New Band Adventures

[3Liter]

What did Band A say when you bailed?

Regarding speaking up when the music isn't there....my bass player and I had a long chat about our drummer who plays too fast. Last week he was really upset. Too nice a guy to say anything. We played something last night that was too fast. He said something. It fixed the problem. We played another and trainwrecked and started again 10% faster. This time I said something about how the next time through always goes faster. That fixed the problem. Drummer was on point most of the night and off his phone. It was like a different person.

If the music is sucking and you can fix it with a nice suggestion, do so. Even as a hired gun. Say "let's try this..." And see what happens.

 

[mrcbass]

What did Band A say when you bailed?

Regarding speaking up when the music isn't there....my bass player and I had a long chat about our drummer who plays too fast. Last week he was really upset. Too nice a guy to say anything. We played something last night that was too fast. He said something. It fixed the problem. We played another and trainwrecked and started again 10% faster. This time I said something about how the next time through always goes faster. That fixed the problem. Drummer was on point most of the night and off his phone. It was like a different person.

If the music is sucking and you can fix it with a nice suggestion, do so. Even as a hired gun. Say "let's try this..." And see what happens.

He wasn't too surprised. When he announced the "next Saturday" rehearsal last week, I was tentative (thought we were doing mid-week rehearsals and said so) and he sensed that I wasn't too attached to the project. Says he already has another sucker (my word) on the line and I wished him well.

It's one thing to try to work with a 20 something player who is still learning and might be trainable. I actually got my nearly 50 yo previous drummer to dial his tempos back (now it feels like he's sluggish because I was used to his fast tempos), but he had a good sense of time most of time so for him, it was just a mental adjustment to focus on not rushing. So I know some people are trainable. There is no way I was going to be able to train a 72 yo drummer who has no sense of time and a delusional 70 yo wanna be lead singer who was running the show. I should have just passed to begin with - I just had higher expectations based on what I was fed.

 

[3Liter]

He wasn't too surprised. When he announced the "next Saturday" rehearsal last week, I was tentative (thought we were doing mid-week rehearsals and said so) and he sensed that I wasn't too attached to the project. Says he already has another sucker (my word) on the line and I wished him well.

It's one thing to try to work with a 20 something player who is still learning and might be trainable. I actually got my nearly 50 yo previous drummer to dial his tempos back (now it feels like he's sluggish because I was used to his fast tempos), but he had a good sense of time most of time so for him, it was just a mental adjustment to focus on not rushing. So I know some people are trainable. There is no way I was going to be able to train a 72 yo drummer who has no sense of time and a delusional 70 yo wanna be lead singer who was running the show. I should have just passed to begin with - I just had higher expectations based on what I was fed.

Oh my second statement was about returning to your old band.

I'm glad to see people find this at all ages in their life. I started playing at 19 and have gotten better (and worse) along the way. I like to see people pick stuff up later in life.

 

[expatmuso]

So what happened with band B?

 

[mrcbass]

So what happened with band B?

Since you asked: "Close, but no cigar". (Probably what they tell all the girls.)

As much as I try to let auditions roll off my back, I was pretty bummed when I got the call. I really would have enjoyed working with these guys.

And this is the first time in 3 1/2 years that I haven't been in a band. Feels really strange. No regrets; just feels odd to not have songs to be working up or maintaining.

 

[expatmuso]

Ah, sorry to hear that.

 

[QORC]

guys in their 70s?? well, horizons will be very limited. If you're ok with that, then do it.

as far as subbing for an old band? Nah. That's like becoming a bootie call. When you break up with someone, sever all ties when the reasons you left are still present

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Keep looking! I was looking for bands to join a couple of years ago and went to about a dozen auditions until I joined two bands that were a good fit on both sides. Took about 6 months. One of the bands does weekly bar gigs in Toronto and the summer jazz festival circuit in Ontario & Quebec, should be fun when things start back up.

 

[MynameisMe]

Thanks for sharing, it was an interesting read.

 

[MrLenny1]

It's a poopy business. The lack of work & good players and lazy cats
makes for little choices. I freelanced for a while just to
fill some dates. Got strung out after running 4 different bands.
As always, good luck.

 

[Eilif]

Since you asked: "Close, but no cigar". (Probably what they tell all the girls.)

As much as I try to let auditions roll off my back, I was pretty bummed when I got the call. I really would have enjoyed working with these guys.

And this is the first time in 3 1/2 years that I haven't been in a band. Feels really strange. No regrets; just feels odd to not have songs to be working up or maintaining.

Sorry to hear about Band B. Good luck with future auditions. Keep your fingers in a few audition pies and one will be the treat you're looking for.

I am also about to be without a bass gig for the first time in 3.5 years. 2 more gigs with current outfit and then nothing...

 

[mrcbass]

guys in their 70s?? well, horizons will be very limited. If you're ok with that, then do it.

as far as subbing for an old band? Nah. That's like becoming a bootie call. When you break up with someone, sever all ties when the reasons you left are still present

I actually did the sub gig and glad I did. It gave me a different perspective on some of the details of the scene and I told the BL, that I won't do it again.

 

[mrcbass]

Keep looking! I was looking for bands to join a couple of years ago and went to about a dozen auditions until I joined two bands that were a good fit on both sides. Took about 6 months. One of the bands does weekly bar gigs in Toronto and the summer jazz festival circuit in Ontario & Quebec, should be fun when things start back up.

Yeah, watching the ads. There hasn't been a lot of opportunities and I was out of town for a few weeks. Got back and set an audition for a power blues band for later this week.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Yeah, watching the ads. There hasn't been a lot of opportunities and I was out of town for a few weeks. Got back and set an audition for a power blues band for later this week.

I'm in the same boat. Got let go from my classic rock band a few months ago because I didn't want to rehearse (with zero gigs on the horizon) during a big Covid wave here. Just started looking on CL again, but not a lot going on. Auditioning for a disco/dance band once the current wave is over. It's a word-of-mouth referral, not CL, and looks promising. The set list is a bassist's dream - Sly & the Family Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, Daft Punk, Bruno Mars, and the like. It's a start-up, but that's likely half the bands out here since so many have gone on hiatus or disbanded.