is best described as biting. Very different, to say the least. I think he's quite a bit better than me, but I pulled off the gig all right.

buzzbass · #15 07-22-2009, 07:50 AM

hah, the guy I replaced in the Priest tribute band is currently doing 16-20 for banging a 15 yr old girl. Yeah, I'd say I'm completely different from my predecessor

Murphys Law · #16 07-22-2009, 01:10 PM

Well the guy i replaced in my band was a brilliant technical player, his favourite stlye of music beeing technical death metal. Up and down the fretboard in 32's in less then 3 seconds or so?

.
No wonder he didn't fit, and so he left. The music was actually boring him. Me I'm more of a groove bass player, I keep things simple and grooving and I think it suits my bands style much more.

FunkMetalBass · #17 07-22-2009, 01:21 PM

The bassist I replaced was a 51-year old guy with an attitude problem that played, well, like an older guy. He obviously was influenced by 50's and 60's rock, which is okay, but in a modern alternative band, he just didn't fit. Also, seeing as the average age for the band at the time was 22, he was out of place.

I've been told my lines compliment the music a lot more, my vocal abilities are valuable, and that I am a very entertaining person to watch. I've also been told that I am very confident with chops to back it, but that I don't solo enough.

_____________

I have temp'd for another local band that is very Tool-influenced. Their bassist doesn't move much and plays rather simple lines with a mellow tone on an Ibanez through a Hartke half stack (1x15). I played a lot of complicated lines (tastefully, of course) on a stingray with a lot of upper mid and treble bite to it to make it sound more aggressive (almost Justin Chancellor-ish). Although I didn't replace him, I get the feeling they prefer me and my stage presence to his.

WalWarrior · #18 07-22-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

When I replaced your father your mother told me I was 3 times the man he was, and twice as long, too!
*this comment is intended as a joke and not directed at anyone on this board.

ha ha! Reminds me of a story.

I was flying first class and the seat next to me was vacant right up until time to close the cabin door and prepare for departure. At the last minute a tall, beautiful blond sneaks in last minute and fills the vacant seat next to me. After some small talk she opens a womans Magazine and begins to read. she says out loud, " Interesting!"

"says here that American Indians have the longest penises while Polish men have the thickest." She then says " forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Pamela." I then said, "Hello Pamela, I'm Tonto Kiwalkski".

i hate username · #19 07-22-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzbass

hah, the guy I replaced in the Priest tribute band is currently doing 16-20 for banging a 15 yr old girl. Yeah, I'd say I'm completely different from my predecessor

This nearly had me on the floor laughing.

Ive been a replacment player in a few bands in the last few years.Sometimes the origional player hasnt even left yet by the time im brought in.
(one very funny story where the ex-bassist only found out he was the ex-bassist by showing up to a practice when i was there,plugged in and playing away. This guy was HUGE...like size of a water-buffalo.Fists like ham and he looked like the type of person who would feel perfectly at home swining axes into peoples faces.At the time i truely believed i was about to die

)
Usually i replace someone cause their are a lot of people in the metal scene who just go "i know ill get a bass and start a metal band because bass is easy" and never work at their instrament so after a (short) they just cant keep up with the other musicians.

chrisisnotevil · #20 07-22-2009, 01:45 PM

I replaced my predecessor because he went to Amsterdam instead of showing up for a gig, without telling anyone. Apparently that sort of thing happened a lot. He also played the most vile bass I've ever seen, but that's not important right now. We've still got all his gear as it happens... Obviously this is a sacred trust, no matter what the rest of the band think of him, but dude, FFS come get your gear back!