Cutting band members loose

[Pocket Dave]

Dave, you and me see eye to eye on that. However, I've seen bands put up with a lot for 'better' players, and I bet you have, too.

Yep, though with a high implosion rate if allowed to go unchecked.

Better, experienced players as well as average players who've been down that street before tend to insist on boundaries that preclude putting up with such nonsense.

 

[nickpc]

I would like to talk the BL into replacing them

Lots of good advice already in the thread. Be careful - you could be talking the BL into replacing you.

 

[Ncbsss]

Fake your own death. Easiest solution

 

[gln1955]

This might be a bit of an out for you... You're not the BL? All you need to do is talk to the BL. You don't need to fire the lovely people who can't play well enough for the band. The BL does. If you're not the BL, it's kinda not your place to fire and hire members.

All you really need to do is talk to the BL about the situation, about their abilities, and about the replacement players. The BL can then see if the replacements are interested and if they'd even work out. And the BL can then deal with the hiring and firing.

You said you have a "band leader"?...
I think this falls under his per view. Its in the job description.

From the OP, I read that the BL is on board with the replacement and that the OP wants to help him do it the right way, hence the question.

But, yeah the BL, if they are really the leader and not just BL in name only, needs to do the deeed and then own the results of this decision.

 

[Ralph Manak]

Can the core pros encourage improvement, such as processes a pro would engage? For example, is the singer willing to work with a vocal coach for at least 3-6 months?

 

[LiptonJigglers]

IME; Bad musicians make good musicians leave only to be replaced with bad musicians... ultimately becoming a race to the bottom.
Why haven't YOU left?

 

[Major Seven]

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

This is a great idea. When the new band gets more work and audience as a result (if it does), the old band fades out and they get the message.
On the other hand maybe the looks and friends network will win for the old band.
You win and the optimal solution happens on its own with out hurting (too many) feelings.

 

[BassGuyFL]

It’s just best to be honest and direct. And the sooner the better. Don’t secretly hate them behind their back and then it’s a huge situation down the line. Because that happened to me.

 

[Bob McAlister]

First I would like to thank all my fellow TBers for their input. Oh boy, I don’t know where to start. First I guess I need to defend my claim of being a ‘pro’ player. Once upon a time I played bass (around 144 times) for a person who had a billboard 100, number one hit. The other two guys I feel are very competent players. We are seniors, so maybe we’re ex-pros. We’re not interested or financially dependent on playing a lot of gigs every month. The once a month gig we play is for a community that the band has a longtime reputation with. Typically we make between $190.-$235., each (tips vary)for a 2 hour gig. So disbanding and creating a new band with a new name with the 2 better players is not an option. It’s obvious that the BL and the other guy and I need to have a meeting in order to see if we all agree or not and what course of action is doable. Maybe replace one person at a time or I guess I could go with the status quo. The gig isn’t attended by anyone I know. As an old guy, I like the the extra dough, but somewhat discouraged.

 

[KenSmithFan]

First I would like to thank all my fellow TBers for their input. Oh boy, I don’t know where to start. First I guess I need to defend my claim of being a ‘pro’ player. Once upon a time I played bass (around 144 times) for a person who had a billboard 100, number one hit. The other two guys I feel are very competent players. We are seniors, so maybe we’re ex-pros. We’re not interested or financially dependent on playing a lot of gigs every month. The once a month gig we play is for a community that the band has a longtime reputation with. Typically we make between $190.-$235., each (tips vary)for a 2 hour gig. So disbanding and creating a new band with a new name with the 2 better players is not an option. It’s obvious that the BL and the other guy and I need to have a meeting in order to see if we all agree or not and what course of action is doable. Maybe replace one person at a time or I guess I could go with the status quo. The gig isn’t attended by anyone I know. As an old guy, I like the the extra dough, but somewhat discouraged.

There are a lot of great things about Talkbass, but this thing that happened to you isn't one of them. Somebody posts something and they get attacked by some people assuming that they are lying about the situation. Who hasn't been in a band where they wanted to upgrade a member? There's nothing nefarious, underhanded or unprofessional about it.

I posted something about a band I'd seen that was really awful and got attacked as an elitist for suggesting that a band know the songs, play in tune and have professional grade equipment.

Maybe we should all grow up and give the benefit of the doubt to someone who has been a forum member for more than 20 years. Just sayin'

 

[Bob McAlister]

Thx KenSmithFan. Much appreciated. All the best, Bob

 

[MegaSwing]

Just explain that you’re looking for a different feel than you’re getting now.

A few years ago, a side project of mine concluded that neither the drummer nor the lead vocalist was progressing, at least partly due to poor study habits and inexperience, respectively. So we kept the pieces that were working and cast a new net to get a compelling front man and an unshakable drummer.

Although it’s inevitable that these things become personal, nobody has the right to hold a project back that has a chance to work well with a couple of changes. So, the challenge is to deliver the news the way a friend would, without getting ugly about it.

There’s no percentage in being an a**hole, and there should be no joy in it either.

 

[KenSmithFan]

Just explain that you’re looking for a different feel than you’re getting now.

A few years ago, a side project of mine concluded that neither the drummer nor the lead vocalist was progressing, at least partly due to poor study habits and inexperience, respectively. So we kept the pieces that were working and cast a new net to get a compelling front man and an unshakable drummer.

Although it’s inevitable that these things become personal, nobody has the right to hold a project back that has a chance to work well with a couple of changes. So, the challenge is to deliver the news the way a friend would, without getting ugly about it.

There’s no percentage in being an a**hole, and there should be no joy in it either.

Egg-zactly. A band is a group of people who work together as long as it’s mutually beneficial. It’s not a lifetime commitment. You don’t owe members anything except honesty and respect.

I played in a band a couple of years ago where one of the guitar player/ singers just wasn’t very good. He was way below the level of musicianship of the rest of the members. I only joined because of the other members and the pay. When it became apparent that he was holding us back from getting to the next level, they opted to keep him because he was their buddy. They are still playing the same places for the same money when they could be so much better just by replacing him.