Cutting band members loose

[Bob McAlister]

I need advice. I’m in a band that’s 80% country 20 % classic rock. Myself, the drummer and the keyboard player/lead vocalist are a pro core to this band. We have a guaranteed once a month gig with only 3 rehearsals required. The female singer (good looking) is at best a karaoke singer. (Sharp/flat) and very little sense of how the lyrics and lyrical meter fits within the song. The lead guitar guy is a couple levels below pro, but has shown some improvement, but still not up to snuff. I would like to talk the BL into replacing them, he seems interested, but both the folks that need replacing are really sweet people. We have a couple of pro people that could replace them, but he’s not sure how to let them go. Any kind suggestions???? Please help.

 

[Dlew919]

If you’re going to do it be honest. Not rude or brutal. But rip the band aid off. You may find they realise they’re not a fit for the band. But be kind. All of the band should be present. And explain what’s happening.

 

[buldog5151bass]

♤♤♤ This. The issue is how to cover the gig while breaking in your two lead players.

 

[Ggaa]

Make sure(as possible)that the replacements are a fit.

 

[gln1955]

Letting nice people go is hard. All you can do is be respectful but direct. Apply the Golden Rule.

 

[DJ Bebop]

To add to what has been said, maybe have a rehearsal before “the talk” and record it so the evidence is clear to all. Again, be respectful but honest.

A recording is a good tool anyway. Kinda surprised that hasn't been utilized or at least referenced in your story. I find in the heat of playing I might think I sound better or worse than I did versus what the recording reveals. A simple thing to do with all these cell phone contraptions about.

Anyway, that's one way.

 

[TheReceder]

"But rip the band aid off." ( dlew919 nailed it.) Always consider that the same people you're letting go, may one day become exactly what you need, or they may be the ones that can reccommend you to others.

 

[red_rhino]

It partly depends on what vibe you want for your band. I’ve played with great players who were a PITA as band members, so just being a great player isn’t enough to make me want to be in a band with someone. I do, however, understand the frustration of playing with people who have great personalities but perhaps are not the best of players.

You need to strike a balance, IMO. If the people who would replace your weaker members are also great band members, then move forward. But personally, I prefer playing with nice people rather than playing with divas (who merely replace one set of problems with another).

 

[StringCanvas]

I would like to talk the BL into replacing them, he seems interested, but both the folks that need replacing are really sweet people...

I'd also be sure that the BL and other members are REALLY on board for that kind of change, who the possible replacements are, etc. Even if you're being direct about your intentions in discussing, others might just be nodding along with "yeah" just to avoid confrontation or saying something negative-- I'd just be very clear with the rest of the band that they're all in on the idea so you don't isolate yourself.

 

[Artman]

I believe that all above is good advice.
Try a jam with the potential newbies to make certain that the musical chemistry is there.
Go out for a couple of afternoons or evenings socially with the newbies to make certain that you genuinely get along, and that none of them will do a Jekyl - Hyde flip after a beer or two.

As the others above have said, when letting them go.. be professional, not unkind, and most of all honest about the reason being that they are not yet up to the level of musical proficiency that your band and the material presently require, and that you hope there might be an open door for them to work on a project with you at another time in the future because you really do like them and hope to remain friends.

Whatever you do, do not do it immediately after they help you transport and unload gear after your last gig together while having everybody else stand in a semi-circle with folded arms while one of you tells them that you are letting them go.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

Be careful what you wish for....

 

[billiard]

Sounds mutinous. I'd start a new band and hire the folks from this band you like. Do it on the side.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I need advice. I’m in a band that’s 80% country 20 % classic rock. Myself, the drummer and the keyboard player/lead vocalist are a pro core to this band. We have a guaranteed once a month gig with only 3 rehearsals required. The female singer (good looking) is at best a karaoke singer. (Sharp/flat) and very little sense of how the lyrics and lyrical meter fits within the song. The lead guitar guy is a couple levels below pro, but has shown some improvement, but still not up to snuff. I would like to talk the BL into replacing them, he seems interested, but both the folks that need replacing are really sweet people. We have a couple of pro people that could replace them, but he’s not sure how to let them go. Any kind suggestions???? Please help.

Look before you leap. Have replacements in mind to do the job, who embody both the musical and personal attributes, and also confirm they are available and interested. We're ALL subject to the constraints of available people at ALL times. Make sure the right people exist and are interested in working with you.

That's your first question and situation to deal with that gives you insights about anything else.

 

[Deleted member 409896]

The sooner the better.

I had a crappy audition experience recently because the band leader was not honest about what he wanted.

