I haven't, fortunately, but I have left and had the band re-approach me to rejoin.
Does it hurt, or were you glad after you digested it?
Does it hurt, or were you glad after you digested it?
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Ever been fired from a band?
- Thread starter Aussie Player
- Start date
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Been in about 100 bands if you can believe it. Been around a while and have always played in multiple bands. Been fired from a few, and yes, it hurts. Lots, if you really like the band you're a sensitive guy like me, too 
. They were all learning/growing experiences.
. They were all learning/growing experiences.
I've never been fired, but I've been not called back after some auditions I thought I'd smoked! A couple times from bands I really wanted to be in, and thought I'd clicked with. Those still hurt. A couple times, I was actually relieved I didn't have to be the one to say "no".
devnulljp
Supporting Member
No, but I've walked from a few.
Yes. I joined a band in college, back when I was kind of a polarizing jerk. They very quickly decided they could do better and ghosted me. I felt like a complete idiot.
i've never been fired from a band.
that being said, i once auditioned for a local punk band. alas, i wasn't a fast enough player. their singer - and possibly BL - was very nice about it, and said if i wanted i could sit in with them in rehearsals till they found the right bass player. they were the band whose music i liked to best of any band i every auditioned for, and i still feel sad when i think about it.
on the other hand, it did motivate me, and over time, i practiced and practiced till my playing was fast enough to play with any punk or death metal band.
that being said, i once auditioned for a local punk band. alas, i wasn't a fast enough player. their singer - and possibly BL - was very nice about it, and said if i wanted i could sit in with them in rehearsals till they found the right bass player. they were the band whose music i liked to best of any band i every auditioned for, and i still feel sad when i think about it.
on the other hand, it did motivate me, and over time, i practiced and practiced till my playing was fast enough to play with any punk or death metal band.
Yep, once, long story I'll spare you. The band was with some good friends, totally caught me off guard. I lost $$ and equipment in the deal too. I put my bass in the case and stuffed it under a bed in the house and didn't touch it for almost 3 years. When I was coaxed out of retirement I spent a long time wondering if more if the same kind of scheming was ever going on but so far that's been a one off.
Never really digested it, never talked to any of them again. Makes it hard to look at our wedding photos since two of them were groomsmen though.
Never really digested it, never talked to any of them again. Makes it hard to look at our wedding photos since two of them were groomsmen though.
Not really fired, just replaced. It was a new band just forming and i was brought in early. After a few rehearsals I was told i had really good chops and if I kept at it i’d have no trouble finding a band, but they needed someone better versed in the material and they had a guy who had just quit a band who was ready to step in and they would be ready to work. They encouraged me to come sit in any time, which I did, and a few months later I got a call from a guy who needed a sub for a couple months while his regular guy had some medical issues tended to. The keyboard player from the band that let me go recommended me for the job. I’ve quit a few bands when drama got too deep, and I’ve been fired, mostly for refusing to participate in band drama but since I’ve always approached music as a hobby, being let go was never a deal for me. I just saw it as the next door opening in my musical journey. There’s also the fact I’ve pretty much been the least talented guy in any band situation I find myself in so I’m always focused on upping my game to avoid being cut.
Been playing about 12 years, my wife keeps a list of bands I've been in that must be pushing 20 or so now; fired from a band once. It stung a bit, just by the nature of the thing and also because it was the steadiest-gigging outfit I was ever in. Lots of bottom-feeder dive bars, but we had a gig or two nearly every weekend and it was pretty fun.
I actually got into it by referral from Dave, who makes RevSound cabs. The group's long-standing bassist had a career change and wouldn't be able to keep playing, Dave had heard me at a TB GTG and suggested they try me. This was about 2013 or so. The BL came to a gig with another group I was in, decided I was satisfactory and invited me to join, and I played with them for about a year and a half.
I always liked to have multiple plates spinning (that's why my wife's count of my bands is that high), so I kept playing in the other cover band plus took on an original project at one point; I was teaching college night classes and stuff and that plus three band rehearsals meant never seeing my family. So I quit the other projects to focus on this one band. The band got booked for a wedding but the date was my last gig with the other cover band, so they got their previous bassist to come in as a sub for it.
Shortly thereafter, the BL took me aside after a gig and told me that his buddy, the previous bass player, had had another job change that made him available again, and playing with him at that wedding had felt comfortable "like putting on an old shoe," so nothing personal, I hadn't done anything wrong, but I was out and he was in.
They actually asked me to sub for him for a later gig, which I did and enjoyed. But by then it was 2015 or so. Political stuff was happening that I won't get into (TB rules), but suffice to say that it got the BL saying stuff out loud that he had previously mostly kept to himself and it got to the point I couldn't still think of him as a friend I wanted to share a stage with. I don't need people to agree with me, but I do need to feel that they're honest and well-intentioned, and I no longer felt that. They asked me to sub a second time and I declined, and that was it.
