lead guitarist is a real jerk

[pRi3Mo]

We bass players are sociable and for the most part nice to be around people. We hardly have tendencies to rant for attention on stage and mostly like to just be the guys giving the foundation to the music or dragging along a drummer with bad pace ect..

In my band we're not professionals. We play solid originals. The music is good but we don't get booked (yet). We're still in the stage of making a name for ourselves. Previously the drummer changed and the new one is busy to settle in. The band leader and rhythm guitarist is a good guy. He writes good music. Apart from that unfortunately he isn't much more than a stick in the mud. However, I seem to be the only one who reaches out to actually get gigs. The lead guitarist is doing **** all. To rehearsals he basically shows up and doesn't even bother to bring his own instrument anymore instead renting one from the studio. He also likes to brag about his tinder success.
He then tends to complain about the gig's circumstances and doesn't like surprises.

When pointing out to him that on the other hand I will be surprised if one day he might come up with a gig himself the only text he sent back was: lmfao. I couldn't help to feel the need of rearranging his face the next time we meet. He is a good guitar player. That pretty much sums up the best I can say about this douche. How do you guys handle the lazy jackasses within your band?

 

[pcake]

i fire them or fire me and move on. life's too short.

 

[Bodeanly]

life's too short.

If the hang already sucks and you're not making money...

 

[Pizza1988]

All it ever took for me was one member to be like that. I then acknowledged that the rest of the band was ok with someone who thought it was a big joke. If they truly value you and this project, you all can collectively "fix" it. However, in my experience, those type of musicians never change. Does the rest of the band feel the same as you?

Also, this is only the beginning to the drama that will ensue.

 

[mrcbass]

Everyone has their role(s) in a band. Some can hump giogs, some can't - not everyone has that "networking" gene (it's not one of my skillsets). IMO, you should know going in who will do what and who won't/can't do what. I make it quite clear before signing on with a band that I won't hump gigs - and I'm happy to let you take a bigger cut to do so. I'll help with just about anything else and will feed whoever does hump gigs ideas on new venues.

You don't clarify what the LG's issues are with the gigs you book. I don't like surprises either, so can't really fault him for that. How well are you communicating the venue/gig details to everyone? Not saying your LG isn't a richard, but you may have a part in this as well.

But if you're to the point that you want to rearrange his face, it's time to move on ...

 

[bass40hz]

Dump him. I dont care if you play like EVH, if your attitude sucks and you are a douche, jerk, addict or other, you are out. There are a lot of GPs out there...
Rock on.

 

[RichardW]

You say he's a "good guy" and then list a bunch of reasons why he's not a good guy. Being "good" is not just about technical skill on the instrument or as a songwriter.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

We bass players are sociable and for the most part nice to be around people. We hardly have tendencies to rant for attention on stage and mostly like to just be the guys giving the foundation to the music or dragging along a drummer with bad pace ect..

In my band we're not professionals. We play solid originals. The music is good but we don't get booked (yet). We're still in the stage of making a name for ourselves. Previously the drummer changed and the new one is busy to settle in. The band leader and rhythm guitarist is a good guy. He writes good music. Apart from that unfortunately he isn't much more than a stick in the mud. However, I seem to be the only one who reaches out to actually get gigs. The lead guitarist is doing F%$k all. To rehearsals he basically shows up and doesn't even bother to bring his own instrument anymore instead renting one from the studio. He also likes to brag about his tinder success.
He then tends to complain about the gig's circumstances and doesn't like surprises.

When pointing out to him that on the other hand I will be surprised if one day he might come up with a gig himself the only text he sent back was: lmfao. I couldn't help to feel the need of rearranging his face the next time we meet. He is a good guitar player. That pretty much sums up the best I can say about this douche. How do you guys handle the lazy jackasses within your band?

I mean, the guitarist isn't the only displaying anti-social tendencies. Calling somebody a douche and feeling the need to use violence in response to minor offenses are not great things for the group either. If somebody not getting gigs is an issue, discuss it with the band. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with only one member getting gigs or being the face/contact for the band.

 

[Vooter]

You say he's a "good guy" and then list a bunch of reasons why he's not a good guy. Being "good" is not just about technical skill on the instrument or as a songwriter.

I think he only said that the rhythm guitarist--not the LG douche--was a good guy...

 

[Wfrance3]

We bass players tend to be the “glue”. At some point that usually gets old. The more often you have to be the glue in a toxic situation is the shorter your ability to tolerate that position. - said another way, it doesn’t sound like your situation is going to improve or change in any way, so you have to decide what you are willing to put up with. As for me I would have already fired one of us...

 

[rmayer]

If the guitarist is this level of Ass in rehearsals imagine what he will be like when his ego is fueled by a live audience. Replace him.

