But he didn't ask "What would you do?" He actually asked "What’s more important to you …the gig or the band?"
L
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The gig or the band?
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
L
Yes, I was essentially asking “what would you do,” although I worded it differently. The point of any discussion is to get outside your own head and hear other viewpoints, and I thank those of you who offered some very insightful thoughts on both sides of the issue. It’s helped me realize that in MY circumstance, I am much more pro-band than pro-gig. I am very anti-drama, yet stuff happens. My band is very driven to work our way up the food chain, but I do not think ambition is worth sidelining a band member if there is any way to avoid it. Some gigs have come up that required a sub. But we shouldn’t pick one date over another and leave someone out just because we think it *might* be a better gig.
The issue I need to address is that I seem to hold the minority opinion in my band. We are very much close friends and one big happy family. We all respect one another. A couple people feel so strongly about building our brand and raising our profile that they are ok with putting a gig above a bandmate. Or putting their view of what’s “best for the band” above an individual’s feelings or place in the band. It’s not malicious, but they lose sight that this is not life or death. For me, what’s most important at the end of the day is the friendship and mutual respect.
The issue I need to address is that I seem to hold the minority opinion in my band. We are very much close friends and one big happy family. We all respect one another. A couple people feel so strongly about building our brand and raising our profile that they are ok with putting a gig above a bandmate. Or putting their view of what’s “best for the band” above an individual’s feelings or place in the band. It’s not malicious, but they lose sight that this is not life or death. For me, what’s most important at the end of the day is the friendship and mutual respect.
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It doesn't matter if it's resolved, we can still talk about it in general. This is social media, let's be social.
Not opposing discussion. I'd just love a quick link to what OP thinks is his solution.
Admittedly I didn't read all 6 pages of this. Have to agree here though. We're also a trio and opt for the band over the gig. Never done the sub thing, we all do it or we don't do it. Just how our band operates.
From a few pages ago...
Well, the situation has resolved itself and we'll be taking the Friday slot after all, using a sub.
After following up with the client for additional information, it became apparent that they were ONLY looking to book a full band for Friday night, not Sunday. Their initial email was a little misleading. I could have avoided a lot of unnecessary drama had I gotten all of the facts before presenting the opportunity to the band. Lesson learned.
The band didn't necessarily arrive at any hard and fast rules going forward. In general, we agreed to try our best to schedule gigs when everyone is available. There are times when it'll be worthwhile to take a gig even if it means having a sub. Our sub is the drummer's son – he's a professional music producer, engineer, and soundman, as well an accomplished lead and rhythm guitar player. I need to ask him if he plays bass too.
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Glad it's a moot point, but I was here to say that for me, the dilemma would entirely depend on the quality of the sub. I play a lot of sub gigs, but more to the point, I play in bands that regularly use subs. Sometimes the sub is better than the member they are replacing.
Anyway: if I knew for certain that the sub was acceptable quality -- that is, in the ballpark of the regular guitarist -- I would've chosen the Friday gig.
Anyway: if I knew for certain that the sub was acceptable quality -- that is, in the ballpark of the regular guitarist -- I would've chosen the Friday gig.
The gig in question is still a couple of months off. As it turned out, only the Friday night gig was offered to us, so that is what I booked. We will have a sub on rhythm guitar that night, who is our occasional soundman and all-around solid musician who knows our song list. He's actually filled in on lead vocals the past few weeks since our lead singer has been out with pneumonia.So, I know there was a "resolution" for the OP, but, did "Friday's gig" happen? I don't recall specifically which Friday it was supposed to be.
I'd be interested in a gig report when it happens (or, IF it happened already).
Thanks,
(and yes, I DID read all 6 pages).
T$
As a band, we've discussed priorities and will make every attempt to only book dates when all members are available. That being said, we all agree to not pass on a good opportunity for the band, even if it requires a sub. In this case, we thought we had a choice between a couple different time slots at the same 3-day event. We were overthinking which might be the better time slot for crowd size, visibility, etc. Going forward, the time slot when our usual/normal lineup are all available is the one to book, regardless of how good we think an alternative time (with a sub) slot might be.
I assume this is a cover band. I'm not a fan of using subs, it undervalues the group - and kind of feels poopy to the guy getting subbed out.
Guy puts in the time and effort and if he's unavailable its like - ah shag it well jsut get some one else to do it... it just feels wrong - but I'm a deep-feeler so whatever.
If it was me, I'd be pretty unhappy about getting subbed out jsut so the band can "headline" - is there no loyalty anymore?
Guy puts in the time and effort and if he's unavailable its like - ah shag it well jsut get some one else to do it... it just feels wrong - but I'm a deep-feeler so whatever.
If it was me, I'd be pretty unhappy about getting subbed out jsut so the band can "headline" - is there no loyalty anymore?
