Uncool to try and poach someone's gig, right?

[WardEarth]

Just make your own band, copy their style but more cool and with a better sound.

 

[Nevada Pete]

Ugh. I was in a similar position just a few days ago. Wednesday, I got a chance to play with whom I consider jazz royalty in my city. She is a skilled and pleasant lady to deal with. I came to a jam sesh she had hosted and after a few tunes, she had made it known that she liked what I did. I have wanted to play with her for years and here, I finally get to jam! This was perfect.

At the end of the jam, we parted ways. I was really hoping she'd ask for a card because I felt douchey just walking up to her while one of her main players (also local "jazz royalty" in my eyes) was right there.

I guess I'm going to just hope my contact who knows her well plugs me...

Ah, I can't think of anybody offhand who ever got anywhere in the entertainment industry by being shy [Note: within reason, taking into consideration proper etiquette, etc., etc., ad nauseam]. Just saying. Good luck.

 

[crguti]

I’m pretty sure the other bass player is reading this thread.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I don't see anything wrong with offering yourself as a sub. Do it right, and the gig might be yours next. I'm pretty good friends with both guys that sub for me.

 

[bobba66]

Every job I've ever had was someone else's before I got there.

 

[Berger912]

A drummer I know is in a band and he called asking if I was available to play. He told me the have a bassist but they haven’t clicked musically and would rather I be the bassist. I basically told him I’d be a sub if they needed one but under no circumstances would I even consider replacing the bassist while he is still in the band. It’s really bad karma to be a douche but if the bass player leaves or band let’s him go and you need a bassist I’d come down and see if I’m a fit for the whole band not just a good mesh with the drummer. Trust me you would never be in a band and think everything is cool and just be replaced one day. Treat people like you would want to be treated. Would you really want to be in a band that would do that to a member?

 

[hrodbert696]

I'm kind of surprised nobody has said it yet - offer yourself as a sub... to the current bass player. Go to a gig, buy him a drink during a break, tell him how much you envy the gig he has, and if he ever needs a sub, you'd love to be that guy. Bypassing him to go the BL is, IMO, still kind of jerky. Put it in the bassist's hands, though, and you're giving him control and might wind up making a friend anyway.

 

[Ekulati]

I am a better fit that the other guy, the end. There is no mistaking that.

Can you tell us why you think you're a better fit? Specifics might help this thread.

 

[charlie monroe]

Can you tell us why you think you're a better fit? Specifics might help this thread.

Read the five words you chopped to create that quote.

He is either younger, taller, better looking, skinnier, has longer hair, etc than the current bassist.

While some may consider his opinion to be judgemental and shallow, show business is and likely always will be judgemental and shallow. Doesn’t make it moral or just, it simply is.

This is a cover band. Eye candy generally wins when talent is comparable.

 

[Robert B]

In every other industry, it's acceptable to submit your resume to any firm, even if they are not hiring, in case a future opening arises. I don't see why it should be any different in the music business.

As other's have said, just give your card to the band leader and let them know you'd be interested in subbing or joining the band if an opening should ever arise. That's perfectly acceptable and ethical behavior.

 

[Ekulati]

He is either younger, taller, better looking, skinnier, has longer hair, etc than the current bassist.

Exactly. It's a GD/Jam Band, current bassist is a balding, old, heavy set insurance salesman with a nice P and a full Markbass stack. OP is a young white guy with dreadlocks, tie dye, cargo shorts, flip flops, an Alembic 8 string, and a homemade cab with exposed drivers and natural wood finish.

Being facetious here...as a guy who long ago played in a GD band...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Turn it around. You are at a gig, and are having a beer between sets. Some guy comes up to the BL (not you), and says, "I think I would be a better fit for the band than the guy you have now. I'd love to play for you guys. Here's my contact information if you want to play with me.

Who would be ok with that?

 

[lfmn16]

What would be your reaction if some guy came to one of your gigs and tried to get you booted?

