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Didn't get the job because I didn't...(VINDICATION CONTENT)

#101
I'm not buying it. To me, sounds like the band didn't think OP was right for the band and used the gear as an excuse. They probably auditioned a few other folks and realized OP was a better player than the others so they called him back.

I would've only taken the gig if I was desperate. Personally I like straight shooters. If you think I'm too young, too ugly, sloppy, etc then tell me truth so that maybe I can fix the problem. Don't BS me and tell me that 'my gear was wrong'.
 
#102
denhou1974 said:
I'm not buying it. To me, sounds like the band didn't think OP was right for the band and used the gear as an excuse. They probably auditioned a few other folks and realized OP was a better player than the others so they called him back.

I would've only taken the gig if I was desperate. Personally I like straight shooters. If you think I'm too young, too ugly, sloppy, etc then tell me truth so that maybe I can fix the problem. Don't BS me and tell me that 'my gear was wrong'.
Click to expand...

So, they're either idiot gear snobs, or they're just plain old idiots, right?

Yeah, either way, I wouldn't take the gig, too many other bands need good bassists for me to waste time on idiots.
 
#103
LOL thanks guys! You can't buy this kind of "therapy". The whole situation didn't bother me that much in the first place but it did show how engrained into a line of thinking people can be.

And for the record, I love Ampegs and have nothing against 'em. I just prefer other stuff.
 
#104
I think the point that is being missed is not that they were "gear snobs" but that they said his stuff was not professional. Then, a few months later, after apparently not finding a bassist, they looked up his gear, realized it cost a lot (does that matter?), then said, "Oh he must be good." I agree with the sentiment that this sounds (read that again- it sounds) like this is a band that is not worth the time for the OP's goals of gigging soon or right away.
I have auditioned for bands in the past that were going to be "garage bands" and nothing wrong with that, just not my goal. I would rather be given a list of 100 tunes and told "We have a gig tomorrow." In fact, my first cover band, 14 years ago, this is exactly what happened. And when I showed up with my SWR redhead, he said "You're going to play THAT?" I said yes, and after about 3 months of fairly steady gigging, turns out his 10 years of prior gigging experience made him know exactly why the redhead was not the amp for this gig and that he was right. I went to a different setup that worked much better for that band.

In fact, the band I tried ou for just before the one I landed in (lasted 12 years, band is still going but I moved to another situation and that leader and I still record our own stuff), had a similar thing to the OP. I went to one of their gigs (with my bass), hand delivered the tape they asked for, asked if I could sit in on a tune or two, and was told npo because the bassist was a lefty and I couldn't use his bass. I told them I brought mine, they said they would discuss it, then still said no. The next day they called me, said they LOVED the tape (they really did and I have to say I was proud of it), and wanted me to join. I told them I would have to pass because I would prefer a band that allowed people to sit in, just more of the vibe I was looking for. He was surprised that I said no, but I couldn't see doing that band long term, we just didn't share the same values about how things would go. Funny thing is, their bassist auditioned for the band I wound up joining for 12 years, and just before I was at the bar to see them, a good friend had just been there to drop off his tape. He didn't join them either, but I know they eventually found someone.
And believe me, in NJ, if you want a working band, or a garage band, or anywhere in between, no shortage here! But there is a bassist shortage, as always.
So anyway, I agree with the OP, no need to take a gig where you're uncomfortable. Even if you need the money, this is the USA, it is not REQUIRED that you take a gig just because it was offered.
 
#105
NKUSigEp was right not to take the gig when they e-mailed him back and the reason is because the band's attitude toward his gear is just a small part of a larger issue - they want to control the bass player's sound.

He might convince them that his gear is fine (even though it's not Ampeg :rolleyes:) but within a week they'd be nitpicking over every detail of his bass playing and what strings he uses and how long he has his guitar strap and blah, blah blah -- until he got sick of it and had to quit. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what would happen because I've seen this attitude before and that's how it always turns out.


Case in point:

About ten years ago, I auditioned for a metal cover band (80's and 90's) and they asked me over the phone if I had pro gear (sound familiar?). I told them I did and that I used an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro and a Diesel 15" cab.

