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Thunderbird Club

#116,123
fasterpussycat said:
What a thoroughly unpleasant week it has been and the next week promises to be unpleasant also.

We have a situation where one band member's commitment cannot be questioned (in fact commitment strays over the border into obsessive behaviour which the rest of us find 'freaky') but said commitment far outstrips musical ability. The outcome is inevitable, but it's not something I'm looking forward to and hopefully will be the first and only time we need to do it.
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I can’t like this but just know I feel your pain. I had a rogue drummer once that thought the band owed him just for showing up. I know it’s a different situation........
 
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#116,127
Count Bassie said:
Well you know. They're always hitting things. That kind of thing can take a toll eventually.
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They're not the only ones. I think that's the real reason churches have drum cages, because of Thunderbird players whacking drummers in the face. Blood spurting everywhere can put a bit of a dampener on worship, unless you're in a punk or metal-based church.
 
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#116,129
Miles_ONeal said:
They're not the only ones. I think that's the real reason churches have drum cages, because of Thunderbird players whacking drummers in the face. Blood spurting everywhere can put a bit of a dampener on worship, unless you're in a punk or metal-based church.
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I thought punk or metal WAS a church.
 
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#116,130
fasterpussycat said:
I managed to punch myself in the face a couple of days ago. Lost my grip on something, arm and hand flew up, whack! Must remember not to do that again.
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Been there, done that.
One of my best friends in college almost poked his eye out with a drumstick. He wasn’t even playing.
 
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#116,133
Miles_ONeal said:
They're not the only ones. I think that's the real reason churches have drum cages, because of Thunderbird players whacking drummers in the face. Blood spurting everywhere can put a bit of a dampener on worship, unless you're in a punk or metal-based church.
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My Precision has an evil disposition that way. The 'Birds are more polite.
 
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#116,135
D.M.N. said:
Picked the Greco backup last night, had a local artist paint the pickguard for me, and it came out incredible!

View attachment 3420024 View attachment 3420026 View attachment 3420033 View attachment 3420034 View attachment 3420035 View attachment 3420040 View attachment 3420042
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The custom painted guard is very cool! Love the Bach as well.

fasterpussycat said:
What a thoroughly unpleasant week it has been and the next week promises to be unpleasant also.

We have a situation where one band member's commitment cannot be questioned (in fact commitment strays over the border into obsessive behaviour which the rest of us find 'freaky') but said commitment far outstrips musical ability. The outcome is inevitable, but it's not something I'm looking forward to and hopefully will be the first and only time we need to do it.
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Sorry to hear that.

I assume the drummer is focal point on this issue. That's a shame, hate to snuff out enthusiasm, but as you've noted, ability is an equally important trait and a necessity for the band to succeed. It's a tough discussion to have. I've done it a number of times from a business standpoint (not in a band setting though) so I don't envy your position.

Just be honest, keep it professional, don't burn a bridge, and if possible (and if warranted) offer to be a reference for the departing member. Who knows, maybe someday the drummer will make it big in another band where they are a better fit.

Good luck.
 
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#116,136
ToddOfThunder said:
I can’t like this but just know I feel your pain. I had a rogue drummer once that thought the band owed him just for showing up. I know it’s a different situation........
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It is entirely possible that the drummer is right in this case; the band does owe him/her just for showing up. In this area (and I am told in many areas) drummers, regardless of talent/skill, are few and far between. That being the case, yeah, you should consider yourself lucky that the guy/girl bothered to show up.

The other side of course is that for a relatively small cost, you can buy a drum machine that does exactly as it is told (programmed), doesn't do fills when you are trying to talk, and doesn't endlessly twirl drum sticks. The volume can even be set by the band...
 
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#116,137
PillO said:
It is entirely possible that the drummer is right in this case; the band does owe him/her just for showing up. In this area (and I am told in many areas) drummers, regardless of talent/skill, are few and far between. That being the case, yeah, you should consider yourself lucky that the guy/girl bothered to show up.

The other side of course is that for a relatively small cost, you can buy a drum machine that does exactly as it is told (programmed), doesn't do fills when you are trying to talk, and doesn't endlessly twirl drum sticks. The volume can even be set by the band...
Click to expand...
Ouch...
 
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#116,139
PillO said:
It is entirely possible that the drummer is right in this case; the band does owe him/her just for showing up. In this area (and I am told in many areas) drummers, regardless of talent/skill, are few and far between. That being the case, yeah, you should consider yourself lucky that the guy/girl bothered to show up.

The other side of course is that for a relatively small cost, you can buy a drum machine that does exactly as it is told (programmed), doesn't do fills when you are trying to talk, and doesn't endlessly twirl drum sticks. The volume can even be set by the band...
Click to expand...
No you’re right BUT I was already diving him to and from practice, buying him 2- 2 liters of Coca Cola plus cigs and he was smoking my good stuff.....No AHEM needed here.
 
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