Would you do this or not? Old band...

Busker · #1 08-10-2007, 05:15 AM

My old band wants me to come back and do one more show with them. This kinda came out of the blue. I don't want to be a jerk to them, but...

Here's a brief timeline...

July 18th - I auditioned for a new band
July 19th - hired by new band
July 20th & 21st - played the only two gigs scheduled with old band, then quit after the last gig
July 22nd until now - working hard on new band's material
August 10th & 11th - first gigs with new band. Yup, that's tonight and tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, not too long after I quit, the old band found a new bass player. I'm glad for them, but now I've been told there's no way he'll learn all the songs by Aug. 24th (the singer/band leader/owner scheduled them for Aug. 24th to play a venue, assuming they were going to be ready with the new bass player, now it looks like he won't be ready). The guitar player, who I'm still friendly with, tells me the guy is a pretty good player, but not doing his homework.

They want me to fill in. Trouble is, the singer is a drinker, and not that good of a singer. He works the crowd well and all. He's a good enough front man, he's just not a great singer. Plus he flat-out ruined our first gig by getting totally blasted. The drummer is a drinker too. But he might be replaced too for all I know...

The guitar player wants me to call him today with an answer.

bugnut · #2 08-10-2007, 05:26 AM

I'd have no problem with doing the gig, having a few drinks, getting paid and keeping potential future work available to me.

bassicinstinct · #3 08-10-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugnut

I'd have no problem with doing the gig, having a few drinks, getting paid and keeping potential future work available to me.

+1.

If it's generally known that you are "sitting in" to help out, it is the band's reputation which is "on the line" and not yours IMHO.

If the singer decides to act like a jerk again, you can walk away at the end of the gig with your cash in your pocket and a clear conscience.

Just my £0.02 worth.

Messiah25 · #4 08-10-2007, 05:51 AM

Do the gig,
Have a few drinks,
Have a party and enjoy

P.S.
I would do the gig

The Tyler · #5 08-10-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassicinstinct

+1.

If it's generally known that you are "sitting in" to help out, it is the band's reputation which is "on the line" and not yours IMHO.

If the singer decides to act like a jerk again, you can walk away at the end of the gig with your cash in your pocket and a clear conscience.

This indeed.

Do it, but make sure you get paid.

c_joseph_lier · #6 08-10-2007, 08:05 AM

I say, help them out ... Karma will come ito play ... if you know the tunes and enjoy the MUSIC of it all, i say rock on if it doesn't conflict with your primary ... just, don't drop it if someone tries to schedule your main line after you accept ... keep your class ... MUSIC!

txbasschik · #7 08-10-2007, 09:14 AM

I'm essentially doing the same thing. Been taking some gigs here and there with some old bandmates when they need a bassist and I'm available. I don't have to work with them *all* the time, and I get paid. I much prefer being part of their stable of bassists than being in a full-time band with 'em. Especially with the leader. She's very autocratic, and pays *no* attention at *all* to tempo. I often wonder why she even bothers using a bassist at all. She doesn't like drummers...you know, they try to make you stick to a tempo and such.

But taking a little gig every now and then to supplement the pocketbook? 'sta bueno by me. I get to sing a few songs, too, which I don't get to do much of in my main project.

If you can keep your situation like that, it can be a good thing.

Cherie

Passinwind · #8 08-10-2007, 09:22 AM

I've been in that exact situation. I suggest you offer to play part of the show, but make/let the new bass player play part of it as well.

Geddyfleaharris · #9 08-10-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

I've been in that exact situation. I suggest you offer to play part of the show, but make/let the new bass player play part of it as well.

Now that reply has the ring of experience and wisdom to it. Excellant piece of advice as long as no one gets their egos out of joint.

Caca de Kick · #10 08-10-2007, 09:56 AM

I see no problem in doing the show.

Passinwind's advice is pretty good....
If it's a free gig, I'd go with his advice.
If you're getting paid, then do the whole show.

Busker · #11 08-10-2007, 01:00 PM

You guys will probably think I'm low, but I talked to the guitar player earlier and told him no. I found out the gig was scheduled only 3 or 4 days ago, that the bass player they got isn't working out and is already gone if the guitar player has anything to say about it, and that they now have some very heavy-handed drummer who plays LOUD. I just don't want to do it.

Thanks for your input, but I've mulled it over, and figure I did fulfill my obligation to these guys back when I played the two scheduled gigs with them. If the band leader wants to schedule further gigs without having the players in place, well, it's not my problem.

Passinwind · #12 08-10-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

You guys will probably think I'm low, but I talked to the guitar player earlier and told him no.

Not at all. I have a hard time saying no, and sometimes I wish I had after the fact. But in the case I referred to upthread it worked out pretty well.

invader3k · #13 08-10-2007, 01:31 PM

Seems like you made the right decision, given the circumstances. It sounds like this band doesn't really have their act together right now.

MarchingPig · #14 08-10-2007, 01:56 PM

I would have done the exact same thing. They shouldn´t have booked a show when they knew they weren´t tight enough to do it.

MysticMichael · #15 08-10-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busker

Thanks for your input, but I've mulled it over, and figure I did fulfill my obligation to these guys back when I played the two scheduled gigs with them. If the band leader wants to schedule further gigs without having the players in place, well, it's not my problem.

You made the right call. Under these circumstances, you certainly have zero obligation to them. So that makes the matter 100% discretionary on your part.

I too have been in your situation. And, having taken the gig, was once again vividly reminded of just why I was so eager to ditch that band of bozos in the first place...

Sometimes even the money is not compensation enough for all the aggravation one has to endure. If your gut tells you "no", then that's always the right answer. Onward and upward...

MM

Busker · #16 08-14-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

You made the right call. Under these circumstances, you certainly have zero obligation to them. So that makes the matter 100% discretionary on your part.

I too have been in your situation. And, having taken the gig, was once again vividly reminded of just why I was so eager to ditch that band of bozos in the first place...

Sometimes even the money is not compensation enough for all the aggravation one has to endure. If your gut tells you "no", then that's always the right answer. Onward and upward...

MM

Thanks all for your input and advice. Onward and upward indeed.

I guess I made the guitar player mad, or sorely disappointed him, or something. I emailed the him the other day, inviting him to call me if he wanted (he has free long distance, sometimes he'd call and we'd talk for an hour). But, he hasn't called. Hope I didn't make an enemy. C_jospeh_lier mentioned Karma up above. I guess I might have killed any good Karma coming my way from refusing. But I just didn't want to play another (possibly) crappy drunken show with a heckler yelling "you suck!" (like the first gig I played with them).

On a happier note, the gigs with the new band went well (except for some PA problems that caused a late start one night). I posted pictures of the Saturday, Aug. 11th gig on the "Show Your Band Onstage" (page 21) thread in this forum.