At the audition they commented that they weren't "too sure" about the cabinet because it wasn't a 4 x 10 and also they didn't "trust" my bass. I had brought my main gigging bass which is a unique body style in natural flamed maple, custom made for me by an excellent luthier and it's what I prefer to play.

After the audition, they said I had the chops and they were surprised that I knew pretty much all the material (I've been playing those covers for years) and they'd give me a call.

A couple days later, they called me in for a second audition. I agreed, and when I played with them again and brought along my Ibanez bass, as well as my main axe because they had commented the week before that "good" basses for heavy metal were ESP, Ibanez, Dean and such. But they continued with the gear criticism.

That night, I made them understand (or I thought I did) that this was the gear I was happy with and it was my sound (which they admitted was just what they were looking for). I actually thought they were good musicians themselves and they knew their stuff so with that understanding we mutually agreed that I was officially in the band.

I busted my butt learning their entire setlist of 50+ songs in two weeks and for the next two practices endured listening to them tell me how to set my amp, what strings I should go out and buy, that I should learn to use a pick (I know how to use a pick but I prefer my fingers) as well as detailed instructions about how to "sound more metal" when playing the bass. The final straw was when they told me that if I wanted to continue with them I needed to trade in my 'puny little 1 x 15" cab' and get at least a 'proper 4 x 10"'. :eyebrow:

I quit in disgust after FOUR nights of playing with these clowns when I should have known right from the first night because of their attitude about my gear that this was a band I did not want to be with. It would be different if I was auditioning for The Ozzy ******* Osbourne band, or something. Then I could just smile and do whatever they told me to do and cash my fat paycheck, but this was just some run of the mill cover band.

I've seen it before, now I recognize it for what it is and I know what to avoid. :p
 
#106
hbarcat said:
I busted my butt learning their entire setlist of 50+ songs in two weeks and for the next two practices endured listening to them tell me how to set my amp, what strings I should go out and buy, that I should learn to use a pick (I know how to use a pick but I prefer my fingers) as well as detailed instructions about how to "sound more metal" when playing the bass. The final straw was when they told me that if I wanted to continue with them I needed to trade in my 'puny little 1 x 15" cab' and get at least a 'proper 4 x 10"'. :eyebrow:

I quit in disgust after FOUR nights of playing with these clowns when I should have known right from the first night because of their attitude about my gear that this was a band I did not want to be with. It would be different if I was auditioning for The Ozzy ******* Osbourne band, or something. Then I could just smile and do whatever they told me to do and cash my fat paycheck, but this was just some run of the mill cover band.
Click to expand...

50 songs. I would never learn 50 songs. I would learn THREE songs maximum that I don't know and pick from their set list the few extra that I do know and that's it. For the rest? Improvise. :)

You should have seen right away that these were clowns who do not like good bassists. They should basically hire a little brother and dictate him what to buy, what to play and how.

I would never stay with morons criticizing my gear from the get go. As you say: it's your sound and you come as a package.
 
#107
denhou1974 said:
I'm not buying it. To me, sounds like the band didn't think OP was right for the band and used the gear as an excuse. They probably auditioned a few other folks and realized OP was a better player than the others so they called him back.

I would've only taken the gig if I was desperate. Personally I like straight shooters. If you think I'm too young, too ugly, sloppy, etc then tell me truth so that maybe I can fix the problem. Don't BS me and tell me that 'my gear was wrong'.
Click to expand...

No, I failed auditions because I was not a fit, and vice-versa, and it was me or them saying first it was not a fit.

You know it is a fit RIGHT AWAY. If after 5 minutes you feel that it is YOUR band then it's your band. If they piss you off and tell you how to play this or that, criticize you for anything, just pack up and go, you're wasting your time.
 
