Wow I've never experienced a total fool like That! But I've dealt with band members (singers specifically) that no matter what you tell them they or him won't listen! One of the reasons we let our last singer go
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Keyboardist called Boomerang
- Thread starter BrewsterRooster
- Start date
I have such a low tolerance for BS I would confront anyone that even hinted at sabotage, let alone coming unprepared to a gig.
Update:
Boomerang has now been addressed for a third time with no room for interpretation or error. This was handled on an off day, discreetly and behind the scenes. Apparently he texted BL#1 to find out what the weekend's schedule would be, basically trolling for an invitation. Though she preferred not to handle the termination via text, she was on the hook at that moment. I was copied on the text she returned. It was a civil, concise, well-worded explanation of exactly why he would no longer be a member of the group. No nonsense, no corners cut, no half truths. She shot it perfectly straight.
His response was to immediately throw himself on her mercy, sputtering that "a little thing" like this shouldn't come between them. (Little thing? Really?) That was followed by several more emotional overtures and guilt-trippy nonsense about how he needs this, it's all he has, woe is me, etc. (Narrator's note: this is crap. He plays several area jams and has a couple other groups he sits in with - ours just happened to be the only one that ever paid him anything.) BL#1 didn't budge. And so, Boomerang abandoned that route and called BL#2 to plead his case - the very same guy he repeatedly wanted to have on stage pissing contests with - just like a child trying to split two parents. This had the predictable effect of stirring up a bit of conflict between the BLs, particularly because they hadn't yet discussed exactly how this was going to be handled. In typical fashion, though, they resolved that problem within the hour. They have never let anything stew between them for very long, and this was no exception.
Tomorrow BL#2 is apparently meeting Boomerang for a face-to-face, at which time the final axe will theoretically drop.
Butter that popcorn, pull up a chair, and dim the lights. And, yes, as has been implied in many posts on this thread, this is a real-time example of what happens when otherwise decent, friendly people give others too much rope.
Boomerang has now been addressed for a third time with no room for interpretation or error. This was handled on an off day, discreetly and behind the scenes. Apparently he texted BL#1 to find out what the weekend's schedule would be, basically trolling for an invitation. Though she preferred not to handle the termination via text, she was on the hook at that moment. I was copied on the text she returned. It was a civil, concise, well-worded explanation of exactly why he would no longer be a member of the group. No nonsense, no corners cut, no half truths. She shot it perfectly straight.
His response was to immediately throw himself on her mercy, sputtering that "a little thing" like this shouldn't come between them. (Little thing? Really?) That was followed by several more emotional overtures and guilt-trippy nonsense about how he needs this, it's all he has, woe is me, etc. (Narrator's note: this is crap. He plays several area jams and has a couple other groups he sits in with - ours just happened to be the only one that ever paid him anything.) BL#1 didn't budge. And so, Boomerang abandoned that route and called BL#2 to plead his case - the very same guy he repeatedly wanted to have on stage pissing contests with - just like a child trying to split two parents. This had the predictable effect of stirring up a bit of conflict between the BLs, particularly because they hadn't yet discussed exactly how this was going to be handled. In typical fashion, though, they resolved that problem within the hour. They have never let anything stew between them for very long, and this was no exception.
Tomorrow BL#2 is apparently meeting Boomerang for a face-to-face, at which time the final axe will theoretically drop.
Butter that popcorn, pull up a chair, and dim the lights. And, yes, as has been implied in many posts on this thread, this is a real-time example of what happens when otherwise decent, friendly people give others too much rope.
Can't wait for the final chapter!! 
BL#1 copied you on the reply, but not BL#2...
Your group has a 'interesting' dynamic. I cannot help but wonder the degree to which that dynamic contributes to the current situation, just like a kid whose parents are not working together to send a coherent message to a kid (repeating the analogy, since you mentioned it already). BL#1 was perfectly straight about the message, yet BL#2 is going to have to meet in person to theoretically drop the axe?
I don't know how well this event represents the overall dynamic, and it would be presumptuous of me to assume that this is typical. But given how long this issue with the keyboardist has been going on, the word 'dysfunctional' comes to mind. If I were in a situation like this, I'd be alert for ways that the communication and power dynamic could be causing issues and trying to work on that before it causes more problems, where possible.
Your group has a 'interesting' dynamic. I cannot help but wonder the degree to which that dynamic contributes to the current situation, just like a kid whose parents are not working together to send a coherent message to a kid (repeating the analogy, since you mentioned it already). BL#1 was perfectly straight about the message, yet BL#2 is going to have to meet in person to theoretically drop the axe?
