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Should I pay?

njones89

njones89

Mar 27, 2015
743
644
Sioux Falls
#1
My current band wanted to do a month "trial run" before having me commit and officially dubbing me as a band member. It's been a month, and the idea was that afterward we would record a song at the end of the month at a local studio. Guitarist called me up tonight to check in to see if I can/am willing to pay money down to be a part of that. I told him that I'd like to know if I'm in the band before I make that decision. He said we'll talk about it as a band Sunday. On top of that, he started being all persuasive, and mentioned that he'd like me to record the part as an "original bassist". This is for a song that I had no part in writing. I only wrote a bassline for it, and it's pretty much what he tabbed out for me with very minor changes. I told him I can give him the tabs I wrote for my part if I decide not to pitch in and do my part (why should I put money into something I'm not technically a part of yet??). but if I decide I don't want to invest in it, he will just record the part however he wants "and that's the way it will be played, no changes." I'm thinking well, *** does he need me for then - apart from the money?

I'm going to see what they have to say at the next practice. If they haven't made up their mind, I'm going to tell them I'm not interested in recording or putting money into the project at this time. Furthermore, I've been investing a lot of time (2 full evenings of practice per week, plus my free time for learning their songs) into this and it's not fair to me. Am I being unreasonable?
 
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#4
The little man inside of me says F this band, actually. I was onboard until Wednesday, and today's little phone call left a bad taste in my mouth. The drummer is cool, the singer is cool, but I have problems with the guitarist. He's got ego and control issues man. This is prolly the 4th or 5th post in this forum about this guy. Ridiculous. You'd think they'd pay me to have written a good part and spend my time recording a quality bassline for the song they are interested in putting out there. Guess that's what happens when your BL is a guitarist that works part time at Chilis.
 
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#5
njones89 said:
The little man inside of me says F this band, actually. I was onboard until Wednesday, and today's little phone call left a bad taste in my mouth. The drummer is cool, the singer is cool, but I have problems with the guitarist. He's got ego and control issues man. This is prolly the 4th or 5th post in this forum about this guy. Ridiculous. You'd think they'd pay me to have written a good part and spend my time recording a quality bassline for the song they are interested in putting out there. Guess that's what happens when your BL is a guitarist that works part time at Chilis.
Click to expand...

There's your answer. The little man KNOWS ALL.
 
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#7
I'm appalled they would even ask you to invest in the recording before they addressed the issue of your membership in the band. It shows lack of respect for your time, and a complete lack of interpersonal sensitivity. And then, after you raise the issue, the guy STILL says he wants to talk about it with the band on Saturday? That's even more stupid.

I wouldn't invest a dime in the band if they don't tell you ASAP if you're in the group. BUT, if they offer you the bass chair, and you want it, DEFINITELY invest in the recording. We had one guy in a band who wouldn't invest in one of my previous bands. He never lived that down, and we ended up firing him later for attitude and other problems. Be at team player if they offer you the position AND you want it. If those two things come to pass, definitely invest in the recording.
 
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#11
Yeah...no. Pay for a project that you're not a member of? Why would anyone do that?

I've posted this before, but there are two and only two acceptable situations - either you're a paid sideman, and therefore they pay for your time (not vice versa!), or you're a full member of the group, with an equal right to creative contribution and ownership of the product. The only third option is doing a favor for a buddy who needs a bass track on his song so you dropped in to record one for him, but it doesn't sound like this guy is a buddy you're doing favors for. "Original bassist" is a meaningless phrase and sounds like a bit of smokescreen to con you into paying for the privilege of being a sideman. Nuh-uh.
 
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#12
So now we have "pay to play" To be in a band?

Tell them you need $50 an hour for each hour you've put in so far before you can decide if you want to be in the band. See how well that goes over.

With the comment by the guitar player that he would record the bass parts means that he thinks anyone can play bass. Seems like he's making some kind if threat or something.

If you get treated like this and you are not officially in the group, imagine how it will be if you are in the group?

Too much drama when there doesn't have to be any.
 
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#13
njones89 said:
The little man inside of me says F this band, actually. I was onboard until Wednesday, and today's little phone call left a bad taste in my mouth. The drummer is cool, the singer is cool, but I have problems with the guitarist. He's got ego and control issues man. This is prolly the 4th or 5th post in this forum about this guy. Ridiculous. You'd think they'd pay me to have written a good part and spend my time recording a quality bassline for the song they are interested in putting out there. Guess that's what happens when your BL is a guitarist that works part time at Chilis.
Click to expand...

My little man agrees with yours. I wouldn't care for the whole "trial period" thing, and to be that indecisive at the end of it would simply turn me off to the whole thing. Then all this drama over recording a single freakin track and being asked to put down money to get it done...yeah no thank you.
 
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#14
sean_on_bass said:
My little man agrees with yours. I wouldn't care for the whole "trial period" thing, and to be that indecisive at the end of it would simply turn me off to the whole thing. Then all this drama over recording a single freakin track and being asked to put down money to get it done...yeah no thank you.
Click to expand...
It's always nice to see two little men getting along.
 
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#15
PauFerro said:
I'm appalled they would even ask you to invest in the recording before they addressed the issue of your membership in the band.
Click to expand...

The rest of the band might not know what the guitarist said to you on the phone. If you decide not to join, tell the entire band why. If this is the 5-6th (or more) person to turn them down because of the guitarist, the rest of the band may decide it may be easier to find another guitarist.
 
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#16
Who the heck comes up with schemes like this? If the guitarist is so amazing and so talented, he really should be able to assess an incoming bassist's abilities within the space of 10 minutes or less.

I don't want to be like this guitarist or bandleader, but I really do want to be that moronic for one day, just to see what it's like. It must be delightful.
 
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#19
PauFerro said:
I'm appalled they would even ask you to invest in the recording before they addressed the issue of your membership in the band. It shows lack of respect for your time, and a complete lack of interpersonal sensitivity. And then, after you raise the issue, the guy STILL says he wants to talk about it with the band on Saturday? That's even more stupid.

I wouldn't invest a dime in the band if they don't tell you ASAP if you're in the group. BUT, if they offer you the bass chair, and you want it, DEFINITELY invest in the recording. We had one guy in a band who wouldn't invest in one of my previous bands. He never lived that down, and we ended up firing him later for attitude and other problems. Be at team player if they offer you the position AND you want it. If those two things come to pass, definitely invest in the recording.
Click to expand...
What he said. I would be ok with this senario if and only if they have respect and call you a member of the team. Sounds like the guitarist has some control issues that he may or may not be aware of. Give him some good feedback regarding the situation and apply your stance on the matter. You can do this without burning any bridges. Let him know whats up in an adult manner and if he continues to be a massive cluetcher, just bounce right then and there. Be the better man cause you attempted to have a decent convo but he refuses to listen or adjust, bump it and start your own project.
 
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