Well, this isn’t my main gig by any means. Just a side thing. I’m hoping to build up some more sub work. I play most weekends with a top tier band, but don’t fool yourself - even they have issues.
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No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
- Thread starter Core Creek
- Start date
Send me the details of this bar and gig, I may have to show up for this and at least cheer you on!
Good on you for trying to uphold your end of the bargain. However, that's a two-way street. They have an obligation to you to provide the information necessary for you to be successful. If they can't do that, then you are not in any way leaving them high and dry, since they didn't uphold their end. You have a reputation to keep - nobody wants to be seen onstage with a group of hacks, because of guilt by association.
@Core Creek Seems like a lot of people are trying to talk you out of this instead of accepting your decision to move forward with it. From what you've said in various posts throughout this thread, it seems to me you've got this even if it's less than ideal. Your venting is valid as is your decision to play the gig anyway (not that you need my validation). Have fun!
I would show up and let the suck happen, just for kicks. You'll know you aren't the reason for the suck. After fumbling through a few of these, I kind of enjoy them now. Remember to smile rather than frown through the mistakes.
I mean if they expect you to nail all the songs, that's one thing. If they expect you to go up there and ask, "hey what key's this in?" and wing it, then I bet it'll be a blast. But if they're setting you up to fail, then screw that.
I find it interesting to hear other perspectives on it. I know what I will and will not tolerate but realize everyone’s different.
Absolutely nothing unfortunate about that.
On one hand, I keep flashing back to the ending of Whiplash. On the other hand, I would do it, too. I told them I would - so I would do it.
Good for you.
I wouldn’t bother playing with folks who don’t have their ish together. The older I get, the less time I have to waste on people who can’t do even the most basic of tasks, like produce a setlist.
The journey is the destination. I've gone down some weird roads and some dark paths, and I got stories. Go play with them and you'll at least have a story to dine out on or get commiseration from.
That doesn't stop you from putting the hammer down to get the music you need. OP said Friday morning he was to get the setlist by the end of the week and didn't return to the thread (but has been lurking on the forum) and he'd tell us if the story got juicier. So it probably is wrapped up now and it's all over but for the playing.
Well, instead I offered to send a list of what I know from an old setlist I got weeks ago and was told that would help. I sent that Friday but still haven’t gotten an official list. My list to them was probably about 30 tunes so I suspect there’s a ten song gap. But I also haven’t seen their complete list so I’m guessing I can find 10 more tunes we all know.
I have a big audition tomorrow for an agency band and honestly until that’s done I don’t have the bandwidth to learn anything else so first thing Wednesday I’ll be asking again for an official setlist. At that point it’s a week and half away from the gig. And I’ve already dictated 30 songs I know I can pull off without much effort. Even if I get nothing until next week I know I’ll make it through just fine.
But again, you reap what you sow. It’s clear why they don’t have a bassist on board yet.
Obligation cuts BOTH ways. The reputation you’d get is that you don’t put up with any Bos Taurus excrement and you don’t get used as a doormat.
This whole situation is nutty as a fruitcake. I don’t get why you haven’t just picked up the phone and said, “If I don’t get a song list today, you’ll have to find someone else. There is NOTHING unreasonable about that.
You have to go through their manager? Unless they are Aerosmith that would have been a huge red flag.
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At this point I’m just curious to see how it all ends up going down… helps me appreciate what else I have.
I agree with the above post that said set list by today or else get someone else. Totally.
If you really feel you have to do it..you don't imv...then say you have commitments and you can't revise the songs, so they'll have to accept what you already know or can busk.
Unless I knew both parties abilities on that, the premise would be unacceptable.
I don't get how people can tolerate people/bands who can't get the most simple things together.
If you really feel you have to do it..you don't imv...then say you have commitments and you can't revise the songs, so they'll have to accept what you already know or can busk.
Unless I knew both parties abilities on that, the premise would be unacceptable.
I don't get how people can tolerate people/bands who can't get the most simple things together.
