Am I Wrong to Walk Away

[Dark Star Wars]

Been playing in a cover band for about 3 months. When I joined the drummer (who was also new) was 100 percent on point. True pro. Because he wasn't always available, BL brought on a new drummer. Defiantly a big step down. Last week we played a nightmare of a show, drummer didn't even know basic parts (on a song that start with drums and then bass no less). tempos were off, kept slowing down.

I was super pissed.

I tell BL - hey man you need a new drummer, he insists on working with this drummer sending me texts saying "Drummer has ben practicing 4 times this week and I think hell be good to go for NYE show."

I told him "Drummer has had 3 months to learn this, I don't see him magically learning and improving in 15 days, when he couldn't or wouldn't do it in 3 months."

He won't get a sub for drums - but he will get a sub for bass (me) I know I'm emotional and immature and fairly crazy (esp about bands) but I'm torn between wanting to play the NYE show, and continue with the band, OR trusting my instinct to know that drummer won't cut it, and at BEST maybe squeak by.
AM I being to harsh to tell BL - "current drummer failed, he sucked on stage at a gig, and that's game over for me. Happy to play with a good drummer but his guy stinks and has had 3 months to get it toethgert..

BL says "I know you don't think he can do it, but I believe he can..."

TLDR: new drummer ruined a show because he didn't know songs and dragged the tempo, but now after 3 months, he will magically learn the songs and be ready for a gig in 15 days. I like playing with the band but this new drummer sucks. Should I pass on this gig and possibly this band until they get a decent drummer.



Sorry for the blog, but BL thinks drummer is improving and will be ready , I just don't see that happening...

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Fire yourself and form another band with the old drummer would be my suggestion.

 

[Biggbass]

Life is too short to play with bad drummers.

 

[Leo Smith]

Walk away.

 

[GKon]

Playing with a bad drummer sucks.
Playing with a bad drummer who's had 3 months to get better and hasn't but the BL thinks he'll do better sucks even worse.

 

[ArtechnikA]

I guess as long as he was defiant...

 

[sean_on_bass]

If they are painful to play with, then i think the only option is to walk. Maybe give them one more chance though and see how it pans out. It's even possible the other band members will see the light after the next performance and search for a new drummer.

 

[Dark Star Wars]

I guess as long as he was defiant...

haha you MF'er! Thought that word looked a lil funny.

 

[gln1955]

Not knowing all the songs may be fixable, but bad timing is a fatal flaw in a drummer. Follow your instincts and avoid the frustration of playing with this guy.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

Tell the BL that you'll play the show. Santa mask optional.
Any time the drummer stuffs up, you'll hold him, BL, accountable.
Get paid. Go home.
Then tell him you're leaving for 2 reasons.
1 the drummer sucks
2 the BL is an egotistical jerk.

 

[akukulich]

I think it's fine to walk away from the gig. The clear indications are that it's not going to work out, at least not in the short term. If you committed to playing NYE, I'd suggest you honor that commitment and do the gig with as little drama as possible. As soon as the check clears, let the BL know you're moving on and leave it at that.

 

[Chickenwheels]

haha you MF'er! Thought that word looked a lil funny.

Lol

 

[selowitch]

I want to play with a drummer who is better than I am as a bassist.

 

[LaMarr]

"Your band is only good as the drummer" - Some wise man.

 

[Grinderman]

"Wrong" certainly isn't what I'd call your decision. It's just a decision.

 

[Pocket Dave]

I feel ya, but both you and the BL may be missing a few things.

1. BL should better understand that the bassist and drummer have to gel. Assuming you're not suffering some kind of epic breakdown in self awareness, i.e. that you're the solid one in the rhythm section, the BL should have some degree of trust when you tell him the drummer's not going to work out.

2. You mentioned the BL has offered to get a sub for you rather than the drummer, that you get kind of crazy and immature in band matters. Sounds like you may have overplayed your hand with the guy who books the gigs, fronts the band and pays everyone.

Sounds like you might even be trying to control what's not yours to control.

BL's, for better or worse, don't generally have the bandwidth for that.

Are you wrong to walk away? Personally, I'd go a different route. Regardless, you could've probably saved everyone a lot of aggravation by respectfully establishing boundaries right away, by addressing not how the BL runs the band -and avoiding anything that could be construed an annoying challenge to the BL's authority - but rather by focusing on what you are willing to do or not do.

"After last night's gig, I'm not willing to work with this drummer. Where do you stand?"

If it were me and the BL was dead set against replacing him, I'd probably follow with. "I'm dissapointed that you feel that way. I'll play NYE, but I'd rather not if you can get a sub on bass."

I like leaving doors open. BL might come around to firing the drummer, and if you kept your comments chill, matter-of-fact and non disruptive, you might be asked back.

BTW I'll play a gig with an annoyingly sub par drummer because it's unavoidable if I put myself out there often enough in the local band scene. It's rare; It's only happened once out of 105 gigs so far this year, not terrible odds.

When it happens, we get through it. Then I'll go do it again in 1-5 days and if's already forgotten.

 

[Nunovsky]

From my point of view, if you've commited to play the NYE, you should do so. After that, you can either leave the band or have better ground to let go of the drummer.
Even if you leave the band, at least you'll have the money in your pocket to manager until you get a new one.

 

[prowla]

At least you can always blame the drummer!

 

[themickster]

Fire yourself and form another band with the old drummer would be my suggestion.

This. Fewer gigs, but you're happy and unstressed.

 

[themickster]

Been playing in a cover band for about 3 months. When I joined the drummer (who was also new) was 100 percent on point. True pro. Because he wasn't always available, BL brought on a new drummer. Defiantly a big step down. Last week we played a nightmare of a show, drummer didn't even know basic parts (on a song that start with drums and then bass no less). tempos were off, kept slowing down.

I was super pissed.

I tell BL - hey man you need a new drummer, he insists on working with this drummer sending me texts saying "Drummer has ben practicing 4 times this week and I think hell be good to go for NYE show."

I told him "Drummer has had 3 months to learn this, I don't see him magically learning and improving in 15 days, when he couldn't or wouldn't do it in 3 months."

He won't get a sub for drums - but he will get a sub for bass (me) I know I'm emotional and immature and fairly crazy (esp about bands) but I'm torn between wanting to play the NYE show, and continue with the band, OR trusting my instinct to know that drummer won't cut it, and at BEST maybe squeak by.
AM I being to harsh to tell BL - "current drummer failed, he sucked on stage at a gig, and that's game over for me. Happy to play with a good drummer but his guy stinks and has had 3 months to get it toethgert..

BL says "I know you don't think he can do it, but I believe he can..."

TLDR: new drummer ruined a show because he didn't know songs and dragged the tempo, but now after 3 months, he will magically learn the songs and be ready for a gig in 15 days. I like playing with the band but this new drummer sucks. Should I pass on this gig and possibly this band until they get a decent drummer.



Sorry for the blog, but BL thinks drummer is improving and will be ready , I just don't see that happening...

Listen to your gut.