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

[MDBass]

So if I hit on your wife, you’re cool?

If my wife thinks it’s funny, what reason would I possibly have be upset?

They’re right after all: she IS hot.

 

[WardEarth]

THIS, is an interesting thread to me. I say don't do it man, cause it sounds like your attitude isn't exactly where it should be. You think you're a better fit for the band, but you don't really know this guy, just judging him.

 

[gumtown]

an alternative way to win the gig,

lure the bass player out the back, tie him up and steal his clothes,
walk onto the stage when the band is ready to play and pickup your bass. all good to go.

 

[Hahaha]

Back in the seventies it was a common practice for musicians to poach gigs. Many of us were making a full-time living playing, so if you needed a gig you let everyone know you were available. There were many times when other bass players showed up at my gig, and I could tell they were looking to replace me. It motivated me to become a better player and singer. I never liked the practice, and being a bit shy, I was not one to go hustle someone else's gig, but I understood that this was common and acceptable back then. Luckily, I was never in a situation where I needed to.

Times have changed, so I don't see it much anymore. I agree with most of the posts that suggest you introduce yourself and leave a card, but don't overtly try to get the gig.

 

[vvvmmm]

Aiight, another idear: form a new band, not too good so you really stand out, and become their opening act, see. Then, they will try to steal you. (If this works, I want 10% of yer gig money for the first year.)

 

[1bassleft]

I think the right way to handle it is, sit outside the venue in your vehicle. Mow down the current bass player, then go talk to the BL. Maybe blame the whole incident on the drummer. just my 2 cents

A variation on the slug's idea is of offering to be the band's tour driver and, y'know, things can happen:

But seriously, I like the idea of flipping your details to the bassist if you want to be beyond reproach, but to the BL if you want to increase your chances. It gets like that in doing fun jobs for money; I remember a Formula 1 driver saying that finding your drive for next season "was like chatting up a girl while your current GF is not far away, and wondering if you're the right one for her"

Years ago, I read a fun story from Adrian Belew on how he auditioned for Frank Zappa, and then approached Bowie as a temporary layoff loomed. I can only find the latter bit, nowadays, here:

 

[jamro217]

As long as you don't show up after the gig with a banana peel and strategically drop it at the top of the staircase just as the bassist is approaching with his 8x10 cab.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

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.

No harm in offering your services as a sub, and if the bl is looking to make a change, you could be in luck too. If the answer is a clear no thanks, any further action would be in the realm of stalking.

 

[glocke1]

meh...

I know this stuff goes on and I've had other bass players show up at some of my gigs and I know for a fact they were gig stalking.

Personally I think for me it comes down to integrity or a lack thereof. Whether I thought I would be a better fit for a band or not I couldn't bring myself to actively try to acquire another persons gig.

One guy I know would always show up at the gigs I was playing and it was so obvious that he was trying to find an in that it was starting to get irritating. The guys I was playing with at the time even had him sit in once for what was supposed to be one tune and ended up bring 2 or 3 tunes. After that I pretty much instituted a "no sit in" policy with that group.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

That's exactly how I feel sometimes when I see a beautiful Model or Actor with some other guy. I'm like "I could a better job" "I'm a better fit".
Maybe I should just go to their house and introduce myself to the kids.
That way I am all lined up and she won't have to go on Craigslist to find a new man it her marriage fails.

That’s hilarious! Well done.

 

[jaco944]

One band I’m in already had a bass player but needed keyboards so I played keyboards. When the drummer left I switched to drums. After about 5 years the bass player finally left so now I’m where I belong.
I poached the bass gig in the pep band in 7th grade and still feel bad about that and that was a loooong time ago. I suppose it depends on your moral compass.

 

[JRA]

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

Go for it. Maybe the guy has problems.

...just hope it isn't anger management.

 

[honeyiscool]

So if I hit on your wife, you’re cool?

I am far from married and regardless, I’m far from possessive. If a partner leaves me for someone else, it’s her decision.

 

[Joe Nerve]

The most fun gigs I probably ever did in my life (see last vid in my signature) I got to do by emailing the dude saying, "If you ever lose your bass player, I'd be more than happy to jump in the spot." I was surprised to get the response, "Your timing is actually perfect. I just fired him."

I think it all depends upon intent, and delivery.

 

[Joe Nerve]

So if I hit on your wife, you’re cool?

If someone said to my wife what I just said in my last post, I'd be fine with that and take it as a compliment. And I think that's an excellent way of thinking about one's approach if choosing to do something like this.

 

[marmadaddy]

So to recap:
If you like a band and would be interested in playing with them, it is OK to let them know this as long as you do so in a polite, professional manner.

Do this by telling the band in person that you very much like the band and are available to sub if they ever need one. Make sure you say nice things about the current bass player.

Also let the current bass player (who you have already complimented on their taste, tone, clothing, hairstyle, etc.) know that you are available to sub. They may need someone for a different gig sometime that could lead to being called for the one you want. Or they could refer you to someone else who then calls you to sub.

Playing music is about relationships. Don't try to "get a gig". Try to build relationships.

 

[Downunderwonder]

We formed a community jazz band a few years ago. I got the bass chair from being the only guy to show up to the get together that could read music. Roll forward three years and BL tells me that he's had approaches ( from all the hotshots who would gladly jump in now that the band is shaken down and performing ) but since I have been at just about every rehearsal since the beginning I am safe.

I am pretty sure some of those hotshots would have been contacted in the beginning and declined, and likely again after the initial gtg where I was only just keeping up with the charts and a pretty full roster showed up.

Those guys get the lions share of paying gigs around town but I get the odd one by virtue of still improving my jazz chops.

 

[gumtown]

Can always try your luck with any band, no harm in asking.
I hear ACDC is looking for a new bass player.

 

[The Bass Clef]

A dude tried to poach my gig a couple years ago. He came up to my guitar player at our set break and said, “I’d really like to play bass with you guys, any chance you wanna get rid of your bass player?”. My guitar player told him he’d need to talk to the bandleader and pointed to me, haha. Later that night, he actually came up to me after the show and apologized for trying to swoop in on my gig. I said, “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I sign their paychecks”. I couldn’t blame him for trying (what can I say, I have a good band)! He’s come to a bunch of our shows since then and we actually became friends.

 

[Kevorargh]

Networking always works. One of my favorite bands in college happened because the BL had seen me in another band and we reconnected when that band ended and his own band ended.

I get gigs for a respected guitarist in Maine because he runs a Hoot Nite that I show up to fairly religiously and I played with a former bandmate of his. I got on his radar and became his third call bass player, which works beautifully for me.

I subbed for jam band because I knew the guitar player from college and we had jammed once or twice.

Get out there and talk to their bass player and their BL and see what happens.