"firing" a band member

Quadcam · #1 06-10-2009, 10:33 PM

Well we had practice tonight and as expected our guitarist proceeded to show up with 2 friends, a 5th of rum and six pack of beer. Now, I'm not against people having a couple drinks during practice, I have maybe 1 or 2 but it's just not my thing anymore.

Our guitarist however, cant seem to go through a 2 hr practice without getting hammered which is why he brings friends , he needs someone to drive him home. I have jammed with my bass player alone and it's great, we get together, get right down to business and really work on the songs. When we have Chris with us we get nothing done.

Tonight was the last straw, he was busy drinkin, chowin down some burgers, goofin off with his friends and we end up playing the same 4 songs we were working on last week. I said "did you learn the songs that I gave you from last week?" he says "nah, man I just really didnt get around to learning them"

I should have sent him packin after the first time he got drunk at practice but I like the guy and I let it go. Now, it's becoming a problem and I figuer if he cant make it through a 2 hr practice he's never going to make it through a 4 hr gig at a bar.

our bass player does admit that he's borderline alcoholic but he shows up, has a few beers, doesnt get wasted and stays focused on what we're doing.
I think the other issue is the rest of the band are all in their mid 30's-40 and the guitarist is 22.

So I hate to do it but he's out of the band. I didnt feel like discussing it with him tonight and we have practice again tomorrow so i felt kinda guilty when he said ok, man I'll see you tomorrow. I told the bass player "no we wont, he's done"

have any of you had an issue like this?

rollerberg2000 · #2 06-10-2009, 10:37 PM

No problem, tell him he "worked" his way out of the job. He fired himself.

**jmattbassplaya** · #3 06-10-2009, 11:47 PM

You could always offer him an ultimatum - Quit the bull$4!7 or you`re fired.

Although personally, I`m more on sync with Roller`s idea. He had his shot and blew it.

Quadcam · #4 06-11-2009, 12:00 AM

well, he isnt that good of a guitarist anyway, he says he's been playing 9 yrs but struggles to get through the intro to Sweet Child O mine and cant play any leads at all. I actually had to teach him to play a few riffs and I'm the drummer, although I know a little guitar.

totallyfrozen · #5 06-11-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

You could always offer him an ultimatum - Quit the bull$4!7 or you`re fired.

Although personally, I`m more on sync with Roller`s idea. He had his shot and blew it.

Yeah, he sounds like an alcoholic. Giving him an ultimatum will do absolutely nothing. He's not going to quit. All an ultimatum would succeed in doing is setting you up for further disappointment because you would have just offered the guy "more time" to be a screw off and piss all you guys off.

I agree with the other guys. If it was me, I'd just tell him "You're not taking this seriously enough and your wasting our time." He's had several (week, months, years...whatever it is) to get serious and be a professional. His drinking is in the way and it's not going to change until he hits the bottom. Personally, I'm not afraid of confrontation; and if there's one thing that I learned in the Army, it's this: getting business done doesn't require emotion (including fear)...just get it done. Don't worry about how he's going to "feel". Unless your personal safety is in danger, I'd just tell him plainly.
He's a drunk...there's NOTHING you can/will say that will make him happy--so forget about that.

Sounds like you're the band leader/manager. The leader has a responsibility to look out for the benefit of those under him/her. Even if it's unspoken, the other members of your group are expecting YOU to deal with these nasty situations. Leadership is MOSTLY "dirty work" and not nearly as rewarding as people expect it to be. You have a certain responsibility to kind of "protect" or sheild the band from this stuff. You have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the band and not any one member of it (including yourself). So if this guitarist is wasting everyone's time and frustrating the band, it's YOUR job to remove him from the group.

Marko5657 · #6 06-11-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

Yeah, he sounds like an alcoholic. Giving him an ultimatum will do absolutely nothing. He's not going to quit. All an ultimatum would succeed in doing is setting you up for further disappointment because...

+1

Plus the maturity level, mentality... bad match all around.

tycobb73 · #7 06-11-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadcam

well, he isnt that good of a guitarist anyway, he says he's been playing 9 yrs but struggles to get through the intro to Sweet Child O mine and cant play any leads at all. I actually had to teach him to play a few riffs and I'm the drummer, although I know a little guitar.