#108
I think it is important to remember also that if we audition for a band, they have every right to ask for certain gear, look, etc. However, they may find very quickly that their requests are silly or too demanding when they still have no bassist after 6 months. They'll probably wonder why, and instead of saying "Maybe we should look at our criteria and see if it makes sense," they'll probably say "There's no good bassists around here" or something like that. From the original post, it looks like this band was not at all realistic- can't be a weekend warrior and be that demanding I think. If you are a major act paying major money, then your demands probably won't be a problem because the line will be around the block for auditions (or if it is referrals, there will be no problem filling the spot). If anyone in a major touring act said to me "We like your playing and are offering you the tour but you will be required to play an ampeg for this tour" then ampegging I will go. Of course, on that level, it wouldn't be out of line to assume it will be provided by the tour or from the company themselves.
Bryan Beller wrote a great piece in bass player a long time ago about auditions, I wonder if it is out there to dig up. If I remember it right, basically the point was be yourself, be prepared. If they don't like you because you're 6'2" with long blond hair and they want a 5'4" or less guy with short spiky black hair, piercings, and tattoos, well, you're not going to get the gig, no matter how well you play. Broadway shows do it, the Rockettes do it, Disney does it, etc. But then again, they are PAYING and the work is there already.
So, for a weekend warrior cover band, hopefully they will realize their errors (not likely from the sound of the situation) going forward, but you did the right thing. Plenty of bands out there, some even have a clue.
 
#109
Yeah, i agree with the OP. This is just some run of the mill cover band that auditioned other people and found out that he was the best so they called him back. He did the right thing IMHO.

I had a similar experience last year as I was looking for bands. This guy called me up after he saw my ad on a musicians site, talked up how great they were, where they were going, blah blah blah. Then said, ok, everything sounds good, now before I say yes to an audition...what kind of gear do you have? I just happened to be playing my Fender Jazz through Ampeg amp and cab at the time, so he salivated at that. But, these days, Ric aside, if I would have told him I play a G&L L2500 into a Markbass head, I bet he would have had doubts. lol

I do however try to make a point of mentioning ahead of time what I have or what I play...just as a courtesy really. Asking what you have is one thing, hinging everything on what gear you have is another.
 
#110
Good call to turn the gig down, for sure!
I have been in similar situations where everything from my "looks" (clothing, hair style etc.), gear and playing have made me loose the gig.
Regarding my "looks", I was auditioning for a pop/rock thing who thought they were pretty hot sh*t - all styled, plucked eyebrows and gelled-up hairstyles. I don't get into that stuff myself, but on the other hand I don't mind if others do. So I play their root notes (while grooving, mind you), but they didn't seem to like how I looked, well, normal. Didn't hear from them for months, not even a "sorry, you didn't get the gig". Until one day when the guy they'd chosen over me had bailed, I guess. Then they were all like: "yeah, sorry we lost your email address. The spot's yours if you want it."

Turned them down for lying to me about losing my address. Firstly, if someone's doesn't have the decency of getting back to you after your audition, there is something seriously wrong with them. Then on top of that say they've lost your address for two months (and then miraculously find it again!!!), you know you'd be in for some immature BS if you joined that gang.

Then there was the time I lost an audition in a soul/funk cover band because I grooved. :) But that's a different story.
You did the right thing turning down the gig!
 
#113
middlebit said:
Good call to turn the gig down, for sure!
...
Firstly, if someone's doesn't have the decency of getting back to you after your audition, there is something seriously wrong with them.
...
Click to expand...
Sadly, that's the norm these days applying for any job. That's basically what you're doing when you audition for a gig; you're applying for a job. Nowadays, it's pretty rare to even get acknowledged for having applied, shown up, etc.

I'm from the "old school" where you followed up, sent "Thank you" notes via postal mail, etc...

JM
 
#115
LOL! I just found this thread. That band was a bunch of tools and you did the right thing by telling them no thanks. I dont care who it is i dont change my gear for anyone unless they will buy it or its a big money gig that i see is worth the reason to ever do so. I dont think that will ever happen to me.

Gear snobs or people in the music biz who feel one brand is better due to history or a big name player or band used that equipment is a joke. Be yourself and use what you want if they cant deal pass on them....life to short for gear snobs or idiots.
 
#120
I am curious about the other guys equipment??? I would never join a Band that wanted me to play through certain gear unless they were paying a lot of $$$ per show. Now if they were a tribute band and wanted authentic equipment used in that era and were up-front about it, then that is a different story.

Wise choice on letting them find another "joe"
 

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