Am I wrong?

[LBS-bass]

That's the deal here too. I frankly don't see the value in a cover band doing an open mic where they have to set everybody up to play three songs.

This is probably why most of the open mic hosts around here don't facilitate a full band. There are several hosts in this town who go around to various venues with their PA and do the open mic thing. None would accommodate someone who wanted to bring a full drum kit. Some roll their eyes at the idea of plugging a bass in via a DI because it's so seldom done. Most of what you see are acoustic and electric guitars, maybe a singing keyboard player doing solo stuff, and maybe someone comes in with a cajon now and then.

I tend to think of an open mic as one step up from a few folks pulling out guitars around a campfire to sing songs they know for fun and amusement. It's that sort of thing, except there's no fire and you get to be in a pub.

 

[LAST_C]

That's the deal here too. I frankly don't see the value in a cover band doing an open mic where they have to set everybody up to play three songs. Around here there are always places a band can play if they are willing to play during happy hour or during the week for drinks and gas money. That would seem to be a better place for a new band to get some stage time in.

I agree. But, BLs wanted to do it so, there we were.

 

[Passinwind]

Around here, and back east where I come from, an open jam was the only format where you might be put on stage with a total stranger whether you wanted to play with them or not. Typically whoever is doing the singing will be calling out repertoire and you just play along with whatever they call. Sometimes groups of people will show up together and ask the host if they can go up together - in that case they're treating the jam as though it's an open mic and the host will usually go along with it.

An open mic will be groups of people who show up with the intent to play together and who all have an agenda for repertoire. At an open mic here you will never be placed on stage with a stranger and you'll never be called upon to improvise on material you don't know.

That's the biggest difference between the two, as far as I can tell.

I've mostly seen your form of open jam in blues or jazz venues where they want to keep a tight leash on the music style, fun occasionally but not really my cuppa in general. Lots of people seemed to love it though. The one I ran offered a full blown showcase scenario for pro and semipro players and routinely drew bigger audiences than many regular gigging bands got. Not always ideal for beginners but we tried to find ways to make it work for them if at all possible. Again, really long hours make for more options.

As house bassist at way too many of these things, I've seen the OP's scenario play out many times. Some people just wanted to play with my drummer who was unobtainium without having to offer a good paying gig with minimal or no rehearsal. Others wanted to try something new with a player who could go cold off a chart and not wreck things. And most just had a bassist who couldn't make it that night and wanted a few laughs. Nothing wrong with any of that IMO, but communication is key.

That's the deal here too. I frankly don't see the value in a cover band doing an open mic where they have to set everybody up to play three songs. Around here there are always places a band can play if they are willing to play during happy hour or during the week for drinks and gas money. That would seem to be a better place for a new band to get some stage time in.

Around here the value would often be castng a net for that elusive keyboard player, lead singer, etc. And free beer of course!

 

[turf3]

This is probably why most of the open mic hosts around here don't facilitate a full band. There are several hosts in this town who go around to various venues with their PA and do the open mic thing. None would accommodate someone who wanted to bring a full drum kit. Some roll their eyes at the idea of plugging a bass in via a DI because it's so seldom done. Most of what you see are acoustic and electric guitars, maybe a singing keyboard player doing solo stuff, and maybe someone comes in with a cajon now and then.

I tend to think of an open mic as one step up from a few folks pulling out guitars around a campfire to sing songs they know for fun and amusement. It's that sort of thing, except there's no fire and you get to be in a pub.

I guess you could have a house drum kit, bass amp, guitar amp? Mostly the open mikes I've seen are acoustic singer-songwriter type stuff, even when not original material, so drums aren't part of it. I guess there'd be a lot of schlepping and setting up just on the off-chance someone has a drummer.

I dunno, sounds like we're on the verge of getting hung up on semantics. Still think OP's got his knickers in a twist over nothing.

 

[LBS-bass]

I've mostly seen your form of open jam in blues or jazz venues where they want to keep a tight leash on the music style, fun occasionally but not really my cuppa in general.

The open jam I go to here is sort of like that, but they don't really keep a tight leash on anything. It's advertised as a blues jam so mostly blues players show up, and some highly professional ones, which brings in a very large group of spectators as well as players. There are always a few folks who want it to be an open mic and want to play outside the genre, but the host gets to know who they are, knows they'll chase the audience out, so he saves them for the end. Everyone's happy.

 

[LBS-bass]

I guess you could have a house drum kit, bass amp, guitar amp? Mostly the open mikes I've seen are acoustic singer-songwriter type stuff, even when not original material, so drums aren't part of it. I guess there'd be a lot of schlepping and setting up just on the off-chance someone has a drummer.

I dunno, sounds like we're on the verge of getting hung up on semantics. Still think OP's got his knickers in a twist over nothing.

Yeah, the one my friend hosted back east had a full backline, but I don't think I've ever seen another open mic that would accommodate a full band like that. The blues jam I just described does. And yeah, I think we've beaten this dead horse to the ground.

