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Quitting time...cancel gig?
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
I didn't read the whole thread.
it's your gig (you booked it) so you should follow through. If it goes bad then you can tell the bar owner that the band wasn't up to your spec so you quit. That's a win for you. If it goes good you can still quit and get a new band. Club owner gets told the same thing regardless. Win win.
Don't say anything to the band until after the show. Unfortunantly you can't trust they wont mess us your gig on purpose.
it's your gig (you booked it) so you should follow through. If it goes bad then you can tell the bar owner that the band wasn't up to your spec so you quit. That's a win for you. If it goes good you can still quit and get a new band. Club owner gets told the same thing regardless. Win win.
Don't say anything to the band until after the show. Unfortunantly you can't trust they wont mess us your gig on purpose.
If I had booked the gig with the venue, I would fulfill my obligation by having some kind of band show up and do the gig.
If it is logistically impossible to throw together a different band in time, I would suck it up and use the same bunch of guys
If it is logistically impossible to throw together a different band in time, I would suck it up and use the same bunch of guys
It's a done deal. I sent an email this morning announcing that I'm gone (we've never been much of a sit-down-and-talk-it out band, so email was appropriate). I'm better at articulating my true feelings in writing than to get into a pissing match by opening my mouth. Anyway, I'm taking the high road, and trying to keep thinks amicable. At the end of the day, these guys are still my friends.
Here's most of what I said, in case it's helpful to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation:
I will sort out what to do with the venue/gig in the next day or so. If they have objections and want the date for themselves, then i will take issue. I view it as my gig to cancel or keep as I see fit, as I am 100% responsible for the booking. I just spoke to the drummer, and he has my back 110%. There's a slight chance I could pull off the gig with other players, but it's not really that important to me. Either way, I'll make it right with the owner. If this new project works out, the plan is to set our sights a lot higher than $350 bar gigs.
Great advice from all my TB peeps -- I truly appreciate your thoughtful suggestions and support!
So, is anybody looking for a bass player?
Here's most of what I said, in case it's helpful to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation:
"...I am calling it a day and moving on. No hard feelings. I simply have no desire to continue putting this much effort into maintaining the same few dozen songs we've been playing for years. My #1 priority has always been to do everything possible to become a better musician and a better band, to put on better performances and create new and better opportunities for all of us. I am proud of what we accomplished and have no regrets. We had a good run, so let's just leave it at that.
So that's it, I'm out. I'm not interested in playing the remaining gigs on the calendar. I will contact [venue] to cancel, unless you have any objections. If you guys want to hold onto the next date [standing gig, 5 months out, inconsequential], either find a sub for me or make it a [singer's other pet project, which includes our drummer, but more informal] gig. I will wind down the website and Facebook page in the next few days, though I see no need to make any formal announcement online. I'd prefer to just fade into the sunset if that's OK with you guys."
So that's it, I'm out. I'm not interested in playing the remaining gigs on the calendar. I will contact [venue] to cancel, unless you have any objections. If you guys want to hold onto the next date [standing gig, 5 months out, inconsequential], either find a sub for me or make it a [singer's other pet project, which includes our drummer, but more informal] gig. I will wind down the website and Facebook page in the next few days, though I see no need to make any formal announcement online. I'd prefer to just fade into the sunset if that's OK with you guys."
I will sort out what to do with the venue/gig in the next day or so. If they have objections and want the date for themselves, then i will take issue. I view it as my gig to cancel or keep as I see fit, as I am 100% responsible for the booking. I just spoke to the drummer, and he has my back 110%. There's a slight chance I could pull off the gig with other players, but it's not really that important to me. Either way, I'll make it right with the owner. If this new project works out, the plan is to set our sights a lot higher than $350 bar gigs.
Great advice from all my TB peeps -- I truly appreciate your thoughtful suggestions and support!
So, is anybody looking for a bass player?
- Jan 12, 2011
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Your decision but one consideration is what happens if you do the Gig and it fails? I would not want my name associated with that performance especially if I got the gig. What I'm implying is how can you go back and get more gigs there with your new group? I'd just quit the group and let the Venue know you're no longer associated with that group. Still leaves the door open to get in there with another group.
If they are that unprofessional, they don't deserve you to play with them at the new venue. They can suck it and hope for a decent replacement.
The "I can treat the bassist any bad way I want because we have another gig booked-he won't leave" thing is for the birds. No one should ever be treated that way. I walk then and there. A month is more than fair for a gigging COVER band to find a sub. Actions have consequences.
The "I can treat the bassist any bad way I want because we have another gig booked-he won't leave" thing is for the birds. No one should ever be treated that way. I walk then and there. A month is more than fair for a gigging COVER band to find a sub. Actions have consequences.
Pretty much. There's something to be said for professionalism but showing up for another gig after an incident like that only gives the impression that you're okay with being disrespected in that way.
I'm not one to always advise people to quit bands whenever the slightest issue arises (personally I tend to stay too long in bad situations honestly) but something like that would be it for me.