That intro isn't exaclty easy. Every guitar player we've had in our band can do it but they need some time to get it down. I would give him an ultimatum.

jaywa · #8 06-11-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

He had his shot and blew it.

Sounds like he's had way too many shots. Of Captain Morgan, Jack, Johnny Walker, etc.

He doesn't need to be in a band, he needs to be in AA. Firing him will probably be unpleasant but could be the wake-up call he needs to get his personal stuff together.

jaywa · #9 06-11-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

That intro isn't exaclty easy. Every guitar player we've had in our band can do it but they need some time to get it down.

Must not be very good guitarists in your neck of the woods, then. That intro is really not that hard.

PBass101 · #10 06-11-2009, 04:10 PM

You're not his mother, whether he drinks himself to death is his problem. Fire him and forget him.

Foamy · #11 06-11-2009, 04:13 PM

It's just a band, and he's just a guitarist. Boot him. Have his things packed so he can take them when he shows up, before he's started drinking. Then, get another guitarist.

jaywa · #12 06-11-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foamy

Have his things packed so he can take them when he shows up, before he's started drinking.

Great point. Do the deed before he gets a buzz on. Lot less chance of things turning ugly that way. And don't fall for the, "let's have a couple drinks and talk about this" thing. Alkies are very skilled manipulators.

Quadcam · #13 06-11-2009, 10:02 PM

I talked to him today, he called saying he might not make practice and I just told him, look the band thing isnt working out, you're drinkin is obviously more important than practice.

he just said "ok man, I got ya, I understand" and that was it.

meanwhile I have a lead and also a rhythm guitarist coming to try out next week. I've heard demos from both and both sound good it works out because the lead guy can sing backing and the rhythm guy can sing leads, my wife is actually the singer but there are just some tunes that just dont work with female vocals. Hopefully this was for the better, plus they are closer in age to the rest of the band.

Rudreax · #14 06-11-2009, 10:29 PM

I personally don't think age has anything to do it. I'm 18, playing in a punk/rock band with guys in their late 30's, and none of us have this problem to deal with. Some people are just flakes, and chances are they will be how they are no matter what age they are.

**Stumbo** · #15 06-11-2009, 11:20 PM

It was "Happy Hour" for him and socializing with his buds was/is more important than the band. It seems like he liked to say that he was "in a band" but didn't really like being in a band. Hasta la later, baby!

derekd · #16 06-12-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Sounds like he's had way too many shots. Of Captain Morgan, Jack, Johnny Walker, etc.

He doesn't need to be in a band, he needs to be in AA. Firing him will probably be unpleasant but could be the wake-up call he needs to get his personal stuff together.

Yep, there it is. You don't need the drama. Just think what he will be like on the gig at a bar where they are supplying the alcohol. Thanks but no thanks.

Frankly, I am of the opinion that when I am paid to play, I am on the job. Same as my day job. Any consumption of adult beverages comes after the gig for me.

chjohnst · #17 06-12-2009, 01:25 PM

Hit the road jack.

jaywa · #18 06-12-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadcam

I talked to him today, he called saying he might not make practice and I just told him, look the band thing isnt working out, you're drinkin is obviously more important than practice.

he just said "ok man, I got ya, I understand" and that was it.

meanwhile I have a lead and also a rhythm guitarist coming to try out next week. I've heard demos from both and both sound good it works out because the lead guy can sing backing and the rhythm guy can sing leads, my wife is actually the singer but there are just some tunes that just dont work with female vocals. Hopefully this was for the better, plus they are closer in age to the rest of the band.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it played out about as well as you could have hoped. Glad to hear it, and good luck with the new people.

wildhorse · #19 06-12-2009, 01:37 PM

You are doing the right thing quadcam. btw where did you come up with that screen name. I have an email address that is quadcam74. For the 4 cams in a Harley Sportster and the cubic inches.

Quadcam · #20 06-12-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildhorse

You are doing the right thing quadcam. btw where did you come up with that screen name. I have an email address that is quadcam74. For the 4 cams in a Harley Sportster and the cubic inches.

thats exactly where I got the name, my ironhead sporty, 4 andrews Y cams. Although my poor lil chopper project or "the mistress" as my wife calls her is up for sale. I need to pay my car off and free up some cash for monthly expenses (no thanks to child support and a greedy momma

)

heres a pic, minus some parts