so this guest guitard shows up....

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by eg320

Was playing a big Halloween party in cover band, and this friend of BL shows up.....wheels an amp and effects on stage, takes over a huge portion of stage including my mic, and seems to think that it's okay. Good thing he didn't sing or know most of the material.

Am I missing something? Seemed really not cool. First two sets before he showed up were good.....then it spiraled downhill. Other guitarist next to me was also pissed. Bad band karma......

What do you think?

Originally Posted by eg320

The interesting part was he came to side of stage as we were playing....wheeling in an amp and just quick set up and started playing. He's a friend and former guitar teacher of BL, and while I usually enjoy guest players......I guess I didn't appreciate his taking over. I sing most of the backup harmonies and couldn't get to my mic, so I just headed to other side of stage.

First two sets sounded pretty good.....third and forth were amateurish and sounded like a jam band.

Overall a fun gig but not our best performance.

Since your BL didn't do anything about anything, everything he did was okay by your BL.

And because it was a previous teacher of his, he let the guy do whatever he wanted.

You solved the problem by going to the other side of the stage.

In the past I would have been upset by stuff like this. Since it was a one-off deal and when other people sat in, it was enjoyable for you, I say life it too short to get upset by minor stuff like this.

Have fun...you're playing music and getting paid!

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by JMac4strngr

Awesome, aside from a chokeslam or an atomic elbow drop off of the top rope, This is exactly what I would've done!

... then polish him off with a suplex.

[VitalSigns]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

... then polish him off with a suplex.

Nooo, everyone knows a suplex is a set up move for a finisher....

[woodsideh]

A band I was with would require anyone that sit in have to put a $50 "suck deposit" in the tip jar. The player would get it back if the band determined he didn't suck.

[BrotherEarl]

I have a policy where "guests" need to attend a rehearsal prior to getting up on stage and playing so that everyone is on the same page.

It also puts some pressure on the newcomer to actually add something to the song/experience rather than just being a situation where were graced with his presence.

[Factor88]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

In the past I would have been upset by stuff like this. Since it was a one-off deal and when other people sat in, it was enjoyable for you, I say life it too short to get upset by minor stuff like this.

Have fun...you're playing music and getting paid!

Finally a voice of sanity amid the tempest of internet tough guys.

[ChrisB2]

^ Yeah it's easy to say (type) that you would pee in his car or be violent... different story being there and in the actual situation.

Originally Posted by eg320

Am I missing something? Seemed really not cool ... What do you think?

Um, yeah, totally not cool in the least. I'm like you, I would've just scooted over but I would've been majorly pissed.

Hopefully your BL apologized or otherwise admitted his mistake. If not I would be feeling a little, um... uncommitted...

It's fine to be all "life's too short" and "minor stuff" about it, but I don't like working with inconsiderate people.

[Stewie26]

At least he did not set his amp up right in front of your rig and block your speaker cab. I had this happen like 15 years ago on a small stage during an open mic night.

[DwaynieAD]

shoulda balltapped him then walked off stage

[plankspanker13]

How critical are those backing vox parts? If they are critical enough, then you need to have elbows like Gordie Howe...and use them.

[sobie18]

I did a recent gig with a new band and the BL mentioned that one of his old bass players was in the audience. I told him that I am NOT going to give up my bass chair and let him sit in. I don't play second fiddle to anyone on a gig. If (insert you favorite bass players here) is in the audience, they're gonna sit there and listen to me play. Now, if it's an open mic gig, then I know my purpose in life.

But some clown showing up and trying to derail the situation at hand isn't cool in my book...

[electracoyote]

Bands without rules are bands made of fools.

Bad on the BL. Very bad.

Time for a good long heart-to-heart about appropriate professional demeanor, and how to discuss things up front instead of just springing unpleasant surprises on everyone.

[busmandan]

I was in a band once where the guitarist from the drummer's old band had a nasty habit of showing up at our gigs expecting to sit in. He was a raging alcoholic and was usually at least partially plastered each and every time as well (His wife came with him one night as a hedge to make sure he made it home. After spending a couple of minutes in her presence, I started to understand why the guy drank, though). The BL always went along with it, and I totally resented the fact that I had to hold things together while the drunguitard played. I let to be known to the drummer that the next time his buddy showed up that he'd be playing solo - I wasn't playing along again. Didn't set well with the drummer, and was likely a factor in them firing me a few months later.

They never learned, though. I heard from a club owner (my current band played at his club after the old band had) that the drunguitard showed up at at one of their gigs in his club and caused such a scene that he won't book them again.

[delta7fred]

I was in a band a few years ago where the girl singer thought it was a great idea to invite other girl singers up. They were either dreadful and made us sound like a bunch of chumps or (very occasionally) way better than her and made her sound like one.

It all got out of hand as some thought they had licence to get up every time they saw us. To try and combat this we had an old mic on a stand just for them. Usually they were too drunk to realise that they were not coming through the FOH but just the monitors. One night one did realise and stole our singers mic for the rest of the set. She then saw the errors of her ways and had a hard job stoppping them.

Fortunately my current band has a policy of NO guests at all. Our singer/guitarist likes everything rehearsed to the n'th degree so throwing in an unknown player is definitly out.

[Kmonk]

The BL should have asked everyone before the gig how they felt about having someone join the band on stage. He also should have understood the personality of the his former teacher and whether or not he would fit in. Very unprofessional on his part.

[bluewine]

We occasionally will have someone sit in on harp, however it's something I am completely against but it's not my call.

I wish tbers would disclose the mean age of the band because this story sounds totally "high school" to me.

Off topic:

I will spend an hour at the gym tonight then get ready for our 9:30 to 1:30 gig tonight.

I have to get in the mood because right now I feel like I'm going to work as in a regular job.

Blue

[Ubersheist]

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

Friends of the band/venue don't need permission to play/touch/join in, on any song the band is playing. Make sure you have indentified these people before the show.

Band leader really dropped the ball for the OP, no question about it. Most of the bands that I've been in or are in have no problems with people sitting in. However, they're a very select few who we know have great ears for music, will mostly add a fill or a solo here and there, won't step on anyone's toes, and that we can adapt our playing to well. The most important part is having the good ear for music. If they don't have that, we don't let them up ever.

Sorry to hear about that, but maybe the BL will learn.

[Groovy_Gravy]

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

Friends of the band/venue don't need permission to play/touch/join in, on any song the band is playing. Make sure you have indentified these people before the show.

THIS ^

[f64]

I've been there and use this as an example for the future. Communication is the key. In this 3 year old band with seasoned musicians we had a gig last year and the BL had someone sit in for part of the last set. He fumbled around with settings, took too long to get set and destroying the tempo of what we had going. When we finally restarted 2 strings of his guitar were out of tune. I can't tell you what happened next, but what it did do was force some issues to the surface that were brewing. This wasn't the BL's first sit-in. We had a quick meeting before the following night's gig and all agreed that this was "our" band and that any sit-in's had to be agreed upon by everyone in advance. You can’t erase history but you can protect your interests for down the road.

[MarkMgibson]

Your supposed band leader is a complete git! You should give him a right earful about it, and tell you're just not putting up with that sort of nonsense. I've jumped on stage with other bands many times, but only after I was asked, and then introduced.

Still, if it happens again, after the first song, walk up to microphone and thank the "guest" in question, unplug him if he doesn't get the hint, and then take him out the back and give him a good kicking after the set (just kidding...sort of). In truth though, I've played with people who would have given someone a hiding for taking those sort of liberties. Bring it up and your next rehearsal and make it very clear that you were not amused. I'm guessing the rest of the band will probably agree.