Should I take the gig or not?

capnsandwich · #1 06-07-2012, 04:45 PM

A local blues guitarist called me to ask if I could play a total 16 gigs with him this summer. Being that I do this full time and aren't really playing that much, this was a no brainer. I accepted his offer and got a song list from him. Most of the stuff is 12 bar blues, 1-4-5 turnaround stuff, easy! He has a few little funk songs with some tight syncopated parts so he wanted to get with me for a quick rehearsal before our first gig this Saturday.

Before today, he called 2 nights ago saying he was pulled over and needed me to pick him up or the cop was going to take him to jail. I asked him why and he said he was driving on a suspended license. I couldn't pick him up since I had a few drinks and there was no way I was going to go out like that.

So, today I go up to his house, a 45 minute drive, to go over these songs. I walk in and the first thing he says is to please excuse him because he has a crisis going on right now. I said OK and waited for him. I hear him calling his doctor and asking for a refill for his medication and that he needed it quickly because he's been out of it all week. I asked what he was on, just in casual conversation, and he said methadone. I thought to myself, "Oh crap, this dudes kicking a drug habit!"

So, he gets an appointment for today and then he continues to tell me that he's been struggling all week because he's been out of town and has needed to get a refill for the last week or so. Then he says he's been 2 years sober from a prescription painkiller habit he got back 1999 in Texas. But then he says, "Well, besides yesterday, I've been 2 years sober." I was like, "What happened yesterday?" He said that he was struggling with the sickness from being without his methadone that he needed something and his friend hooked him up with a lortab.

I'm listening to everything he's saying ans then he asks me, "Hey, you don't do anything do you? You don't smoke or do drugs at all do you?" I said no, although I drink from time to time. Then he asks me if I could pee in a cup for him. I was like, "No way. I cannot do that for you. I'm not getting in the middle of whatever is going on with you right now. I'm sorry but I just can't." He was cool and understood but he said his doctor was going to give him hell for the lortab.

OK, my question is this: every part of my inner being is saying this guy is out there and he's too much trouble for me to get involved with playing with him. However, I need gigs, a lot of gigs. I have a family to feed and bills to pay and I need a ton of gigs to make ends meet. The drummer is a cool guy who's playing with a fairly well known blues guy in Ohio and he's sticking with him. However, I just feel weird about this guy asking me to pee in a cup for him.

So, I need some help with this one guys.

UPDATE: READ POST 71

Biggbass · #2 06-07-2012, 04:51 PM

Run Forest Run!
Before long you'll be blowing into the court appointed breathalyzer installed in his car so he can start the engine
and drive under the influence.
16 gigs or not...this guy sounds like a manipulative loser. You're better than that.....I hope.

Run.

capnsandwich · #3 06-07-2012, 04:54 PM

But I'm afraid I'll miss out on $100 a night gigs. He's got a lot of work lined up and then he's still getting new dates almost every day.

gjbassist · #4 06-07-2012, 04:56 PM

Get out of there asap!

gjbassist · #5 06-07-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

But I'm afraid I'll miss out on $100 a night gigs. He's got a lot of work lined up and then he's still getting new dates almost every day.

Do you have concrete proof of these gigs or is this just what he is telling you?

capnsandwich · #6 06-07-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

Do you have concrete proof of these gigs or is this just what he is telling you?

I played with him once before and got exactly what he said he'd give me. He also sent me a list of the dates we're playing and they're all the way into September.

KTFunkAlive · #7 06-07-2012, 05:08 PM

I'd give the drummer a call, get his thoughts. The dude may be a bit of a mess but maybe takes his music seriously.

lowfreq33 · #8 06-07-2012, 05:08 PM

No way dude. There are plenty of $100 a night gigs out there, and this guy's waving way too many red flags. He'll probably do something to lose a bunch of those gigs before they roll around, if they even exist at all. Have you ever been in the vehicle when a cop finds narcotics on someone? EVERYBODY in the car goes to jail. Not worth it.

wong99 · #9 06-07-2012, 05:09 PM

You don't have to be the guys buddie to work with him.
I have worked with a few junkies. One thing that I can say is that they are usually pretty motivated to get the cash.

