Yea either walk, or be willing to walk. Power struggles only exist when two forces are at play. Be the force that doesn't bluff.
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I think I have to walk.
- Thread starter Dusty Elmer
- Start date
Definitely time to GTFO. Your “main booker” seems weirdly, inexplicably stupid to me. You don’t need that in your musical life.
Dishonesty is not something I'll deal with very well coming from anyone, for any reason. I would have done the same thing. And the OPs "main booker" pulling his more lucrative booked shows off the calendar in favor of his own, is just as dishonest. I wouldn't be able to muster up enough respect for that guy as a human being to want to be in a band with him at that point.
1. That was a dick move.
2. Yes, you have every reason to walk
3. unless it's really special, who plays really far away for $200?
2. Yes, you have every reason to walk
3. unless it's really special, who plays really far away for $200?
I guess unprofessional is a way to put it, but that also just sounds childish. I am always a bit aggressively direct with my bandmates about things, but i really don't get how people handle confrontation with such utter inadequacy. Probably not the best move here in your situation, but i would probably embarrass him in front of the rest of the band before leaving.
That being said, playing in a Queen tribute show sounds pretty sweet and despite the pay I would prefer that gig. I would never bail on a confirmed date though.
That being said, playing in a Queen tribute show sounds pretty sweet and despite the pay I would prefer that gig. I would never bail on a confirmed date though.
I would explain to the band as a whole, not seperately, just what you did here.
You booked a pair of jobs, at better pay and closer.
Either the dates are fulfilled as booked or they are on their own, and you are gone, as of that night.
I would also say that at this time they might want to reconsider the "booker" since he seems to be soliciting jobs for less money and farther away, which woukd seem to be pretty counterproductive in the grand scheme of things.
The skeptic in me is thinking that the "booker" is getting more money for his date, you and the other members possibly are getting cut out of the additionsl money.
I have never seen a "booker" refuse more money. Might be time for a change in "bookers".
Whether you call out the booker to explain why, is up to you and your bandmates ultimately.
have a meeting with the band. Tell them you are not playing the Queen gig for $40, you will be playing the ale house for $100 a man and anyone who wants to do the ale house gig - speak up now as you will be enlisting players immediately after you leave to fill in the holes in the line up.
Even if the Queen gig paid 100 a head, I would still honour the first booked one for 40ea.
One problem I see with OP getting the rest of the mates on board is that the original booking is only a trio (involving one other member besides the OP and 'main booker.') So the unaffected others will be coming out ahead $40, plus not see it as their reputations taking a hit.
Interested to know how this plays out. Good luck, OP
One problem I see with OP getting the rest of the mates on board is that the original booking is only a trio (involving one other member besides the OP and 'main booker.') So the unaffected others will be coming out ahead $40, plus not see it as their reputations taking a hit.
Interested to know how this plays out. Good luck, OP
Usually if you feel in your gut something is wrong, it most likely is.
I've been down that same road of a band booking gigs or accepting gigs from agents for far less money. Usually the agent had a band cancel and BS'ed the band leader with ideas of "If you do this it'll open a lit of doors"... How many times have we heard this. I walked before, or basically told them I couldn't afford to pay to play, which is what one is doing when no rooms are figured in, hardly enough to cover lodging, gas and food. The guy said he'd replace me so I thanked him and said goodbye.
I wouldn't have ended it that way, but I had already told him several times not to book those gigs. I normally would have given a notice but this was just out of the blue, last minute and I wasn't going to just drop everything and run off to another state... The keyboard player felt the same way so we both got booted... Incidentally the keyboard player and I are still in a band together and that guy has quit playing.
I think you know what you must do. I guarantee you it won't get any better.
If you have time to give notice I recommend it, it looks better on you to any other players around, and it's the best thing... but if your back is against the wall, walk.
You need to get out more. Put a walking bassline on anything and it's ''country''.
By Neil Young, from his Barvest album.
I think I can. I'm going to ask the owner what he'd like me to do regarding the 11/22 gig. I contacted him today to let him know we're forced to be a duo tomorrow, and to make sure that that was ok. He has a little trepidation, rightfully so, but ok'd it. The sticky point is that this band is well-known, and these shows are booked under that name, so replacing everyone might not fly with the owner. Tough situation that I'll be very happy to be done with.
They're complicit. They all have the same skewed view on these things, I guess as a result of the main booker's influence. They've not met with much failure yet, and are getting a little too big for their britches honestly.
We have not rehearsed any Queen songs ever. Delusional is a word that comes to mind.
Ah, Millennials. Now it all makes sense. Run man, run! Your brothers and sisters at TB are with you all the way, most of us have been there there at one time or another and in one way or another.
