band isnt being serious now that im in

SOA_bassist · #1 11-15-2006, 02:15 AM

I joined a band. Ive been a fan of them for a while and their bassist moved. They just finished their first gig before I joined them and they wanted to get serious.

They do get serious when I am NOT there.

I have only learned 1 song of theirs all of the way through, they wont teach me the rest ( I have to fake along every other song and pay closer attention to the guitarists and drummer ), they play too loud ( i gotta turn my 380 Watt amp past half, bass past half, and boost all the way up for them to hear it ), and most of our practices are led by hour long wank-fests for one of the guitarists, which I wouldnt mind if he would play a riff more than 2 to 4 times so we could actually get a groove going ( im stuck playing mostly opens on a drop-D string... ).

Every practice I have not been to everyone has showed up, gotten work done, etc. etc.

they are some of my only friends but I feel like quitting. I feel like I am in the other bassists shadow because he was really good and I dont feel like a real member of the band.

should i quit if they dont shape up?

ChenNuts44 · #2 11-15-2006, 05:27 AM

Talk to them. They obviously have an issue and rather than dealing with it, they're doing what they're doing. If you can't get to the bottom of it after talking to them and get on the road to resolution and you're not happy continuing under the current conditions, leave.

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 11-15-2006, 06:53 AM

EQ your amp so your boosting plenty of mids and cutting the bass, that'll help you cut better.

invader3k · #4 11-15-2006, 08:03 AM

I'd walk and not look the other way, personally. It sounds like they're not showing you any respect, maybe because you're "the new guy", or something. Not helping you learn their songs as quickly as possible is inexcusable, as are the "wank fests". I'd say "Sorry guys, but this isn't the kind of band I was expecting, I'm going to look elsewhere."

VanillaO · #5 11-15-2006, 08:29 AM

YOU'RE JASON NEWSTED?

SOA_bassist · #6 11-15-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaO

YOU'RE JASON NEWSTED?

thats actually quite funny... when I was offered the spot I said " this must have been how Jason Newstead felt when he was offered the spot in Metallica " cause I have been a big fan of the bands music

and yeah I guess I will have a talk with them, or at least my buddy Kenny who was the one that got me the spot.

Oh and I already use tons of low-mids and high-mids, cut back the treble, and keep the bass a bit under half.

well i need some sleep

ty for the info

edit - Kenny is the rhythm guitarist of the band

txbasschik · #7 11-15-2006, 11:26 AM

I had a hard time learning my current band's original songs. They hadn't recorded them when I joined.

So, one evening, I showed up with a little boom box that had a cassette tape recorder in it, and a few tapes.

Me: "Would it be ok if we recorded the originals as we practice them? That way, I have something to work with at home."

Them: "Well, the sound quality won't be good. We want them to sound good!"

Me: "Oh, I don't need them to give to people. I only need them so I can get the progressions nailed, and do a good job at our next gig."

Them: "Oh! OK...that's cool."

Problem solved! It also cuts down on wank-fests, and gets the band focused on the work at hand.

Also, come to practice with some notes on what you'd like to work on, and what you'd like to accomplish. That's another thing that will help you and the rest of the band gain focus.

If that doesn't work, then talk to them and let them know how you feel. And if *that* doesn't work, leave 'em, and find another group to play with.

Cherie

Spoiled Grape · #8 11-15-2006, 11:38 AM

Bluntly:

It sounds that they are uncomfortable with you at practice. When I am uncomfortable, and have an instrument with me, I progress into a "wank-fest." Record the songs, and try your best to learn them. Talk to them, explain how you feel, and how you feel that they feel. It's obvious that they are either uncomfortable with your presence in the band, or are just uncomfortable with your presence period. Let them know that this is how they are acting, and perhaps they will change, or at least be honest with you with their feelings.

Goodluck.

buzzbass · #9 11-15-2006, 02:29 PM

I just went through this. Run, run away ! You don't need the BS

BrandonBass · #10 11-15-2006, 02:41 PM

seems lik they would get rid of you as soon as they get a better bassist....

you know, kinda like metallica's first bassist, the one before cliff burton.

Demon · #11 11-15-2006, 03:07 PM

Oh dear, its the Metallica syndrome.

DaveDeVille · #12 11-15-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

... I showed up with a little boom box that had a cassette tape recorder in it, and a few tapes.

Also, come to practice with some notes on what you'd like to work on, and what you'd like to accomplish.

If that doesn't work, then talk to them and let them know how you feel. And if *that* doesn't work, leave 'em, and find another group to play with.

Cherie

... agreed .
great advice for this situation .

txbasschik · #13 11-16-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david meissner

... agreed .
great advice for this situation .

There's nothing like showing up focused, organized, and prepared, to get other people to want to do the same.

Cherie

cassanova · #14 11-18-2006, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

There's nothing like showing up focused, organized, and prepared, to get other people to want to do the same.

Cherie

I agree with that to some degree. But more times than not, I've always found those types of situations to never really change. So now when I see that type of behavior going down, I try to tell them as politely as possable how I feel about the situation as I simultaniously sever the musical ties.

txbasschik · #15 11-18-2006, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

I agree with that to some degree. But more times than not, I've always found those types of situations to never really change. So now when I see that type of behavior going down, I try to tell them as politely as possable how I feel about the situation as I simultaniously sever the musical ties.

I do agree that, if the other band members continue to behave unprofessionally, and can't be talked to, its time to cut the strings and move on.

Cherie

beyondhairy · #16 11-18-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaO

YOU'RE JASON NEWSTED?

DAMN!! i was going to say teh same thing!

anonymous38457747 · #17 11-18-2006, 11:26 AM

It sounds like they were a pretty tight group with the old bassist in place and have not had time to deal with his departure. The sad reality is that they may never deal with it, or they may decide that the "get serious" mentality was only derived from and with the original line up.

I agree that you need to do your best to show that you are serious about learning their songs, ie the tape recorder or bring a note pad to make notes on to refer to later.

But as for the conversation you have with them...You must let them know that you are serious about the bands direction and development. You too are a creative being and have a right to work with others that can and will appreciate that.

Don't just "hang in there" and hope all will work out, it probably never will.

Best of luck

NamelessOne · #18 11-18-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaO

YOU'RE JASON NEWSTED?

quick... does the lead guitar overuse wah?

if so, don't take the top bunk. EVER.

Vegiehead · #19 11-18-2006, 10:31 PM

Bands

Vegie

Pbassred · #20 11-20-2006, 08:42 AM

This might be a dumb question but :- have they actually invited you to join the band? Do they think that you are just turning up to be sociable? Do they think that you are just filling in time? If so, find another band.

If you ARE the new bass player, get a recording and learn the songs 2 at a time. Blow them away.