**AuBassMan** · #10 06-07-2012, 05:09 PM

When the difference between taking the gig or not taking it is food on the table for your family...well for me there would be no question.

keiththebassist · #11 06-07-2012, 05:12 PM

Don't pee in the cup, just play your bass in the pocket.

Only be as involved with the guy as you need to and make your paper. It would be far from the first time somebody did something they weren't super stoked to do so they could support their family. If you're not in danger than don't worry. Everybody on TB is always soooo worked up about a slightly unsavory character. You're not asking him to be the best man at your wedding! You're just playing some gigs and getting paid.

christianharger · #12 06-07-2012, 05:13 PM

As long as you remain as cautious and intentional as you are now, there's no reason for you to turn down the gigs / money.

jmattbassplaya · #13 06-07-2012, 05:17 PM

I think you can pull it off so long as you keep the guy at arms length.

NoiseNinja · #14 06-07-2012, 05:23 PM

He might have problems, but at least he is being honest with you.
If there's nothing wrong with him musically and he shows up at his appointments I can see no reason why you shouldn't work with him.

capnsandwich · #15 06-07-2012, 05:28 PM

Yeah, I was thinking that, as long as he's making his meetings and giving what he said he's give me, I'm still cool to play with him. I just don't like being asked to pee in a cup for anyone. My urine is mine, not yours.

Another story that I omitted from my OP is that I'm friends with his first bassist. He actually quit due to some stories he told me about not paying for cab fare, not helping with the load in/out, and only thinking about getting laid. Those were my friend's words. I don't know the whole story so I can only go on my story, and so far he's gotten me everything he said.

jmattbassplaya · #16 06-07-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Yeah, I was thinking that, as long as he's making his meetings and giving what he said he's give me, I'm still cool to play with him. I just don't like being asked to pee in a cup for anyone. My urine is mine, not yours.

Another story that I omitted from my OP is that I'm friends with his first bassist. He actually quit due to some stories he told me about not paying for cab fare, not helping with the load in/out, and only thinking about getting laid. Those were my friend's words. I don't know the whole story so I can only go on my story, and so far he's gotten me everything he said.

Just make sure it continues. I'm sure you don't need to be told this, but many people have their 'first impression face' and then their 'we have known each other long enough that I feel comfortable being the real me' face. The last bassist probably was dealing with the latter when he finally quit.

capnsandwich · #17 06-07-2012, 05:41 PM

It's funny because he told me I was the best bassist he could find but he went with my buddy because he said that I intimidated him. I've never said anything or did anything to him to intimidate him other than being twice his size. I told that to the first bassist and he told me to keep intimidating him and as long as he's intimidated by you, he'll get me what he promised.

N.F.A. · #18 06-07-2012, 05:45 PM

You sound like you've been around the block a time or two and can handle the whole situation. I say take the gigs. Might want to think about taking separate vehicles though. No chance for you to be blamed for someone else's illegal substances, stuffed under your seat. (Yes, it really happens!)

jjk2007 · #19 06-07-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keiththebassist

Don't pee in the cup, just play your bass in the pocket.

Only be as involved with the guy as you need to and make your paper. It would be far from the first time somebody did something they weren't super stoked to do so they could support their family. If you're not in danger than don't worry. Everybody on TB is always soooo worked up about a slightly unsavory character. You're not asking him to be the best man at your wedding! You're just playing some gigs and getting paid.

I'm gonna go with this.

DiabolusInMusic · #20 06-07-2012, 05:55 PM

Keep it professional, don't do anything illegal, and take the gigs, that is decent pay man.

I was the non-drinker in an alcoholic trio for a while, the pay was great and most nights were tons of fun, but the bad nights were rough. Not any different than playing with sober people really...