What's the best way to kick your drummer out?

D Von · #1 05-14-2006, 10:31 AM

Ok, so my band hates our drummer. He is a great drummer and can hold time very well, it's his personality which is forcing us to replace him. Whenever we go to a gig, or anywhere for that matter, my guitarist and I always feel embarresed because of his presence. He will bring up some of the dumbest **** in front of the wrong people making our band look like a bunch of well, fags.

My guitarist has been friends with the kid for a long time and has had to put up with his crap merely because he was a drummer and there were no others. I, on the other hand, came into the band with one thing on on my mind, becoming successful.

The drummer, Zack, feels that we are not ready to move forward yet and try to get our name out which is complete crap because we've heard from many people that we are ready.

Now, you may be thinking "well, there's like three reasons right there why you should kick him out" and I totally agree. But, we feel that kicking Zack out of the band would make him go into a deep state of depression because he literally has no other friends.

So, do any of you guys have any ideas on what we could say or do to make this easier?

hartke20g · #2 05-14-2006, 10:50 AM

same thing happened with my old band only with the 'singer' (he also literally has no friends). just either kick him out and tell him why, or get everyone else (or the most talented person) to quit. i had my guitarist quit the old band, and right when he did, the 'singer' decided to stop the band, which IMO was a total a$$hat thing to do (regardless of the fact that i actually wanted to kill the band) but it even showed how inconsiderate he was (which is what you're trying to show your drummer).

spudmaster34 · #3 05-14-2006, 10:55 AM

just get everyone else to quit then re-form a new band without him

fr0me0 · #4 05-14-2006, 11:05 AM

have you tried talking to him about his attitude? have you explained how it is a poor reflection on the band? have you asked him why he doens't think you guys are ready and asked him what he thinks needs to be done to get ready?

Bassic83 · #5 05-14-2006, 11:19 AM

Get a drum machine and set it on his throne.

Or, throw him out of the band van (at high speed, perhaps?) on the way home from a gig.

Or, just tell him straight out he's an @$$ and to leave. Now.

fr0me0 · #6 05-14-2006, 11:24 AM

you could also ask everyone to put their hands up if they are in the band and then when he starts to say whoa not so fast. But i'd try talking to him first, good drummers are hard to find, and they are all a little weirf.

FrigginChris · #7 05-14-2006, 11:58 AM

this one is easy, spray him with gasoline and light him up. then proceed to say "anyone who is not on fire is still in the band"

steve21 · #8 05-14-2006, 03:00 PM

Stop putting pizza on your front porch.

Woodchuck · #9 05-14-2006, 03:16 PM

Next time you order a pizza, give him the wrong address!

BassChuck · #10 05-14-2006, 06:49 PM

The band members are responsible for the quality of the music the band makes. They are not responsible for the mental well being of the drummer, or anyone else in the band.

Bands are social, music and business organizations. All three of these things need to be balanced. Whatever is the most important will determine what kind of group you have. Take charge and make the band what you want it to be.

MikeBass · #11 05-14-2006, 06:55 PM

Try this:
When he shows up say:
"Your fired"
Grab your pizza, pay and tip him, close the door.
Enjoy your pizza!

Flatbass · #12 05-14-2006, 07:39 PM

Getting everyone to quit and then reform the band, seems like a bad idea to me. Your drummer may go into a deep state of depression when he finds out.

You'd better be honest with him.
Maybe I'm the only who thinks this, but: there may be a reason why he doesn't have friends...

?

Justice · #13 05-14-2006, 07:50 PM

Just walk up to him and say...

"I break with thee, I break with thee, I break with thee."

And then throw dog poop on his shoes.

Steve · #14 05-14-2006, 08:33 PM

It's called problem transferal. You don't fire him. You give him the option of staying or going.

"This is what we as a band need from you: Blank, blank and blank. If you're not comfortable with that, we need to know why so we can get you comfortable with that or we need to part ways".

Done. Over. No drama. No angst.

D Von · #15 05-14-2006, 09:11 PM

lol you guys are awesome. were just gonna kick him out for simply bein a dickhead. let's keep this thread goin, i want stories about how you guys got rid of your band members hahaha!

seventai · #16 05-14-2006, 09:34 PM

have sex with his mom. that has always worked for me.

i once got rid of chick that follwed me around for a month by leaving her at a party so she would follow some other guy home. you may wanna try that too.

Akami · #17 05-14-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikertrash82

It's called problem transferal. You don't fire him. You give him the option of staying or going.

"This is what we as a band need from you: Blank, blank and blank. If you're not comfortable with that, we need to know why so we can get you comfortable with that or we need to part ways".

Done. Over. No drama. No angst.

I'm not a big fan of having to make people feel good about themselves when all they do is make things tough on everyone around them.

I completely agree with this post though.
Put the ball in his court; change or you're gone before dawn.

MakiSupaStar · #18 05-15-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatbass

Getting everyone to quit and then reform the band, seems like a bad idea to me. Your drummer may go into a deep state of depression when he finds out.

You'd better be honest with him.
Maybe I'm the only who thinks this, but: there may be a reason why he doesn't have friends...

?

Bump. Kind of weak. Straight up confront your problems before they manifest into different things. Talk to him. If the only problem you have with the guy is how he acts, then tell him to chill. Perhaps fine him with a unanimous band vote. Ok who thinks what he said was stupid. Or have fun with it. Inbetween songs have the audience vote. If they all agree that it was stupid, then he gets fined. So now you've got a drummer, and you've got something add to your act. Personally, I'm really hesitant to fire a drummer, because a good one is hard to find. I have a tendency to tolerate personality quirks if the guy can keep steady time.

guy n. cognito · #19 05-15-2006, 11:28 AM

Tell him what you expect. Explain to him what he is doing wrong and what he needs to do to correct his behavior. Givee him a time frame in which to fix his problems. I'll guarantee that this kid doesn't have a clue that you are annoyed by his behavior.

invader3k · #20 05-15-2006, 12:19 PM

This seesms like one of those problems that could actually be solved if people in the band were talking to each other.