Been in and out of groups since then, which lasted for various periods of time but, as bands do, generally fell apart or never went anywhere. But I eventually built a set of relationships with a network of musicians where I'm keeping pretty busy musically, still never gigging quite as often as I was (that was maybe 40ish gigs a year, now I'm doing half that or so), but enough to be content.
I actually got into it by referral from Dave, who makes RevSound cabs. The group's long-standing bassist had a career change and wouldn't be able to keep playing, Dave had heard me at a TB GTG and suggested they try me. This was about 2013 or so. The BL came to a gig with another group I was in, decided I was satisfactory and invited me to join, and I played with them for about a year and a half.
I always liked to have multiple plates spinning (that's why my wife's count of my bands is that high), so I kept playing in the other cover band plus took on an original project at one point; I was teaching college night classes and stuff and that plus three band rehearsals meant never seeing my family. So I quit the other projects to focus on this one band. The band got booked for a wedding but the date was my last gig with the other cover band, so they got their previous bassist to come in as a sub for it.
Shortly thereafter, the BL took me aside after a gig and told me that his buddy, the previous bass player, had had another job change that made him available again, and playing with him at that wedding had felt comfortable "like putting on an old shoe," so nothing personal, I hadn't done anything wrong, but I was out and he was in.
They actually asked me to sub for him for a later gig, which I did and enjoyed. But by then it was 2015 or so. Political stuff was happening that I won't get into (TB rules), but suffice to say that it got the BL saying stuff out loud that he had previously mostly kept to himself and it got to the point I couldn't still think of him as a friend I wanted to share a stage with. I don't need people to agree with me, but I do need to feel that they're honest and well-intentioned, and I no longer felt that. They asked me to sub a second time and I declined, and that was it.
Been in and out of groups since then, which lasted for various periods of time but, as bands do, generally fell apart or never went anywhere. But I eventually built a set of relationships with a network of musicians where I'm keeping pretty busy musically, still never gigging quite as often as I was (that was maybe 40ish gigs a year, now I'm doing half that or so), but enough to be content.
Yep. Twice. This year.
"Attitude problems" that derive from mental health issues dealing with frustrations. (Which I'm getting help for.)
The first, in March was somewhat welcomed even though I didn't like having that on my resume. I was unhappy with the direction and one of the other members was driving me crazy at gigs and it manifested in it being visible on stage. So they fired me for undesirable stage presence - and then promptly asked me to sub for them. The irony was extremely heavy. Still in denial I agreed, did the gig and then realized why I was so unhappy with them - it would have been my last gig anyway. I refused the second request to sub for them.
The second was a month ago, and though I really never got any solid answer for the reason of my release, I can only guess they just didn't want me around. No warning - they just took advantage of a need for a sub following my hernia surgery. I actually inadvertently crashed the audition for my replacement (BL forgot to tell me not to show up for rehearsal - "we're working with your sub this week"). This one really crushed me even though it was a fairly short term relationship. I contemplated just hanging it all up - felt like I couldn't be in a band for long term without this popping up over and over again..
But, I'm trying again and after disclosing my issues, they welcomed me in and I'm feeling better about myself with the new group. It turns out the two bands in question swapped bassists with issues. Hopefully it will work out for everyone.
"Attitude problems" that derive from mental health issues dealing with frustrations. (Which I'm getting help for.)
The first, in March was somewhat welcomed even though I didn't like having that on my resume. I was unhappy with the direction and one of the other members was driving me crazy at gigs and it manifested in it being visible on stage. So they fired me for undesirable stage presence - and then promptly asked me to sub for them. The irony was extremely heavy. Still in denial I agreed, did the gig and then realized why I was so unhappy with them - it would have been my last gig anyway. I refused the second request to sub for them.
The second was a month ago, and though I really never got any solid answer for the reason of my release, I can only guess they just didn't want me around. No warning - they just took advantage of a need for a sub following my hernia surgery. I actually inadvertently crashed the audition for my replacement (BL forgot to tell me not to show up for rehearsal - "we're working with your sub this week"). This one really crushed me even though it was a fairly short term relationship. I contemplated just hanging it all up - felt like I couldn't be in a band for long term without this popping up over and over again..
But, I'm trying again and after disclosing my issues, they welcomed me in and I'm feeling better about myself with the new group. It turns out the two bands in question swapped bassists with issues. Hopefully it will work out for everyone.
Tell you a funny story.
I was playing in a 3 piece, huge PA, roadies, truck, the lot. My rig was 3 Hartke heads into an 8x10 and 2- 2x15 cabs for 1350 watts on stage.