I'd say give it your best shot. If you think you can play bass better than me, sing all the backups better than me, play keyboards better than me, write songs with the band better than me, and fit in better than me, have at it. They'll laugh you all the way out of the club.

 

[mcnach]

So there is a band, local to me, that I would be a perfect fit for. I came across them on Facebook. I know and love the material they do, and visually/vibe wise, I'd be a better fit than the guy on bass now. My bet is he can actually play circles around me, but for the material the do, it isn't an issue, I can more than cover the gig. They also gig about as often as I want, and don't travel far. It's really perfect for me, if they didn't already have the bass chair filled.

They are playing nearby soon, and I want to check them out (all I have seen are YouTube live things and a pro shot promo video). It would be totally uncool to strike up a convo with the BL and offer myself up, even as just a sub, right?

I think I know the answer, but seriously, it's like the perfect gig for me......ugh!

Conflicted.

as long as you approach them nicely, and not be that creepy guy who wants to join the band and get rid of an established member... I don't see the problem. I mean, approach them as the fan you seem to be, compliment them, especially the bass player , be friendly... and simply let them know how much you'd love to play in a band like them... then if the chat is going well let them know you'd be up for being their dep or whatever if one day they'd need it. Just don't be pushy or desperate...

People leave bands for all kinds of reasons, all the time... if we lose our sax player, I'd be happy to know that there's someone out there who is familiar with the band and has shown some interest, as long as he came across as a cool guy/girl. I'd call them first.

So make yourself known, what do you have to lose?

Just don't be like that guy who was telling us he would be a better guitarist than our guy. He would never ever be even consider for audition even if he were Steve Vai quality.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

Ya never know. I had a great guitar player come and jam with a band I was in. I was not really on board with the project so was getting ready to quit anyway. The guitar player and I really connected musically so he asked me if I would fill in for his band. A few weeks later I was in. They fired their bass player because frankly he was terrible. It's good to network sometimes.

 

[40Hz]

That's an awesome story. A perfect example of "we make our own luck", as I like to say to my kids.

We do.

I forget who said it, somebody back in Mark Twain’s day IIRC, but it’s true:

Opportunity knocks several times in a man’s lifetime. But most times when it’s banging on his front door he’s either down the road in the saloon, across the street on his knees in church praying for another favor, or sleeping one off.

Woody Allen said 80% of success is showing up.

So yes indeed. Planting seeds and being ready goes a long way towards getting that “lucky” break.

 

[JGbassman]

The pro circles are pretty ruthless. If you are looking for integrity, it's certainly not there. They even have names for it. Flat out lying about something is called "spinning" or putting a spin on it. Committing ruthless acts without regard towards others is often placed under " it's nothing personal, it's just business."

There is smoke and mirrors, superficial plastic people, ego addicted glory seekers.

Appearance and attitude goes a lot farther in live shows these days. Often the guy with the right look and moves will get the gig over the guy with better chops. Those guys end up in the studio.

Networking is the way in music, and if you want to succeed, you need thick skin. Be as tenacious as a honey badger, and quick to move as a cheetah on speed.

If you do go that route, and get the gig, don't be suprised if it happens to you as well someday. After all, it's nothing personal, it's just business.

This is coming more from the outlook of a hired gun. An actual founding member of a band would be harder to replace, and the band be more tolerant of flaws.

There isn't any issue in networking. Making yourself available is just how the world works..

 

[sean_on_bass]

On paper it would seem there should be no harm in offering your card to the BL. With that said...will the other bass player like it if he catches wind? Might make him slightly miffed but depends on the guy.

I'll offer a slightly different approach. Don't just talk up the band leader, talking up the existing bassist too. Offer the sub thing to the bassist, not the BL, or both.

 

[mrjim123]

There's nothing wrong at all in making yourself available as a sub.

 

[birminghambass]

Go to every gig and tell them how you're better than their current bass player. Dress like their bass player too. When he's at work, go to his house and take a bath and roll around on his bed. Confront him, tell him you can't stop thinking about him and his gig and that you have a machete in your car but that you probably would never use it. Good luck.