45 years in the biz. Thousands of gigs. I've done supermarket openings, and played on a santa Claus float. I've never backed out of a gig for ANY reason. You word is your contract, and your reputation.
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I think I have to walk.
- Thread starter Dusty Elmer
- Start date
I would love to hear "Under Pressure" on ac bass & banjo ... maybe "Radio Ga Ga" country style with a choir. nothing else comes to mind as appropriate.PS. Would be interested in hearing the "Bohemian Rhapsody" guitar solo on banjo
I wouldn't overreact, but I would take it as a sign of things to come. If the main booker is comfortable doing this once, it'll happen again.
This can play out a couple of different ways: You find a way to break it to the local Ale House and smooth it over with them, maintaining the relationship to still work with them in the future. Or you refuse to play the Queen gig and honor your commitment to the Ale House. You're basically choosing between the band and the commitment. Your word is everything, but poopie happens. Either way this would likely work out just fine.
I would be more worried about what this says about the rest of the band's decision-making process. That they would even want to play that Queen gig is concerning. I don't know about the booker pocketing more money and asking you to play for peanuts. I remember being that young, and I think it's equally likely that they think this particular gig will pay off in connections/exposure, in a way that your Ale House gig wouldn't. The band I had at that age was faced with the exact same scenario several times, and I remember having similar conversations. I learned lessons that have paid off for me since then, but experience is the best teacher.
This can play out a couple of different ways: You find a way to break it to the local Ale House and smooth it over with them, maintaining the relationship to still work with them in the future. Or you refuse to play the Queen gig and honor your commitment to the Ale House. You're basically choosing between the band and the commitment. Your word is everything, but poopie happens. Either way this would likely work out just fine.
I would be more worried about what this says about the rest of the band's decision-making process. That they would even want to play that Queen gig is concerning. I don't know about the booker pocketing more money and asking you to play for peanuts. I remember being that young, and I think it's equally likely that they think this particular gig will pay off in connections/exposure, in a way that your Ale House gig wouldn't. The band I had at that age was faced with the exact same scenario several times, and I remember having similar conversations. I learned lessons that have paid off for me since then, but experience is the best teacher.
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PS. Would be interested in hearing the "Bohemian Rhapsody" guitar solo on banjo
These guys suffer from verbal diarhea, so jump way forward.
Are they playing the gig tomorrow? If so I'd make sure that one gets played and paid then make my move.
I have, but my reasons have involved the term "unanticipated surgery", and I was thankfully able to give some notice. So, I can't say I've never backed out, but good relationships will survive the truly good reasons.
I would be pissed if that happened with my band, and I don't blame you for wanting to walk. Call the booker and get his explanation. Explain to them how unprofessional that is to cancel a gig that is confirmed (for whatever amount of money). If they give you a BS answer, then I would probably quit as well. If they make it right, then stay. If you do end up staying, I would make it clear that this should never happen again.
You are not wrong. I would run, not walk away from this band and find one not full of idiots, or scam artists.
Sorry I didnt read the whole thread (dont think I need to):
This 100%:
YOU'LL NEVER WORK IN THIS TOWN AGAIN!!!! Well, if you ever wanna play there again I'd work something out with someone fast. All those young dudes (hey, wait a minute!) are not thinking about that kind of stuff, but you know how it works and if its your hometown you really ought to make it work. Get a singer (female or male) you've worked with and a few players and just do the gig, but DO NOT CANCEL. Like others have said, your word is your bond and its way too late to back out now and not get poopie-listed. Gotta hear how this turns out so keep us posted! Update - yeah man, you're outta there!
If you can't get a band together for the gigs you booked, I would real quick call the owner you booked with and give them a heads up, so they can get that night covered.
Then I would absolutely walk away from that band and start my own.
I only played in one or two bands that I wasn't the BL and only because it would be less responsibility, but also like yourself having my rep smear by others burning bridges along the way which included ditching scheduled shows for higher paying ones very unprofessional. Take the bull by the horns and run the band yourself. good luck RTS
Then I would absolutely walk away from that band and start my own.
I only played in one or two bands that I wasn't the BL and only because it would be less responsibility, but also like yourself having my rep smear by others burning bridges along the way which included ditching scheduled shows for higher paying ones very unprofessional. Take the bull by the horns and run the band yourself. good luck RTS
Depends on the costs. If particularly litigious, the venue could book another band at a "last minute" rate and sue the band that backed out for the difference. Very unlikely, but not impossible.
Well said. The band's "main booker" is a business idiot without integrity. The OP doesn't need to walk, he needs to run, preferably to put together a group to honor the commitment.
Would you settle for an old Kay with worn out spirocore mitts?Tall redhead please? Ideally with a personality like Miranda Otto’s?
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon would be awesome in a string band.... I'm in an old time band/Americana band too, and we're considering doing that one.
On the question of the Op I'll say this: In my experience, democracy bands only last so long. I've been in plenty of those, but I actually prefer a band where one member is 'the guy', and handles everything, leaving no room for fighting. The band I'm in now is like that, and when I first joined, I was used to being 'the guy'. The leader of this band and I became friends, besides band mates, and I was so used to being in charge it was difficult to let go. So we clashed, ended up in a screaming match, and I walked. We didn't speak for a few months, then I called him up and said better to remain friends even without the band. He agreed. A month or two later they invited me back, and it was the best thing to happen to me musically in a very long time. I totally accept being the GIB now, and I no longer have to deal with bookings, etc. I love it. All the stress is his problem now, and I must say, he knows more people than me anyway, and books amazing gigs. If I come across a gig offer, I text him and let him negotiate it, and it's been absolutely excellent, and now me n this guy are like brothers. The whole band is like one big family, I'm really lucky. I love absolutely every person in the band.
Anyway.....Good luck to the OP. I'd come sit in on UB for you if I were closer.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
None of us are trying to downgrade the kind of music you are playing, but it sounds like this venue could be a regular place for you to play. Get a few musicians - whether from the present band or otherwise. Nail that first gig and you might have a great start for you, and no more BS.
This is clearly a sign to walk. The band fund is usually managed poorly, and often pays the “treasurer’s” utilities.
