I don't like the new guy.

At this point, it's not your friend. It's an act with two people in it.

If your friend invited this person to play, he must like what he's doing. You're not going to change this. I'd steer clear, personally. It's just going to invite stress since you won't be happy and it'd be a huge leap to suggest that you might be able to influence or mold things more to your liking when that's not really your place.

If he asks you why, be honest. Just tell him the other guy's style isn't your thing and offer that if they decide not to play together you'd be all in.

 

IME, you get exactly one "him or me" card per project.
Don't play it unless you're prepared to walk.
Have you talked with New Guy about your creative differences? Maybe he thinks he's compensating for -- something...
Have you talked with friend about New Guy's style?
If friend likes it, you know where you stand.

 

FFS, use your words. I’ll never understand these “what should I do?” posts when the simple answer is just to have an open, respectful conversation.

 

Exactly. I'll just add to be specific, using evidence if you have a recording. Make it about the music, not the person. Frankly, it's not a bad idea to set aside time for performance notes for the whole group on a regular basis.

 

You can't walk before you joined. You can't join without talking.
Let them know how you thought they sounded and what changes in
their performance would be required to accommodate you with any comfort.

Maybe Noodle guy is open to suggestions. Maybe not.

 

You could just do it and see if having a bass line and a 3rd person just naturally calms new guy down. I know it’s a long shot.

 

Hand the offensive noodler a gift wrapped pair of drumsticks... as soon as he breaks paper, fire him.

 

About the other guitar player...

My father used to say that some people only have taste in their mouths. Sounds like that guy.

 

Not if they got the corona. Then they just have no taste.

 

Noodle dude may be trying to fill musical spaces. Sometimes it's overplaying, sometimes not; I have not heard them play so I don't know. It's possible that having a bass in the mix will reduce noodle boy's need to overplay. Jam with them once or twice and see what happens.

 

I think it’s hard to make a determination based on one gig that is a two piece. He may have just been filling space like others have said, or really nervous and overplaying. The calming presence of a solid and tasteful bass player who isn’t overplaying might totally change his approach.

Or he could just be a wanker and you walk away. Give it at least a shot...what do you have to lose?

 

I agree with what others have said about the new guy trying to fill what he perceives as too much space, and maybe the addition of bass will solve that.

Aside from that, how did the coffee shop crowd react to the songs? Did people get up and leave? Did they react positively?

I’d say it’s worth getting together and seeing how it goes at least.

 

Aren't you the new guy now?

I'd play a bit with them before making a commitment. It could all settle out to something good with your influence.

 

There is no way I would sign on for that. I would however record the duo. Review it with your friend then tell him why you can’t work with the new guy.

 

as long as he's in time and in tune, just focus on your bass parts with the drummer?

 

This is a possibility, though I suspect remote. There's tasteful noodling and then there's everyone else. But it could be worth one shot.

I would definitely not take the advice to record and critique. You're not even a member of the band, and if they like what they're doing it isn't your place to tell them how to improve it. That's just going to make you seem like a grade A a*****e.

 

"I don't enjoy what the OTHER GUY brings to the music so I'll have to decline. Good luck with your endeavors."

Or, even better,

"I don't think this project is for me" if pressed as to why then "I don't enjoy what the other guy brings to the table"

 

Seems pretty simple. Ask your friend if he knows what and how the other guitarist is playing. If he is not aware, let him know what you observed. Ask your singer/songwriter friend if he likes what the other guitar player brings to the songs. If he likes it, and he wrote the songs, that pretty much seals the deal.

 

This X 100

It's really the only answer. Be kind. Be respectful. But ve honest. End of story.