Fill in bassist?!?

[Cowboy in Latvia]

The only time I've had trouble having a sub is when we, as a band, have agreed that the gig is not going to happen due to band members being absent and then I read on social media about the same gig starring us. If they have a gig with a sub, and did not have an agreement with you not to play the gig, be the bigger man (as has been said) and graciously help out.

 

[cnltb]

so my band had an opportunity for a gig (at a bar) and I couldn't do it because my day job had me traveling. I get a text that the gig will go on with a fill in bassist. They didn't ask if I thought it was cool. They just did it and told me afterward. Am I being a jerk for being pi$$3d off about it?

No, not a jerk but maybe a little pompous.
What were they supposed to do...skip the gig?

 

[Skokiaan]

If they had not asked you if you could do the gig in the first place, that would be a bad sign...

Think about how they would feel, sitting at home when they could be playing, because you can't play and don't want them to get a sub. IMHO, that would be worse for your standing in the band than having them play with someone with whom they're much less familiar.

Otherwise, ask yourself what you really want when you say that you wished they'd ask you if it was OK to get a sub after you already turned down the gig.

Yes, probably ideal if they had said, "well, remember you said you're out of town on the 27th? We'll we're going to book that gig, are you sure you can't do it?" Then "okay, well, we're going to get a fill-in for you then". I don't think they need to "ask if it's okay" to use a fill-in. But it's smart if they were to check with their main bass player one more time before proceeding to see if he/she turns out to be available after all. This is especially true because once the sub is booked, it's the sub's gig regardless unless it is some huge deal event; and even then you figure out a way to make it work out for the sub too.

But given that the OP had announced already he could not play that date, it's not a terrible transgression that they booked it with a sub and told him. As far as they were concerned his availability had been checked. It just would have been smarter on their part to see if Main Guy had a schedule change.

If done in the right tone/spirit, and IF the player's schedule is subject to change, and if the player told the band quite a while ago that he was not going to be available (e.g., he didn't just tell the band 2 days ago he is not available), it might be okay to say to the band "hey that's fine, no problem, but next time call me first before you book it, because sometimes my work schedule changes." Of course, if the work thing was pretty much definite and everyone knew it, then I don't see why they need to ask and I don't see that the OP bassist should be concerned that they moved ahead, knowing he wasn't available for sure.

My bandleader prefers to only book gigs with the full band, if possible. Sometimes it's not. Our keyboardist tours with a Frank Zappa alumni/offshoot band nearly every year, plus plays with other projects. He books gigs on those dates anyway, else we'd be idle for weeks at a time.

We've subbed for everybody (as I stated in an earlier post), but BL's at the point where he won't book if I'm not available. We've had so many subs, sometimes more than one at a gig, and it's basically fallen on me to keep the band together at a gig. I cue the subs on all the ins-and-outs, solos, changes, etc. I haven't missed a gig in a few years.

 

[baileyboy]

so my band had an opportunity for a gig (at a bar) and I couldn't do it because my day job had me traveling. I get a text that the gig will go on with a fill in bassist. They didn't ask if I thought it was cool. They just did it and told me afterward. Am I being a jerk for being pi$$3d off about it?

Yup, let it go, it's business.

 

[pbass2]

I would agree with folks who say it depends on what kind of band you're talking about, but heck, even hugely popular/famous bands that are the kind you think of when you say "band"--y'know, all original bands where all the members are equally important entities in the act - will have someone fill in if a player can't make a gig or even a whole tour.
If it's that kind of all-original thing(as opposed to more of a hired gun scenario), then sure, would have been cooler if they told you they wanted to get a sub to do the gig, but what are ya gonna do, say "no you can't"?. You don't want them losing gigs because you can't make it. Then you become a liability.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

Shouldn't you say "hey dude, we are thinking we want to do this..." Not "hey we did this."

They should have told you. That's what your team mates are supposed to do in my opinion.

I feel being in a band should always be more than just business. That's my old school talking.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

Why should you care? You should be happy your band mates get the gig and the pay.
Sounds like a bit of insecurity to me.

Getting someone else for the gig does not seem to be the problem. It's the fact that they didn't bother to tell him. That would bother me too.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Getting someone else for the gig does not seem to be the problem. It's the fact that they didn't bother to tell him. That would bother me too.

Yeah, but he told them he couldn't make the gig, so what did expect?
I agree, the BL could do better communications.

 

[Skokiaan]

Getting someone else for the gig does not seem to be the problem. It's the fact that they didn't bother to tell him. That would bother me too.

Sounds like they did tell him. OP said he received a text stating they'd get a sub. I don't see the problem.

In a thread I started in March I talked about a text I received from a BL stating he was getting a sub for a gig for which I was available. Now that is bad form. I left the band immediately.

