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Can I get some opinions?

Laethyn

Laethyn

Guest
Mar 17, 2016
71
20
33
Belington, West Virginia
www.facebook.com
#1
Alright. So, a band contacted me to play bass for them, and we have had a few good practices. Now, some of you know that I'm not much of an instrumentalist. I guess you could say I'm a beginner bassist. Well, the vocalist of the band quit recently and they offered me the vocalist spot. That's awesome because I'm a vocalist, rather than an instrumentalist. The problem here is, once they announced Corey, the vocalist, was departing the band, they also added that they will be having tryouts for vocals. Obviously that infuriated me since I just bought a new bass to play with them, and they asked if they could bring in a better bassist since I was moving to vocals. That's fine and all. I don't like playing bass and singing. What really stretched my butthole however, was the fact that they promised me the position, but then said advertised tryouts. Now, I'm decently friendly with these guys(we've played several shows together when I was in a separate band), so I don't really want crap all over them and go off. What do I do?

Am I wrong for being mad?
Am I wrong for wanting to just go all Rambo on them?
What do?
 
#3
Laethyn said:
Alright. So, a band contacted me to play bass for them, and we have had a few good practices. Now, some of you know that I'm not much of an instrumentalist. I guess you could say I'm a beginner bassist. Well, the vocalist of the band quit recently and they offered me the vocalist spot. That's awesome because I'm a vocalist, rather than an instrumentalist. The problem here is, once they announced Corey, the vocalist, was departing the band, they also added that they will be having tryouts for vocals. Obviously that infuriated me since I just bought a new bass to play with them, and they asked if they could bring in a better bassist since I was moving to vocals. That's fine and all. I don't like playing bass and singing. What really stretched my butthole however, was the fact that they promised me the position, but then said advertised tryouts. Now, I'm decently friendly with these guys(we've played several shows together when I was in a separate band), so I don't really want crap all over them and go off. What do I do?

Am I wrong for being mad?
Am I wrong for wanting to just go all Rambo on them?
What do?
Click to expand...
Little too late to justify going all Rambo.
Once you walked away Rambo left the building.
In my opinion, if you have to ask a bunch of strangers how you should have reacted (past tense) in this situation then you really need some self assessment.
Don't come 'round here looking for help to pick a fight that you already lost.
Only option is the other one.
 
#6
s0c9 said:
ask them outright!
Do you want me as the singer?? If so, why are we doing tryouts? If not, why not?
Click to expand...

Only problem is, they never respond to me. Believe me, I've sent them all several messages asking when tryouts were and all that gobbledy gook.

RustyAxe said:
Do the audition. If you really ARE the guy for the spot, they'll know. If not, you'll know. There's always the bass spot!
Click to expand...

Bass position was filled when I agreed to take over the vocalist spot.

After reading everything here, and responding, I'm kinda starting to think that they were just trying to push me out.
 
#7
Old Garage-Bander said:
Little too late to justify going all Rambo.
Once you walked away Rambo left the building.
In my opinion, if you have to ask a bunch of strangers how you should have reacted (past tense) in this situation then you really need some self assessment.
Don't come 'round here looking for help to pick a fight that you already lost.
Only option is the other one.
Click to expand...

I haven't "reacted" to them. I haven't said a thing about it to them. I don't at all see how I was trying to "pick a fight" with them. Oooooobviously, you missed the whole point of this.
 
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#8
Laethyn said:
After reading everything here, and responding, I'm kinda starting to think that they were just trying to push me out.
Click to expand...

That sucks, but it's happened at one time or another to us all. You're new. Don't let it stop you if it's true. Let it fuel you. Jump right back on the horse, into another band, and work at your craft like it's nobody's business. That's what I always did, and still do.
 
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#9
Laethyn said:
Only problem is, they never respond to me. Believe me, I've sent them all several messages asking when tryouts were and all that gobbledy gook.
Click to expand...
Don't you have rehearsals? Can't you pose the question to them then?
Or are you essentially "out" because they filled the bass once you moved to vocals?
 
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#10
Joe Nerve said:
That sucks, but it's happened at one time or another to us all. You're new. Don't let it stop you if it's true. Let it fuel you. Jump right back on the horse, into another band, and work at your craft like it's nobody's business. That's what I always did, and still do.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely not new to the scene in any way. New in terms of a bassist, but not an active/working musician. But I definitely appreciate the moral boost for sure!

s0c9 said:
Don't you have rehearsals? Can't you pose the question to them then?
Or are you essentially "out" because they filled the bass once you moved to vocals?
Click to expand...

I never know when rehearsals are since they won't get back to me. Ever. I'm assuming I'm out since I agreed to let them bring in a new bassist to replace me, but I was told I'd be the vocalist, but now with the whole "tryouts" thing, it makes me think they're just trying to find someone to come in on vocals to get me out. I'm a HUGE pessimist, so it could just be me. That's why I came here hoping someone could debunk what I'm feeling or whatever.
 
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#12
Laethyn said:
Only problem is, they never respond to me. Believe me, I've sent them all several messages asking when tryouts were and all that gobbledy gook.



Bass position was filled when I agreed to take over the vocalist spot.

After reading everything here, and responding, I'm kinda starting to think that they were just trying to push me out.
Click to expand...
Maybe they think you're garbage - If you're good wouldn't they be sweating you? Good vocalist/front people are hard to come by sometimes. Check yourself first, then go from there.
 
#13
Laethyn said:
I don't like playing bass and singing.
Click to expand...
Learn how to sing and play bass and your problems will fade away.
I'm not a great musician but it fills me with a very special feeling of fullfillment when I'm able to sing while playing bass.
These guys aren't interested in playing music with you, they're on the lookout for the best singer for their project. Not knowing when the rehearsals are equals not being in the band. Period.
Now turn the tables and learn your craft both as a singer and bassist. You'll get better at both and when you feel ready, you can turn the tables and start your own band.
I can only think of great bands where the bassist is the lead singer.
 
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#15
So if I got this straight...

You weren't in the band at first
Then you got hired as bassist.
Then you got promoted to singer.
Then you got promoted straight out of the band?

And you get to keep the bass as a consolation prize?

This is a win/win for you alone!

They spared you from being in their crappy BS band
AND you have discovered your destiny as a bassist.
 
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#18
They replaced you as bass player, moved you to singer, are auditioning singers and won't return your call and you're wonder what is going on????

Let me show this graphically:

thrown-out_zpseejrvwh2.jpg
 
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#20
Sit down in person, next rehearsal, over a cup of coffee, mug of beer, or whatever, and politely ask *** is going on. Either they were not happy with your performance, or they are just #%&-%#- at communication.Either is possible.

The fact that you bought a new bass means nothing to them. That was your choice.
 
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