The guitar player (Bandleader) used to tell me I had to lift my game as I had such a crucial role in the band. I had hired this band in my bar before I joined so had seen many times the guy I replaced and he was not me.
We played a larger room in a bar and these criticisms had become more frequent over recent months but as we walked off stage for a break, a patron called out that that was some of the best bass playing he had heard in years and it was a pleasure to listen to. I turned to the guitarist and smiled. He said nothing.
This happened several times while in that band until I had enough of his ego as the roadies told me he didn't like focus being directed away from him on stage.
People can be frail and ego's misplaced. You are not always a weak player just because someone says so. I learned this with new drummers where there were few seasoned players available, so I spent a lot of time working with new drummers to build their confidence and grow the rhythm section partnership. It works. Mentoring is a wonderful tool and also enhances harmony in the band.
I was playing in a 3 piece, huge PA, roadies, truck, the lot. My rig was 3 Hartke heads into an 8x10 and 2- 2x15 cabs for 1350 watts on stage.
The guitar player (Bandleader) used to tell me I had to lift my game as I had such a crucial role in the band. I had hired this band in my bar before I joined so had seen many times the guy I replaced and he was not me.
We played a larger room in a bar and these criticisms had become more frequent over recent months but as we walked off stage for a break, a patron called out that that was some of the best bass playing he had heard in years and it was a pleasure to listen to. I turned to the guitarist and smiled. He said nothing.
This happened several times while in that band until I had enough of his ego as the roadies told me he didn't like focus being directed away from him on stage.
People can be frail and ego's misplaced. You are not always a weak player just because someone says so. I learned this with new drummers where there were few seasoned players available, so I spent a lot of time working with new drummers to build their confidence and grow the rhythm section partnership. It works. Mentoring is a wonderful tool and also enhances harmony in the band.
After I said I'm quitting and gave my notice of when I would no longer play (like 2 months), the guitarist/singer freaked out and "fired me" and called me every name in the book and told me I can't play anyway even though he was always begging me to stay. He threw a rock at me and missed, lmao. He threatened to get a gun and a stick, neither of which he even had, which I said pointed out to him. He stared at me blankly before freaking out again. When I bucked up on him, he got in his car and sped off, never heard from him again.
This was in the back alley of some trashy bar, post gig. Quite ridiculous, but pretty funny looking back. I was 21, and this clown was in his 50's.
This was in the back alley of some trashy bar, post gig. Quite ridiculous, but pretty funny looking back. I was 21, and this clown was in his 50's.
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D
Deleted member 165050
Guest
I've jumped just in time more than once...
And once had the entire band leave to form another band without me (we were doing my material and I think they wanted to do covers, except they invited me to their first gig and they were doing one of my songs. Maybe that counts as being fired.).
And once had the entire band leave to form another band without me (we were doing my material and I think they wanted to do covers, except they invited me to their first gig and they were doing one of my songs. Maybe that counts as being fired.).
I didn't succeed in getting the call back after auditioning a few times. Those can be pretty bad because of the lack of feedback.
Ive never been fired from an act i was in, but i sure auditioned for a ton of stuff where they didnt like me.
I was given the boot by the guy who started the band in favor of a guy who was always late with a heroin problem.
Probably didn’t help that I had started hanging out with a lady that the lead singer had failed to get anywhere with - very odd coincidence at the end of the day.
Probably didn’t help that I had started hanging out with a lady that the lead singer had failed to get anywhere with - very odd coincidence at the end of the day.
First fire - Drummer
Second fire - Bassist.
The longer you play the better your odds to get fired. It won’t kill you.
I got fired from a band once and the very next day a pretty harsh review of an album went to print and the writer said a lot of great things about some stuff I wrote and complimented my playing and slammed the singer so it took me just that long to get over it. It’s never taken long to find another situation. Best bet is to declare yourself BL or write the material.
Second fire - Bassist.
The longer you play the better your odds to get fired. It won’t kill you.
I got fired from a band once and the very next day a pretty harsh review of an album went to print and the writer said a lot of great things about some stuff I wrote and complimented my playing and slammed the singer so it took me just that long to get over it. It’s never taken long to find another situation. Best bet is to declare yourself BL or write the material.
My first band fired me as a guitarist when I was 13. Not because I couldn’t play, but because there were 4 other guitarists and the rest of the band was 4-5 years older. I was replaced by a keyboardist, which musically made a lot of sense.
Of course I was bummed, but I understood why, and didn’t take it personally as I was quite content to perform on my own as a solo act. Then playing bass happened.
I’ve never been fired from a bass gig. There was one gig that didn’t hire me because of my very low vocal range and they were looking for a first tenor.
