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Oy. People are weird.
- Thread starter two fingers
- Start date
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,235
- 45,141
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- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
I'm more interested in this part. I think it's a misspelling. Did you mean "Torzal pro?" Like those twisted-neck basses? That must be something to see!
When you need someone who can harmonize with a vacuum cleaner...just sayin'...
Dude, that's not going to work, while you're hiring and firing one drummer, the rest are standing on porches, pizzas in hand, wondering when to come in...They'll be completely oblivious to the whole thing, and nothing will be learned.
That's a bummer. I have to agree that it seems something else came up for the drummer and he offered an excuse, although it is possible he posted to vent on drummer forum on the internet and got a bee in his bonnet that way.
But the group sounds talented enough, that given vocally-oriented material maybe you could press on and gig without a drummer, at least to start? Maybe pull in the keyboard player to round out a foursome? You start gigging and you may find a number of qualified drummers show up looking for a gig. Good luck, and at least band 1 is still on track.
But the group sounds talented enough, that given vocally-oriented material maybe you could press on and gig without a drummer, at least to start? Maybe pull in the keyboard player to round out a foursome? You start gigging and you may find a number of qualified drummers show up looking for a gig. Good luck, and at least band 1 is still on track.
LOL drummer dramaSo, my second band has been coming together nicely.
Good female lead singer. Toral pro. She not only sings lead well, but can harmonize with a fence post.
Good guitar playet. Super versatile. Great gear. Fantastic chops. No ego. Not too loud.
Me on bass, backups and some lead vocals.
Drummer. Super cool redneck. Practice spot at his house. Good timing. Good gear. Good harmonies and low lead vocals.
We had done two rehearsals. Everything great. We really clicked. We all liked the music. We all liked the three part harmonies. We were even talking about bringing on a keys player who can sing his butt off too. Now we're talking FOUR part harmonies and all good players.
I had agreed to join another band at about the same time. I was totally up front with everyone in both. All parties were fine. Neither band would play more than a show or two a month so conflicts would be minimal anyway.
First band got a show before the second band. It came up kind of quickly. I asked the second band (the one described above) if it would be OK if I took a couple of weeks to finish out my kids' school year, attend rehearsals and performances of their dance recitals, and finish off the first band's setlist for that show. Every one of the second band said "Sure man. No problem."
That show was this past Saturday with the first band. All went well.
Second band had set up rehearsal for this coming Wednesday. We had been texting back and forth for days to make sure we all knew the set for rehearsal with keys and vocal assignments. All texts were cheerful. All members had participated in the aforementioned texts.
Then today....
The rest of us get a text from (of course) the drummer. *sigh*
Paraphrasing....
"Guys, I'm done with this project. There's just too much distance in this band. I have lost interest. Never mind that I'm not playing a show in just over a month with a band that can't get it together amd is ill prepared."
*sigh*
I have done dozens of gigs where I got the set on Tuesday. I learned the songs that week. I met the band for the first time in the parking lot of the venue where we were playing. We went inside and did the dang thing.
Never mind that this guy had been all about this project up until this morning.
Of course, he won't return any of our phone calls or texts. (I never bothered. Screw him.)
People are dumb.
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,620
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- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
Not everyone likes to "wing it" like you describe (I'm not taking sides), it's a matter of personal preference. To some folks, not having the set list a month before the gig can be stressful. Some people like to plan ahead, and different people have different definitions of what planning ahead mean. It sounds to me like the band and the drummer weren't on the same page about planning. It's unfortunate but not any different than not being on the same page about style of music or frequency of gigging or any of the other things that people get stressed out about.
I personally like to plan ahead but am willing to wing it when we need to, but I'm an overall chill guy and a pleasure to play with.
And that is why I only play with the retired and elderly. Stable, focused, reliable, predictable, available, accomplished, without drama (outside of an occasional heart attack, stroke, broken hip, dementia etc.)
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LOL. I'm in this situation now, but we really, truly "aren't there yet". Well some of us are but we have a "singer" who doesn't know all the words after many rehearsals because he is just lazy (but talented vocally). Plus he insists on "playing" rhythm guitar on a POS that won't intonate correctly and of course doesn't completely learn the parts.
It started off well. 10-12 songs were gig worthy on the first rehearsal. Since then it has sucked. He says he doesn't want to put time into learning stuff at home because there were no gigs booked. I told him I'm not gigging with a guy who doesn't know the words to at least 50% of the songs.
But at least it let me get my chops back after a decade of not playing.
Dangerous move feeding a rhythm section member's head to your cat. He might get a taste for them.
"It takes a really good drummer to be better than no drummer at all." Chet Baker.
What good luck. Without a drummer, this band can do quiet. You can do those easy, good paying, early to bed places. And once you are out doing that, drummers will come to you.
Maybe figure out that new "beat buddy" gizmo for a few songs. It looks better than most drum machines, and is controlled like a stomp box. I'm hoping to take one for a test drive soon.
Some of the best gigs ever happened when the drummer didn't show up. Surprise! But once everybody settled in, things were great. Volume was so nice, people moved in close and really enjoyed the music. And he was a great drummer, just over booked, like all great drummers.
What good luck. Without a drummer, this band can do quiet. You can do those easy, good paying, early to bed places. And once you are out doing that, drummers will come to you.
Maybe figure out that new "beat buddy" gizmo for a few songs. It looks better than most drum machines, and is controlled like a stomp box. I'm hoping to take one for a test drive soon.
