HAD A BAD GIG TONIGHT.......

[obimark]

Well, not me personally, but the other guys in the band did.
The guitar player, who has anger issues, had too much to drink and started turning up his amp. Finally he got too loud and the drummer complained that he couldn't hear vocals or anything but guitar. The drummer was getting pissed off about the guitar player.
After we stopped playing the drummer was telling me how loud the guitar player was and the guitar player started yelling obscenities and pushed the drummer in the back. This turned into a fist fight, but people dragged them away to separate them.
Of course, all this happened on stage in front of all the people.
Yikes! How embarrassing ...........

I have two rules- I don't play with A-Holes or Drunks.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Yup... been there. I put up with it for a couple more gigs because 1. it wasn't directed at me, 2. the music was fun, and 3. the money was pretty awesome.

After about a month of loading out and driving home in white-knuckled anxiety, I gave notice and quit, never looking back. I heard a while later, a fist-fight finally did break out onstage.

 

[cableguy]

This situation sucks. Depending on how much of a friendship you have with the guitarist, you can have a conversation about his issues with alcohol & anger. If you're not friends, play the gig and move on or have a band discussion about replacing him. Me? I like to push the issues, so I would buy him a couple Long Island Ice Teas before the 1st set. Complain to the drummer that you can't hear him over the guitar. Then go out with a blaze of glory at the Whiskey.....

 

[FenderB]

Nothing good will come of hanging with a guy that has "anger issues" whether he's in a band or not. I'd seriously consider distancing myself from him before something serious happens.

 

[JRA]

Yikes!

i couldn't hang with cats who would put the music on a lower level than their own self-regard.

edit: the best cats to have in a band are the ones who are there to escape that !

 

[smogg]

Fire the guitarist immediately. It will only get worse, much worse. I speak from first hand knowledge. You can not reason with an addict. Besides, guitarists are plentiful and
your downtime should be minimal if you recruit the right type of player.

 

[lokikallas]

I don't care if you F up the rest of your life with your alcohol problems, but if you are messing up gigs because of them, I'm out or you are out.

 

[HolmeBass]

Bummer of a situation, you’re playing the Whiskey and that is a cool gig, so leaving a successful band is tough. But I think you’re making the right call unless you know a guitarist who could fill this clown’s shoes, less the adolescent behavior, in which case float the option of firing/replacing the guitarist after the Whiskey gig, see if the drummer has any interest in improving the situation. Outside of that walking is the best course.

 

[Ostie]

Very unprofessional. I’m surprised that the venue didn’t fire your band.

You can and should talk to him about professional help, but I guarantee he will claim it’s not his fault, it’s the other guys.

This isn’t going to get better on its own. If it was me, I’d vote to fire his sorry butt, or else I’d leave. Who needs that kind of crap?

 

[bwoodman]

thanks for the responses. Yes, Although I would like to mention to the guitarist that he needs counseling on his drinking and anger issues, I don't have much faith that will go over well.
We have one more show booked at the Whiskey a GoGo July 12th. I think I will do the professional thing and do the gig and then walk away.

Seriously? I would have quit already. Why do the professional thing and do that show next month when your guitar-ard is not professional & pulls that crap?

 

[FunkHead]

Well, not me personally, but the other guys in the band did.
The guitar player, who has anger issues, had too much to drink and started turning up his amp. Finally he got too loud and the drummer complained that he couldn't hear vocals or anything but guitar. The drummer was getting pissed off about the guitar player.
After we stopped playing the drummer was telling me how loud the guitar player was and the guitar player started yelling obscenities and pushed the drummer in the back. This turned into a fist fight, but people dragged them away to separate them.
Of course, all this happened on stage in front of all the people.
Yikes! How embarrassing ...........

True Effing Rock & Roll.

 

[Ellery]

Well, not me personally, but the other guys in the band did.
The guitar player, who has anger issues, had too much to drink and started turning up his amp. Finally he got too loud and the drummer complained that he couldn't hear vocals or anything but guitar. The drummer was getting pissed off about the guitar player.
After we stopped playing the drummer was telling me how loud the guitar player was and the guitar player started yelling obscenities and pushed the drummer in the back. This turned into a fist fight, but people dragged them away to separate them.
Of course, all this happened on stage in front of all the people.
Yikes! How embarrassing ...........

That is some toxic chemistry there. Their behavior will not change. If you don't want to deal with it, leaving is your only option.

 

[Deleted member 261632]

Nasty worded or big discussion for the greater good: no issues as things tend to be said as intended or as they are.
Physical or fighting: huge no-no in my book. They walk beyond the point of no return.

 

[Koog]

Are you willing to risk your rig or the possibility going to jail if you get caught up in the melee at the next gig?

'Nuff said.

 

[1bassplayinfool]

Not cool in my book. Take it outside...

 

[Kukulkan61]

I would walk it’s just gonna get worse...

 

[jchrisk1]

And I thought I had a rough night. All I did was screw up a song intro. Luckily it was late, so it was overlooked.
I wouldn't stand for the crap you dealt with. Sorry you had such a mess to deal with.

 

[Kmonk]

Anger issues and alcohol do not mix well. I don't tolerate it. There is no reason for the guitarist to put his hands on anyone. I would either fire him or find another band.

 

[Bodeanly]

Before I tell you to quit, are you, by chance, a Motley Crue tribute band?

 

[steve_ss]

I was hoping to see video.