ugh...drummers...

[manwiththedogs]

Our last drummer split because of some drama between his wife and the guitar player's g/f...sad, but it happens. Said guitar player brings in his unemployed brother to fill the spot. Drummer/brother volunteers to handle the bands internet stuff (website, myspace, blahdeblah) when I mention what a pain I think that stuff is. I tell him sure, go for it and hand over the keys.

Everything's moving along fine...been together about 3 months, 4 sets of cover tunes down + a few originals, demos done, gig's starting to get booked...etc. I figure everyones happy

Anyway, the singer calls me yesterday evening to tell me that somethings gone wonky on our myspace page. I tell him talk to the drummer, he tells me he's been trying to get in touch with him for two days with no luck and would I take a look/try to fix the problem. I log in (drummer had not changed the login or pw) and start poking around and eventually resolve the issue.
While I'm there I decide to check the inbox...turns out drummer boy's been scouting for another band and had an audition scheduled for today. No warning and he's doing this from the bands MS page, not his own personal one...duh. His explanation is that he's hurting for $$, being unemployed and all, and is looking to jump into a working band. Fine. Thing is, the singers wife and I have both offered to help him find work, she at her company and me thru contacts in the construction biz (he claims to be in home improvement).
What do you guy's think...is this dude worth the effort or should he just be let go?

[DWBass]

Gone!

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by manwiththedogs

What do you guy's think...is this dude worth the effort or should he just be let go?

What do you think? Do you really even need to ask the question?

Originally Posted by manwiththedogs

Drummer/brother volunteers to handle the bands internet stuff (website, myspace, blahdeblah) when I mention what a pain I think that stuff is. I tell him sure, go for it and hand over the keys.

In a way, it serves you right for having turned over so much power and control over the band's public identity to someone you hardly even knew, and whom you apparently didn't even bother to qualify. As if the website and MySpace page was some kind of trivial thing. What were you thinking?

MM

[manwiththedogs]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

In a way, it serves you right for having turned over so much power and control over the band's public identity to someone you hardly even knew, and whom you apparently didn't even bother to qualify. As if the website and MySpace page was some kind of trivial thing. What were you thinking?
MM

I guess I was thinking that I work between 60 - 70 hours a week at my regular job, spend two nights a week at rehearsal and would like to spend at least a little time with my family. That + the fact that he's a trusted friend's brother.
But, yeah...I see your point.

[TheDarkReaver]

people can be in 2 bands.

[louieeadg]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

people can be in 2 bands.

Ditto, bands aren't gangs, true you can't be in two gangs, but a band is a group of people who make music...I mean if the guy needs work, he needs work. He may not like construction or office jobs. If he gets along with everybody(socially and musically) and the other band doesn't conflict with you guys then I don't see a problem. Plus playing with other people could only help you guys out...ie, he'll be more versatile.

but if he's a pre-madonna then....

[chaosMK]

When the going gets rough, I fire them these days.

[GreyBeard]

That's the way it is these days. In any 5 pc band you'll have 2-3 that have a day job and 2-3 that don't and are always broke. The big problem is that the 2-3 that have a day job end up doing most of the work in the band as well. The 2-3 who don't have a day job arn't usually organized enough to keep it together.

[Zappstorius]

People do play in more than one band. Because you have a regular day job (as do the other members in the band I assume) and he doesn't, he has more time to devote to music.

I would personally ask him what his intentions are with the audition. Is he looking to join a second band, or leave your band for theirs?

If he's just looking to make some money and satisfy his musical itch by playing in two bands...great. If not, then maybe you need to start having your own auditions for drummers.

But if you don't actually have a conversation with him regarding this, you'll never know. And maybe end up making a bad decision that will make you and your band look really bad.

[MysticMichael]

I think you guys are missing a crucial point: The guy was misusing the band's online resources for personal purposes, and was sneaking around behind their backs, doing it on the sly. That doesn't exactly suggest the presence of a lot of integrity or character, now does it?

How many red flags does one need to see before he gets the message?

MM

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

I think you guys are missing a crucial point: The guy was misusing the band's online resources for personal purposes, and was sneaking around behind their backs, doing it on the sly. That doesn't exactly suggest the presence of a lot of integrity or character, now does it?