Some of the best gigs ever happened when the drummer didn't show up. Surprise! But once everybody settled in, things were great. Volume was so nice, people moved in close and really enjoyed the music. And he was a great drummer, just over booked, like all great drummers.
No excuse for his lack of communication. But I can understand not wanting to play a gig until everything is really dialed in, I'm the same way. And this usually takes a little while, unless everyone is practicing their asses off.
Honestly, even with regular practices, I wouldn't expect a band to be gig-ready in a month. Not even with the most proficient of musicians. First impressions are crucial, it's better to take your time and work out even the most minor kinks. That's just me, though.
Hi,
The drummer fired himself? Wow. Isn't that like TalkBass nirvana?
But it is too bad that you've wasted the time and gotten the creative juices flowing. Hopefully you can plug in another drummer. The show must go on!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
So, my second band has been coming together nicely.
Good female lead singer. Toral pro. She not only sings lead well, but can harmonize with a fence post.
Good guitar playet. Super versatile. Great gear. Fantastic chops. No ego. Not too loud.
Me on bass, backups and some lead vocals.
Drummer. Super cool redneck. Practice spot at his house. Good timing. Good gear. Good harmonies and low lead vocals.
We had done two rehearsals. Everything great. We really clicked. We all liked the music. We all liked the three part harmonies. We were even talking about bringing on a keys player who can sing his butt off too. Now we're talking FOUR part harmonies and all good players.
I had agreed to join another band at about the same time. I was totally up front with everyone in both. All parties were fine. Neither band would play more than a show or two a month so conflicts would be minimal anyway.
First band got a show before the second band. It came up kind of quickly. I asked the second band (the one described above) if it would be OK if I took a couple of weeks to finish out my kids' school year, attend rehearsals and performances of their dance recitals, and finish off the first band's setlist for that show. Every one of the second band said "Sure man. No problem."
That show was this past Saturday with the first band. All went well.
Second band had set up rehearsal for this coming Wednesday. We had been texting back and forth for days to make sure we all knew the set for rehearsal with keys and vocal assignments. All texts were cheerful. All members had participated in the aforementioned texts.
Then today....
The rest of us get a text from (of course) the drummer. *sigh*
Paraphrasing....
"Guys, I'm done with this project. There's just too much distance in this band. I have lost interest. Never mind that I'm not playing a show in just over a month with a band that can't get it together amd is ill prepared."
*sigh*
I have done dozens of gigs where I got the set on Tuesday. I learned the songs that week. I met the band for the first time in the parking lot of the venue where we were playing. We went inside and did the dang thing.
Never mind that this guy had been all about this project up until this morning.
Of course, he won't return any of our phone calls or texts. (I never bothered. Screw him.)
People are dumb.
The drummer fired himself? Wow. Isn't that like TalkBass nirvana?
But it is too bad that you've wasted the time and gotten the creative juices flowing. Hopefully you can plug in another drummer. The show must go on!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
I find that people who want to show up and play don't generally get on so well with people that want to practice before playing out. I'm not judging either, but it's really a different mindset.So, my second band has been coming together nicely.
Good female lead singer. Toral pro. She not only sings lead well, but can harmonize with a fence post.
Good guitar playet. Super versatile. Great gear. Fantastic chops. No ego. Not too loud.
Me on bass, backups and some lead vocals.
Drummer. Super cool redneck. Practice spot at his house. Good timing. Good gear. Good harmonies and low lead vocals.
We had done two rehearsals. Everything great. We really clicked. We all liked the music. We all liked the three part harmonies. We were even talking about bringing on a keys player who can sing his butt off too. Now we're talking FOUR part harmonies and all good players.
I had agreed to join another band at about the same time. I was totally up front with everyone in both. All parties were fine. Neither band would play more than a show or two a month so conflicts would be minimal anyway.
First band got a show before the second band. It came up kind of quickly. I asked the second band (the one described above) if it would be OK if I took a couple of weeks to finish out my kids' school year, attend rehearsals and performances of their dance recitals, and finish off the first band's setlist for that show. Every one of the second band said "Sure man. No problem."
That show was this past Saturday with the first band. All went well.
Second band had set up rehearsal for this coming Wednesday. We had been texting back and forth for days to make sure we all knew the set for rehearsal with keys and vocal assignments. All texts were cheerful. All members had participated in the aforementioned texts.
Then today....
The rest of us get a text from (of course) the drummer. *sigh*
Paraphrasing....
"Guys, I'm done with this project. There's just too much distance in this band. I have lost interest. Never mind that I'm not playing a show in just over a month with a band that can't get it together amd is ill prepared."
*sigh*
I have done dozens of gigs where I got the set on Tuesday. I learned the songs that week. I met the band for the first time in the parking lot of the venue where we were playing. We went inside and did the dang thing.
Never mind that this guy had been all about this project up until this morning.
Of course, he won't return any of our phone calls or texts. (I never bothered. Screw him.)
People are dumb.
+1drummers who "self fire" are a precious commodity. i'd keep him!
Hire him back just to pi$$ him off!
That sucks, hope you get it figured out. Nothing worse than having great chemistry and it falling apart.
Yep, the answer to everything on the drummer forums is to fire everyone else.
I suppose it's good to indentify early the person who's going to bail and disappear with no discussion. Even if you could woo him back, you could never trust him again.
