Firing a band member?

That is something I absolutely could and would not deal with. There are SOOOOOO many great guitarists floating around, why would you even consider having someone inconvenience you like that, and hold the rest of the band up. My guess is that type of person eventually becomes something other than a musician.

I've been rehearsing for around 20 years with lots of different bands. I don't think I've EVER missed a rehearsal - at the most 2 or 3 with good cause. I love what I do, and thank god so have the majority of musicians I've played with.

I wouldn't stand for it.

 

Anyone who doesn't show up at rehearsals, without notice or good reason, deserves to be fired. If this person doesn't have the same motivation as everyone else, then it's time for him to go. The sooner the better IMO.

 

I agree with joe.

One strike and you're out if you are a no show/no call at a practice or a gig.

I've seen dozens and dozens of those prima donnas and the quicker they are given thier walking papers the better off the band will be. It doesn't take but one rotten apple to spoil the whole barrel.

There are enough headaches in keeping a band together without having to worry about the band members even showing up.

Pkr2

 

Im a 3 strikes your out kinda guy, sometimes less depending on the situation. and this seems like the less kind of situation. Its understandable that sometimes stuff happens where you cant make the rehearsals, but its like a job, you should at least call in let them know.

If he's a good bud of yours, then talk to him, find out what the problem is, tell him how you and the band feel about it, be sypathetic if its a decent reason, then imediatly fire him.

 

I agree with cassanova, give the guy a "sit down" and let him know you mean business. Either he shapes up, or he's out. IMO, it doesn't matter if you're the next Kirk Hammett -- if you have an attitude ("I don't need to practice"), you're not going to last long with me.

I would rather have a mediocre guitarist with a great attitude than a guitar virtuoso that thinks he's the best thing since the electric toothbrush (my current slinger has a poor attitude and he sucks at what he does).

 

you did notice i said then imidiatly fire him after to you talk to him right?

 

We went through a 'Spinal Tap' of guitarists last year after our guitarist left for personal reasons. As the singer and drummer were both female, I got outvoted on who should fire them!!!! 5 by my own fair hand - but it was just a matter of them not fitting in - we only had one guy who was a no show type!! I'll be honest though it wasn't a pleasant experience for me !

My personal opinion is everyone can screw up once - and they deserve a second chance ('xcept when they really don't fit in!). So I'd probably talk to the guy('cos you said he's a mate) and see what the deal is - and let him know he's had his one chance!

Oh yeah, the year before the guitarists I had to oust a drummer as well!!!! I think I'll need to get 'kill' stickers for the headstock of my bass!

And finally, our original guitarist came back into the band 6 months ago and things are great!!!!!

 

If he's not showing up to practice and not letting you know ahead of time then he must feel like he's got better things to do. On top of that, he doesn't care about the time and effort the rest of the band is putting into it, otherwise he would call.

You can sit him down and talk to him but, in my experience, someone like that isn't going to change. The best you can hope for is that he buckles down for the next couple months. Eventually, though, I will bet you'll only repeat what your going through now if you don't fire him.

 

Your never going to get anything accomplished if one of you members never shows up. Just ask him if he is really serious about the band and if not tell him you need someone who is.

 

i asked becasue you said he would flip if you kicked him out. So i thought you were just gonna talk to him and let him get away with it.
Talking to someone your about to fire definatly lessens the blow and keeps them a bit calmer, I speak from experience as being the exterminator and the dumpee.

 

Beavis voice on

He should be fired! Yeah. heh heh...

Beavis voice off