Ideally, you never want to just cancel if you'd like to preserve relations with the venue. Available options depend on the kind of venue, with higher-profile clubs most wanting to hear about cancellations right away and to handle booking any replacement. Smaller joints though often appreciate if you've done some legwork and can give them some options. Given your description of the band, I'm guessing the venue is fairy low-key about their bands. If so, in descending order...
- If you know enough good musicians to cover the gig, let the venue owner/booker know that The Now Defuncts have broken up and offer take to cover the gig with your new band , "Insert Name Here" (featuring known players X, Y, and Z). "Insert Name Here" might actually become a band, or it might just be a group of veteran players that covers this one gig as a casual. (Preserves your relationship w/ venue and establishes an opportunity to book your new band.)
- If you can't field enough talent to cover the gig, you can provisionally offer it as a favor to another band in your network—assuming you know a few that are good and for whom the gig would be a both welcome and a good match. Then contact the owner to let him know The Now Defuncts have broken up, but that you've reached out to Band of Frendlies, who are willing to cover the gig on the same terms you were offered. If owner would like, you'll put them in touch. (Helps maintain your rep w/ the venue as responsible, and is good karma w/ the band you toss the gig to.)
- Failing the first two options, play the gig *if* you think you can trust your almost-former singer and guitarist not to make a shambles of the night and *if* you can trust your drummer not to jump ship before then. (Honors the booking, but risks ruining your rep if your singer or guitarist throw tantrums or tank the gig.)
- Absent either of the two conditions in option three, contact the venue to cancel. (Might cost your rep at the venue and beyond.)
This is the one thing I wouldn't do. OP booked the gig. Leaving the scene and letting the remainder of the band screw it up in whatever unfathomable way would be an express ticket to never working with that bar manager again.
A photo from my final gig. I figured this could serve many purposes and cover a bunch of popular TB topics...
STAGE APPEARANCE: Dress to impress. Dress shirt (at 75% off clearance, it still cost more money than the singer has spent on new gear in the past 5 years, and I'm not kidding), trendy non-Levis jeans, and Oxblood Doc Martens. I'm going the extra mile by sporting the cuff links and a GK wristband I knicked at NAMM. I'm quite please with the coiff...I've been growing out the buzz cut, and I've been stuck in that awkward cowlick phase for the past month. Thanks to my wife and daughter's vault of hair care product, I was able to pull off a pseudo Junior Faux-Jovi (post 1990).
STAGE PRESENCE: Here I am making the most of my 18 sq. in. spot. I was captured rocking the "look at me, I am a badass" look. I didn't have room to move, but I did have room to groove.
NBD(!): Second gig with my new G&L SB-2 Tribute in Bordeaux Red, purchased at Mojotone Music in my hometown of Rochester, NY. Awesome set-up performed by Shawn May of Shawn May Custom Basses here in Michigan (look him up!). This bass is extra special to me, as I purchased it as a remembrance to my mother who passed away last August. She spent the last few years in a home, and there really weren't any heirlooms to pass down. She would have loved me to have and enjoy this, and I certainly will. And BTW, it plays and sounds fantastic.
RIG RUNDOWN: I happened to receive my best compliment ever from a guy in the crowd. After the first set, he came up to me positively gushing about how great I sounded -- "so full and tight...I can hear every note, and it sounds fantastic!" -- he asked to come onstage for a tour. GK MB500 Fusion head, GK 212MBE cabinet, DOD Milk Box Compressor, and custom one-off Arena King overdrive pedal courtesy Alex Johnson of King's Custom Guitars in Ann Arbor. EQ pretty much set at noon, treble rolled off to 10 o'clock. Perfect for cutting through the mess caused by an inadequate PA and monitor set-up.
EAR PROTECTION: Westone custom ear plugs with -9db filters. My favorite piece of equipment. Though I could have used the -25db filters to drown out the sloppy guitar playing and singer's condescending remarks.
CHICKS AT GIGS: Sadly, slightly fewer hot chicks than your typical Rush concert.
and last but not least... CAPTION THIS PHOTO: I'll start it off... "Soooo, why the hell am I doing this again, exactly? Haven't I learned anything from my whiny TB Band Management threads?"
Your turn, let me have it!
STAGE APPEARANCE: Dress to impress. Dress shirt (at 75% off clearance, it still cost more money than the singer has spent on new gear in the past 5 years, and I'm not kidding), trendy non-Levis jeans, and Oxblood Doc Martens. I'm going the extra mile by sporting the cuff links and a GK wristband I knicked at NAMM. I'm quite please with the coiff...I've been growing out the buzz cut, and I've been stuck in that awkward cowlick phase for the past month. Thanks to my wife and daughter's vault of hair care product, I was able to pull off a pseudo Junior Faux-Jovi (post 1990).
STAGE PRESENCE: Here I am making the most of my 18 sq. in. spot. I was captured rocking the "look at me, I am a badass" look. I didn't have room to move, but I did have room to groove.
