Unprofessional behavior?

[eotpr]

I am in this band with a guitard and a drummer. We were playing a gig Thursday night and at the beginning of a song that was sounding out of tune he stopped everyone and told the audience that was "a train wreck" and then started screaming at me to pay it in C. I cant get much more C than the C note on the A string. So I transposed it to the Bmthat he was playing. Well he found his C apparently Fender did put a 3rd fret on their Stratocaster. So it sounded out of tune again. So I then played it in C and it sounded OK. We recorded the gig so I can show him that it was he that was off.
1. How do you feel about stopping a song to restart?
2. I don't feel that was handled in the best manner. Do you agree?
3. Would you continue to play with him?
4. Do I push it and show him it was his screw up or let it ride?

[ysand]

1) During a gig? AWFUL!!
2)I totally agree
3) NO. I would show him the video, be sure he saw it was HIS mistake but he blamed YOU in front of the audience, and then kick him out or leave.
4)Read 3 above

[BetterBottomEnd]

Song restarts shouldn't happen but do and it's not the end of the world. He absolutely handled it wrong. Everyone should step back from their mic and figure out whats wrong then play it right. Show him the video and let him know what you think of it. If that's the way he normally treats you get outta there.

[davec]

[quote]Song restarts shouldn't happen but do and it's not the end of the world. He absolutely handled it wrong. Everyone should step back from their mic and figure out whats wrong then play it right. Show him the video and let him know what you think of it. If that's the way he normally treats you get outta there/QUOTE]

I have nothing to add. Song restarts are better than torturing your audience, but should not happen.

so +1

[Atomik Rooster]

Restarting a song should be a rare occasion, but it seems reasonable to me if it really kicks off badly and sounds like a train wreck in progress. I've been in that situation only twice that I can recall, but both times it was a good call. Trying to play our way out of them would've been an embarrassment and a disaster. Sometimes it's better to stop, apologize, and count it off again. Your audience will forgive you. As for the rest of it, unless this is something that happens a lot, let it go and move on. Mistakes will be made and everyone in the band will have their turn sooner or later.

[stylonpilson]

Originally Posted by eotpr

1. How do you feel about stopping a song to restart?
2. I don't feel that was handled in the best manner. Do you agree?
3. Would you continue to play with him?
4. Do I push it and show him it was his screw up or let it ride?

I think that it's better to restart a song than to submit the audience to three minutes of torture. If you can get the thing back on the rails without having to restart, then that's obviously ideal.

If you start a song and it's immediately (a) out of tune, (b) out of sync, or (c) out of tempo then stop and restart straight away.

I don't know what your guitarist's temper is usually like, but I think you should talk to him about what happened. If he can admit that he was mistaken then you should forgive him. If he maintains his innocence, even in the light of evidence which clearly shows that he was at fault, then you would be justified in refusing to play with him again. Maybe next time he'll a bit less hasty to lay the blame on his bandmates.

S.P.

[Stealth]

Personally, I'd outright ask him to step on the same stage and apologize. Or, if he didn't, I'd put the blame where it really belongs.

[lamonica78]

1. How do you feel about stopping a song to restart?

The way he handled it sucked, but in general it's ok if it happens once in a while. It's happened to us...we stop it, make a joke and then just kick back in.

2. I don't feel that was handled in the best manner. Do you agree?

Totally agree.
3. Would you continue to play with him?

Is this normal behavior for him? If so, nope
4. Do I push it and show him it was his screw up or let it ride?
You can show him, but I bet you he'll still find a way to spin it and tell you it's your fault. I've played with guitarists who never thought they were wrong.....and that's why they still play in their basement without a band

[Phalex]

Restarting a tune because the guitard starts in the wrong key happens with the best of them. It's an occupational hazard. Making a stink about it is certainly not helpful, but it's certainly not the worst problem you could have.

[eotpr]

He does have a caustic disposition. We lost our gal that was singing with us because of it. I guess I should hunt around and leave this mess. The two biggest A holes I have played with have both been my age. It kind of stinks.

[invader3k]

He probably won't admit he made a mistake even after listening to the recording. I'd walk at that point. He's not going to get any better. People like that rarely do...it's always someone else's fault.

