Another "Leaving the Band" Story

Barisaxman · #1 12-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Ahh yes I love the crazy world that is the music business. Just thought I'd share my latest situation, it still doesn't seem real to me but it's kind of exciting and kind of a bummer at the same time. It actually involves 4 bands over the last couple years, to be called simply bands A,B,C, and D. These are all country/rock cover bands, as that is what I love to do.

Band A:
Started approximately 2 years ago. Lead singer started a group where I met three of my best friends to date, two of which were in my wedding this year. Lead singer was flaky, constantly cancelled practice etc. etc. Evenutally I was kicked out of this band by the lead singer, partly because of my inexperience (my first band), partly because his best buddy from his old band wanted my spot. No big deal.

Band B:
This is where things get interesting. About three months and two gigs after I was kicked out of band A, my friends that were still in that band got tired of the lead singer's ongoing life saga's and left the band, essentially killing off that band. They contacted me to form a new band on our own. This band got going and was getting pretty successful. Good money, good friendships, etc. A year or so later I was asked to step down from my position as the new guitar player we hired wanted his friend in the band, and he was an accomplished bassist. I had some hard feelings but no big deal. The friendships are still intact and the band is still doing very well except for minor squabbling that goes on.

Band C: A few months of not playing in any group and out of nowhere I get a call from the lead singer of Band A that was playing with a new group and couldn't find a bass player. So I agree to go sit in/audition with some reservation. I found out it was easy to figure out why they couldn't get a bass player....they were terrible....just terrible. I'd never heard a worse cover band, and the truth is they didn't even know it. I declined the job initially because they needed serious help to ever get the project out of the garage.

Band D: Established, hard working country band with a Nashville quality lead singer. The band has been around for 10 years or so, new members every now and then, but the quality is always good. I talked to the outgoing bassplayer and he recommended me for an audition. Because of my wedding I nothing ever got set up and I didn't hear from them...

In the meantime, I get another call from the old lead singer begging me to play with Band C. I reluctantly give in and begin to rehearse more with them. They're still terrible. Nobody wants to book them, until a couple weeks ago. In no time the band is booked, beginning this weekend, for 5 consecutive weekends. The band is not ready, and they're still terrible. The week before the bookings started, out of nowhere, band D calls and wants an audition asap. I show up for two rehearsals, and the other night I was told the job was mine. First gig is NYE...of course band D is booked that night as well.

Band D makes real money, band C is basically playing for gas money. Needless to say I will be playiing with Band D full time, as this is more or less a dream gig. Now I just have to break the news to band C, and the lead singer who once kicked me out of his band, that I am leaving that band for good and they'll have to fend for themselves on NYE and the following weekend. I will offer to fill other gigs until they find another bass player. I may burn a few bridges with band C, but so be it. I get along with all parties equally so it's kinda a bummer to bail and an inopportune time. At the end of the day I have to do what will make me happy. What it boils down to is: I passed an audition with a well-respected band and am excited to get back to gigging WOO HOO!

The End...heh....sorry about the novel.

CincyBassMan · #2 12-12-2007, 02:00 PM

Great story!

Good luck on the new gig!

mrokern · #3 12-12-2007, 02:29 PM

Congrats on the gig!

If you know anyone who could fill in for you on NYE with Band C, you could probably temper their reactions.

-Mark

Williamsburgjim · #4 12-12-2007, 03:00 PM

Congrats bro!!!!! Cuntry's a good thang!!!! Just curious, you guys got fiddle/peddle steel?

jimmyjo

Barisaxman · #5 12-13-2007, 11:56 AM

Nope, no fiddle/pedal steel here. The problem around here is that as popular as country music is, there just aren't any many players available. I'm pretty up to date on the music scene in teh eastern part of NE, and I only know of 3 pedal steel players and two fiddle players. Both are locked up with very good bands. The rest of us rely on keys or go with the basics like my new band....lead guitar, acousitic, bass, and drums. Besides, a four piece means less ways to split the money =).

Williamsburgjim · #6 12-13-2007, 02:50 PM

..thanks for the info. I was just curious. They are hard to come by in these parts as well. But like you say, one way to get around it is a good keyboard player/synth... .

Congrats again!!!!

BTW, Are there any plans to open for any 2nd tier Nashville acts?

jimmyjo

Barisaxman · #7 12-13-2007, 02:56 PM

Probably some good opportunities for things like that. My old band (band B..hehe) actually played an after-show dance at a local club where Tracy Lawrence did an acoustic show. This new group is pretty well tied in with the county fair/street dance people around the state so it will be interesting to see what happens when summer rolls around. They're not as big into the week in - week out club gigs as some other bands...they do a lot more during the summertime. It'll be interesting to see what happens in coming months as far as the schedule goes.

Williamsburgjim · #8 12-14-2007, 11:27 AM

...sounds like a plan!!! Please keep us counry folk updated on what happens!

FWIW, I'm starting a new project too...it looks like this will be the guitar player:

www.myspace.com/johnjohnstonmusic

Check-out the cool slap mid-way thru Fenderbender

jimmyjo

ThunderLizard · #9 12-14-2007, 03:15 PM

Congrats on your new gig. But do tell Band 'C' ASAP and try to refer someone their way. A BassPlayers should always be a good bandmate, regardless of previous history.
And check out 'Dwight Sings Buck'. Now there's some country for ya!

Barisaxman · #10 12-14-2007, 03:35 PM

Oh I have several people in mind to refer them to, in fact one of the guys filled in for them on a gig before I joined. He was playing with another act but that group has since folded so I'm guessing he may be up for the job.

QORC · #11 12-17-2007, 08:38 AM

so you're close friends with other guys that allowed other people to kick you out of two bands so they could put a friend in your place?? TWICE??

and you're still close?

If they were friends, they wouldn't have allowed this occur.

Barisaxman · #12 12-17-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QORC

so you're close friends with other guys that allowed other people to kick you out of two bands so they could put a friend in your place?? TWICE??

and you're still close?

If they were friends, they wouldn't have allowed this occur.

Well let's just say that in both instances it became business over pleasure. That's the way it seems to be in the cover band game around this area, expecially as of late. I learned a long time ago that some things aren't worth ruining a friendship over, and bands are one of those things. There's too many things about bands that have the potential to ruin friendships...money, creativity, bookings, talent, etc. It doesn't make it any easier to be asked to leave a band, but at the same time it's much easier to keep personal relationships away from professional ones.