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Lesson learned

klokker

klokker

Jan 7, 2009
3,098
4,053
Steele City, NE
#1
Don't ever commit to a band before the first rehearsal: EVEN IF YOU'VE WORKED WITH THE BL BEFORE AND IT WORKED.

Well, that's the story: A guy I've worked with before called me and asked me to join his band. I'm already in a working band, but he assured me that with just a couple of rehearsals we could play the shows scheduled for the summer. Sounded fun so I set yes.

I just assumed that the band would be decent. Don't ever assume based on previous experience!

I learned the songs, and showed up ready to go. Half the people didn't even have the same list of songs. One guy even said, "I"m not a musician".

I quit right away, called the same night and said I was out, but it caused a problem because I had already committed to being in the band.

My mistake. Don't ever commit to a band that you haven't met or played with. Sounds obvious, but somehow I missed it.
 
#5
klokker said:
Don't ever commit to a band before the first rehearsal: EVEN IF YOU'VE WORKED WITH THE BL BEFORE AND IT WORKED.

Well, that's the story: A guy I've worked with before called me and asked me to join his band. I'm already in a working band, but he assured me that with just a couple of rehearsals we could play the shows scheduled for the summer. Sounded fun so I set yes.

I just assumed that the band would be decent. Don't ever assume based on previous experience!

I learned the songs, and showed up ready to go. Half the people didn't even have the same list of songs. One guy even said, "I"m not a musician".

I quit right away, called the same night and said I was out, but it caused a problem because I had already committed to being in the band.

My mistake. Don't ever commit to a band that you haven't met or played with. Sounds obvious, but somehow I missed it.
Click to expand...

Had a somewhat related experience happen to me recently.

A singer buddy of mine, who I play in a band with, booked a gig recently, but because of various reasons our normal drummer and guitar player wouldn't be able to make it to the gig. We brought in our mutual guitar playing friend to do the gig as we knew he could hang, and he (the guitarist) suggested a drummer we could use, too. He assured us the drummer was good, but upon our first rehearsal (which happened a day before the gig, mind you) we found out the guy couldn't keep a tempo to save his life.

We managed to make it through the gig with zero train wrecks and minimal mistakes on everyone's part, but we all were so incredibly nervous about how well the gig was going to turn out because of how inconsistent the drummer was. Lesson learned, check out a guy's recorded material (if he has any) before committing to having him join you for a gig.
 
#7
klokker said:
I quit right away, called the same night and said I was out, but it caused a problem because I had already committed to being in the band.
Click to expand...

You didn't cause this problem. You can assume a minimal level of competence among the other members in the band if you agree to a gig. If that doesn't materialize, it's not your responsibility.
 
#8
I could add something: if you live in a city with plenty of thieves, don't take your instrument/ amp to the first meeting with a new band. First know them on a neutral ground, then gather for an "audition" if they looked honest enough.

If that is at all possible. If not, look elsewhere. I haven't had anyone steal my stuff, yet. But it never hurts to be too careful.
 
#9
electracoyote said:
I dunno...I've gotten pretty good at experiencing someone else's pain vicariously and learning without actually getting burned. That seems to work pretty well too.
Click to expand...

I prefer this method. See, elctracoyote, I have read this thread. Now, I will never commit to a band without meeting with said band. I don't have to learn the hard way because someone else did it for me.
 
#10
klokker said:
I learned the songs, and showed up ready to go. Half the people didn't even have the same list of songs. One guy even said, "I"m not a musician".

I quit right away, called the same night and said I was out, but it caused a problem because I had already committed to being in the band.
Click to expand...

If it's as bad as you say, it seems that the actual problem was there before you ever made the commitment to join in the first place. :eyebrow:

MM
 
#11
If I had time to kill and I was presented with a similar scenario I'd have just stayed in it for the Lulz. Sounds like a total hoot. I'd just buy a Daisy Rock bass and a cowboy hat and stand at the back playing Peter Gunn while laughing.
 

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