Is this unreasonable? Ex Band drama.

**Josh Ryan** · #1 09-12-2007, 02:57 PM

rthrthrthrgh

tZer · #2 09-12-2007, 03:10 PM

Are you under any sort of contractual agreement - handshake or otherwise?

Do you actually have your bass tracks physically in your possession and won't release them or do they have them and are you insisting that they simply not use what you recorded?

It seems that if you are not otherwise obligated and you actually hold in your possession the bass tracks, then the point is moot. They need to replace you and have the new guy lay tracks unless you find it in your heart to hand the tracks over to them. And unless there is a compelling reason - legal or ethical - that you should hand them over, the discussion is done. They don't have the parts and you don't have to hand them over if you don't feel like it. Technically, I think the work-product that was created by the band while you were a part of it is 'owned' by the band - so it seems that you should let them have the tracks and you should just move on. But possession is 9/10ths, right? If you have possession, then it seems to be your call.

But if they have the tracks you recorded while you were a part of the band, it could be said that the band owns those tracks and can either choose to use them or not regardless of what you think. If you wanted a say in what tracks got used and what did not, you should have stayed in and kept your voice. You quit, right? They shouldn't have to suffer because you decided you were done.

need4mospd · #3 09-12-2007, 03:13 PM

If they find a new bass player, he won't want those recordings sticking around anyways. I say give it to them. From what it sounds like, not many people will listen to those recordings long enough to care who the bass player is.

**Josh Ryan** · #4 09-12-2007, 04:16 PM

08--08888

theshadow2001 · #5 09-12-2007, 04:32 PM

Re record the bass tracks with each note a tritone higher then give it to the band. They wont use it problem solved.

fenderhutz · #6 09-12-2007, 04:33 PM

Who paid for the studio time?

meev992 · #7 09-12-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blisshead

My take is that I do not want to be represented by that recording.

That's the same reason why many classical composers burned compositions that they felt was not up-to-par. More power to you.

**Josh Ryan** · #8 09-12-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Who paid for the studio time?

My home rig was used for my tracks.

**Josh Ryan** · #9 09-12-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

That's the same reason why many classical composers burned compositions that they felt was not up-to-par. More power to you.

8--80----

**Josh Ryan** · #10 09-12-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Re record the bass tracks with each note a tritone higher then give it to the band. They wont use it problem solved.

that would be funny, but I'm not putting in the effort.

meev992 · #11 09-12-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blisshead

that would be funny, but I'm not putting in the effort.

put it into "windows sound recorder" and double the pitch or speed, u could do it in like, two minutes.

IanStephenson · #12 09-13-2007, 05:06 AM

If they'd put time/money into the recordings I can see that they'd feel they have some rights to them. They're not worth anything to you, but I understand you don't want to be asociated with the project. Let them have the tracks on the understanding you are NOT credited, or named.

Be the bigger man... It's just easier, and keeps everyone happy - maybe you don't want anything more to do with these guys, but I'd bet they know other people. Word could get round how you held their recording to ransom - the exact truth getting lost in the repetition. Once they have the tapes they'll quickly be forgetten, but if you hold on to them they'll be bitching about it to every musician in town for years.

Ian

invader3k · #13 09-13-2007, 07:01 AM

Well, you could always charge them for the recordings.

tZer · #14 09-13-2007, 07:24 AM

Blisshead - since there is no obligation and you are in possession, then your problem is pretty much how you feel about not letting them have the tracks.

If you are OK with it, than it's a done deal. Is it unreasonable? Eh... Bands and drama are like peanut butter and jelly - Laurel and Hardy. Trying to avoid drama in a band is like trying to dodge raindrops.

hunta · #15 09-13-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tZer

Trying to avoid drama in a band is like trying to dodge raindrops.

My name is Neo!!!!

Oh wait, no it isn't.

Christopher · #16 09-13-2007, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blisshead

I do posses the track, and am under no agreement to give it to them.

I will not be finding anything good in my heart re: that band, as part of the reason I left the group was the dishonest way in which the singer, who was supposed to be the drummer, treated me.

We did have an agreement that anything we create in the band reverts to the original owner/creator unless we had been playing material out live or had "released" it as a demo/album, neither of which is the case.

Sounds clear to me. I'd tell them to shove off.

BELLATOR · #17 09-13-2007, 10:06 AM

If you wrote the bass lines I think you own them, especially if you are under no contractual agreement. It sounds like they don't deserve your work. Give them nothing...

invader3k · #18 09-13-2007, 10:12 AM

In that case, I would simply tell them "Sorry, guys, but I don't have any interest in my work being part of your recording. Let your new bass player record those parts. Good luck..." and leave it at that.

Geddyfleaharris · #19 09-13-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Re record the bass tracks with each note a tritone higher then give it to the band. They wont use it problem solved.

that's hilarious!

bluestarbass · #20 09-13-2007, 12:39 PM

Someone hinted at this. If it were me id give them 2 choices. Either A. You take the recordings without the bass parts on them. or B. You pay me as a studio bass player and engineer for the time it took you to track the parts. If they want the bass parts that bad they will pay you a fair rate for the tracks.

Lots of good studio bass players have played on bad tracks, but the money helps alleviate the problems.