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

While I don’t doubt the truth here- it makes me want to shower and sell my gear. I’m glad I don’t exist in these areas/circles

That's just a typical business model, not exclusive to the music business.

A good friend of mine just got picked up to do some dates with a national country act as a hired gun. He is ecstatic. But there is paperwork and contracts to be signed. But he will have an absolute blast over the next year I'm sure. Nothing wrong with that picture.

Don't let anyone steal the joy from your music. It's still a passion we all share.
 
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JGbassman said:
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.."

While I don’t doubt the truth here- it makes me want to shower and sell my gear. I’m glad I don’t exist in these areas/circles

I'm surprised you havent run into that...Frankly I've not run into a band at any level that didn't have at least one member that was always scheming with regards to the lineup, or have outsiders try to get in on the the action. Some of these guys are very persistent.

Recently ran into a situation in the main band Im in where the LG player was trying to get myself and the female singer replaced. B/L likes playing with people he gets along with so and wasn't looking to change anything so basically told the guy to pound sand.

Good business practice or not, the :poop: that goes on politically in bands is downright distasteful at times and more than once I've stopped playing for long lengths of time because of it.
 
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"
JGbassman said:
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.."



I'm surprised you havent run into that...Frankly I've not run into a band at any level that didn't have at least one member that was always scheming with regards to the lineup, or have outsiders try to get in on the the action. Some of these guys are very persistent.

Recently ran into a situation in the main band Im in where the LG player was trying to get myself and the female singer replaced. B/L likes playing with people he gets along with so and wasn't looking to change anything so basically told the guy to pound sand.

Good business practice or not, the :poop: that goes on politically in bands is downright distasteful at times and more than once I've stopped playing for long lengths of time because of it.

I know - I consider myself extraordinarily lucky in that regard!!!
 
I kinda feel bad for yooze guys with these hired gun/pro stuff issues.

I'm strictly a garage and tavern rocker.

The only issues we have had is drugs, our women, drugs*, and your women.**

*Includes booze, and H.

**I've not had much experience with female band members, and the one I dealt with was never an issue.
 
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I kinda feel bad for yooze guys with these hired gun/pro stuff issues.

I'm strictly a garage and tavern rocker.

The only issues we have had is drugs, our women, drugs*, and your women.**

*Includes booze, and H.

**I've not had much experience with female band members, and the one I dealt with was never an issue.


Whats really funny about it, is that where I've seen it the most are in bands that aren't evolved much past the tavern/garage/pay to play scene. I've seen so much drama and political B.S. in some of the local bands that won't ever get past the local tavern/local fest gigs that it just makes me shake my head. These are all adults as well, in almost all cases people 30 and up. Be different if they were high schoolers.

While I've seen it happen in some of the more pro bands I've run into, I've seen things handled somewhat more professionally/delicately in those groups.
 
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I have a musician compadre who frequently hits me up about trying to get him onto one of my bands. He replaced one of the members on a previous project and he's part of the "extended family." I just tell him I'm not in charge of personnel matters and talk to the band leader. The funny part is it's become a running joke with the guy he wants to replace.
 
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.

:bag:

Appearances can be deceiving. For me, if I was interested, I at least would want to do a hang. That way I could get a feel for the personalities. A band is so much more than material and schedule. You know this, of course, but still, it bears repeating.
 
I see no harm in very respectfully introducing yourself and telling them (including the bass player) you're available if ever needed. They may even know someone else trying to put something together. But actively sugesting to them they replace their current BP, not cool. They can arrive at that on their own, if they want to. In any case, if you wanna gig, you have to put yourself out there.
 
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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.

:bag:

Sure it’s ok. Just be cool when offering your services as a sub. Just be professional and knowledgeable about the BL’s band. No professional band that I know of is against having a stable of players they may need at times. Especially in an emergency.
 

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