 

[turf3]

I suppose for the "open mike" as we're calling it, one could bring a snare drum and that would be the drum kit. A good drummer can do one hell of a lot with a snare.



A genre not often seen at the open mike, but their setup wouldn't take long! I particularly dig the PA system!

 

[Passinwind]

I guess you could have a house drum kit, bass amp, guitar amp? Mostly the open mikes I've seen are acoustic singer-songwriter type stuff, even when not original material, so drums aren't part of it. I guess there'd be a lot of schlepping and setting up just on the off-chance someone has a drummer.

Here's the setup at one open mic I used to play pretty often:

Backlined Mesa guitar amp, fEARful bass cab, Nord keyboard, nice drum kit, and high quality guitars and bass. Owners available to sit in or not, your choice, and you can still use your own amp if desired. Something very similar is pretty common at quite a few others I've played as well. I'm at the far back and there are members of three working bands represented, and probably two other bassists from those bands sitting in the audience.

 

[LBS-bass]

Here's the setup at one open mic I used to play pretty often:

View attachment 4877849

Backlined Mesa guitar amp, fEARful bass cab, Nord keyboard, nice drum kit, and high quality guitars and bass. Owners available to sit in or not, your choice, and you can still use your own amp if desired. Something very similar is pretty common at quite a few others I've played as well. I'm at the far back and there are members of three working bands represented, and probably two other bassists from those bands sitting in the audience.

Yeah, there's nothing like that around here for an open mic. There are two blues jams I'm aware of with full backlines.

 

[Passinwind]

Yeah, there's nothing like that around here for an open mic. There are two blues jams I'm aware of with full backlines.

As you might guess, it's hard to even cop a slot at that one. 12 bassists that night that I counted, but only ten slots. I've been known to sign up first, then find my band out of those who didn't manage to get one. Ended up doing a solo slide bass set one time, all originals of course. Not my first choice but the show must go on. The house band ended the night next and had me sit in instead of a guest guitarist, so the best player in the room got to watch but he had already played a lot anyway. We did a Beatles song as one of our three. Go figure!

 

[Kevorargh]

The open mics I've gone to over the years have varied in their set ups - a fair number have had backlines, most have been accommodating to my gear. I've joined at least three bands as a result of open mics (or Hoot Nite as one is called), and I have been the unofficial backing bass player for countless other musicians. I've had to attend a few in Portland, ME that were audition gigs for my own band, and, as others have said, that usually ended with no gig being offered. Open mics are great for honing chops and developing ear training and communicating with others.

Sorry, OP that your experience with this band was a bad one, but there are other bands there. Good luck!

 

[wintremute]

It amazes me how many bassists here think it's ok to go to an open mic, or any performance as a band without a bassist. How you can rehearse for weeks as a band just to go and grab a complete stranger to play bass or have no bass at all.

I guess I'm guilty of being committed and invested in the band and not being ok with being replaced with no need whatsoever. All I asked is to wait one more week. Is that too much to ask? I guess it is.

I'm ok with my decision. but again, it's interesting to read other's reactions to this thread. Carry on.

My biggest reason for being ok with other members of my band going to an open mic without me is because it is what it is - an open mic. It's not a gig. It's at most 3 songs. You're mixed in with a lot of different people of different skill sets trying to accomplish different things. It's not a "battle of the bands". It's a low expectation experience. The bar probably makes more money from the people coming in to play than they do from the people coming in to watch. From my point of view, if you're worried about what someone from your band does at an open mic, then you have other issues that need to be addressed.

When you say "I guess I'm guilty of being committed and invested in the band and not being ok with being replaced with no need whatsoever.", that comes across as really defensive. Do you really think the other people in here posting are not committed? Do you think they are really ok with being replaced? It's clear to me that a lot of people posting don't see an open mic as some kind of threat to their job security. It's also clear to me that a lot of people posting also play in a lot of different bands, whereever their talents are needed. I think that's a different style from what you're doing. It seems to me that you want to be in one band, and be all-in, and have everyone else all-in. There's nothing wrong with that. However, it seems to me that there will be times when you will not be available, and how a band handles that seems to be a very important issue to you - and was poorly communicated between yourself and the band.

Your original post and the title of this thread is "Am I wrong?", and I don't think that's the right question to ask. There's not any really right or wrong here, because bands vary. From what I see, what it really comes down to is communication and expectations. It seems that you and your band didn't clearly communicate your expectations to each other, and you each had a different view of how each of you saw the band. The part where you say that you communicated your rehearsal expectations, and the way that seemed to be ignored, it reads to me like you and your band are just on a different wavelength.

So, to me, the question was really "Should I stick around and try to improve communications or just cut my losses?" It appears that you chose the latter, so hopefully you find a band that better fits with your style and expectations.

