abrubtly quitting?

[guroove]

Take the keyboardist with you.

 

[need4mospd]

Having a good reputation with a bad group of people is just as bad as having a bad reputation with a good group of people.

Leave now. Other physical dangers aside, playing that gig can ONLY hurt your rep.

 

[pstyle]

If you're making at least $100 from the gig, I'd play it and quit after. But I'm kind of a whore. (Can I say that here?)

 

[jnuts1]

Yeah i am a whore too, but i have plenty of bands willing to pay me. i chose these fools cause they were throwing down some decent funk & had gigs booked.

 

[countrybassist]

Do the gig Friday, and then AFTER the show and your gear is safe in your vehicle, nicely tell them that it's been great, but it's not the right gig for you.

 

[EricF]

I know you're ticked, but be the pro; give them notice - you're out after Friday's gig. Have all your gear packed up and out of your practice area before that show. Don't leave your drink(s) unattended and have fun one last time - if you can. Invite some good friends to the show to assist you in loading-out, this will help you out at the end of the night and reduce the chance of any confrontation with the other guys in the band.

This...but with one exception. Don't tell them until after the gig is over. "Sorry, guys, I can't do this any more. You'll need to find another bass player immediately."

As tempting as it is to quit now, people talk, and stories of you bailing out on a band right before a gig is not a reputation you want - even from losers like this.

 

[St Drogo]

He wouldn't be bailing out before a gig, would he? He would still play the gig.

 

[jnuts1]

"As tempting as it is to quit now, people talk, and stories of you bailing out on a band right before a gig is not a reputation you want - even from losers like this."

Well speaking of people talking i have had a few mutual friends of the band tell me to "get out now or risk looking like a fool." this last week.

 

[jnuts1]

"He wouldn't be bailing out before a gig, would he? He would still play the gig."

this is what i am asking, should i bail before the gig? my gut & half my brain tells me RUN! but the other half of my head says finish out the gig & then quit.

 

[Jim Carr]

Since this is NOT a professional situation where you have any obligation to these dopes, just quit right now. If you give notice before the gig, they will take the opportunity to rip you off or harm you.

 

[MX21]

Give them notice, then tell them you'll play Friday's gig under the condition that they get there on time, play on time, and don't get so wasted they can't play. Or whatever professional conditions you want to impose. If they don't agree to the most basic professionalism...

 

[St Drogo]

Do you have any idea how big these guys are in your scene? Are they connected, or are they widely perceived as losers? I mean, don't poop where you eat. If they can make things difficult for you in the long run, do the gig and then quit. If they can be easily marginalized in you future endeavours, get your stuff and make a break for it.

Normally the above reasoning shouldn't even come up IMO, as you should always give ample notice, but these guys sound worse than I've ever heard so...

EDIT: Ooh, Ooh! +1 to what MX21 said! Tell them you'll play the gig if they get there on time and whatever else you find important (like, stay sober, no smoke breaks when you're 2 hours late or whathaveyou). Get there on time and when they're not there when they're supposed to set-up, just pack up and leave. Maybe leave a message with the bartender.

 

[jnuts1]

"If they don't agree to the most basic professionalism..." I already told them NOT to do drugs last friday & they didn't listen. i really don't think he'll listen to me this time either, he kept telling me it would be cool & it definitly was not.

 

[jnuts1]

they are not that big in the scene but i felt they could be if they tried. they singer has a bunch of connections but i am not sure he can keep them. i have already heard a few stories from him about being "screwed" by some of his connections. but i think he might have it backwards.

 

[St Drogo]

If he's like this all the time, there's probably good reason for him to get "screwed" with his other connections. Those are probably guys just like you. Sounds like your bandmates have no idea they're being assmonkeys. Some people are like that, I suppose. Have they already told you how you're "totally not rock and roll, dude!"?

 

[notdavey]

If it's a paid gig and you are under contract to play Friday - then I am with the concensious to be a pro and do the last gig and then bid farewell.

 

[jnuts1]

i think this gig is cover charge thing & we make whatever amount comes through the door. so it could be nothing & i can't really say i am under contract.

 

[Rune Bivrin]

While giving notice and all that jazz is definitely the preferred method in the majority of cases, I really don't understand why you didn't quit that band on the spot during the last gig. I'm a mild mannered guy, but I would probably have done that. I know I would have grabbed my gear and never dealt with these guys again.

 

[ric stave]

"If they don't agree to the most basic professionalism..." I already told them NOT to do drugs last friday & they didn't listen. i really don't think he'll listen to me this time either, he kept telling me it would be cool & it definitly was not.

This is the main part that would have me never coming back. When you're hired 'as a professional', there are certain things expected of both sides. They blew it bad - even if you didn't tell them what you expected of them last show, they still acted completely unprofessional and if it were ME, I woulda quit that night. I still think you should right now. You do not owe this type of behavior any sort of 'notice'.


Oh, and drugs in my drink?

The police would be there - removing my foot from someone's arse.....

 

[Oh! Henry]

I say show up on time, set up and wait..............don't take any more responsibility than that.

If they show up over an hour late like last time and the owner starts asking you questions, just pretend you're a hired gun and say "looks like they aint showing up, I guess I'll just pack up and head on home" You hold up your end of the bargain by showing up prepared, the bar owner will recognise at least someone is proffessional (you), and you have a legitimate excuse to walk out and never talk to these jokers ever again.