BL just fired the drummer

[Axtman]

(heavy sigh) Oh well. He was a good drummer but we had issues with starting songs too fast and overplaying.

The BL said it was personal reasons. BL said that she had learned of some disturbing information from a reliable source. BL will tell me later.

I have no clue what it could be. I am usually perceptive as to people with issues and I did not see anything in his personality that would lead me to believe he had any. He does not drink and I never sensed any impairment because of drugs. He has a good personality and got along with everyone and was early to gigs/rehearsal.

It must be pretty serious because the band cannot afford to lose a drummer with our gigs coming up.

 

[oldrocker]

It may be disturbing that the BL based the firing on info from a 'reliable' source.

Keep us posted.

 

[Oddly]

I do hope your BL is acting on actual verifiable information.

So much fake news out there these days, it's easy to have a reputation damaged beyond repair based on very little.

 

[Koshchei]

Human Resources decisions shouldn’t be based on conjecture, as a matter of best practice. If this a money-making venture, you might want to take some steps to insulate yourself legally, particularly if the allegations prove baseless.

 

[Axtman]

Yes I too questioned the BL if the source is reliable. BL said yes, very reliable. I think that the BL will confront the drummer and say, "We can't have you in the band because of _________." Then see how the drummer reacts. My experience when people are caught in a lie they either admit it or go completely overboard with denial and arguing.

BL said there were some suspicious signs at a few of our rehearsals. Again I did not notice anything and do not know about the specific issue.

The BL is really upset because he was a good drummer and a keeper. It must be something pretty egregious and affect the band for BL to fire the drummer.

Thanks for the concern but, I am insulated legally because it is not my band, per se. The BL hires and fires and runs the band. The BL called me and other members to explain what was going to happen and not to seek my approval or permission.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Sounds like the BL has been reading too many TalkBass discussions....

PS. There’s a possibility of him returning if the accusations were baseless... although I doubt I’d return under those circumstances.

 

[Koshchei]

Sounds like the BL has been reading too many TalkBass discussions....

PS. There’s a possibility of him returning if the accusations were baseless... although I doubt I’d return under those circumstances.

If baseless, I’d probably sue for damages, especially if the rumours damaged my reputation in any way.

 

[Axtman]

I am confident that my BL would not fire the drummer without some serious evidence and without confronting the drummer. We like and need the drummer too much to just let him go for some baseless accusation. After all, it took us a long time to find a drummer that is a good fit.

 

[pablomago]

Let us know when you find out what the reason was.

 

[Axtman]

Depending on the severity of the offense and I am sure it is bad, I may be rather vague with my answer.

BTW, I am sure that I speak for the BL and the rest of the band when I say we all feel really horrible about this incident....bad that we are losing a valuable team member and bad for the drummer whatever he is going through.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If baseless, I’d probably sue for damages, especially if the rumours damaged my reputation in any way.

And people blame lawyers for frivolous litigation...

 

[Koshchei]

And people blame lawyers for frivolous litigation...

This is based on several hypothetical assumptions (not sure if they translated through my posts in this thread):

1. That playing music represents a sizeable portion of my income, and
2. The allegations being made are sufficiently egregious that they would effectively blackball me from finding more work.

In any case, the bar for slander cases is quite high, but if a person can prove damages then they are entitled to remedy.

 

[buldog5151bass]

This is based on several hypothetical assumptions (not sure if they translated through my posts in this thread):

1. That playing music represents a sizeable portion of my income, and
2. The allegations being made are sufficiently egregious that they would effectively blackball me from finding more work.

In any case, the bar for slander cases is quite high, but if a person can prove damages then they are entitled to remedy.

The standard is very high, and I would imagine less than 1% of us could prove damages worthy of a suit. Prepare to pay an attorney hourly.

 

[IamGroot]

All your remedies are bassless.
All your bass are mine.

 

[charlie monroe]

The standard is very high, and I would imagine less than 1% of us could prove damages worthy of a suit. Prepare to pay an attorney hourly.

He lives in Canada. Not everything you know about US law directly translates.

 

[charlie monroe]

All your remedies are bassless.
All your bass are mine.

All your bass belong to us.

 

[HolmeBass]

All your bass belong to us.

Someone set us up the bomb!

 

[red_rhino]

Then see how the drummer reacts. My experience when people are caught in a lie they either admit it or go completely overboard with denial and arguing.

Or perhaps they are justifiably angry at being falsely accused. I know that would get a rise out of me. Doesn't mean I'm actually guilty of anything. (Except, maybe for that one time at band camp. )

I think your BL is badly mishandling this. If she really is, in fact, the band leader, then she owes no one an explanation and should keep her reasons to herself. She should also be the one to deal with finding a replacement, etc. (why?, because she is the band leader. You break it, you fix it.) However, if she is pretending that other band members have input into artistic content or band management, then acting unilaterally in this way is a red flag. If she does it once, I absolutely guarantee you she will do it again. Nothing unsettles a band like random firings.

 

[AMp'D.2play]

... I think that the BL will confront the drummer and say, "We can't have you in the band because of _________." Then see how the drummer reacts. ...

Did she fire him already as your title implies, or did she tell you she's going to fire him but hasn't dropped the hammer yet? If she already fired him, why would she feel the need to revisit the situation to clarify her reason(s), and why would she care how the drummer reacts?

The time for her to hope he fesses up to something nefarious would've been when she first fired him .. assuming she already did.

 

[svlilioukalani]

As I look back at my musical career and think about all of the felons, drug addicts, convicts, and thugs I have worked with; (most of which were really nice guys.) I can't imagine what type of behavior would cause this. If he plays well, gets along with other band members, is not too high to play songs correctly, and shows up on time, I don't see the problem?

Where do you gig. And whats your band. It's always nice to see other bass players out in the wild.