20 Years in the Same Band and I (still) have No Clout!

[51PRI]

Weird situation. We have a festival type gig coming up. Not a lot of money but in town but with sound and backline provided. One and a half hour set. So two days ago the band leader texted everyone to see if it was okay for an ex-member of the band (from before I was even in the band) to sit in for the gig "to help him out." I think financially he's having difficulties right now, as well as maybe some mental issues. Lead guitarist chimes in "fine with me...split $$$ equally" which was itself weird since, once before at this same festival, the BL got this same former member to come play with us, but didn't tell us beforehand, and the LG quit on the spot, not even playing that gig that night...he just left We played for two years without him until he asked to come back in the band and the BL let him come back. Then the LG typed "if he's genuinely strapped for cash he can have $$$ no problem." This was all fine with. Drummer or I never chimed in but it seemed to be set.

Okay, so today I got to thinking...we had played in this scenario before, back when I was keyboard player in the band. We went out of state to open for a very well known musician (RIP) and had a good time. So I got to thinking why not try to recreate that night?

So I typed "With Bob (not his real name) playing the festival with us why don't we get Jim (not his real name) to come back and play bass, I can play keys and we can recreate that night we opened for Clarence Carter (not his real name). BL quickly responded "Whatever you guys want to do. I'm not going to cut the money up to where its like $.57 apiece so just gonna give you guys $100 and then I''ll get my hundred dollars to Bob (not his real name). I typed "This festival has never really been about the money."

Lead Guitarist or Drummer didn't respond.

Have I been sufficiently dressed down?

 

[superheavyfunk]

I don’t see an issue here at all. Everybody is getting paid, everybody who wants to play is able to, and nobody has an active complaint about the situation.

What’s the problem? You just wanted the BL to say… something else?

 

[Heiwa]

"This festival has never really been about the money."

So they want money, that's fine

 

[klokker]

I do everything possible in my situation to discourage this "I have a friend" thing. Well, maybe the drummer has a friend who wants to play something. Maybe this, maybe that. I have a friend who wants to do sound etc. I dislike the whole thing immensely. As the bass player if someone has a friend who wants to "play bass" on one of our songs, it's an automatic no. But as others have said, from what you post there doesn't seem to be a problem.....yet.

 

[Dust2Dust]

Lead Guitarist or Drummer didn't respond.

Do they usually respond? (in similar situations, I mean)
. . . or would they typically respond if they had a problem with what's been said

 

[DWBass]

I really don't like sit ins!! They seem like impromptu auditions!

 

[Five or Six]

Weird situation. We have a festival type gig coming up. Not a lot of money but in town but with sound and backline provided. One and a half hour set. So two days ago the band leader texted everyone to see if it was okay for an ex-member of the band (from before I was even in the band) to sit in for the gig "to help him out." I think financially he's having difficulties right now, as well as maybe some mental issues. Lead guitarist chimes in "fine with me...split $$$ equally" which was itself weird since, once before at this same festival, the BL got this same former member to come play with us, but didn't tell us beforehand, and the LG quit on the spot, not even playing that gig that night...he just left We played for two years without him until he asked to come back in the band and the BL let him come back. Then the LG typed "if he's genuinely strapped for cash he can have $$$ no problem." This was all fine with. Drummer or I never chimed in but it seemed to be set.

Okay, so today I got to thinking...we had played in this scenario before, back when I was keyboard player in the band. We went out of state to open for a very well known musician (RIP) and had a good time. So I got to thinking why not try to recreate that night?

So I typed "With Bob (not his real name) playing the festival with us why don't we get Jim (not his real name) to come back and play bass, I can play keys and we can recreate that night we opened for Clarence Carter (not his real name). BL quickly responded "Whatever you guys want to do. I'm not going to cut the money up to where its like $.57 apiece so just gonna give you guys $100 and then I''ll get my hundred dollars to Bob (not his real name). I typed "This festival has never really been about the money."

Lead Guitarist or Drummer didn't respond.

Have I been sufficiently dressed down?

SOS with your band!

 

[thunesBARROW]

Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter………..

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter………..

NOT HIS REAL NAME!!!!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It seems like it would be good to get a final confirmation if you're switching instruments!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

BAND STUFF !!!!!!!!

 

[Jazzdogg]

If you want to have any chance to influence people, don't type a message. Talk, preferably face-to-face.

 

[TheReceder]

At least he had the decency to ask in advance. I had a gig where an "old friend" of the LG showed up, and while I was in the can the rest of the band got to talking and decided he should play a few tunes... didn't matter that he was drunk, and this was the first time I'd used a brand new EBMM HH at a gig. I caught flack from the band for saying no when the drunk came up to ask "what songs are you going to let me play. Later, I asked the LG if I had friends that wanted to play, could they use his gear. He told me no, that was completely different.