 

[pepj]

The material is not difficult, but I had to learn some 25 to 30 songs, some I've never heard before, because I never played classic rock until I joined them.

They're not a duo. The band has a lead guitar/singer, rhythm guitar, keyboards and a female singer (the wife)

I guess they crave the attention of something, that I don't know.

I might be approaching it the wrong way. That's the purpose of the thread, to discuss and see things from another perspective.

I was available the following Monday. I'm very flexible and always found ways to fulfill my obligations. I just don't see the benefit of playing without your bassist. What is there to gain?

I'm not surprised some acts take any gig ...and the standard of the output takes a hit, but normally money is the driver.

Getting too far out of shape over this probably means they'll find someone else more compliant..
But yep, I'd be thinking I'm easily replaced if they pickup some rando in the audience over a rehearsed player..

 

[sean_on_bass]

It amazes me how many bassists here think it's ok to go to an open mic, or any performance as a band without a bassist. How you can rehearse for weeks as a band just to go and grab a complete stranger to play bass or have no bass at all.

I guess I'm guilty of being committed and invested in the band and not being ok with being replaced with no need whatsoever. All I asked is to wait one more week. Is that too much to ask? I guess it is.

I'm ok with my decision. but again, it's interesting to read other's reactions to this thread. Carry on.

It's because i am not that desperate to perform. I play with multiple groups/leaders and they tend to have somewhat of a rotating cast of local players to fill gaps where needed. If they want to do a performance when i am not physically available, why should i have a problem with that? I don't own them and they don't own me, we are all free agents. The attitude you are espousing here is the tell tale sign of an amateur(or immature) musician, sorry to say.

 

[LBS-bass]

It's because i am not that desperate to perform. I play with multiple groups/leaders and they tend to have somewhat of a rotating cast of local players to fill gaps where needed. If they want to do a performance when i am not physically available, why should i have a problem with that? I don't own them and they don't own me, we are all free agents. The attitude you are espousing here is the tell tale sign of an amateur(or immature) musician, sorry to say.

Spot on.

I play in four different bands. I'm not always available when someone wants me to be. Right now I'm recovering from Covid; I have two shows with two different bands on the books this weekend. I will do the one on Sunday because I'm out of isolation that day, but the one on Saturday I can't do. The bandleader told me yesterday that he has a new bassist he's been working with for another show I am also unable to do, who has agreed to do the Saturday show for me as well.

I was so relieved, because the last thing you want as a reliable side person is for someone to be stuck when you can't do something. It never once crossed my mind to be unhappy about this guy playing with another bassist; he's doing the practical thing, and I'm glad he's able to do it.

Possessiveness over others and their time is not going to get you very far in this business. Cooperation and generosity of spirit are the keys, and also a big part of why I'm able to make so many commitments. People trust me to do the job well but they also trust me to not be a high-maintenance thorn in their side.

 

[LAST_C]

I’ve been called possessive, selfish, immature, inexperienced… All because I left a band that preferred to play without me rather than wait one more week. Ok. Keep it coming guys…

I’m friends with another band that will not take December bookings because the guitarist can’t play them. I guess I’m not the only one that has the concept of what a band should be.

I guess today’s bands are a bunch of plug in, replaceable players with no unity or loyalty to each other whatsoever. Ok. Lesson learned.

 

[Renaissance]

I’ve been called possessive, selfish, immature, inexperienced… All because I left a band that preferred to play without me rather than wait one more week. Ok. Keep it coming guys…

I’m friends with another band that will not take December bookings because the guitarist can’t play them. I guess I’m not the only one that has the concept of what a band should be.

I guess today’s bands are a bunch of plug in, replaceable players with no unity or loyalty to each other whatsoever. Ok. Lesson learned.

LOL!

I call it the TB Shuffle. If you don't fit someone else's idea of perfect, you get shuffled into their "problem child" category.

 

[gln1955]

LOL!

I call it the TB Shuffle. If you don't fit someone else's idea of perfect, you get shuffled into their "problem child" category.

No kidding. At least the OP didn't wear shorts to a gig.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I’ve been called possessive, selfish, immature, inexperienced… All because I left a band that preferred to play without me rather than wait one more week. Ok. Keep it coming guys…

I’m friends with another band that will not take December bookings because the guitarist can’t play them. I guess I’m not the only one that has the concept of what a band should be.

I guess today’s bands are a bunch of plug in, replaceable players with no unity or loyalty to each other whatsoever. Ok. Lesson learned.

How long did it take ZZ Top to replace a bassist who had been with them for over 4 decades? What about the Who?

What a band "should be" matters only to the members of that band.

 

[51PRI]

How long did it take ZZ Top to replace a bassist who had been with them for over 4 decades? What about the Who?

What a band "should be" matters only to the members of that band.

What's the best route...carry on with new players as ZZ Top, the Allman Brothers, Eagles, Little Feat, the Grateful Dead, and many others have done or let one loss stop the show, as Led Zeppelin did?