I'd do Sunday with the normal lineup. Your guitarist is on vacation and it sounds like that was clearly blacked out for him in advance. You get offered a gig with an option for either his blackout date or a few days later when he's back. I don't think he's "not taking one for the team" because he's available for essentially the same gig (I don't mean the night or crowd) a few days later. It'd be different if there was no option for Sunday, then by all means use the sub. Seems to me, you'd just be rocking the boat by taking the Friday gig.
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The gig or the band?
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
I'd do Sunday with the normal lineup. Your guitarist is on vacation and it sounds like that was clearly blacked out for him in advance. You get offered a gig with an option for either his blackout date or a few days later when he's back. I don't think he's "not taking one for the team" because he's available for essentially the same gig (I don't mean the night or crowd) a few days later. It'd be different if there was no option for Sunday, then by all means use the sub. Seems to me, you'd just be rocking the boat by taking the Friday gig.
IME, bands have one of two basic structures:
- Play out as much as possible, make as much $$ as possible. Gigs and $$ are first priority, The Hang is second. Nothing personal, but the band is gonna book as many gigs as possible and will pull in subs if/when needed.
- The Hang is first priority; play out as schedules permit, not worry too much about $$, realize everyone has families/work/life commitments that come first. Subs are a last resort.
I would not want to play with a sub unless it can't be avoided. In this case it CAN be avoided, and I'm surprised any band members would lean that way. But, in the end, it should basically be a band vote.
My preference is to be in a band that is professional enough to put personal egos and issues aside and "take one for the team" when the certain situations arise. I would have no problem having someone sub for me if it meant the band could take a good gig. The problem is that I run the show and bring all of the PA gear, and the band would have to learn to manage without me. Our sound man is the drummer's son who recently moved to our town. Since he's at most shows anyway, he'll grab the iPad and mix FOH so I don't have to. He's a pro and can certainly can run the show in my absence. It opens up the possibility of taking the odd gig without me if they can find a suitable bass player to sub.
It really depends a lot on how much your guitar guy "is" the band. If you can get a sub that keeps your show "you" then do whichever you feel is the best. If your guitar guy is the show, then I wouldn't present a significantly lesser product in a featured slot.
Unless someone else in the band is really going to pitch a fit about it, I would leave it up to the guitarist to decide. It sounds like he wants to do the Sunday, so… enjoy the sunshine and getting home early, etc.
I like earlier slots where the crowd tends towards families and sober people, but I’m middle aged, so YMMV.
I also pick up last minute sub gigs in the summer with other local bands, and that almost always happens on Fridays or Saturdays. So a gig that doesn’t fall on one of those two days is a “bonus”, because I still have a weekend slot free (it should be noted that I am relying on gig money pretty heavily right now, unfortunately). Because of that, this would be pretty cut and dried for me.
I have played with other musicians who have family or professional obligations every Sunday in church, so I have had to reorganize or turn down gigs because of that. You may want to ask the other members if that is the case- your guitarists’ family is not more important than anyone else’s in the band, so if a trusted sub is available, and there’s another potential conflict…play the Friday.
I like earlier slots where the crowd tends towards families and sober people, but I’m middle aged, so YMMV.
I also pick up last minute sub gigs in the summer with other local bands, and that almost always happens on Fridays or Saturdays. So a gig that doesn’t fall on one of those two days is a “bonus”, because I still have a weekend slot free (it should be noted that I am relying on gig money pretty heavily right now, unfortunately). Because of that, this would be pretty cut and dried for me.
I have played with other musicians who have family or professional obligations every Sunday in church, so I have had to reorganize or turn down gigs because of that. You may want to ask the other members if that is the case- your guitarists’ family is not more important than anyone else’s in the band, so if a trusted sub is available, and there’s another potential conflict…play the Friday.
my band uses subs when the gig is worth it. but... there are a few players in the band we won't take gigs if they're not available. lead singer or MC? nope. and our guitarist is the third. he's our main featured soloist, does a lot of singing, and is a fantastic player and would be very difficult to get a good sub for.
so if your guitar player isn't the focal point of your band and a truly phenomenal player, i'd say take the better slot...
so if your guitar player isn't the focal point of your band and a truly phenomenal player, i'd say take the better slot...
OK, but if the position of Sound guy is truly every bit as important as a musician on stage, then you're not gaining anything by having him fill in on guitar, as.....you lose your regular sound guy. On Sunday, you have your regular guitarist and your regular sound guy.
I would never throw a band member under the bus for a time slot.
He can do initial sound check and mixing before heading up to the stage. Somebody else could handle cutting mics, mute feedback squeals, etc. without it being absolute rocket science to manage. Done that at a few gigs with favorable results, and I probably couldn't hold a candle to the OP's guy.
I'm a former working bass player and, similar to @Pocket Dave response, it's a different mindset: I'm there to do a job professionally, no matter if it's my own band or hired gun situation. If I'm working as an independent contractor within the framework of other seasoned pro players, then choosing the sub for the better night is certainly the better option..but if Im playing with a very good band of players who are great within the confines of what the band unit does, then I would do the Sunday job......I'm not meaning to sound haughty but that was the best way to illustrate the situation
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
It depends on the aim of the band in general. I am a 'band guy', meaning I don't like to sub out a gig if we are a BAND and book/advertise as a specific unit, with a specific lineup. If you or your bandmates consider yourselves expendable, and the gig is more important than maintaining the core band for all engagements, then I guess take the Friday gig assuming a ready, willing, and prepared sub is available. If your guitarist isn't happy about that, then take the Sunday gig. Trust me, this stuff matters long-term in terms of loyalty and camaraderie... unless it's a strictly for-hire working band where a steady lineup isn't a factor.
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
Disagree. I know a lot of 'serious musicians' who value the power and cohesiveness of the band as a solid unit, and delivering on what they advertise/book - especially if it's an original band and/or a unit with a specific sound versus a generic deal. Believe it or not, people notice if you aren't bringing exactly what you advertise.
I agree, Sunday afternoon is probably the better spot for an arts fair. I could see alot of people somewhere else on a Friday night, then relaxing on Sunday afternoon in the park. (I'm picturing our local art fair, maybe this is different)