 

[bigboy_78]

If the BL's mate needs cash, the BL should just give him some cash. It isn't the bands problem at all.

It would've been hard NO from me, even if it appeared settled between the BL & guitarist already. I'd go without the $100.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

I somehow am the Band Leader of my band. Started off as the bass player who wrote most the music. Somehow became the singer and bass player and now i do most of everything as far as booking and promoting with some help here and there. I think I got the BL role because I’m the most stable emotionally/patient. After years I have learned when it comes to important stuff we talk face to face. Sometimes people are busy and can just make a quick reply or really don’t mind and think it’s fine not realizing they came off short. I’ve had to defuse a lot of band arguments that really were just misunderstandings… literally dudes arguing the same point for hours… at very least call your band leader after sometime and double check with him and make sure it’s actually okay. Who knows, your LG and BL may have talked before he sent the message out and that’s why his response seemed weird. Sorry for the long winded message but I hope that helps.

 

[mdogs]

Weird situation. We have a festival type gig coming up. Not a lot of money but in town but with sound and backline provided. One and a half hour set. So two days ago the band leader texted everyone to see if it was okay for an ex-member of the band (from before I was even in the band) to sit in for the gig "to help him out." I think financially he's having difficulties right now, as well as maybe some mental issues. Lead guitarist chimes in "fine with me...split $$$ equally" which was itself weird since, once before at this same festival, the BL got this same former member to come play with us, but didn't tell us beforehand, and the LG quit on the spot, not even playing that gig that night...he just left We played for two years without him until he asked to come back in the band and the BL let him come back. Then the LG typed "if he's genuinely strapped for cash he can have $$$ no problem." This was all fine with. Drummer or I never chimed in but it seemed to be set.

Okay, so today I got to thinking...we had played in this scenario before, back when I was keyboard player in the band. We went out of state to open for a very well known musician (RIP) and had a good time. So I got to thinking why not try to recreate that night?

So I typed "With Bob (not his real name) playing the festival with us why don't we get Jim (not his real name) to come back and play bass, I can play keys and we can recreate that night we opened for Clarence Carter (not his real name). BL quickly responded "Whatever you guys want to do. I'm not going to cut the money up to where its like $.57 apiece so just gonna give you guys $100 and then I''ll get my hundred dollars to Bob (not his real name). I typed "This festival has never really been about the money."

Lead Guitarist or Drummer didn't respond.

Have I been sufficiently dressed down?

Do you think your band is on the internet complaining about you as much as you are complaining about them?

 

[dune]

Have I been sufficiently dressed down?

Personally, I don't see how you've been "dressed down" at all.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Weird situation. We have a festival type gig coming up. Not a lot of money but in town but with sound and backline provided. One and a half hour set. So two days ago the band leader texted everyone to see if it was okay for an ex-member of the band (from before I was even in the band) to sit in for the gig "to help him out." I think financially he's having difficulties right now, as well as maybe some mental issues. Lead guitarist chimes in "fine with me...split $$$ equally" which was itself weird since, once before at this same festival, the BL got this same former member to come play with us, but didn't tell us beforehand, and the LG quit on the spot, not even playing that gig that night...he just left We played for two years without him until he asked to come back in the band and the BL let him come back. Then the LG typed "if he's genuinely strapped for cash he can have $$$ no problem." This was all fine with. Drummer or I never chimed in but it seemed to be set.

Okay, so today I got to thinking...we had played in this scenario before, back when I was keyboard player in the band. We went out of state to open for a very well known musician (RIP) and had a good time. So I got to thinking why not try to recreate that night?

So I typed "With Bob (not his real name) playing the festival with us why don't we get Jim (not his real name) to come back and play bass, I can play keys and we can recreate that night we opened for Clarence Carter (not his real name). BL quickly responded "Whatever you guys want to do. I'm not going to cut the money up to where its like $.57 apiece so just gonna give you guys $100 and then I''ll get my hundred dollars to Bob (not his real name). I typed "This festival has never really been about the money."

Lead Guitarist or Drummer didn't respond.

Have I been sufficiently dressed down?

I wouldn't say dressed down, just not agreed with.

 

[Bullitt5135]

Why doesn't the BL just help the guy out on his own and not involve the band? You know, like an actual friend would do?

 

[Sonoma Bass]

Clout? Unless you're Sting or Paul McCartney, when did a bass player ever have clout?