How many red flags does one need to see before he gets the message?

MM

Ok then, fire the guy, kick him out of the band right? Then you're back to square one, looking for a drummer, when you aren't even sure that the one you had wasn't interested in playing with you in the first place. The OP didn't say there were any performance issues, nor reliability issues.

[RADUB1]

Honestly, I don't have a big problem with it. This guy may not be the brightest guy in the world, but I don't think he was trying to be malicious. Let's be honest...he stepped in when you needed him, he took the internet stuff because it was a burden for you. I think if he was trying to be malicious, he at least would have changed the passwords. It looks like he stepped up twice when the band needed it. Find out his true intentions and give him a pass on this one....I have not heard one thing about him not being committed or being a bad drummer....a committed, good drummer, who is willing to help with band stuff is pretty valuable in my opinion. I have picked up side gigs before on my bands myspace site....remember, myspace is tha way a lot of people connect. Maybe with him handling all of the stuff for the band, he is on your myspace sight more often. I mean, I use my work email for personal/music stuff sometimes too....it doesn't mean I am leaving my job....

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by RADUB1

Honestly, I don't have a big problem with it. This guy may not be the brightest guy in the world, but I don't think he was trying to be malicious. Let's be honest...he stepped in when you needed him, he took the internet stuff because it was a burden for you. I think if he was trying to be malicious, he at least would have changed the passwords. It looks like he stepped up twice when the band needed it. Find out his true intentions and give him a pass on this one....I have not heard one thing about him not being committed or being a bad drummer....a committed, good drummer, who is willing to help with band stuff is pretty valuable in my opinion. I have picked up side gigs before on my bands myspace site....remember, myspace is tha way a lot of people connect. Maybe with him handling all of the stuff for the band, he is on your myspace sight more often. I mean, I use my work email for personal/music stuff sometimes too....it doesn't mean I am leaving my job....

+1 to this, what's the big deal? get some gigs and help a brother out! :-)

[QORC]

if the guy was intending to play in 2 bands, he would've been up front and told all of you.

My gut says that he's looking to leave your band.

begin launch sequence...

[Dkerwood]

I just have an issue with him using the BAND online presence to join up with another band... and especially not telling anyone else what's going on.

At best, he's not very bright. At worst, he's intentionally doing this behind your back. Talk to him, find out what on earth is going on.

[manwiththedogs]

Originally Posted by Dkerwood

I just have an issue with him using the BAND online presence to join up with another band... and especially not telling anyone else what's going on.

At best, he's not very bright. At worst, he's intentionally doing this behind your back. Talk to him, find out what on earth is going on.

The issue was resolved last night before rehearsal. John (the drummer) has managed to find employment and claims to be happy in our band.
He's no longer involved in managing the bands web presence - his decision, btw - and thing's seem to be on track.

Thanks for all the good advice...you guy's rock

[Robbiethebassis]

Well, does he suck or not? How hard is it to find a replacement?

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

Ok then, fire the guy, kick him out of the band right? Then you're back to square one, looking for a drummer, when you aren't even sure that the one you had wasn't interested in playing with you in the first place. The OP didn't say there were any performance issues, nor reliability issues.

Better to have an open spot to fill, than to have a member who can't be trusted. Yes, it's a hassle and it can temporarily delay the band's progress. But in the bigger picture, it also gives them an opportunity to find a replacement who can be trusted to conduct himself honorably - who can also play.

I understand that unemployment can drive one to desperate measures. But this guy was gaming the very people who were trying to help him. Frankly, there's been more than enough poor judgment here to go around. If this guy stays, I predict more drama yet to come. And it could very well bite the OP right in the *ss.

Mark my words...

MM

[manwiththedogs]

Originally Posted by Robbiethebassis

Well, does he suck or not? How hard is it to find a replacement?

He's a good drummer...maybe not the sharpest knife, but...
Finding a replacement? A major pain at this stage of the game.

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

If this guy stays, I predict more drama yet to come.

Mark my words...

MM

No offense, but I hope you're wrong

[RADUB1]

Glad to hear everything worked out! Good luck!