• 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.

My Band or My Conscience

Status
Not open for further replies.
#21
Buster Brown said:
Look....as a rocker who started out in the late 60s, I can tell you that "political causes" abounded in those days.

Oh, and thanks for not going off into a political rant. Those things piss me off. I DO NOT CARE which side of the fence the group in question lies on and neither should you. Work is based on work. NOTHING more.

Today, folks in the "entertainment industry" think that somehow, their opinions are so much more "enlightened" than everyone else. They are not. They are OPINIONS and you know the story about opinions.."Opinions are like a$%holes...everyone has one and they all stink".

Here's the deal. If you are uncomfortable about the job, discuss it with your bandmates. Talking is good.

When discussing the job, the primary question that MUST be addressed is "Will it hurt our image with our base fans?"

Again, in this economy, ALL WORK IS GOOD....so take that in consideration also...

I wish you good luck!
Click to expand...
i guess a third option could be to use a different band name.....painting up an old bass drum head is easy
 
#24
you know, a couple days after this "rally," it will all be forgotten. i think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. you have a good paying gig. if you don't do the gig, you won't. my first obligation is to my family above all else. the truth is nobody really cares what your political leanings are and after this event, they'll resume not caring.

otoh, if this is a nambla or nazi rally, they WOULD care, and i wouldn't do one of those gigs under any circumstances. but if it's just your average run of the mill political thing, do the gig and forget about it, as everyone else will.
 
#25
I second (or third or fourth) what JimmyM and others have said. It really comes down to whether this is just a cause you politically disagree with or something you feel is morally and ethically wrong.

If you're being asked to do something you feel is morally wrong, quit the band, quit the job, whatever you have to do to sleep at night and look your kids in the eye.

If you just disagree with them, hold your nose and play the gig.
 
#26
If you worked for BP would you quit after the oil spill? Maybe, but what if you went unemployed for the next 2 years because of the economic crisis. It all depends on the issue. You don't agree with organization. Are they physically or mentally hurting anyone? If not, I'd probably bite the bullet and be thankful I have work doing something I love.
 
#28
JimmyM said:
you know, a couple days after this "rally," it will all be forgotten. i think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. you have a good paying gig. if you don't do the gig, you won't. my first obligation is to my family above all else. the truth is nobody really cares what your political leanings are and after this event, they'll resume not caring.

otoh, if this is a nambla or nazi rally, they WOULD care, and i wouldn't do one of those gigs under any circumstances. but if it's just your average run of the mill political thing, do the gig and forget about it, as everyone else will.
Click to expand...

+1 Hey politics is politics and a good paying gig is another. One thing you're forgetting, even if you decide not to play and the rest of the band does with a sub are you going to quit because they played a gig you felt politically challenged by? Have you guys discussed what type of gigs you will and won't play due to politics, religion, moral or ethical conflicts. Personally I'll take Rush Limbaugh's money just as fast as I would Keith Olbermann's and it doesn't mean that I align myself with either, but thats just me.
 
#29
Thanks for the input, everyone. It was thoughtful, diverse and gave me much to think about.

After consideration, I guess that I do have to weigh my professional obligation to the band against whether or not that I feel this is genuinely a moral issue. It's an important distinction. On reflection, I suppose that the answer is that while the event seems in very poor taste and the group is one with whom I disagree on both their message and their tactics, they aren't fundamentally criminal or immoral.

This means that I'm obligated to honor my commitment to the band. I'm going to hold my nose, play the gig with professionalism, and move on with things. I believe that the sentiment that "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" is applicable here.
 
#30
right on, andy. i think that's a good choice. i think people sometimes take their own political affiliations and ideals way more seriously than the world takes them. truth is nobody really cares unless you're running for office. but good gigs in omaha don't grow on trees.
 
#31
bad_andy said:
When I brought this to the attention of the management, they told me that I was trying to impose my personal beliefs on the good of the group......
Click to expand...

"the management" has it backwards, by not informing you of the real reason for the gathering this group is imposing their personal beliefs on your band. After all it will be assumed that you all agree with whatever their stance is right? I'd have a tough time with this one but I'd probably try to keep the gig. Having said that I would wear a t-shirt with an opposing message but offstage NOT onstage.
 
#33
@bad_andy..

You've made a wise decision. If you are a professional, you play the gig unless there are strong moral reasons. I understand the feelings about not being informed about the nature of the gig up front.

We probably don't "agree" with 50% of the people in the audiences we play for. This time you'll have one that's 100%. Next gig may be the opposite. If you still have qualms after the gig, donate the dough to a good cause.

mech
 
#34
bad_andy said:
Don't get me wrong, I do not feel well-handled here. But this just inside the range of what's ethical given their stance. How I behave is a function of how professional I am. I'm going to make sure I'm keeping up my end of things as a member of the band.
Click to expand...

What about future gigs? If this political group likes you then you may be getting offers to play at other rallies/events.

Since your management company has lowered the bar and manipulated you and the band, can you accept that it will happen again?

Did they violate their contract? or is it something to be discussed and possibly getting a revised contract or management company?
 
#35
bad_andy said:
It turns out that the promoters are organizing a political rally instead and the management sort of hid this from us.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it's time to start looking for new management. I wouldn't cut off my nose to spite my face. But, I also would not be tolerant of management (whether it's fellow bandmates that own the band or an actual agent) that lied to me. Lying by omission is still lying.
 
#37
i'll tell you, i have never seen such bloodthirsty people in my life! "quit the band!" "fire the manager!" absolutely ridiculous. it's painfully obvious half of you have never been in a band and/or have no idea what it's like to have to support yourself or a family. it's also painfully obvious that there's a lot of big talkers on here who are really free with other people's livelihoods.

the band is going well and works pretty often, and this is but one little snag. big deal. quitting over it is just plain stupid, and recommending quitting or firing people when it isn't your ass on the line is really easy. sheesh!
 
#40
JimmyM said:
i'll tell you, i have never seen such bloodthirsty people in my life! "quit the band!" "fire the manager!" absolutely ridiculous. it's painfully obvious half of you have never been in a band and/or have no idea what it's like to have to support yourself or a family. it's also painfully obvious that there's a lot of big talkers on here who are really free with other people's livelihoods.

the band is going well and works pretty often, and this is but one little snag. big deal. quitting over it is just plain stupid, and recommending quitting or firing people when it isn't your ass on the line is really easy. sheesh!
Click to expand...


The internet is a black and white world. Real life? Not so much.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back