And suddenly... two bassists?

[mellowinman]

I did a fill-in with an old-style full big band (like in the '40s). Cool gig, but pages were always missing from the book, bass and guitar books. At the gig, the leader thought it would be nice to invite another bassist and guitarist to play as well, like that would make up for all those missing pages. Sheez, what a mess. I played one set and quit, telling the other bass player (a young cat) it was all his.

Another big band rehearsal had me and another bassist reading charts, except he was only following the changes and not reading the notes like I was. Another mess. I never went back.

That's my take on it. Two basses just don't work.

My wife and I both play bass in our band. We do this so that whoever is singing lead can sing "naked," and be more of a performer. We don't do that all the time; sometimes I'm playing acoustic, or keyboard, but no matter how we're configured, we always have only ONE electric guitar.

On the AC/DC song, "Whole Lotta Rosie" once you get past the last chorus, and the band is jamming, the rhythm guitar plays a huge part in the sound, and when I just played the bass line, and Arthur played the lead, it sounded too empty, so my wife jumped in, and played the rhythm part on her bass, while I held down the bottom on mine.

IT SOUNDS FANTASTIC! And it finally gave us a spot where we used both basses.

Next stop:

Covering "Big Bottom" by Spinal Tap.

It just seems like the best thing to do. We will leave out the keyboard part, and find a way to integrate some guitar.

 

[dlenaghan]

Bail. Doesn't sound like this group is worth either the drama or the incompetent vision. What are your reasons for sticking with them? I know starting a new group is hard, but it sounds, even conservatively speaking, that you've got music as a priority and they've got only old comforts in mind..

 

[Tony In Philly]

Maybe get a Bass VI and play baritone lines like Robert Smith?

 

[CS]

It does look like you are being edged out of the band. Look for another one.

 

[rar plar]

Their latest idea is to ban me from using any other notes than roots in my basslines.

They also push me to buy a new bass.

I'd understand the first thing alone if they were coherent with a diehard simplistic, stripped-down (and boring to perform) approach to punk. I'd understand the second thing alone if they were full-time gigging musicians earning money by playing virtuous music and they needed the sweeter harmonics of mystic-quality wood in order to perform some groundbreaking complex melodies.

I'd be fairly bothered if asked to comply with one of those demands. I'd run away (fast) from anyone who demands both things.

 

[mellowinman]

I'd understand the first thing alone if they were coherent with a diehard simplistic, stripped-down (and boring to perform) approach to punk. I'd understand the second thing alone if they were full-time gigging musicians earning money by playing virtuous music and they needed the sweeter harmonics of mystic-quality wood in order to perform some groundbreaking complex melodies.

I'd be fairly bothered if asked to comply with one of those demands. I'd run away (fast) from anyone who demands both things.

She should run from the first thing.

 

[Marko 1]

…

I find it very hard to negotiate with them, since their main arguments are "practicing two different bass lines is too complicated and a huge risk, just play the same notes simultaneously" and "two basses playing the same notes = nice raw punk sound".

How can I make them realise that havig two bassists isn't exactly a safe choice when the goal is to avoid all risks?

Time to stop negotiating. When the gig comes, do what you want; maybe they’ll like it, maybe they won’t. Maybe they’ll never pull any crap like that again.

At this point, I don’t see what they can do to make you more miserable than what they’re doing now.

Something I’ve learned in life, you only get the respect you demand.

You might be surprised at how much weight you have.

 

[Randall]

Only advice i can give is if you do play the gig set up your tone to be opposite from the other bass player. One play the fat bassy tone and the other crunchy distorted type of tone. It might sound real cool- kinda like a biamped rig.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

I'm just curious about what's gonna happen next! When is this gig again?

 

[Em_K]

This gig is six weeks away.

The singer told me that the reason they don't want me to play in the gig was that I can't play the chords! I went to our next rehearsal to prove them wrong and played all the songs correctly. The singer said that she was impressed and told me I could join them to the gig.

But in the next morning, she sent me an e-mail and told me that our guitarist and drummer weren't satisfied and still wanted to have the old bassist. I felt confused, humiliated and furious. I played all the songs as well as simple-structured punk songs can be played, and they still think that I can't play?! I told them that I am thinking that there are some reasons, other that music-related, for them wanting to have the old bassist performing. They told me that I could still "join them to the other forthcoming gigs". What the...?

I guess they are thinking that because the gig is gonna be a big thing, they wan't the original bassist to have her share. But it just isn't fair for me. The old bassist did her choice to move abroad and leave the band. She can't just come back whenever she wants and take her position back. I have practiced a lot, bought my own bass despite the fact that I'm a student with low income etc.

Now they aren't talking about having two bassists anymore, but using two different bass players in different songs! And how is that going to look like? One bass player comes in, one bass player comes out... I've never seen a band that does something like that. It is not like having some other artist featuring or anything. It is pure ********!

 

[NoiseNinja]

Quit that band (do it right before the second gig where they really need you.), sounds like a bunch of morons. And look after a band where you are more appreciated.

 

[Decedo]

I have been playing bass in a punk band for almost two years now......

....I studied guitar, music theory and orchestration in a music school for several years and then had a private teacher....

