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Another 'Firing a Band Member' Thread!

#21
Stevorebob said:
That said, this works only if there also clear warnings and consequences communicated well before the separation decision. No fired member should be surprised, and they should easily see that the decision not to meet the required standards was theirs.
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This is a good point, kinda what we did with the drummer we let go. I was playing some stoner metal with the drummer before we added the 2 current guitarists. He could jam, but it would ultimately end in a relentless barrage of double bass. So we asked him to lay off and he quit.

Maybe we're hoping the guitarist will do that? Hey man, your new songs are all super lame, you play the same phrases in every jam...get better!
 
#25
l-21793-youre-fired.jpg
 
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#26
Stevorebob said:
Terminations should be businesslike —definite, respectful, clean and quick. There is no discussion, just a conveyance of the decision.

That said, this works only if there also clear warnings and consequences communicated well before the separation decision. No fired member should be surprised, and they should easily see that the decision not to meet the required standards was theirs.

Unfortunately, lots of bands treat membership as emotional rather than practical. That can work, but it also makes every decision emotional, and things — discussions, song selection, gig choices, and personnel changes—often devolve into bickering.

Good luck. Peace.
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This. People think a conversation telling them they're underperforming and need to improve is harsh. It can be even harsher to be fired "out of the blue" without being given the opportunity to improve on the specific problems.
 
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#28
Col Pruse said:
Yo! Just wanted to post here to see if I could round up some of the collective Talkbass wisdom.

So I'm in a 4 piece original 'jam' band. One member is simply not clicking anymore. Creative ideas are vastly differing from everyone else. Improv is stale, recycles the same things in almost every jam. New songs and cover suggestions are veering off in another direction. You know, the usual band stuff...

I've voiced my frustrations to the other members and they are on board, but also had separate issues that I wasn't aware of. Discussing during band meetings and specific jam practice for new ideas doesn't stick.

So I think we've decided on what we're going to do, just wimps about it. I think the affected member feels he's more of a leader of the band and will definitely be blindsided. None of us are really great friends with this member, but we've been a band for 5 years now and I don't want to be a jerk. Or at least not a big jerk.

Any advice on how to approach this?
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Recordings are worth a thousand words, but make sure the speak more favorably about you than your mate.
 
#29
Col Pruse said:
Yo! Just wanted to post here to see if I could round up some of the collective Talkbass wisdom.

So I'm in a 4 piece original 'jam' band. One member is simply not clicking anymore. Creative ideas are vastly differing from everyone else. Improv is stale, recycles the same things in almost every jam. New songs and cover suggestions are veering off in another direction. You know, the usual band stuff...

I've voiced my frustrations to the other members and they are on board, but also had separate issues that I wasn't aware of. Discussing during band meetings and specific jam practice for new ideas doesn't stick.

So I think we've decided on what we're going to do, just wimps about it. I think the affected member feels he's more of a leader of the band and will definitely be blindsided. None of us are really great friends with this member, but we've been a band for 5 years now and I don't want to be a jerk. Or at least not a big jerk.

Any advice on how to approach this?
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I got fired by a crazy drummer because she didn't receive my emails. She was too stupid and lazy to check her junk email … she fired me by email … ya crazy irony
 
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#33
So once again as the “Old Geezer” of the group, let me pass along the following. Most people don’t realize that when a band is formed etc, you are essentially putting together an organization or “business”. That “entity” needs to have a leader. This stuff that was promoted a good number of years ago about a “team effort” just doesn’t work out well in the long run. This Band or Organization, needs a leader! If it does not have one, your “airplane” band is headed into the ground, and picking up speed at a rapid rate.
The leader does not have to be a “rocket scientist “, just needs to have a pretty good idea as to which direction things need to go. Whether that is style and type of music, how often you rehearse, what venues you play, or do not, that kind of thing. This person will need help. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being “a follower”. Each person involved should have certain responsibilities, to which they are held accountable for. In other words, you are in charge of this, you are in charge of that. This keeps somebody from just “showing up to the event” , as it were, and thinking everything would be done for them because they are a “rock star”. A suggestion here might be to have a band meeting. I presume you are going to take the lead here, and as such should say something like “I,we, etc. feel like things are not going in the direction we had originally had planned” and some changes need to be made. Be prepared for this one, might catch you off guard. In closing I will say the following. “In the end always make your decisions based on the available facts at the time”. In the end this is the decision you will have to live with”. Once agin, my work here is done! Best of luck in your endeavors.!
 
#34
So what are you "firing" him from? Do you have regular paid gigs? Or something like you're working to get your original stuff noticed to the point of financial benefit? Or is it really more a creative endeavor where the idea is to gel as musicians and "phamily" in a way? Just asking. Result might be the same, just different reasons, approach.
 
#37
Ekulati said:
So what are you "firing" him from? Do you have regular paid gigs? Or something like you're working to get your original stuff noticed to the point of financial benefit? Or is it really more a creative endeavor where the idea is to gel as musicians and "phamily" in a way? Just asking. Result might be the same, just different reasons, approach.
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A little of both. We have regular paid gigs, but all have regular 9 to 5s. Trying to get out to a bigger market, create a certain sound from which he's holding us back. "firing" is a loose term I guess.
 
#38
I would let him know your grievances before the big day, as a unified front, the 3 of you need to ask this individual to improve two or three specific things about their performance. Then give them a month or two to work and see what happens.

They may fire themselves at that point. Or they may improve and join the team again, get on the same page. During the performance improvement talk definitely bring up that you think this individual feels they are the band leader, and that they are wrong about that. This is a crucial point you need to make sure your other mates are in complete agreement with.

Surprise firings are not really good for anyone.
 

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