"Another Shot" at the Band

The modifier · #1 08-31-2010, 02:46 PM

In this last month I had landed a pretty solid gig with a pretty well known band around my area, things went smooth at rehearsals for the most part and everything was swell, however after missing one rehearsal I was fired (I wont give the reasons as to why I missed, but they were of personal urgency), I was not mad that I had gotten the boot since I HAD missed rehearsal and this band is pretty serious, however today upon checking my email I get an email from them stating they are willing to give me another shot, so im stuck in a rut here, do I take them up again, or stay out of it all together. advice ?

MatticusMania · #2 08-31-2010, 02:47 PM

If theyre willing to give you another shot, and you like the band, I dont see why not.

My synth player has an offer to audition for QOTSA coming up soon. I told him he's dumb if he doesnt take it.

Marko5657 · #3 08-31-2010, 05:19 PM

I checked your profile and saw that you’re young, so I’m assuming they are, as well.

The fact they canned you for missing one rehearsal and are now willing to give you another chance tells me they may have taken themselves a bit too seriously.

I’m not sure if I’d go back, but I would at least tell them that you’re not going to invest in a band in which you have such little security.

I’d want some ground rules that were reasonable and acceptable to me.

Axtman · #4 08-31-2010, 05:38 PM

Sounds like they can't find another bass player.

Marko5657 · #5 08-31-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axtman

Sounds like they can't find another bass player.

Which give him “hand” so to speak…

I’d let them sweat a bit before accepting “another shot”.

bluewine · #6 08-31-2010, 06:58 PM

Most don't get a 2nd chance, if your into it go back. When your young what does it matter anyway.

I wonder what the guy does that works his butt off for an audition get rejected.Then the bass player they chose over you flakes out on them.They call you and make the offer.

My first response would be to tell them "no thanks",but like everything else if I was really into the band I say ok, "when and where"

Plays_For_Dog · #7 08-31-2010, 07:05 PM

I would have a talk with them and explain to them some ground rules and give them a chance to give you theirs. To fire you after a personal emergency and not even give you the chance explain to them the situation is pretty cold.

Unless you really click with them and have a good time playing with the band, I would keep my options open and put some deep thought in this one.

Rocker949 · #8 08-31-2010, 07:23 PM

If it were me, I'd probably not go back. I'd move on to something better.

Joe Nerve · #9 08-31-2010, 10:50 PM

You landed a solid gig with a happening band and had no intention of quitting. You missed a rehearsal and they fired you. They changed your mind and decided not to fire you. Now you don't know if you want to do it. I've got that straight, right?

I'd suggest learning right now to leave your pride on the shelf. You'll get a lot further in the business of music. What would be your reason to not go back, to teach them a lesson? Because your feelings had gotten hurt? I don't entirely get it.

I think your reason for not showing up is also important here, but you're not saying it. Firing you on the spot may be a bit extreme, but I can see some circumstances that would warrant that. Blowing off a reheasal before a big gig where 4 guys are getting screwed and having to pay for it because of a girlfriend fight would be grounds for me to say, yer fired. Just not showing up without letting them know until after the fact would be another good reason. But we don't know the reason here.

Munjibunga · #10 08-31-2010, 11:34 PM

I can't assess the situation without knowing what your excuse was. Apparently they didn't think it was so important.

cassanova · #11 09-01-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

If theyre willing to give you another shot, and you like the band, I dont see why not.

My synth player has an offer to audition for QOTSA coming up soon. I told him he's dumb if he doesnt take it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

You landed a solid gig with a happening band and had no intention of quitting. You missed a rehearsal and they fired you. They changed your mind and decided not to fire you. Now you don't know if you want to do it. I've got that straight, right?

I'd suggest learning right now to leave your pride on the shelf. You'll get a lot further in the business of music. What would be your reason to not go back, to teach them a lesson? Because your feelings had gotten hurt? I don't entirely get it.