[rappa29]

Originally Posted by eotpr

I am in this band with a guitard and a drummer. We were playing a gig Thursday night and at the beginning of a song that was sounding out of tune he stopped everyone and told the audience that was "a train wreck" and then started screaming at me to pay it in C. I cant get much more C than the C note on the A string. So I transposed it to the Bmthat he was playing. Well he found his C apparently Fender did put a 3rd fret on their Stratocaster. So it sounded out of tune again. So I then played it in C and it sounded OK. We recorded the gig so I can show him that it was he that was off.
1. How do you feel about stopping a song to restart?
2. I don't feel that was handled in the best manner. Do you agree?
3. Would you continue to play with him?
4. Do I push it and show him it was his screw up or let it ride?

1. If it starts off with a serious problem (i.e. everyone in different key or time sig) and you can't get it together within 4 bars, then IMHO a restart is absolutely necessary! We did it once when we completely botched the timing on the intro of a Zeppelin tune. The drummer, me and guitar player were pretty much all on a different 1. We stopped. Looked at each other and started it over correctly. No words, no shouting, no comments.
2. Completely unprofessional. Regardless of who's fault it is, there's no need to tell the audience or say out loud that things are screwed. It's pretty obvious at that point if you stopped! Arguing on stage with live mics projecting every word to the crowd is the epitome of unprofessionalism. It only works if you're Axl or Oasis and even then it doesn't work!
3. No.
4. Up to you.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by eotpr

He does have a caustic disposition. We lost our gal that was singing with us because of it. I guess I should hunt around and leave this mess. The two biggest A holes I have played with have both been my age. It kind of stinks.

Just bail.

[ryco]

Restarting depends on the room and the mood of the audience.

If we wrecked we'd laugh it off and move on to the next song.

Your guitarist was totally out of line to bawl you out in front of an audience.
I'd ask if he'd want to see the tape. If he's always like this why would you even want to stay? Life's too short

[Croox]

i would have kicked his ass off the stage.
but after the show I would have parted ways with them, that is completely uncalled for.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by eotpr

I am in this band with a guitard and a drummer. We were playing a gig Thursday night and at the beginning of a song that was sounding out of tune he stopped everyone and told the audience that was "a train wreck" and then started screaming at me to pay it in C. I cant get much more C than the C note on the A string. So I transposed it to the Bmthat he was playing. Well he found his C apparently Fender did put a 3rd fret on their Stratocaster. So it sounded out of tune again. So I then played it in C and it sounded OK. We recorded the gig so I can show him that it was he that was off.
1. How do you feel about stopping a song to restart?
2. I don't feel that was handled in the best manner. Do you agree?
3. Would you continue to play with him?
4. Do I push it and show him it was his screw up or let it ride?

1. Stopping a song to restart is sometimes the best, though never ideal thing you can do to "fix" the problem.
2. It was not handled in the best manner at all.
3. I would never play another time with someone who screamed at me, particularly as he's screaming at you for his mistake.
4. I wouldn't push it, not because I can't, but because that guy doesn't deserve a single millisecond more of my time/attention/consideration.

Best to you.

[magickbass]

Originally Posted by eotpr

I am in this band with a guitard and a drummer. We were playing a gig Thursday night and at the beginning of a song that was sounding out of tune he stopped everyone and told the audience that was "a train wreck" and then started screaming at me to pay it in C. I cant get much more C than the C note on the A string. So I transposed it to the Bmthat he was playing. Well he found his C apparently Fender did put a 3rd fret on their Stratocaster. So it sounded out of tune again. So I then played it in C and it sounded OK. We recorded the gig so I can show him that it was he that was off.
1. How do you feel about stopping a song to restart?
2. I don't feel that was handled in the best manner. Do you agree?
3. Would you continue to play with him?
4. Do I push it and show him it was his screw up or let it ride?

1) Unprofessional. A sign of a band that is not playing as a unit yet. Not the worst thing.
2) Completely!
3) Perhaps. I would confront him about the manner in which it was handled. And, if, he realized his error and apologized I would continue to jam with him.
4) Most definitely! This is the cornerstone to your argument that is was handled wrong(see issue #2). He should know where the problem is coming from before addressing you.

Best of luck to you and be sure to keep us informed of the progress, resolve.

[BassChuck]

This is over the top. Obviously the guy has some issues. If he's capable of this kind of thing, what else could he do? Time for a new gig.

[eotpr]

I got a message last night from another established playing band that they would like to get together with me. I think I will be meeting them Friday. I have their set list and recordings of their songs. If this works out then Old Dogs will be looking for a new bassist.

[staindbass]

all done... NEXT ! johnny a