Slap in the face

Gord_oh · #1 11-05-2009, 10:37 AM

So earlier this summer I was hanging out with some friends of mine. He happened to mentioned that they were thinking of getting rid of their current bass player. He smokes, drinks, gets arrested, punches the guitar player in the face, and has a kid on the way. I spoke up and said, "I play bass." They had no idea. So we talked about it for awhile and finally they said, "Practice the songs, learn them by ear and once you're gig ready we'll throw you in." AWESOME! Learning by ear isnt hard for me anyway. The past month I have been practicing their songs and getting them down. Last night I asked if they wanted to hang out, maybe jam a little and help me out with some parts. I get a text saying that (the guitar player) didnt really want to talk about the songs, and that they guess they dont need me now, that theyll keep the daddy to be drugie bass player. Talk about a total slap in the face...why the hell have I been practicing for a month?

Needless to say I am pretty mad, but I do strongly believe that things happen for a reason.

I do kinda hope he breaks his hand or something though, I would prefer that reason.

T-MOST · #2 11-05-2009, 11:06 AM

Maybe the old bassist cleaned up his act and stopped fighting the guitarist. Most bands would rather give the musicians they know the chance to "do better" before just cutting them from the band. However, they could have told you this was a possibility up front. Definately once they decided to keep the guy.

crayzee · #3 11-05-2009, 11:23 AM

Kinda crappy but that's the way it goes sometimes. Just keep practicing until you've got all the stuff they play down cold. Keep yourself ready and if they have another crisis with the current guy, tell them you know all their stuff and can jump right in.

Ultimately, it's never a waste to learn new material. Just add it to your repertoire.

Gord_oh · #4 11-05-2009, 03:33 PM

yeah all decent points.
i wish things could have played out in my favor, but what they did is understandale.
it would have been nice if they would have warned me, rather than saying i was in.

i do have some resentment, but i know it will pass.
idk, maybe things will turn in my favor.

Spinal Tapper · #5 11-05-2009, 03:52 PM

you'll be a better musician for it. practice is practice.

mrwink · #6 11-05-2009, 03:57 PM

they didn't slap you - you slapped yourself! You learned their songs... you lost nothing and gained leaning some tunes.

If you're worried about repeating this sitch again then, next time, call/text them along the way to talk tunes, check up on what your learning and all. Don't wait a month and then get mad that they didn't keep their focus on YOU - you have to sell yourself to them....

chances are this dude will screw up again and you'll be ready to roll - if you like the band don't slam the door shut!

TortillaChip520 · #7 11-05-2009, 07:43 PM

or just find a better band and shove it in their faces

"you guys wanna come to an awesome show? my band's closing..."

Gord_oh · #8 11-06-2009, 10:33 AM

i didnt wait to contact them.
i have been on contact for the last month, giving them updates.
it was just recently we were talking about just hanging out and i asked if we could
turn it into a jam session.

stflbn · #9 11-06-2009, 10:36 AM

You moved ahead with no commitment from them. They had no real reason to expect you to actually follow through, or what level of player you may be. They didn't even know you were a player. Before I learned everything I would have made sure they actually needed me and took my talent seriously.

No reason to feel 'slapped in the face'
(which remains one of my least fond yet most over-used comments that people use for being personally offended)

BigOldHarry · #10 11-06-2009, 10:39 AM

I was kicked out of my first band for similar reasons - I was 15 and wasn't quite ready...

I showed them. I still play, none of them do anymore (and I know them to this day).

Playing bass isn't about being in a band - it's about being a musician. So go be a musician!

wetzelman1 · #11 11-06-2009, 11:03 AM

I will always back a band who would rather keep a member than find a replacement as long as it was in the best interest of the band. Obviously I don't know what exactly happens with this band and you but adding a new member is very different than just having a different player playing the same instrument. But, I have a feeling you'll probably be getting a callback soon from them, the day of a gig, when the guy doesn't show, and you can show up and know all the songs and solidify yourself in the band.