 

[Billybladez66]

He did also say they shot a text stating the gig would go on with a sub...that sounds slightly before the fact...doesn't it? Wasn't a question, just a statement. I wouldn't be butt sore about it myself.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Yeah, you couldn't do the gig, so the band played on. You only have to worry about it if the replacement is better than you and/or you have frequent unavailabilities.

 

[Plutonium244]

Yeah, you couldn't do the gig, so the band played on. You only have to worry about it if the replacement is better than you and/or you have frequent unavailabilities.

Even with semi-frequent unavailabilities, having a sub SAVES your job since otherwise, if you can't play and then the rest have to sit at home and not make $ instead of getting a sub, then they will want someone who won't force them to pass up gigs instead. Subs is a win-win.

And even if the other player IS better, as long as you are competent and a good team player, they'll want you. Being sore about them gigging with a sub is not being a team player. Very few gigs are exclusively about "who has greatest technical skill". It's about who you are with and about the band as well; it's about being easy to get along with. I know good players sitting at home because they have a hard-to-work-with reputation. Don't get a hard-to-work with-reputation.

 

[SteveHeissner]

Using subs is quite common. However, it would be nice if your band asked you about it in advance. It's always good to have a friend who you can recommend as a sub should your band need one. And you're part of the solution.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Shouldn't you say "hey dude, we are thinking we want to do this..." Not "hey we did this."

Just a case of bad manners on their part IMO....Nothing new these days sadly....Don't sweat it...

 

[Mediocrity Man]

Sounds like they did tell him. OP said he received a text stating they'd get a sub. I don't see the problem.

In a thread I started in March I talked about a text I received from a BL stating he was getting a sub for a gig for which I was available. Now that is bad form. I left the band immediately.

Perhaps I missed that part?

 

[Muyy]

I wouldn't worry about it, it's not that big of a deal. It may have been a good idea for them to ask for sub suggestions but if they got a guy that quick then they must think he's capable. Jealousy and ego can really make a band situation ugly so it's best just to accept the fact that sometimes someone else will play besides you.

 

[climber]

I have my own band these daze, but I've also been a journeyman bassist for 50+ years. Mainly 'cause I can play in any style, I read and have good ears. I know most of the guys I sub for. Tho I'm better than a lot of them, I'm not looking to take anybody's gig, so it's all good. It would be a drag for the whole band to loose out if one person couldn't do a gig. My band has horns and we play a lot of improvisation, and there aren't that many folks in the area who can pull that off. So I have a list of folks I can call. Since most of my guys have web sites with their gig dates on them, I can just check to see who's available and choose accordingly. Nobody has an issue with it.

I think it would be different if I was younger and had a set band, the way it was when I was in college. But I look t this as a business. If someone can't play, it's on to the next person who can. IMNSHO that's one of the big differences between an amateur and a professional musician...

Of course YMMV

 

[ColonelZulu]

Not being a jerk if you're pissed...
But you'd be being a jerk if you took it out on the band and/or prevented them from playing the gig with someone else.

I sub all the time.

 

[Jeff K]

so my band had an opportunity for a gig (at a bar) and I couldn't do it because my day job had me traveling. I get a text that the gig will go on with a fill in bassist. They didn't ask if I thought it was cool. They just did it and told me afterward. Am I being a jerk for being pi$$3d off about it?

I'm either missing something, or else you misspoke in the original post. It looks like they DID tell you about it before the gig (albeit via text).

So they must have known you wouldn't be available. They decided not to pass up the gig, then told you they'd play it anyway with a sub. That sounds like advance notice. If that's the case, then the only issue would be that your feelings are hurt because they didn't cancel the gig when you told them you weren't available. It's understandable that your feelings were hurt; but IMO, it's unreasonable for you to expect them to cancel.

Now if you were totally unaware of the gig on the front end, and they just decided to do the gig without you with a sub, THEN there would be cause for concern. That would sound more like an "audition" for the sub. But it doesn't sound like that was the case since you said you couldn't do the gig because you would be traveling. So it sounds like you all discussed the potential gig. You told them you'd be traveling. They decided to do it anyway, and told you (via text) that they'd play it anyway with a sub. Sounds like they were up front with you about it.

 

[jive1]

In the bands I'm a sideman for, I give them my blackout dates ahead of time. If they get a gig for those dates, no sweat off my back if they find a sub. I also don't expect them to let me know either. I give them my blackouts early so they have more time to line up a sub. If they like the sub better for whatever reason, then I guess I'll have to find work which is what I'll be doing anyway.

I can get wanting to be told beforehand, but in the end what is the point? It's a polite formality, but means nothing in a practical sense.

So what if they asked you beforehand. Are you going to say no, and cost them a gig? And if they turn down the gig, will you feel better about it? If the answer is no to both, then time and potential drama is saved by everyone. If you would say yes anyway, then what's the big deal? You still arrive at the same result.

In some ways, it's like my wife asking me to do something. She really just wants me to say yes, but it's just a formality to ask. I usually say no just to see if I have a choice, but usually I don't.