Drummers - ugh

[Ostie]

I’m guessing the gig was on the calendar way before the cookout. He opted for domestic harmony. But you found out that you can replace him with a stomp board. More money for you.

If he does it again he’s gone.

 

[higain617]

A man’s gotta eat.

 

[yodedude2]

so, too hot for the gig, not too hot for the cookout? why lie? doesn't he trust you?

 

[DavC]

my current drummer = Alesis SR18 , Roland sample pad , other pads midi'd to keyboard played live ...

 

[mikewalker]

I just wanna know - who the heck got saddled with "playing kickboard"??

 

[BAG]

You could get yourself a cajon with kick and snare pedals. I used to do a three-piece thing back in Australia with a mate and his wife and was a one-man-rhythm-section on bass and the Woodskin cajon. You can see it in action in this vid. The sound isn't great and the snare doesn't come through well in the vid but it gives you and idea of what it is.

 

[esoxhntr]

Otherwise, also fire him.

 

[Seashore]

BTW: this is the first time our drummer has done this. He's been rock solid for years, plus he's the best drummer I've ever played with, and he's a great person.
I think a warning shot over the bow is in order.

If this is the case, I don't even see why you'd consider firing him. You'd probably regret it. A warning is definitely more appropriate. If you're treating music as a business, ok... would you let a valuable, reliable long-term employee go the first time they missed a day of work?

 

[Keger Jupit]

Get this guy, he's loyal!!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This past Saturday night we had an outdoor gig at a cool Winery venue 2 hours from home where we've played several times. Venue requires original music only and the audience really 'gets it' and shows their appreciation. The owners and crowd like our band and our music. And it pays well. All in all, very much worth the drive there and back.

3 days before the gig our drummer decided he didn't want to attend the pre gig rehearsal or play the gig, even though it has been on our calendar for about 3 months, and suggested we play it without him. His reason was that it was going to be too hot outside.

Our time slot was 7p-10p on an outdoor stage that is completely shaded by 4pm. Sound and lights and cooling fans provided by venue. Easy load in & out. Great food and great wine for the band.

It hit 93 on Saturday and by 7pm it was in the 80's, and in the 70's by 9pm. We had a breeze blowing straight towards us the entire time. He missed a great gig.

We ended up using a kick board, which sounded great, and several audience members came up to us after we played with compliments and questions about some of the songs, where to buy CDs, where to download, when we're coming back, etc.

Plus, the kick board showed up on time, didn't complain, and didn't require a share of the payout.

I called him yesterday and told him what he missed and, in our conversation, he said he had scheduled a conflicting commitment for that night to have dinner - a cookout - with another couple, something he never mentioned when he bailed on the gig with the 'too hot' excuse.

Drummers.....ugh.

I know....

Wow, we had a keyboardist use an “I ate some bad fish” excuse, and a certain guitarist that I still work with 40 some years later that had a problem with “there was a fire in the bottoms”, but I am not aware of an “oh , we had dinner with another couple” excuse.....

If this was a one off, explain it to him how disappointed you are that he didn’t feel like he could come clean with you all and be up front, and that was his one and only mulligan ,then leave it behind.

 

[40Hz]

BTW: this is the first time our drummer has done this. He's been rock solid for years, plus he's the best drummer I've ever played with, and he's a great person.
I think a warning shot over the bow is in order.

Seems like a fair and measured way to respond at this point. Had the gig gone sideways I might have felt otherwise. But as it stands, the only real damage done was to his future credibility with the rest of the band.

Either way, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Shame on me.”

 

[HardNHeavy]

hot or cold play the effing gig!..........If he's been with you a while cut him some slack but not without giving him a stern warning, doing it 3days beforehand is bs.......3 strike rule seems to work, even less if the guy is just a "tool" to begin with.lol

 

[Samatza]

Some musicians have issues with their significant other not wanting them to gig. It can be difficult if you're the one trying to keep the relationship together however if that was the case he should have said so. I'm putting it down to the fact that he may have found that explanation embarrassing.
I would have a one on one conversation with him because it's often difficult to bring up domestic disharmony in front of a group. Maybe he needs some time off, maybe he can't do this anymore, maybe it won't happen again.
When I first dated my wife I told her I'm in a band and that means a lot of weekends I'll be working so she knew what to expect and she knows I'm committed to not letting the crew down.
Clear communication is the best way forward.

 

[Blueinred]

BTW: this is the first time our drummer has done this. He's been rock solid for years, plus he's the best drummer I've ever played with, and he's a great person.
I think a warning shot over the bow is in order.

I voted 2nd chance after you stated the above. Have a civil chat with him about the whole story of this incident. If he really is "a great person" he will come clean while you reinforce the negatives of this incident. Hell, I don't know why he didn't bring the Mrs. and couple to the gig. Sounds way better than a cookout. But the band does need to know if there are issues in his love life that are in conflict with him continuing to play with you guys. If you're that well received, should be no problem finding a replacement. He also needs to understand that he wasn't missed much by the audience, even though it may have been a burden on the band to cover his parts. In the end, honesty really is the best, at all times. "And the band played on................."

 

[Jscriv]

On the schedule for three months and bailout 72 hours prior I'd be telling him if he didn't play he wouldn't be playing anything in the future.

 

[REV]

Seems like a less than committed band member

 

[Obese Chess]

Voted FTD before reading this.

BTW: this is the first time our drummer has done this. He's been rock solid for years, plus he's the best drummer I've ever played with, and he's a great person.
I think a warning shot over the bow is in order.

Agreed. Warning shot.

 

[DeathSlanger]

Hard life rule #1: No 2nd chance for those who lie. It takes a special person to lie to your face, and those people just don’t seem like good band mates.

Even if he has a “great” reason, you have a heart-to-heart, tears, hugs, you will still never know if they’ll do it again.

 

[TheReceder]

Fire the kickboard and the drummer.

Fire the kickboard at the drummer.... But don't hit his hands. Hit him in the head, or something else that he doesn't use.

 

[Das Jugghead]

Sure have a talk with him about what happened but include in that talk what is going to happen - something along the lines of "gig on the books for three months and you bailed with a lie three days prior to the gig, yeah that's cool but so is the other drummer we lined up to fill in for you next time. Incidentally the 'next time' will be your last time."

I've as much tolerance for a liar as I do a thief - I won't consort with either nor will I make music with either.