The band grenade just multipoloded

[Biggbass]

I thought I'd explained it but maybe the split post got some confused.
The fiddle player, who handles most of the solos, has quit with short notice, leaving us without a solo instrument for music that is fiddle dependent.

The result is that a couple of other members, including the drummer, are throwing in the towel since no one wants to search for another fiddle player. If you've ever been in the position of needing a good fiddler then you know how difficult it is to find one that is available to commit to another band. And we can't use a violinist who's an aspiring fiddler ...there's a big difference.

My vote was to contact the two venues left on our calendar, explain the situation, and let them make the call as to whether we play it small or not at all so they can find another band, if that's what they prefer to do.

BL did that today and they want us to play it small, large, however we can manage it. They are fans of the music and it's all good. So we've hired a guitarist who's an excellent chicken picker and is familiar with the material to cover the solos and we're going in big and strong.

After the dust settles on these gigs we're downsizing to a trio.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

Do you have charts, recordings, can you stretch songs with improvational sections, and how much time do you need to cover? I would say no to the 2 piece unless it would be A, ok with the one that hired you, B, you can hold the audience as a duo.

 

[Biggbass]

Do you have charts, recordings, can you stretch songs with improvational sections, and how much time do you need to cover? I would say no to the 2 piece unless it would be A, ok with the one that hired you, B, you can hold the audience as a duo.

yes = charts
yes = a couple of albums
arrangements are pretty tight but expandable during the solo sections
24 song long set

today we hired a player who can play the gig and sent him charts, set list, and linked him to the albums on Spotify. I've worked with the guy many times and he will nail it. Unfortunately he's not available full time but he will get us thru the month. Then we'll reorganize and go forward from there.

 

[Not yet]

Been there done....

Suggest Get a sub band of equal caliber ready in waiting and call club and offer Replacement. Whether they take yours or or use another your integrity is intact far more than last second rush job

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Well, I’m glad you can at least get these covered. I’ve been going through personnel issues as well and it sucks. The funny thing is, I get increadible responses from my ads for players, but the market here for 8 piece bands is about slim an nil, and guys drift off. Well, good hunting.

 

[Callused Finger]

Do the Gig. Any impromptu or last minute alteration to the lineup makes for a good show.

Let the crowd know some of the guys couldnt make it.

 

[tr4252]

Glad to hear the venue likes you so much. Break a leg!

Tom

 

[tycobb73]

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.

That's ok. There are groups lined up willing to take your spot.

 

[porterbass]

@Biggbass What is the name of your band? I'd like to listen on Spotify. Thanks and good luck with the gig!

 

[PauFerro]

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.

Been there -- done that. Best thing to keep a band going is gigs. Call Subs, retool the repertoire to the simplest songs based on what everyone knows if necessary. Don't cancel the gig, don't tell the client, knock it out of the park. After it's over, be thankful the band imploded when you had money on the table to hire other, better players.

 

[ToneMonkey]

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.

I don’t quite understand why members who committed to playing a gig are somehow not going to play. That’s crazy unprofessional. I’d make damned sure if their names came up in conversation with others that everyone ended up knowing that. #Bushleague

 

[krovx]

2/3 subs you'll probably be broke and look bad. As others have iterated, smooth it out with the venue and no bad surprises.

 

[two fingers]

That's ok. There are groups lined up willing to take your spot.

They can have it. Any bar that rules with that kind of iron thumb can keep their several hundred bucks.

What kinda guy isn't understanding when a band falls apart 14 days before a show????

It's ONE NIGHT. If bands are lining up, get one for THAT NIGHT. A band didn't "let you down". It ceased to exist. But thay doesn't mean the band leader is heretofore "unreliable" or somehow did a disservice to the bar.

Yeah, that bar manager can kiss my @$$.

 

[arbiterusa]

How about everyone keeping their commitments ?

But then nobody has an excuse for an extended exercise in drama.

 

[2BitHack]

But then nobody has an excuse for an extended exercise in drama.

on the internet nobody needs an excuse

 

[Verb the Noun]

Sounds like you have it covered, well done.

Sucks that fiddle guy flaked out, but at least he was giving signs it was coming. The other three members calling it quits is what has me scratching my head. Seems like there has gotta be more going on than just one guy quitting to create a cascade effect like that.

 

[FerK]

As suggested before I would NOT cancel, and hire subs (like you already said you did). Maybe I would ask friends to step in for 3 or 4 songs each. That way you can:
1) Explain to the audience what happened, e.g. "it's a very special night tonight, we have a few friend/guests playing with us", etc, etc.
2) Save face with the venue, by not downsizing from 6 to 2 (and possible keep your fees high enough to pay for the hired gun)
3) Save subs the pains of learning a fairly long set in a short period of time, i.e. spread the pain among a few folks

 

[Oleg BassPlayer]

Once a band I played in split up a week or two before a gig. We managed to get our **** together and play the gig, although the atmosphere was tense.

I'd try these options (in this order):
1. Persuade those who quit to fulfill their commitments (if the gig was arranged with their consent), it's only one night.
2. Find substitute musician(s)
3. Prepare the program as a duet and see how it sounds to you
4. If it's a total disaster, then cancel, possibly find a replacement band so that the bar is happy and doesn't refuse to work with you in the future

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Biggbass

My vote was to contact the two venues left on our calendar, explain the situation, and let them make the call as to whether we play it small or not at all so they can find another band, if that's what they prefer to do.

1+

BL did that today and they want us to play it small, large, however we can manage it. They are fans of the music and it's all good. So we've hired a guitarist who's an excellent chicken picker and is familiar with the material to cover the solos and we're going in big and strong.

Great to see, that you worked it out! Good luck and have fun playing your gigs!

a couple of other members, including the drummer, are throwing in the towel

That' s not cool! Lack of motivation? Start auditioning serious folks ASAP!

we'll reorganize and go forward from there.

Fire the drummer!


greetings


Wise(b)ass

 

[baileyboy]

...Do we cancel the gigs... Or call subs and expect them to learn the music within 10 days?

For me, cancelling a gig is akin to having surgery... all other options should be exhausted first. Definitely call for subs. Depending on their skill level, you may have to alter the set list... try to get a rehearsal or two in there if you can manage it and focus on songs that all can get through. If you can schedule a rehearsal beforehand, you might want to send out a list of all the songs your band plays to subs and develop a revised set list based on what subs are comfortable playing. Best of luck hanging on to these gigs.