Should I stay or should I go?

[Deleted member 271037]

It sounds to me like this may not have been the best moment to bring out the slide... Whether you should continue playing with these guys is entirely up to you of course. Personally I want either decent money or lots of fun when playing in a band. Preferrably both of course but if neither is present I'm 100% gone.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

A "hired gun" that plays for free? Do what you want!

So Anyway, the OP's situation doesn't meet my definition of a 'Hired Gun'.
I'd drop them and look for another project/outlet, but that's just me being a hired gun.

 

[ChrisB2]

Go.

 

[Fuzzbass]

it sounds to me like you already know what you want to do and are just looking for reasons or permission to do it.

I understand where the OP is coming from: sometimes a course of action might seem clear, but if there's still uncertainty then it's wise to get alternate perspectives in case something has been overlooked. In general, it's good to second-guess oneself.

But I don't mean to be too critical of this one sentence. You offered some excellent perspective to him.

 

[micguy]

What would you guys do?

The gigs I do, creativity is usually applauded.

You need to find a gig like that.

 

[Shepsdad]

I have no way of knowing exactly what you agreed to when you joined these people, but if I were brought in as a “hired gun” and we played a gig and they didn’t pay me, I wouldn’t be their “hired gun” anymore. Creative input wouldn’t even be a thought.

Did you kick in any money for the production of the album and EP?

 

[Cave Puppy]

So, I played a gig with an originals band whom I’ve been playing with for about 4 years. We probably do about 3 or 4 gigs a year and have recorded an album and EP of original tunes. My role as bassist is to supply basslines to the tunes—I am not paid to do this, nor are any of my ideas for original tunes entertained. Im completely a “hired gun”, as is another band member. We play with these guys because we enjoy the hang.

Here’s the catch: we played a 30 minute (free) show with 3 other bands over the weekend. Prior to the show, I had indicated I’d like to try one of my basslines with a slide (a la Morphine) - it sounded cool in my woodshed and thought it might be nice to try with the band. Well, many of the band members liked the idea, but another stated he’d rather me try things in the studio. Understandable.

Anyway, the gig happens, some of the band members with less gigging experience were nervous, and the mistakes started to happen. Well, the song comes up, I play it with the slide, it sounds ok.

Next day, the guitarist who did not want me to try the slide on the gig called it “sloppy and messy”. That said; he’s the least experienced musician in the group, and plays like it.

I’m reconsidering whether I want to continue on with this band where I have no songwriting input, and then any playing input seems to be “controlled”. I’m not paid to replicate parts, so I’d like more creative leeway than what I’ve been getting. What would you guys do?

I just quit a band to focus on my original music but still sub regularly in a cover band. I was basically the MD of the leader’s original music of the band i quit so it was very little return on investment for me. I get paid with the cover band. I’m at the point now where if I’m investing time and effort I need to get paid or it would be for my original music.

 

[fhm555]

If the thing was wonky before you added your touch, he's using that as an excuse to focus blame on you so he does not have to admit his (or the others) sloppy input.

 

[HolmeBass]

If I was in a band that only played 4 times a year, I would absolutely get into another band or two. That is simply not enough gigging for me.

Everything else would become more clear with a broader gigging perspective.

 

[FullumMusic]

I understand where the OP is coming from: sometimes a course of action might seem clear, but if there's still uncertainty then it's wise to get alternate perspectives in case something has been overlooked. In general, it's good to second-guess oneself.

But I don't mean to be too critical of this one sentence. You offered some excellent perspective to him.

Absolutely. Getting outside perspective is always great… *usually great. Not always. Depends on who you ask.

I also think a lot of that uncertainty and need to check with others is a whirlwind of psychological and societal forces at play, when the truth is often you know what the best course of action for you is but we’re made to believe doing things for our own benefit is somehow bad, or selfish, or a bunch of other things that we’re not supposed to be or do, and then we need to somehow justify our decision by consensus of our peers. But we don’t need other people to justify our needs! We already know.

And we’re all guilty of this. I didn’t say that sentence as a derogatory accusation. I said it as someone who is aware that he does it himself. It’s just easier to see it when other people ask.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Stick around man.
Originals, 3-4 gigs a year?
No sweat.

 

[Topkat13]

I find such posts as yours perplexing. You are closest to the situation. Why not discuss “how you feel” with your band?

 

[4stringfarley]

Prior to the show, I had indicated I’d like to try one of my basslines with a slide (a la Morphine) - it sounded cool in my woodshed and thought it might be nice to try

mistakes started to happen. Well, the song comes up, I play it with the slide, it sounds ok.

