band drama

lowfrq · #1 08-07-2009, 10:39 PM

I play in a blues/ rock band that does mostly originals with a few obscure covers we've been rehearsing for about 6 months , have just recently been gigging , mostly small clubs,bars etc. we are really tight , i totally lock w/ drummer.

The guitard decided that he doesn't like/get along with the drummer all of a sudden. told him he's fired (by email) & is now placing an add on craigslist for new drummer.
I've become good friends with the drummer & he wants to start a new band. wants me to quit & go with him.

The guitard has an ego problem & thinks he is going to find a great drummer & start gigging in a couple of weeks.he wants me to start rehearsing again w/ new drummer try outs start over again. I don't know what to do after putting in sooo much time rehearsing with the first drummer!
anyone else been through something similar?

StingrayDerek · #2 08-07-2009, 10:42 PM

of course your gonna go with your old drummer

RFord04 · #3 08-07-2009, 10:52 PM

yeah, seems like an obvious choice to me. Go with the drummer.

SpamBot · #4 08-07-2009, 10:56 PM

+1. Guitarist is a douche, drummer is your buddy? No brainer.

totallybacan · #5 08-07-2009, 10:58 PM

If it is paying, I personally wouldn't see a problem with being in both.

hbarcat · #6 08-07-2009, 11:19 PM

Let's see, you're musically tight with the drummer and you are also good friends. The guitar player is a prima donna who behaves impulsively to the detriment of his bandmates. You now need to choose whether to go with the drummer or stay with the guitar player.

I'd stay with the guitar player.

No wait, I was just kidding. Go with the drummer.

totallybacan · #7 08-07-2009, 11:22 PM

The OP never said he has to be in only one. Why couldn't he do both? Sure the guitard can have a big ego. But if you are making money and he sisn't doing anything directly against you AND there are shows lined up, then I don't see the problem.

I find that any band that isn't accepting of me being in others isn't worth my time. I'm here to play as much as I can, and not be limited.

ilovethesechord · #8 08-07-2009, 11:26 PM

well, I hear you. I too play with a drummer who I totally lock with. however our guitarist has a MAJOR ego problem. He absolutely refuses to groove with the drummer and I. We'll lay down the funkiest groove and he will stare at the ceiling and maybe tug his tremolo..

The guitarist is not very close to the drummer - I feel like the guitar player does not respect the drum man due to a lack of "flair."
It's hard to boot the guitarist because he is very VERY good, and he is a huge part of our trio.

My advice to you, being in the position that I am absolutely horrified to one day find myself in, would be "indifference!" Make Him Choose!! Let him see the grass on the other side! When he feels like something is missing... something's just "not happening," maybe he'll see how valuable a solid groove can be!!!

Kenny Allyn · #9 08-07-2009, 11:40 PM

Just did that ... went with the drummer.

Actually in our case the singer (excuse me X2 singers) botched a show/shows

the guitar player quit, and the trio side project we had going with a new singer/songwriter/guitar player became our main project!

... It worked out all for the good for the drummer and me ... I say go for it, click the link below and see how it worked for us!

hbarcat · #10 08-08-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovethesechord

. . . our guitarist has a MAJOR ego problem. He absolutely refuses to groove with the drummer and I. We'll lay down the funkiest groove and he will stare at the ceiling and maybe tug his tremolo..

It's hard to boot the guitarist because he is very VERY good, and he is a huge part of our trio.

These two things are mutually exclusive. If he's not fulfilling his role when he's supposed to be grooving with the other two band members then he can't be a huge part of your trio and that puts a rather low limit on how good he really is.

IMO.

JustDavid · #11 08-08-2009, 07:00 AM

Play in both bands.

Maybe we use the terms differently. I don't call the guitarist's situation a "band"; I instead think you are in a "supporting musician" role. To my view, in a "band" you'd have had discussion & likely a vote about the drummer.

irishryno · #12 08-08-2009, 07:08 AM

hard to find a drummer you click with. you can always find another douche guitard.

LowDown Hal · #13 08-08-2009, 07:09 AM

It's a whole lot easier to find another guitarist than it is to find another drummer.

lawsonman · #14 08-08-2009, 07:50 AM

Playing music is supposed to be fun.Doesn't sound like the guitar player is much fun to be around.

BigLoopDuke · #15 08-08-2009, 08:28 AM

Hey, who needs guitarists, when we could have keyboardists?

I try to never burn bridges, but if the first situation wasn't good, I wouldn't waste my time. It's supposed to be fun, right?

Jim Campbell · #16 08-08-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Just did that ... went with the drummer.

Actually in our case the singer (excuse me X2 singers) botched a show/shows

the guitar player quit, and the trio side project we had going with a new singer/songwriter/guitar player became our main project!

... It worked out all for the good for the drummer and me ... I say go for it, click the link below and see how it worked for us!

harry truman on guitar?

Demonator · #17 08-08-2009, 09:59 AM

Lucky for me the guitarists in the band I play with are nice. They are very understanding and accepting. or our next talent show performance I offered improv. My friend who plays guitar said that would be crazy and they would think about it.

xgator4u · #18 08-08-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishryno

hard to find a drummer you click with. you can always find another douche guitard.

^ This. Anyhow, who does this guitard think he is? He fired the drummer without even discussing it with the rest of the band? Also he fire him just " because" he was not getting along with him? It ain't like the drummer was causing a serious problem and HAD to be replaced. Based on the O.P. the guitard overstepped his boundries, and fired the drummer just because he feels he is the shot caller, and what he says goes. Screw that !

**jmattbassplaya** · #19 08-08-2009, 12:49 PM

Like others have said, guitards are a dime a dozen. A solid drummer who you click with and who is a great guy on top of that is one in a million.

Try to do both projects, however, it really wouldn`t be a shock to me if the guitarist then fires you for not being 'exclusive'.

Stumbo · #20 08-08-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfrq

I play in a blues/ rock band that does mostly originals with a few obscure covers...

IMO, you really don't play in a "band", you and the drummer are sidemen for the guitar player. Since you play mostly originals, the guitar player, as far as he is concerned, IS the band. You're just tagging along to make him look good.

Quote:

The guitard decided that he doesn't like/get along with the drummer all of a sudden. told him he's fired (by email)...

How long will it be until he doesn't "get along" with you and you get an email?

Quote:

The guitard has an ego problem...

What was the first clue?

If you play in two bands(especially with the old drummer), IMO, the guitar player will fire you. Or even better, why don't you ask him if he minds if you play in a side project with the old drummer to find out what he thinks about it.

You can also ask the guitar player about your status in the "band". Theoretically speaking, to find out how he sees you, ask him if he's going to fire you if you speak up or do something he doesn't like or if he gets up on the wrong side of the bed.

If he says, no, he's not going to fire you, ask him to put it in writing. See how he responds to that. Since you're a sideman, ask him to spell out under what reasonable conditions he will fire you. Also ask him to put in the contract that if the terms of the contract are violated that he will pay you a year's worth of pay to compensate you for all the time you've put in.