• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The band grenade just multipoloded

Would you?

  • Play the gig as a duet

    Votes: 31 14.5%

  • Call in hired guns

    Votes: 111 51.9%

  • Cancel the gigs

    Votes: 37 17.3%

  • Carrots for everyone

    Votes: 35 16.4%
  • Total voters
    214
#62
I
Biggbass said:
Personnel issues have finally pulled the pin on the band grenade for my Americana band.
What's left after the collateral damage is a duet.

We have a couple of gigs on the calendar within the net 15 days. So it looks like its a Flight of the Conchords scenario if we keep the gigs.

What's your input? --- Do we cancel the gigs, since the venue operators are expecting a 6 pc band? Or call subs and expect them to learn the music within 10 days?

My inclination is to punt.
Click to expand...
If you can get a band together. Go for it. But if not, I would just pass. Or, if the guys you find aren't tight in time, it's better to not play, than play horribly.
 
#65
"The venue operators are expecting a 6 pc band"
I don't know how professionally you book your gigs; written contract, or how comprehensive its content but, if you show up as a duet and the club manager was told and expecting a six piece band, you're in contractual breach.
Calling in the subs...will you make any money after compensating them on such short notice?
Best to consider all your options, but by all means, make sure the club manager knows of any changes or, you may find your asses kicked to the curb. Either prior to or even after the gig...Without compensation!
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdplaid
#66
Yes, call the local Musicians Union and....aww nevermind.

I am not for kissing the venue's ass, honestly. It's a normal situation they have seen before.
Do your best to find a few subs to get by.
1. Musicians you know in the area
2. if there is a music college nearby, they read music and they need money. often super talented.
3. Go to gigs and try to recruit from other bands.
4. If you reach the point of Craigslist, let's face it, it's over. Do the duo.
5. Option X! Beatbuddy pedal, or play to a few tracks. I know.
 
#69
Contact the venue. As a former bar owner, if someone came in as half (or in your case, 1/3rd) of the band, I'd be annoyed and probably pay them half (or in your case, 1/3rd) of your agreed rate.

We aren't paying you for music, no matter what you tell yourself. We're paying you for entertainment, and a 6 piece has a certain flair and drama that a duo doesn't.

That said, if a 6 piece showed up as a 4 piece, I'd be a lot more understanding, so perhaps look at approaching 1-2 hired guns before contacting venues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdplaid and buldog5151bass
#71
tycobb73 said:
I book gigs for a bar. You cancel on me for anything else other than accidental injury and you get pulled from my rotation. If someone else cancels I'll ask you to take the gig. If you do you go back in the rotation. If not I'll call you if and when i have another cancellation.

Asking me to find a band in 2 weeks when i don't want to break up my rotation is hard.

Keep the bars in the loop and you'll be fine. Just do what you can.
Click to expand...

If I run a band, and a bar takes me out of their rotation when THREE OUT OF FIVE OF MY BAND MEMBERS QUIT two weeks out, I will never play that bar again. You will be taken out of MY rotation. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nevada Pete, Mr_Moo and 2BitHack
#75
What did I miss? I thought I had read everything.

You have a six piece band, 1 person quit and you now have a duo.

I'm pretty sure I know what all those words mean so I must have missed something. Somebody please school me.

Your (however many piece band) is toast. Talk to the venue about replacing you. Timely, clear, and honest communication always works.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr_Moo, Wisebass and two fingers
#76
tycobb73 said:
I book gigs for a bar. You cancel on me for anything else other than accidental injury and you get pulled from my rotation. If someone else cancels I'll ask you to take the gig. If you do you go back in the rotation. If not I'll call you if and when i have another cancellation.

Asking me to find a band in 2 weeks when i don't want to break up my rotation is hard.

Keep the bars in the loop and you'll be fine. Just do what you can.
Click to expand...

Great perspective!
 
#77
Tough call and not a whole lot of info about your circumstances.
Is it better to cancel or show up with an ill prepared band?
If cancel is your decision, let them know as soon as possible.
If playing the show is your decision, you better get to business and put a band together.
Personally, I'd show up no matter what. It's happened to me and the show was mediocre but not bad.
It may be better to be thought of as dependable but the band needs to improve than being a band you can't depend on.
Besides, you'd be surprised how many non musician can not tell the difference between a good band and a bad band.
It's just entertainment not brain surgery.
 
#78
I vote for call the venue asap and explain. Hope they say "no problem" and pass on the gig. You're no longer the band they hired, unless they were totally ignorant about you to begin with. Don't count on it. Sounds like the band leader wants to do this job come heck or high water. I did something like this once, it was a trainwreck. I'd tell him he can do it as an uno, if he won't make the call. Just my opinion, it's a sketchy answer to a sketchy scenario. I wish you luck.

Tom
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back