Next day, the guitarist who did not want me to try the slide on the gig called it “sloppy and messy”.

Playing in an original band, particularly an inexperienced one, you have to get out there by playing free gigs to get out there and hopefully get enough people liking you to start getting paid.

Experimenting on stage with something that sounded good in your woodshed is a massive no-go. Rehearsal is for fleshing this out, not in front of people that may one day be looking for an original band to pay.

If the boat starts taking on water during the show, don’t get upset because you were chastised for drilling more holes in the bottom.

 

[akukulich]

A couple of thoughts.

Do you enjoy the music? Do you enjoy the people? Is it worth the time that you're putting into it? If you enjoy, maybe you stick it out. If not, find a gig you do enjoy.

Regarding the slide...If a gig is starting to go sideways, it's not the time to throw another curveball at the guys who are already struggling, in my opinion. To me, the professional thing to do in that situation is to play as solidly as possible. Make sure the structure is there to help the other guys regain their bearings. You're throwing them a lifeline. If I'm on a gig and it's getting shaky, I play as simply as possible. It may not be what I hoped to do, but having a gig, or even a single tune go off the rails isn't any fun either.

 

[Jim Ford]

So, I played a gig with an originals band whom I’ve been playing with for about 4 years. We probably do about 3 or 4 gigs a year and have recorded an album and EP of original tunes. My role as bassist is to supply basslines to the tunes—I am not paid to do this, nor are any of my ideas for original tunes entertained. Im completely a “hired gun”, as is another band member. We play with these guys because we enjoy the hang.

Here’s the catch: we played a 30 minute (free) show with 3 other bands over the weekend. Prior to the show, I had indicated I’d like to try one of my basslines with a slide (a la Morphine) - it sounded cool in my woodshed and thought it might be nice to try with the band. Well, many of the band members liked the idea, but another stated he’d rather me try things in the studio. Understandable.

Anyway, the gig happens, some of the band members with less gigging experience were nervous, and the mistakes started to happen. Well, the song comes up, I play it with the slide, it sounds ok.

Next day, the guitarist who did not want me to try the slide on the gig called it “sloppy and messy”. That said; he’s the least experienced musician in the group, and plays like it.

I’m reconsidering whether I want to continue on with this band where I have no songwriting input, and then any playing input seems to be “controlled”. I’m not paid to replicate parts, so I’d like more creative leeway than what I’ve been getting. What would you guys do?

Sounds like that guys is a bad egg in the group. If the negativity cannot be turned around, you can leave, or you can tell that guy to lay low on the rigidness and let you have your fun.

 

[Jim Ford]

A couple of thoughts.

Do you enjoy the music? Do you enjoy the people? Is it worth the time that you're putting into it? If you enjoy, maybe you stick it out. If not, find a gig you do enjoy.

Regarding the slide...If a gig is starting to go sideways, it's not the time to throw another curveball at the guys who are already struggling, in my opinion. To me, the professional thing to do in that situation is to play as solidly as possible. Make sure the structure is there to help the other guys regain their bearings. You're throwing them a lifeline. If I'm on a gig and it's getting shaky, I play as simply as possible. It may not be what I hoped to do, but having a gig, or even a single tune go off the rails isn't any fun either.

True, I like this approach. As bass players, we own the drive/pulse of the time. The complaining guy is probably insecure and acting out. If he were confident, he would give positive feedback.

 

[GreyBeard]

Tell him that if he doesn't like you playing to deduct that particular bass line from your pay check.

 

[KidAmnesia]

Asking a bandmate not to try something entirely new at one of the few gigs we do and try it first during practice seems really sensible to me. Unless it's a jam or some experimental type of music, gigs are for playing what we rehearsed as good as possible. Sorry, but if I was that guitar player, I'd be pissed. I'd feel an agreement was broken, independently of the mistakes I or other players had made.

That being said, it's obvious you are not satisfied with your general experience in that band. Talk openly with them, say what you don't like, say what you would like to change, listen to what they say about it and finaly see if there is a way to make it more appealing to you that everyone agrees with. And if there is no agreement, start looking for another band.

 

[Lee Moses]

I've never been in a band where I felt I needed to ask permission to use a slide, or really to play whatever I want. Occasionally, I have had band members ask me to back it off a little in places, or in cover bands to keep it note-for-note with the original, and I generally obliged. This whole "I have to ask before I even try it, and I'll probably be told no" sounds suffocating to me.

 

[Astronaut]

+1 for Morphine.