NBD(!): Second gig with my new G&L SB-2 Tribute in Bordeaux Red, purchased at Mojotone Music in my hometown of Rochester, NY. Awesome set-up performed by Shawn May of Shawn May Custom Basses here in Michigan (look him up!). This bass is extra special to me, as I purchased it as a remembrance to my mother who passed away last August. She spent the last few years in a home, and there really weren't any heirlooms to pass down. She would have loved me to have and enjoy this, and I certainly will. And BTW, it plays and sounds fantastic.
RIG RUNDOWN: I happened to receive my best compliment ever from a guy in the crowd. After the first set, he came up to me positively gushing about how great I sounded -- "so full and tight...I can hear every note, and it sounds fantastic!" -- he asked to come onstage for a tour. GK MB500 Fusion head, GK 212MBE cabinet, DOD Milk Box Compressor, and custom one-off Arena King overdrive pedal courtesy Alex Johnson of King's Custom Guitars in Ann Arbor. EQ pretty much set at noon, treble rolled off to 10 o'clock. Perfect for cutting through the mess caused by an inadequate PA and monitor set-up.
EAR PROTECTION: Westone custom ear plugs with -9db filters. My favorite piece of equipment. Though I could have used the -25db filters to drown out the sloppy guitar playing and singer's condescending remarks.
CHICKS AT GIGS: Sadly, slightly fewer hot chicks than your typical Rush concert.
and last but not least... CAPTION THIS PHOTO: I'll start it off... "Soooo, why the hell am I doing this again, exactly? Haven't I learned anything from my whiny TB Band Management threads?"
Your turn, let me have it!
Just looking at that singer/guitarist I don't like him. LOL. He definitely exudes the "grizzled old man" look and attitude to go along with it (I looked at the rest of the photos in Photobucket).A photo from my final gig. I figured this could serve many purposes and cover a bunch of popular TB topics...
STAGE APPEARANCE: Dress to impress. Dress shirt (at 75% off clearance, it still cost more money than the singer has spent on new gear in the past 5 years, and I'm not kidding), trendy non-Levis jeans, and Oxblood Doc Martens. I'm going the extra mile by sporting the cuff links and a GK wristband I knicked at NAMM. I'm quite please with the coiff...I've been growing out the buzz cut, and I've been stuck in that awkward cowlick phase for the past month. Thanks to my wife and daughter's vault of hair care product, I was able to pull off a pseudo Junior Faux-Jovi (post 1990).
STAGE PRESENCE: Here I am making the most of my 18 sq. in. spot. I was captured rocking the "look at me, I am a badass" look. I didn't have room to move, but I did have room to groove.
NBD(!): Second gig with my new G&L SB-2 Tribute in Bordeaux Red, purchased at Mojotone Music in my hometown of Rochester, NY. Awesome set-up performed by Shawn May of Shawn May Custom Basses here in Michigan (look him up!). This bass is extra special to me, as I purchased it as a remembrance to my mother who passed away last August. She spent the last few years in a home, and there really weren't any heirlooms to pass down. She would have loved me to have and enjoy this, and I certainly will. And BTW, it plays and sounds fantastic.
RIG RUNDOWN: I happened to receive my best compliment ever from a guy in the crowd. After the first set, he came up to me positively gushing about how great I sounded -- "so full and tight...I can hear every note, and it sounds fantastic!" -- he asked to come onstage for a tour. GK MB500 Fusion head, GK 212MBE cabinet, DOD Milk Box Compressor, and custom one-off Arena King overdrive pedal courtesy Alex Johnson of King's Custom Guitars in Ann Arbor. EQ pretty much set at noon, treble rolled off to 10 o'clock. Perfect for cutting through the mess caused by an inadequate PA and monitor set-up.
EAR PROTECTION: Westone custom ear plugs with -9db filters. My favorite piece of equipment. Though I could have used the -25db filters to drown out the sloppy guitar playing and singer's condescending remarks.
CHICKS AT GIGS: Sadly, slightly fewer hot chicks than your typical Rush concert.
and last but not least... CAPTION THIS PHOTO: I'll start it off... "Soooo, why the hell am I doing this again, exactly? Haven't I learned anything from my whiny TB Band Management threads?"
Your turn, let me have it!
OP Post-Mordem: As I predicted, the singer (and guitar player to a lesser extent) is adamant that I have no claim to any dates remaining on the calendar since I quit the band. Frankly, I don't give a crap anymore, so I said "OK, you win. They're all yours." The drummer is likely to quit anyway. Not to mention they have no way to connect their junky mixer to the house PA when they get there.
Ironically, not 10 minutes after exchanging a bunch of emails, I received a call from a local event planner offering me a prime-time gig in August for $1,200 with any band I want to put on stage. Karma rules!
Ironically, not 10 minutes after exchanging a bunch of emails, I received a call from a local event planner offering me a prime-time gig in August for $1,200 with any band I want to put on stage. Karma rules!