That in it's self sound like you're musically way over qualified for a punk band. Punk and music theory knowledge is an oxymoron. I kinda feel your band mates are a bit intimidated with your knowledge. They might be trying to passively 'push you out', because two bass players in the punk band is redundant. You have call them on their real intentions and be prepared to walk if you have to. It sounds like you would have a prob getting another gig anyway.

 

[pudgychef]

How can I make them realise that havig two bassists isn't exactly a safe choice when the goal is to avoid all risks?

couple devil's advocate points...

first - are you being as straightforward with them as you are posting it here? I find most of these band dramas tend to stem from people not speaking directly and listening equally directly - if they mention a 2nd bassist and you are hemming or hawing about it - well whoever wants that is going to take the hesitation as the green light.

two - is it possible that the other bassist is just a better fit? - not a better player - but maybe she is happier playing the style of bass the band wants - as a player of other instruments perhaps you are still playing with more of a guitar/sax sensibility?

sounds an awful lot like one of those work situation where the manager tries to manage by post-it notes and emails...when she is just a couple meters away and could solve a heck of a lot of mis-communication by just speaking direct to people

Time to stop negotiating. When the gig comes, do what you want; maybe they’ll like it, maybe they won’t. Maybe they’ll never pull any crap like that again.

At this point, I don’t see what they can do to make you more miserable than what they’re doing now.

Something I’ve learned in life, you only get the respect you demand.

You might be surprised at how much weight you have.

agree 100% that people will treat you how you let them...BUT showing up and doing whatever you want seems a bad choice to me...I say honor your commitments with the best possible intentions, burn no bridges and walk away classy.

This gig is six weeks away.

The singer told me that the reason they don't want me to play in the gig was that I can't play the chords! I went to our next rehearsal to prove them wrong and played all the songs correctly. The singer said that she was impressed and told me I could join them to the gig.

But in the next morning, she sent me an e-mail and told me that our guitarist and drummer weren't satisfied and still wanted to have the old bassist. I felt confused, humiliated and furious. I played all the songs as well as simple-structured punk songs can be played, and they still think that I can't play?! I told them that I am thinking that there are some reasons, other that music-related, for them wanting to have the old bassist performing. They told me that I could still "join them to the other forthcoming gigs". What the...?

I guess they are thinking that because the gig is gonna be a big thing, they wan't the original bassist to have her share. But it just isn't fair for me. The old bassist did her choice to move abroad and leave the band. She can't just come back whenever she wants and take her position back. I have practiced a lot, bought my own bass despite the fact that I'm a student with low income etc.

Now they aren't talking about having two bassists anymore, but using two different bass players in different songs! And how is that going to look like? One bass player comes in, one bass player comes out... I've never seen a band that does something like that. It is not like having some other artist featuring or anything. It is pure ********!

ask them straight out what the desired goal of all this is - sure sounds to me that for whatever reason they prefer the other bassist - that's life.... I say tell them you are happy to play all the currently comfirmed gigs and that after that you would either like to transition to playing guitar or will step aside. The key is doing it directly....most people react quite well to direct, non-confrontational discussions - snippets and emails and she-said/she-said won't go far in any kind of relationship...

good luck with it - be confident, honest, direct and classy and you always win in the end....

btw I think straight punk with 2 bassists is not a great choice - and instead of the playing higher up - Peter Hooky deal - you can play guitar so seems like a better fit. It isn't okay to expect to be the bassist only when the other one isn't around, unless that was the agreement going in...

 

[Grabow]

tell them to let the bass player come up and do a couple of songs by himslf with the band or you guys can do a punk rendition of Spinal Tap's sex farm woman...oh, there were 3 basses on that

 

[Grabow]

sorry, I meant Spinal Taps "Big Bottom"

"Big Bottom, Big Bottom
talk about bum cakes, my girls got'em
big bottom drive me out of my mind
how could i leave this behind"

classic!!

 

[pacojas]

wait a sec...

a punk band that won't take a risk and insists that you BUY a NEW bass????

 

[pudgychef]

tell them to let the bass player come up and do a couple of songs by himslf with the band or you guys can do a punk rendition of Spinal Tap's sex farm woman...oh, there were 3 basses on that

herself

 

[Mulebagger]

I'd just politely pack up and walk. They are clearly trying to frustrate you to the point of leaving. Wish them the best of luck with their former bassist and walk. From your background that you described, you will find another band easily.

Sorry that people can sometimes make such a mess of things, when being straight forward would have saved everyone a bunch of trouble.

Best of luck

 

[DBCrocky]

I suggest you propose this: Let the other bassist come up and play a couple of songs, so long as she is announced as a guest artist. You stay on stage and play a tambourine or some shakers.

 

[Marko 1]

I’d like to think I’m the last one that would suggest this, but…

Walk away. Do it now.

Do NOT allow these little brats to eat their cake and have it too. They need to grow up.

And one thing that drives me nuts about so many band musicians is that they’ll endure abuse from tyrants just so they can be on stage, and in my opinion, whether or not they “deserve” disrespect, they certainly asked for it.

And I don’t care that you think there aren’t many opportunities to get into another band, all you need is one.

Or, you can continue on and learn the hard way. Either way, it’s not a life/death situation, so… best of luck.