Frustrating audition experience - long rant alert

[GCPENG]

geese - its a bass player audition - as long as someone turns up with four strings its all good right - nobody cares about the bass!

That has actually been my past experience.

 

[Andy Diamond]

That has actually been my past experience.

yeah - exactly - that's why I thought it was kinda bizarre that someone would go to all that trouble for a bass audition

 

[MattZilla]

I found out why they lost their bass player and their vocalist in quick succession.

Clearly, he/they don't really know what they want. Day to day it was changing and I don't want to waste my time preparing for a moving target.

I like this.

 

[AlexBassMP]

Usually I'm very picky with people I play with.

I'd take very demanding people if it was a known established gigging band .. I'm not the best player out there but I value a lot my time and my peace of mind... I like to play, but not at any cost financial,phisical or emotional...

 

[basscapes]

geese - its a bass player audition - as long as someone turns up with four strings its all good right - nobody cares about the bass!

...besides, if the bass player sucks, they can always fire the drummer!

Or, if the bass player is sooooo good he makes the drummer look bad, they can just fire the drummer!

 

[mellowinman]

OK, I'm missing the part of the story where you beat him within an inch of his life.

 

[basscapes]

OK, I'm missing the part of the story where you beat him within an inch of his life.

...the OP didn't want to get blood on body, or on the bass...

 

[mikeswals]

When your regular band's singer is back from overseas in 6 months, you're going to bail on these guys anyway.

13, so what, I would have done the full audition knowing its very temporary anyway.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I've prepped a dozen songs in a week for an audition, but it sounds like these guys don't have their together, which is why they don't have either a full band or paying gigs. For a gigging band, I would do it, to show how serious I am.

A dozen songs in a week is doable if the majority of the songs are simple. I had to learn 14 in 2 weeks and did, for the most part. However, there were 3 songs that were occupying the majority of my time.

 

[Jimmy4string]

Hmm let me play Devil's Advocate for this band for a fun post...

 

[ZAR14]

I understand the impression that you may have gained, but I am a weekend warrior in my main band as well, and I have described that band as such in other threads. I use the term in its most descriptive sense and intended no condescension.

And with respect to the "clubs" comment, this was relevant in that the opportunity wasn't a stellar one to begin with, but I hoped that, if I had joined, I would be able to move them away from these venues to some better ones.

I'm sure you meant no offense with the use of "Weekend Warrior", but for me personally, if someone used that term to refer to me, they would be starting off on the wrong foot....
But that's just me!

 

[electracoyote]

What a cluster fudge. The Red Flag Store ran out of red flags on that one.

Such a stroke of luck for you that the audition process was so dysfunctional and protracted. Auditions are two-way streets, and these guys failed big time. Three gigs on freebie stages in a year almost tells the whole story, but in case you needed elaboration and confirmation about their clown car status, you certainly got it.

 

[edro]

Folks get all spun up for the damndest reasons....

 

[PaulJSmith]

It's surely clear by now that the guy you talked with did you a huge favor by running you off. The daily changing requirements aren't just a red flag, that's a big, bright stoplight. It's probably also an indicator as to why they play the gigs you mentioned. I wouldn't waste any more time on it ... other than retaining it as a great story to tell when sitting around with other musicians. Find a better temp gig.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I'd very clearly tell them you're not interested and move on. This guy seems rather high-maintenance, and if it's this much trouble just getting through the audition process, it's not going to get any easier.

 

[ColonelZulu]

Post the classified ad link here so we can all schedule auditions.

Seriously though, sometimes, between bands, I will audition just to have a reason to learn, play and network with new musicians.

Make sure you give your contact out to the whole band, not just the BL. Then when they get fed up with him or her, one or two of them may call you for their next project.

 

[jthisdell]

After about the fourth contradictory email I think I would have quit responding. hard to hit a moving target. If just getting to the audition is that hard actually playing for him would be exhausting.

 

[SactoBass]

If this guy is the BL, he did you a favor by taking you off the list.

If nothing is open for discussion, especially when you factually point out inconsistencies, you've run into an authoritarian control freak type person.

Or, maybe he's on drugs or something because he can't remember one day to the next what he asked of you?

Or, maybe he's so disorganized he's lost control of the audition process?

Something's not right and it isn't you.

Run, Forest, run.

Be glad you're not a former member.

Run, Forest, run!

@GCPENG: Stumbo gave spot-on advice. Distance yourself from that freakazoid as quickly as possible.

 

[GCPENG]

OK, I'm missing the part of the story where you beat him within an inch of his life.

Several of the responses have made me chuckle out loud.

This was one.

 

[GCPENG]

...besides, if the bass player sucks, they can always fire the drummer!

Or, if the bass player is sooooo good he makes the drummer look bad, they can just fire the drummer!

By the way, the guy that I'm talking about......he's the drummer.