 

[Atshen]

For originals, be a one-man band and hire session guys for live gigs. No dealing with ******** anymore.

 

[Lesfunk]

 

[RedHatter]

It'll only get worse as time goes on. You know what you need to do.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I mean, the guitarist isn't the only displaying anti-social tendencies. Calling somebody a douche and feeling the need to use violence in response to minor offenses are not great things for the group either. If somebody not getting gigs is an issue, discuss it with the band. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with only one member getting gigs or being the face/contact for the band.

This is the best reply @DiabolusInMusic . I abhor the term d****e. It's been used so long as an insult people forget it's really a slam to women. And you're right-- threatening to 'rearrange someone's face' is very immature. It's not how a business would get things done. Imagine being a car salesman. "He was bad as a car salesman and a d****e. So I went out and rearranged his face and he still can't sell cars."
To the OP get your business act together or the band will never go anywhere. A good band has good business sense and doesn't get personal on obstacles. Best of luck to the OP.

 

[DWBass]

Either y'all wanna gig or y'all don't. If everyone is not on the same page.....it's time to either....quit or find like minded musicians who want to actually take the time to rehearse and prepare to play out. I'm not wasting my time with constant rehearsals that go nowhere and are time wasters. Either get it together or step down and let someone who wants it in!

 

[gregmon79]

We bass players are sociable and for the most part nice to be around people. We hardly have tendencies to rant for attention on stage and mostly like to just be the guys giving the foundation to the music or dragging along a drummer with bad pace ect..

In my band we're not professionals. We play solid originals. The music is good but we don't get booked (yet). We're still in the stage of making a name for ourselves. Previously the drummer changed and the new one is busy to settle in. The band leader and rhythm guitarist is a good guy. He writes good music. Apart from that unfortunately he isn't much more than a stick in the mud. However, I seem to be the only one who reaches out to actually get gigs. The lead guitarist is doing ******** all. To rehearsals he basically shows up and doesn't even bother to bring his own instrument anymore instead renting one from the studio. He also likes to brag about his tinder success.
He then tends to complain about the gig's circumstances and doesn't like surprises.

When pointing out to him that on the other hand I will be surprised if one day he might come up with a gig himself the only text he sent back was: lmfao. I couldn't help to feel the need of rearranging his face the next time we meet. He is a good guitar player. That pretty much sums up the best I can say about this douche. How do you guys handle the lazy jackasses within your band?

Def ditch the doucher. There are plenty of great guitarists out there. It'll only get worse and you guys aren't even out there yet. Oh, and the tinder thing, that is a big sign to me this guy is way too big for his britches. I was in a band where the lead vocalist was on tinder all the time, at practice too. Went out with a new girl every day. He liked to throw that around. It was like an addiction for him. In the end he seemed to want to be on tinder more than he wanted to be in the band. Egotistical f%^tard. He ended up quitting but I know the rest of the band were talking about how unhappy we were with him around that time too. Your guy is a waste of your and your bands time, ditch him.

 

[Ellery]

i fire them or fire me and move on. life's too short.

This.
I was going to express the same idea but in a whole paragraph. I've moved on from similar situations and never regretted it.

 

[Kukulkan61]

What's new....

 

[Nunovsky]

We bass players are sociable and for the most part nice to be around people. We hardly have tendencies to rant for attention on stage and mostly like to just be the guys giving the foundation to the music or dragging along a drummer with bad pace ect..

In my band we're not professionals. We play solid originals. The music is good but we don't get booked (yet). We're still in the stage of making a name for ourselves. Previously the drummer changed and the new one is busy to settle in. The band leader and rhythm guitarist is a good guy. He writes good music. Apart from that unfortunately he isn't much more than a stick in the mud. However, I seem to be the only one who reaches out to actually get gigs. The lead guitarist is doing F%$k all. To rehearsals he basically shows up and doesn't even bother to bring his own instrument anymore instead renting one from the studio. He also likes to brag about his tinder success.
He then tends to complain about the gig's circumstances and doesn't like surprises.

When pointing out to him that on the other hand I will be surprised if one day he might come up with a gig himself the only text he sent back was: lmfao. I couldn't help to feel the need of rearranging his face the next time we meet. He is a good guitar player. That pretty much sums up the best I can say about this douche. How do you guys handle the lazy jackasses within your band?

Let's resume this:
He doesn't commit to bring his own material;
He doesn't contribute with songwriting;
He's more interested in bragging about his tinder success than to rehearse;
Doesn't get gigs;
Complains about the gigs you get or don't get;
When talked to about his atitude, he reacts imaturely instead of being open to criticism...

Honestly, how many more reasons do you need to get a new guitar player? You could even try your way as a trio. I think he needs you more than you need him...