I would have been happy to immediately pack up and go home, not playing a note. Had he been open about his preference, that's what would have happened.

Instead, he wasted everyone's time going through an audition.

I only found out the truth months later.

I think he's an idiot, and I dodged a bullet not playing with his outfit.

 

[Dust2Dust]

This has got "Bad Mojo" written all over it

I say wait. . . wait until it's bad enough that you don't feel bad about putting your foot in someone's crack on the way out the door

 

[Deuteragonist]

Respectfully, how many gigs are you playing? Are you drawing enough $$$ to attract the professionals you're seeking?
If not, do you have firm and actionable plans to scale the band to something that pros would be interested in?

I absolutely understand wanting to replace under-performing members on a team, but also recognize that firing them is (less than) half the battle. You still gotta attract and retain the talent you're seeking.

 

[Pep]

I need advice. I’m in a band that’s 80% country 20 % classic rock. Myself, the drummer and the keyboard player/lead vocalist are a pro core to this band. We have a guaranteed once a month gig with only 3 rehearsals required. The female singer (good looking) is at best a karaoke singer. (Sharp/flat) and very little sense of how the lyrics and lyrical meter fits within the song. The lead guitar guy is a couple levels below pro, but has shown some improvement, but still not up to snuff. I would like to talk the BL into replacing them, he seems interested, but both the folks that need replacing are really sweet people. We have a couple of pro people that could replace them, but he’s not sure how to let them go. Any kind suggestions???? Please help.

My first comment is, if this has been going on for a while with no mention of working out the problem, them that’s on you. If that’s the case you need to give them a chance to get their stuff together. Otherwise this is going to blindside them and that’s really not fair.
However, if you have brought it to their attention and everyone has tried to work through it with zero improvement then you need to take care of the problems.

 

[Micha84]

I'll be honest: I am seeing a lot of problems reading your post, and they don't have anything to do with the singer or the guitar player.

You say that you are part of a "pro core" of the band. Is that the shared perspective between the three of you? If you guys are truly "pro", then I don't understand why you hired sub par players. Or do you just like to see yourself as part of the core and it was really the others who took the decision? And if you so meticulously divide players in "pro" and "not pro", how sure are you that the others don't see the guitar player and singer as "pro"? How sure are you that the others really see you in that category? How do you, in your view, distinguish yourself from them, and may there be anything that these guys bring to the table that is really valuable?
I am asking all these questions because, when you go talk to the drummer and keys player about others not being up to snuff, you wouldn't be the first musician ever to be in for a very uncomfortable surprise.

And then you need to look at replacements. You say you have one gig per month - that is not impressive at all if you want to attract true professionals (I'm assuming the three rehearsals you mentioned were a one time thing before you got the gig and you don't rehearse three times every month, because that would be... not so good). What more can you offer those players? Have you discussed with the others the requirements of playing in your band? Is it just skill or do personalities play a part? Are you okay with your band members playing in other projects as well and maybe not prioritizing your project (because right now, I don't see how a professional player would prioritize a one-gig-a-month start up)? And, most of all: if you hire because of skill alone, what do you do when a better bass player becomes available?

These questions may sound harsh, but I think you better go into that discussion prepared for all eventualities.

 

[_Some Dude]

I'm confused about the terminology. A gig a month with three rehearsals in-between isn't particularly pro. That sounds like a lot of not getting paid. Now, if it were 3 gigs this week and zero rehearsals... now I'm making money.

Semantics aside, I'd make sure that these guys are available and that they want to play in your band. If they're good, I'd also look at what other bands they're in. You may end up in a situation where they're in 2-3 other bands and yours is the lowest priority to them (I prioritize the gigs that consistently pay me the most).

Someone above mentioned starting another band, and that's something I'd consider here. Normally, I see this as a back door way to fire people, which I consider dishonest and don't condone. But, in this case I'd want to try out those other two players and see if I can actually make a band out of them, that way I'm not f-ed if they don't pan out and I've already let my singer and guitarist go.

 

[foolforthecity]

I’ve got to follow a couple other opinions here… your gigging schedule sounds rather light to someone pulling 3-5 nights a week, so I’d personally classify y’all as very light-duty players. Pros have no time for plucking for nothing. Rehearsals happen at the gig, LOL. I don’t know the full picture but I’d look at letting the two “lessers” have chance at showing improvement, given your rather open schedule. Let them know what’s expected and when, within reason. They should know if they’re being scrutinized and why. If they can’t elevate to the greater expectation within the allotted time, they’ll quite likely move on themselves. If not, give ‘em the Size 12