I predict I will be fired by the end of weekend

[oldrocker]

Experienced classic rock bass player - been searching for a band to join.

Posted this on CL and got a hit :

Experienced classic rock bass player looking for a band.

Any bands out there playing classic rock --

Stones, CCR, Tom Petty, ZZ Top. Maybe some Clapton/Cream or some Allmans or Skynyrd.

Could add some SRV, Black Crowes or a bunch of other stuff.

This has to be fun but the the goal should be to get enough songs down to play in front of people.

​

I was contacted by a guitarist and sent a list of 15 mostly standard classic rock tunes - Skynyrd, Doors, Zeppelin, Neil Young, Black Crowes, Z Top ... And 1 Poison song - "Nothing But a Good Time". I'm not a big 80s hair band fan but hey, it's only 1 song out of 15.

I knew most of the songs and only had to work on 3 or 4, and I learned the Poison song, so the initial meeting goes well and they ask me to continue with them. They play pretty well, the songs are stuff I like for the most part so I figure why not. There are 4 of them the drummer has played in other band with all of these guys - but not all at the same time. All good until group texts and next 2 meetings discussing new songs show the new ones to be mostly 80s hair band songs.

Singer suggests several 80s hair band songs - drummer immediate seconds those selections. I mention I'm not a fan and don't know any of those songs. Other guitar player and I mention a lot of classic rock songs that either somehow get vetoed or don't end up on any list. This happens both on session 2 and session 3. Session 3 was last night.

Not only that but we somohow lose one of the original 15 standard classic rock songs from the initial list every session.

This morning the singer group texts a proposed additional 10 song set list, asking our opinion. You guessed it, 7 of the 10 are by 80s hair bands - more Poison, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Ratt and 1 song from a fake band from the movie Rock Star. Drummer immediately texts back - 'Yes'.

As I mention I'm not a fan but I know I'm not going to like every song we play so I'm OK with 1 or 2 per set but I'm not going to play a set with 70% of that stuff.

I could have been passive aggressive and just not learn the songs but after thinking about I decided to be upfront and tell them exactly that - That I'm not a fan - remind them that I told them that twice already and that I'm OK 1 or 2 per set but besides that I'm not on board with the new set list.

IME when a bass player complains about songs it is the kiss of death so I will be fired.

Not sure exactly how it will play out but I will probably be tagged as selfish and not a team player but it's really just a musical mismatch. I do feel marginalized as they didn't listen to my concerns the 1st 2 times I mentioned it, and a little mislead given the initial 15 songs but I have no hard feelings.


Sorry for the rant.

 

[Nuage420]

I think it's fair that your ad and yourself through the process have expressed your displeasure with the genre. I would just part ways on your terms and repost your ad.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Just be honest. If that's the direction they are headed, the sooner you get off the bus, the better.

 

[4SG]

You were up front about your preferences and should have no regrets.

 

[LBS-bass]

Sounds like your taste and theirs is not a good match. Cut your losses and move on; no need to wait to be fired.

 

[Nuage420]

Maybe the guitarist and you can connect on a project

 

[FirewalZ]

I get your situation and it really just depends....for example some guys just enjoy getting out and playing, and as long as the other members are cool and play well, the genre is less important. However, if your already in a few groups, or really looking for something specific, than just be up front. I would let them know what kind of tunes and genre your looking to play, and if that doesn’t align with what they want to do, than just say so and be transparent but professional about it. Life's to short to play stuff your not enjoying....I mean who wants another job

 

[Killing Floor]

I’ll let you borrow my 80s Kramer acoustic if y’all decide to do that stupid More than Words song.

 

[DirtDog]

Fire yourself.

“Sorry. This isn’t what I signed up for”.

 

[Tim Grant]

It sounds like they reverse bait and switched you. They had an 80's metal band, couldn't find a bass player, saw your ad, brought you in with a fake set list and are now bringing in the original set list back. I would leave if you are not happy. Do what makes you happy.

 

[theduke1]

My 1st rule is
When it stops being fun I’m out
Run Forest Run!
Duke

 

[Stewie]

You can't fire me, I quit!

 

[TheReceder]

I agree with the rule that if it's not fun, hang it up... however... some times making money is almost as fun as spending it.

I've been in bands that I got by by loving maybe 2 songs. The crowd responses were good for the rest of the songs so I was able to acclimate. I've also been in bands that were substandard, I hated the whole setlist, but the other musicians made it worthwhile simply because they were a lot of fun.

In other words... most of what I said will be little or no help

 

[db59]

Wear this to next rehearsal

 

[jamersonburton]

While I like a bunch of 80s rock, if I was in your shoes I'd walk for three reasons.

1) your ad was honest and they knew what they were signing up for when they reached out to you

2) it sounds as though at least one other person in the band is pushing a different agenda that conflicts with what you were told, what you were expecting, or both

3) You voiced your concern and the band isn't listening - if you're being shut down now, is it going to be any different with bigger band decisions?

Yeah I'd walk. Bigger and better things ahead.

 

[MynameisMe]

I would bail.
If course I'm not into 80s hair bands either.
If I ever hear "every rose has it's thorns" again I will vomit!.

 

[C Stone]

If they pull some selfish guilt crap, team player garbage, remind them of your post that they contacted you from:

Experienced classic rock bass player looking for a band.

Any bands out there playing classic rock --​

 

[arbiterusa]

Classic "hair metal" is now farther in the past than "classic rock" was when hair metal was a thing.

 

[Bassnkeys]

Took me 50 years to finally internalize that everything is a choice. If you don’t totally dig it — I love the advice above to fire yourself. To quote an 80’s cheesy Poison tune (that they’ll likely make you play): “every rose has its thorn.” To quote a song more in your musical wheelhouse: thanks, but no thanks guys: “I will choose free will.” (Rush).

 

[Aric Keith]

Hair metal, grunge, and other 80s rock variations are all mainstays of many or most "classic rock" radio stations these days, being part of a continuum. It's quite possible they feel that this is "classic rock" whereas your definition is a bit more narrow and based around your youth. That's understandable from both sides.

Having said that, it's clear that they want to play much more of the 80s hair metal than you're comfortable with. There's no reason to fight it or be angry. It's just not a good match, and you should respectfully and pleasantly bow out and find a group more suiited to your tastes.