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Trainwreck incoming!

#21
randyripoff said:
If you consider yourself a pro, don't do this. No matter how justified you might be, you never know when someone in the crowd or someone you're playing with might be looking for a bass player down the line, and sabotaging the gig would likely reflect really badly on you.
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TripleDouble said:
Go in and be as good of a player as you can be, and an up front businessman who delivers the goods. Be reliable, be nice, be as musical as the situation allows. Kinda like you've crossed paths with this guy, you never know who you'll cross paths with down the line. Play and work to found a good working relationship with the keyboard player. Basically, take the high road here, and start building a reputation.
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100% agree with both of these.
 
#22
randyripoff said:
If you consider yourself a pro, don't do this. No matter how justified you might be, you never know when someone in the crowd or someone you're playing with might be looking for a bass player down the line, and sabotaging the gig would likely reflect really badly on you.
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Agreed. And, as hard as it might be, don't pull faces if things go wrong. Just do your job well and show the people watching that you are a bassist worth hiring.
 
#27
eukatheude said:
I realise. It's just been a very, very, very stressful week. Busiest in my life yet, and it already was before I took the gig. Still, is it really worth it doing it for 50 bucks I'm not even sure I will receive? Do I want my name yelled into the PA before a horrible performance which I can't possibly do anything about?
I hope you're right and we manage to achieve something at least listenable by this rehearsal. And if things go as I expect and Mommy blames ME... Well I can't say I will be responsible for my actions.
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Well don't use your real name, for crying out loud.
 
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#30
Rehearsals are tonight, and of course he sends me a setlist change at 2 AM, again with badly typed song titles and not even the artist to look up ("wats up"... I assume it's 4 non blondes? who knows).
Thanks for the good advice. I realize that wrecking the show myself won't do any good to me. If I'm not paid I'll just refuse to step on stage.

If things are really that bad tonight, I'll just call his mother, meetup and tell her what's what. And get back the money I'll have to pay for the rehearsal room (pay per hour, we're splitting so it's 7.50 that of course I AM getting back however this goes).

I should rectify one thing, since a couple of you seem to have understood it that way: I have not played with the new formation yet; when we "got through" the songs with the good keyboardist, it was about an year ago when I auditioned for the band this drummer was in. I don't know the other members but I'll see tonight.
 
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#32
Every professional at some point finds himself/herself playing with other individuals who are less capable, sometimes a LOT less capable. The hallmark of a true pro is to always play as well as you possibly can and strive to make those you're playing with sound as good as possible.

Chances are you will at some point be that less talented player sharing a stage with others who have progressed far beyond you and have that attitude of helping you sound better. If you're lucky.
 
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#33
lots of good suggestions here. i agree:

- secure payment in advance
- plaster a fake smile on your face and plow through it
- it might not be a pro-level gig, but you can use it to practice your professionalism (learning songs, being prompt, courteous, and diligent etc)
- this guy might be a chump, but some of the other players / audience probably won't be
- post a video if it all goes to hell
 
#34
I'll add my viewpoint;
From what you already said: it seems that you are his mother's birthday present to him for his 20ish (? just guessing here) birthday. So to me, you agreed with mom to play for 50 Euro (since you are in Italy), so hold your end of the deal and play with sonny on stage and give his mom the best you can do for her money; which in this case will probably come down to preventing the gig from becoming a trainwreck.
And one other thing; this is not about you, but about a mom who desparatly wants her son to gig, and even wants to spend cash in making it happen. Keep that in mind when you play.
(On a side note: a +1 on getting payed first).
 
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#35
Maybe as an extra gift, you can teach the kid a little about being a musician. Again, I wonder if something was wrong (drugs, whatever) the first time you saw him. Good luck.

As to those who suggest pulling out without a valid reason, that could hurt your rep more than being a good bassist at a lesser performance.
 
#39
I will decide this evening whether to deal with this or not. Maybe things aren't that bad.
I don't think he was high or drunk, previous bandmates told me they've been playing with him 2 months and he's always like this. He didn't seem like the alteration seeking type - I can tell, I have my fair share of experiences in that field.

As far as rep: I don't think this guy's mom has any useful connections nor does he. The other musicians... We'll see if they are good players who hopped in, or more enthusiastic beginners.
 

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