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Best way to remove the drummer?

Marley's Ghost

Marley's Ghost

Feb 9, 2002
6,636
9,496
Tampa, FL
#1
First some backround: My band has been together for about 4 months. We do rock covers. The orginial members are myself, drummer and Keys/vocals. We have recently had a guitarist and vocalist quit and be replaced. The vocalist is a great singer, a nice guy - AND an incredible drummer. At our second practice with the new vocalist, the drummer could not make it. So the singer sat in. HE WAS AMAZING! It was like we played together for 100 years! The groove was nuclear. The whole band sounded 10 times better. Now the singer and Keyboard player are saying that the drummer does not cut it, and they are right. The task is falling on me as the band founder, to kick him out. :eek: :eek: This really sucks. :( Any advice?
 
#2
Marley's Ghost said:
First some backround: My band has been together for about 4 months. We do rock covers. The orginial members are myself, drummer and Keys/vocals. We have recently had a guitarist and vocalist quit and be replaced. The vocalist is a great singer, a nice guy - AND an incredible drummer. At our second practice with the new vocalist, the drummer could not make it. So the singer sat in. HE WAS AMAZING! It was like we played together for 100 years! The groove was nuclear. The whole band sounded 10 times better. Now the singer and Keyboard player are saying that the drummer does not cut it, and they are right. The task is falling on me as the band founder, to kick him out. :eek: :eek: This really sucks. :( Any advice?
Click to expand...

Don't delay. The sooner the better.
 
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#3
Are you playing gigs? If so, without an immediate replacement (unless the singer can sing and drum) I'd wait till you have a better grasp of how you are going to handle replacing him first. If you have no gigs lined up, do it now so you can move forward quicker.
 
#4
fastplant said:
Are you playing gigs? If so, without an immediate replacement (unless the singer can sing and drum) I'd wait till you have a better grasp of how you are going to handle replacing him first. If you have no gigs lined up, do it now so you can move forward quicker.
Click to expand...

We do not have any gigs lined up. The singer can play drums and sing like crazy.
 
#10
mycranium said:
How to get rid of a drummer:

Get some cigarette papers and roll a big fake joint.

Say "Hey, Todd, let's go outside and smoke a fatty!"

He'll follow you outside. Light up the fake joint, then flip it out into the street in front of a bus.

Bye bye drummer! :ninja:

-M
Click to expand...
*That made me shoot a boogie on my new shirt*
auslach.gif
 
#11
If you're going to adopt a 'better be better than everyone else or you'll get booted' attitude, I hope you're damn good at the bass.... because the other band members may push YOU out, too.

An unlike the other posters, personally, i don't think it's so clear cut. What was your band like when you formed? if you knew what he brought to the band skill-wise, and you gave him the impression that was OK, well...

I'd be rip**** if after 4 month practicing I got booted because my band "found someone better" unless that was made clear when I joined. If you agreed to work on things and all get better together you'd be an ass to boot him with no warning. that's called "use and drop" and it'll make you no friends. Very teenage behavior.

Of course, if he KNEW when he signed up that you might do that you're safe. You might also talk to him directly rather than kicking him out...he may not like you guys as much as you think and might agree to leave happily.
 
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#13
erik_hammarlund said:
If you're going to adopt a 'better be better than everyone else or you'll get booted' attitude, I hope you're damn good at the bass.... because the other band members may push YOU out, too.

An unlike the other posters, personally, i don't think it's so clear cut. What was your band like when you formed? if you knew what he brought to the band skill-wise, and you gave him the impression that was OK, well...

I'd be rip**** if after 4 month practicing I got booted because my band "found someone better" unless that was made clear when I joined. If you agreed to work on things and all get better together you'd be an ass to boot him with no warning. that's called "use and drop" and it'll make you no friends. Very teenage behavior.

Of course, if he KNEW when he signed up that you might do that you're safe. You might also talk to him directly rather than kicking him out...he may not like you guys as much as you think and might agree to leave happily.
Click to expand...

Well, it is the reason for the honesty. If you feel comfortable with your decision, then just be honest about it. If you don't feel comfortable then maybe you should rethink why you are doing it in the first place.

It wouldn't be the first time a band "upgraded". It happens all the time. Bands aren't necessarily about making friends...they are, most of the time, about making great music...and if someone else can do a better job, or fits in better, or just generally improves the band, why not?

Not improving the band because of friendship is, IMHO, teenage behavior. I've had it happen to me, where I was booted out. We were all friends, but I didn't want play out as much as they did. Was I hurt? Sure, but you get over it. Life moves on.
 
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#15
Ok, the plot has thickened. :eek: The singer/drummer called me and pointed out some very accurate deficiencies with not only the drummer, but also the guitarist, who seems to have difficulty getting down the same songs after 6-7 practices. He wants me and the kbd player to start something at his house with a great guitarist he knows who also sings. So my band as it is has no singer. I could leave and hook up with this new group. :hmm: :confused: I own the PA, which along with my rig is at the old guitarists house, and the new band will also need. This is gonna be ugly. :eek:
 
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#16
I have to echo Erik's advice. I've seen bands start out with 4 founding members, and at the end, none of the first members are there anymore. The reason being; someone came into the band and started firing and hiring. It looks like that sort thing of happened with your band. I would steer clear of people like that.
 
#17
The founding members were myself and the kbd player. We recruited the drummer and guitarists. It just seems like we are not improving much, and they are to blame. I wanted to give them a chance, and also it is tough to find good musicians willing to play in a "casual" band. We only plan on playing out once or twice a month. :(
 
#20
I think this gets down to a fundamental issue: what is your obligation to your band mates? We are not under contract, dont have gigs to play, dont even have a name yet. Should I have bailed out right away when I saw that the guitarist and drummer were not up to scratch? Did I do them a disservice by hanging in there? Am I a traitor by jumping ship to play with other musicians? I have to get up on stage and play in front of friends, co-workers and other musicians. Do I not owe it to myself to play with the best group of musicians?
 

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