I don't know how well this event represents the overall dynamic, and it would be presumptuous of me to assume that this is typical. But given how long this issue with the keyboardist has been going on, the word 'dysfunctional' comes to mind. If I were in a situation like this, I'd be alert for ways that the communication and power dynamic could be causing issues and trying to work on that before it causes more problems, where possible.
There's your explanation right there. He keeps turning up because BL#2 keeps leaving the door open. You say they've clashed, but perhaps BL#2 is crap at sacking people.
Let both BLs meet Boomerang, let BL#1 do all the talking and when Boomerang appeals to BL#2, get him to say, "I agree with BL#1." He can even mumble it into his porridge, but he has to say it in front of Boomerang.
Too many BL's
There needs to be a BL Rock em sock em robot battle of justice!
2 BL's enter, 1 BL leaves
There needs to be a BL Rock em sock em robot battle of justice!
2 BL's enter, 1 BL leaves
I agree that either BL2 has got to back BL1 in her decision,
- or -
BL2 has got to abdicate and grant full power to BL1.
- or -
BL2 has got to abdicate and grant full power to BL1.
Adamixoye
A PT Pro is cool for worship, right?
- Apr 9, 2012
- 18,158
- 69,338
- Disclosures
- Occasional Beta Tester for Confusion Studios, Singular Sound, and Source Audio
The ombudsman has spoken. /thread
I still say, you need to hire a bouncer.
Here's what you do: before your next gig, go out in the alley behind the venue and find a young drunk or homeless guy who wants to earn a few dollars. Ideally he should smell and look bad but still have enough strength in him to do the job. Show him a picture of Captain Boomerang and have him sit near the stage. When keyboard guy arrives and starts setting up, young drunk guy summarily grabs him and his equipment, takes him out back and slaps him around a little. Maybe pisses on his Leslie emulators.
Next show, same thing. Captain Keys arrives, and a different but still horrifying drunk grabs his ass, and throws him out into the alley. Wash, rinse, repeat. Guaranteed, after a few "incidents" he'll take the hint and stop showing up at your gigs.
And this way, when Captain Boomerang complains, the rest of the band can just shrug and say, "Gee, that's weird."
Here's what you do: before your next gig, go out in the alley behind the venue and find a young drunk or homeless guy who wants to earn a few dollars. Ideally he should smell and look bad but still have enough strength in him to do the job. Show him a picture of Captain Boomerang and have him sit near the stage. When keyboard guy arrives and starts setting up, young drunk guy summarily grabs him and his equipment, takes him out back and slaps him around a little. Maybe pisses on his Leslie emulators.
Next show, same thing. Captain Keys arrives, and a different but still horrifying drunk grabs his ass, and throws him out into the alley. Wash, rinse, repeat. Guaranteed, after a few "incidents" he'll take the hint and stop showing up at your gigs.
And this way, when Captain Boomerang complains, the rest of the band can just shrug and say, "Gee, that's weird."
jive1
Commercial User
The guy sounds like a manipulator who is using the band dynamic to his favor. Because I was naturally a nice kid, my mother told me that there's some people you just can't be nice to. I used to think she was just mean spirited, but over time I learned that she was right. People that are bullies, manipulators, moochers, etc. count on people being nice and actually seek those types of people out. Once they find themselves some 'good people', they glom onto them because they can. Sometimes the most egotistical people are the targets of these folks because their ego can't stand to have someone not like them or be mad at them, even if the person is a total d*****. Sounds like nobody wants to be the bad guy, so the dynamic continues.
How I'd handle the situation is when that person shows up to a gig, just ask him why he's there. If he thinks he's playing the gig, tell him he's not and that he needs to take his stuff off the stage. He's welcome to stay, but not to play. If he won't comply, just treat him like any drunk from the crowd that jumps on stage. Call the bartender, bouncer, security, etc. to remove him from the stage. Don't start playing until he's off the stage. Let the venue know for certain that he's not in the band and he has no business up there. Rinse, lather, repeat.
