While I freely acknowledge that once the actual gig begins almost anything is possible, I also think that the key to establishing control is what happens before the start of the gig. Or perhaps more accurately in this case, what didn't happen before the start of the gig.
Too often this kind of situation develops because of a vacuum between what is actually expected of the sub...and what the sub thinks is expected of him, or what the sub thinks he can get away with on the gig - once the actual playing has begun, and the band is dependent upon him. If any douchebag behavior is apt to erupt, the douchebag will generally wait until that moment of maximum band vulnerability to bring out the worst of it.
When this happens, more often than not it is due to a bandleader who is afraid to lead, or doesn't know how to lead. Ideally, every sub should be well-vetted well in advance of the gig. But when that isn't possible, the bandleader should sit the guy down beforehand, and essentially lay it out for him: 1) We don't know you well, but we're giving you a chance, so please don't abuse our trust; 2) Here are the requirements for the gig, please execute them like a pro, and don't go off-script; and 3) If all else fails, you go rogue, and my efforts to rein you in should fail, I reserve the right to take a brief break, dismiss you from the gig, immediately and on the spot, order you off the bandstand with your gear, and send you home without pay.
Clearly that's not such a good option in the case of a drummer - but it's not out of the realm of possibility either, depending on the musical scenario. If it comes to firing the sub right there on the spot, then sure your band's reputation will take a hit. But if you continue to struggle through a gig that has turned into a complete and disaster, won't that damage your band's reputation too? Won't it?
MM
That indeed is a professional/appropriate way to handle it and I agree there wasn't alot of that evidenced in the pre-gig scenario described. If either of my bands needed a sub, we wouldn't get to this point - both bands have way too many originals to pull in any core player at the last minute - there would be rehearsals involved. In reality, if a core member (in our case, this is bass, guitar, drums, and at least one of the two singers) of my main band can't make a gig, we cancel it and find our own replacement act if necessary. I guess the exception for a drummer would be a monster player who we know well, have played with before (or at least one of us has) and we have all ratified him/her. I would also add that bands are not all used to a sub situation - your approach certainly is solid, but there probably alot of bands who haven't really thought through the pitfalls here. That's no real defense, but it is partially why I said your post was a bit harsh.