What these 2 said.
If you honestly like this band, then don't play stupid bullcrap games of holding out or trying to teach them any kind of lesson.

bassteban · #12 09-01-2010, 12:21 AM

^what he said

Stumbo · #13 09-01-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Just not showing up without letting them know until after the fact would be another good reason.

+1

IMO, you need to take a look at yourself and decide if you're up for the gig. If you didn't let them know what's happening, seems to me that it will happen again or some other situation will come up where you won't make a good choice about what to do.

Maybe you're too immature or not professional enough for this band? They may take you back but if you're not up for it, you'll blow it some other time over something stupid where you'll feel like the victim and stressed out because the band is asking too much of you.

Maybe not.

Rocker949 · #14 09-01-2010, 07:44 AM

On reading this the first time, I somehow carelessly missed the part about this being a well-known band in the area. That puts a different perspective on the matter. In that case, I would be more inclined to work something out if possible with them.

Drop-the-One · #15 09-01-2010, 11:40 AM

discuss the boundaries where "personal urgency" crosses the line to "skippin' practise".

If you haven't told them your reason, you probably should

... if it's taht important, they'll understand

invader3k · #16 09-01-2010, 01:31 PM

"Personal urgency", can be taken a lot of different ways. There's a big difference between missing a scheduled rehearsal due to your car breaking down or a death in the family, versus missing because some chick you had the hots for wanted to go to a movie.

Rudreax · #17 09-01-2010, 02:50 PM

Well...yeah, basically if if haven't gathered it by now you should just go back. We can't really access the situation without knowing the exact reason why you had to miss that practice, but unless it was really REALLY important stuff it doesn't really matter.

Spinal Tapper · #18 09-01-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

"Personal urgency", can be taken a lot of different ways. There's a big difference between missing a scheduled rehearsal due to your car breaking down or a death in the family, versus missing because some chick you had the hots for wanted to go to a movie.

THIS.

No offense OP, but you need to grow up a little and learn how to handle responsibilities. These situations will come up int he future when you or other band members need to reschedule practices...always, always, always give a reason, because if you don't, they'll think you're a flake.

If they're your bandmates, they'll understand a legitimate reason for skipping (unless you're out chasing tail or getting high)

That's probably why they booted you in the first place. Chalk it up as learning a lesson. I think if you dig the music and the guys though, you should go back. But I'd certainly apologize for being so vague and flaky about why you had to skip out on a rehearsal.

**A Strohman** · #19 09-01-2010, 06:53 PM

I don't need to know the "personal urgency" to assess the situation but I do need to know how and when it was communicated to the band. I'm getting the feeling that you just blew off rehearsal and let them know after the fact. I mean most players wouldn't get fired on the spot for calling members of the band before hand and saying they couldn't make it to rehearsal. But I can say flat out that if anyone in my bands (I play in two) just blew us off with no communication, the rest of us wouldn't exactly be thrilled. There's pretty much no excuse (short of something extreme) for not communicating in some fashion.....calls, emails, texts, whatever.

That said...if you did in fact let them know before hand and they fired you on the spot anyway....thats a pretty high strung band you got yourself there. Proceed with caution.

eSmith · #20 09-02-2010, 04:16 PM

With the number of communications options availiable now there really is no excuse to not have contacted them.

I have yet to see a hospital without a phone, hell, even if you got arrested you get one phone call, so after you ask mom to pick you up you can ask her to call your band for you right after she gets off the phone with a laywer....

Seriously though, youth today are called the "ME" generation for a reason. When you commit to others, they are in line in front of you, you take care of them before yourself, if your not ready to do that, perhaps you shouldn't make comittments to others. There is no good excuse that you couldn't get a message to them.

This is why your getting a lot of guys here saying you need to grow up. While there may be many valid reasons to not be availiable to rehearse there isn't a good one for not calling.

Also, leaving out the details of the reason you didn't make it allows us to imagine one, which results in some people figuring your excuse must have been weak or why not tell us?

Take a long hard look and be honest with yourself. Why didn't you call to let them know?

Now, go back, make your apology, ask for forgivness and don't let it happen again.

-eSmith.