How I'd handle the situation is when that person shows up to a gig, just ask him why he's there. If he thinks he's playing the gig, tell him he's not and that he needs to take his stuff off the stage. He's welcome to stay, but not to play. If he won't comply, just treat him like any drunk from the crowd that jumps on stage. Call the bartender, bouncer, security, etc. to remove him from the stage. Don't start playing until he's off the stage. Let the venue know for certain that he's not in the band and he has no business up there. Rinse, lather, repeat.
jive1
Commercial User
We had a tambourine player who sat in with us for a couple of songs at some show. He had a mental disability, so we figured what the heck, what's the harm with someone sitting in on a few songs? Well, he decided to follow us from gig to gig to play tambourine. What started with a couple of songs one show, turned into a set at another, and into not getting off stage at the next. One day he even made his own T-shirt with our band's name on it and wore it to a gig. As the bass player in the band, I listen religiously to the hi-hat and the tambourine was throwing things off because it's in the same range. I told him to sit out songs, to get off stage, etc. and each time he'd talk to someone else in the band and he wound up staying on stage. I told the guys in the band that either they need to tell him in no uncertain terms that he's not welcome to sit in anymore, or that I am going to kick him off stage myself and would have no problem with making a scene if I had to regardless of whether or not other said. Luckily, one of the other guys told the guy to go home at the next gig he showed up at.
I'd have unplugged the guy and fired him in front of the audience. He seems intent on making you guys look bad. Beat him at his own game.
Either that, or tell him he isn't part of the band, refuse to play until he leaves, and then get the club bouncers to throw him out. Nice doesn't seem to work on this guy. Give him a clear, unambiguous message.
Bullseye. This. Season with a couple heaping tablespoons of diva complex, and you get Boomerang.
This is the first band I've ever been in where the core players - in this case, the two BLs, the drummer, and myself - naturally gel as personalities. The primary lead player we use is a renowned musician with experience too extensive to list, and he is a very deep but courteous musician. He is perfectly capable of opening the heavens with his playing, but he automatically seeks the musical center of whatever group he's working with and tailors his playing to that. He can work with any level of player, never tries to blow them away, and even when he's doing fundamental stuff, he's eminently musical. Never off his game. As personalities, we may as well all be brothers and sisters. When any of us have had a bad day, gig time is like therapy. We all get our giddy-up on and leave feeling better than when we came in. It's our enjoyment, and audiences feel it.
I'm not going to make out like Boomerang is an inherently hideous human being, because he isn't, but I think the situation that was created by pulling him into this group was a double edged sword. I think on the one hand he was sort of proud of his affiliation with the group, and at the same time, I sensed that he felt inferior on some level. A little snippy sometimes, a little stand-off-ish, trying to split people, attention games. Who knows why - that's stuff for the shrink's couch and frankly none of my concern. But if he'd have spent a tenth of the energy on upping his game as he did on trying to rock the boat and pull things down to his comfort zone, there would probably never have been any issue.
Sort of bummer, but it is what it is. Gig nights tomorrow and Saturday. I'll be floored if he shows up at this point, but like I said, butter that popcorn...
Four-Octave Pipe Bomb is a pretty great band name 
I had a stint with a C&W band developing my drum chops, sweet little blue sparkle Ludwig kit. We were the house band of sorts playing a night or two each weekend. This was an out of the way Honky Tonk country bar that had a Hurricane Fence around the stage run by a family that no tolerance for bad behavior. Cold beer and decent burgers and BBQ and a nicely dusted dance floor made for a good place to play and for the surrounding beer drinking boot scooting farmers.
One night the 2 guitar players got into what started as dirty looks escalating into name calling pushing argument that led to a rage quit of one of the players. We finished the gig w/o him and decide to call on a steel player as a replacement. It comes to light it was over the singer cheating on her husband with both the guitar players (among others I can assure you). Classic, right.
Next few weekends with the steel player Mr Rage shows up but just sullenly sits at the bar getting drunk on Pearl Beer and is usually sleeping it off in his pickup when I leave.
A month later and all is going well with the steel player, the band is really starting to swing again and the crowd is dancing and having a great time. Mister Rage shows up making threats with a knife to the singer and guitar who quickly exit out the back. Much to the amusement of the crowd and band. Out of frustration Mr Rage winds up cutting on the other players amp and guitar, certainly not a cool thing but still amusing to the crowd. The other twanger returns swinging a baseball bat goes all mental and starts smashing up tables no where near Mr Rage. Folks are running around and yelling, definitely spoiling what had been a really good time.
The matriarch of the bar, a rather large and ill tempered lady that chawed a cigar, drank beer and seemed to live on bar food like pigs feet, pickled sausage and eggs wearing a battered straw hat and overalls marches out from behind the bar with a double barrelled shot gun and gives Mr Baseball a load of rock salt in the butt and then turns the gun on Mr Rage and lets fly the other barrel peppering him and my drum set with rock salt.
The wounded parties depart with help from the family never to be seen again. As things quite down she grunts that the band better get back to "making noise". We finish the night steel, bass and drums and after a round of Lone Star Longnecks the good times resume for all.
The next weekend and for a few more months we had a new singer and guitar player, previous members no where to be found.
