I hate musicians!

[Rip Topaz]

+1

Don't blame the drugs, your as bad as he is blaming his problems on a substance. The problem lies with the drummer, not the drugs. Just like when you play with drinkers who get too drunk, alcohol is not the problem, people are.

My guitarist and I (plus our old drummer but we are currently just hiring guys) get high as a kite before we play and jam, we are productive as hell and play some serious technical prog, lots of counting. Drugs have nothing to do with productivity, they are nothing more than an excuse for lazy people who use drugs.

I realize you didn't come here for advice, but here is my 2 cents anyways, tell him to ship up or you're cutting his pay, you're not paying for somebody to screw up and your on tour, tell him to listen to songs all day and chart some out. Like a professional should.

Well said.

 

[lowfreq33]

Valid point, I've worked with smokers who were had no problem doing the job, but sadly they were the rare exception.

 

[Spectrum]

He's not blaming the drugs. He's blaming the pothead who uses them.

 

[armywalaby]

People are pieces of **** before they imbibe anything. docking his pay sounds like a great idea. of course you'd have to sit down with him first and let him know, but with only a handful of shows left it seems like it might not matter. hope it gets better before it gets worse.

 

[lowfreq33]

See, I'm trying to work on my temper, and I know if I get started on this guy and he gets an attitude with me he's going to end up standing on the side of the highway next to a pile of drums with a broken nose. So I'm trying to keep my cool

 

[SRFSterling5]

I tried to play with a stoner twice. It just wasn't worth the effort.
I feel for you man. Had someone try out as a drummer a few months
back. Get this, no car, heavy drinking problem, but the band leader
said she "used to play with so and so famous way back when". I was
very skeptical and sure enough, playing like a beginner, same beat on
every song, constantly blaming the equipment, etc. etc. The next
day, I told the band leader (who also happens to be one of my best
friends) it's either her or me, take your pick. Needless to say, she
wasn't asked back.

In your situation, I would cut the pay until there is an improvement
in both performance and attitude.

 

[Mousekillaz]

If you think that being under the influence at work is acceptable in any circumstance, you are delusional. There are good reasons why employers show you the door in a hot second if your under the influence.
Personally I will never work with anyone who uses dope or drinks excessively, my time is more valuable to me, than are their bad habits.
For the OP, you might be better off cutting your loses, rather than have his lifestyle choices ruin your groups working reputation and your future finding decent engagements.

 

[lowfreq33]

Canceling isn't really an option. We're under contract with all the places we're playing.

 

[FenderBassist]

See, I'm trying to work on my temper, and I know if I get started on this guy and he gets an attitude with me he's going to end up standing on the side of the highway next to a pile of drums with a broken nose. So I'm trying to keep my cool

I can appreciate that. I know how it feels being under contract, and dealing with a player like him. You feel trapped in a sense.

So, make him feel trapped.

If he wants his pay he has to get his act together starting today.

Otherwise, his pay is going to "the session player from the Music Union" that the clubs "insisted you hire to fulfil your contract and not drive their customers away" because "allowing inebriated performers is against policy"...

...and dumbo will have to settle for having played for free (you and he had a verbal contract, and he didn't live up to his, right?).

You "really don't want to do that", so he'll have to save the partying until after the show because "it's not permitted for the bands to party while working in the venues". Otherwise he'll have a long walk home carrying his drums on his back

If he bails on you (i.e. has an emotional, childish reaction), is there any chance of hiring Union players to cover any of the shows? Do you guys have drum charts, just in case?

 

[Munjibunga]

I guess I've been lucky over the years. All the drummers I've played with have been good to excellent drummers and pretty reliable. If they weren't they would've been shown the door. Wish I'd've had as good luck with singers.

 

[lowfreq33]

I can appreciate that. I know how it feels being under contract, and dealing with a player like him. You feel trapped in a sense.

So, make him feel trapped.

If he wants his pay he has to get his act together starting today.

Otherwise, his pay is going to "the session player from the Music Union" that the clubs "insisted you hire to fulfil your contract and not drive their customers away"...

...and dumbo will have to settle for having played for free (you and he had a verbal contract, and he didn't live up to his, right?).

