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Best way to remove the drummer?

#41
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?
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Give him the drum throne from Spinal Tap. Problem solved.
 
#43
Marley's Ghost said:
OOOO_zps1220a666.jpg


Holy carp..Took me a minute to remember which band this was.
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AND, drumroll.......
 
#44
Marley's Ghost said:
I think this gets down to a fundamental issue: ...... Do I not owe it to myself to play with the best group of musicians?
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Yes, this, always! Otherwise, what's the point? This happens sometimes, and sometimes feelings get hurt, and that's part of being a human. They'll get over it, and you'll be happier. Maybe a LOT happier. It's worth it. Glad you made the right choice-life's too short for mediocrity.
 
#46
First- the drummer species tend to be more violent than a comparable non-drummer. So proceed with extreme caution!
Usually they are very defensive when near their preferred tool of destruction- their "kit".

I'd recommend tranquilizer darts to subdue the drummer beast first, followed by getting them into a sturdy crate, until they are at least 200 yards off the premises... ;-)
 
#47
4 months? Around here you have about 4 minutes to prove you're competent. If you don't have it, you won't be at the next gig.

Now granted, I live in a "musician's destination" city, but seriously. No adult musician is suddenly going to "get it". If you aren't competent by age 25 or so, you probably never will be. And it's not on anybody else to compensate for that. If you suck, you suck, and you should probably go get a job outside of music. No reason to drag somebody along because you're afraid of hurting their feelings. They know they aren't very good. They're just hoping you won't notice. Or worse yet, they don't know what "good" is, in which case they will NEVER improve, because they can't tell the difference.
 
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#52
Marley's Ghost said:
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. :meh: :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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It sounds like your original band is a casual one that would not be playing/practicing that much. If you can swing it, there's nothing wrong with being in two bands. You get to keep your casual band of friends in a band that may have very different goals and expectations than this new one you can start. I've had casual and serious bands on the go at the same time. No issues.

A word of advice, though: you are not in control of the new band - he is. That much is clear in your descriptions. He's suggesting it, he's spearheading it, he's inviting his friend who sings and plays guitar, and it would be at his house. So be prepared to take a backseat in the new band. There's nothing wrong with that either, but it's good to be aware of these things. For all you know, he just likes the fact that you have a PA ;)
 
#59
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?
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Can he sing?
 
#60
Marley's Ghost said:
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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Absolutely not, you only did yourself a dis-service IMO. You are only as good as the people you play with. If you want to progress, play with people who you perceive to be above your level, it'll make you push yourself to hone your skills all the time and make you sound better too, until you are one monster musician!
That singer sounds awesome though....maybe worth sticking with him and getting in with those other guys he can introduce you to. If you lock with the singer on drums, you guys might make a killer team for session work. IMO you need to move on from the original drummer and guitarist.
I had a similar situation, I was in a band that wanted "commitment" but I had to split because there were bigger opportunities out there, more experienced and pro-active musicians to meet and collaborate with. It was nothing personal, just a necessary step. Maybe you should consider just scrapping the band and focussing on something with the new members (with the Singer / Drummer badass dude of course). It may be an ugly split to start with, but like others said, it'll only get uglier the longer you leave it.
I lost my GK amp in my split because it was kept at the Keyboardists house, but I don't care, it was worth it. I went on tours abroad, while the other original members stagnated and eventually went their separate ways anyway. It was a good learning curve though and one of the stepping stones in life that we all have to negotiate.

Good luck with it Bass Bro! Onward and upward!
 

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