You "really don't want to do that", so he'll have to save the partying until after the show because "it's not permitted for the bands to party while working in the venues". Otherwise he'll have a long walk home carrying his drums on his back

If he bails on you (i.e. has an emotional, childish reaction), is there any chance of hiring Union players to cover any of the shows? Do you guys have drum charts, just in case?

We're in rural Minnesota, so there's not really anyone we could call around here. We actually had a friend from Michigan ready to come out here after the first night, but he had no way to get here. If we were closer to home it would be a different story.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

a little off topic, but i didnt even know cover bands toured, lol
can there really be that much of a lack of cover bands in a town that they need to book a touring cover band?

 

[FenderBassist]

We're in rural Minnesota, so there's not really anyone we could call around here. We actually had a friend from Michigan ready to come out here after the first night, but he had no way to get here. If we were closer to home it would be a different story.

Ah I understand.

I will continue hoping that things turn out better once you decide the course of action you're going to take as his employer or general contractor.

 

[FenderBassist]

a little off topic, but i didnt even know cover bands toured, lol
can there really be that much of a lack of cover bands in a town that they need to book a touring cover band?

Oh cover bands can certainly play various circuits.

Sometimes, when you're distant from a major market town, the area talent either "doesn't cut it" or has "burned out the locals" with their routine/sound.

Bringing in an out of town band can draw a lot of locals in these places, to see something they don't normally see.

 

[Roy Vogt]

I'm sending you some referrals in case this guy implodes. Check your PM.
Never mind, I see you're on the Road. I can probably locate someone for you in Minneapolis if you absolutely need to change, although it looks like you're stuck with what you're stuck with. Next time, feel free to PM me. I've got at least 20 guys I can refer. A lot of these Belmont kids (and recent grads) are great players and they really do their homework!
Next time....In the meantime keep smiling at the poor So and So who's totally out of his league and be merciful if you can!

 

[capnsandwich]

I'm sending you some referrals in case this guy implodes. Check your PM.

FTW!!!

 

[Mystic Michael]

Just to offer another set of perspectives here...

I would say that at this point, with only six dates left on the tour, it's all about getting to the finish line with minimal damage to the band's reputation...so that Dumbo's screw-ups don't follow you, and don't interfere with the band's ability to score good gigs again in the future.

That's it. That's the bottom line. Don't worry about the pay issue. Understand that your personal annoyance, however intense it might be right now, is irrelevant to the bottom line.

Gauge the situation. If you feel the damage is ongoing - and is significant - then it might be worth leaning on Dumbo with the threat of a pay cut, or whatever else might be appropriate. If the damage is enough that you're willing to risk the downside, namely that he bails out altogether, leaving you drummerless, then go for it: Roll the dice.

If you feel that Dumbo's screwups have been contained and minimized, at least to the point that they won't cause any long-term damage to the band's reputation, then it might be better to just grit your teeth and continue to cope as you have been. Super-aggravating, yes. But pragmatic as well. Your call.

Either way, the torment will soon be over...

MM

 

[FenderBassist]

Just to offer another set of perspectives here...

I would say that at this point, with only six dates left on the tour, it's all about getting to the finish line with minimal damage to the band's reputation...so that Dumbo's screw-ups don't follow you, and don't interfere with the band's ability to score good gigs again in the future.

That's it. That's the bottom line. Don't worry about the pay issue. Understand that your personal annoyance, however intense it might be right now, is irrelevant to the bottom line.

Gauge the situation. If you feel the damage is ongoing - and is significant - then it might be worth leaning on Dumbo with the threat of a pay cut, or whatever else might be appropriate. If the damage is enough that you're willing to risk the downside, namely that he bails out altogether, leaving you drummerless, then go for it: Roll the dice.

If you feel that Dumbo's screwups have been contained and minimized, at least to the point that they won't cause any long-term damage to the band's reputation, then it might be better to just grit your teeth and continue to cope as you have been. Super-aggravating, yes. But pragmatic as well. Your call.

Either way, the torment will soon be over...

MM

You know what? MysticMichael is right. He has a clearer perspective than I do on your situation. I would consider his words carefully.

 

[MikeBass]

Shoot him.
Problem solved.
You can thank me later.

 

[FenderBassist]

Shoot him.
Problem solved.
You can thank me later.

Or, if you prefer:

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