Was this a d!(% move?

[MarkMgibson]

Three middle aged guys using 100w Marshall stacks in a rehearsal room? Seriously?

 

[Honch]

It's August now. Come on. What happened at the gig? Was it cancelled? Where you there at all? Heard rumours of something? Anything?

 

[Robroy]

I'd explain to them that they so stretched the vision that the Corvette became a Mack truck and I'm out. And wish them luck. And five weeks is plenty of time. two weeks or less might have been an issue.

It makes a statement. They knew how it started out. It should be easy for them to find a bass player for metal.
Especially if he actually likes it. It’s really not that hard.
I was at a gig a few weeks ago (they were using my PA) and a local AC/DC tribute band was there. I HATE AC/DC but I have to admit these guys put on an amazing show. That said, I noticed that the bass player was never doing much more, technically speaking, than any bass player that has been playing for a year or two.

Gawd I hate heavy metal. I really like the movie "Rock Star" though.

 

[Robroy]

There are 3 guitarists , a drummer and a keyboard that you are dealing with. That's 5 people that are going to tell anyone that asks that you bailed with a gig on the books. Professional suicide to my way of thinking. YMMV

I doubt their word carries much weight in the type of places he wants to play. I don't judge a man by his friends. I judge a man by the enemies he makes. And often it increases my respect for them.

 

[ImNotJoel]

Five weeks is plenty of notice I think you did the right thing. Better you quit sooner than later.

 

[tmdazed]

its show business , not show friends, you did what you thought you had to do

 

[Trauma]

Sorry for the delay. I stayed only for the first set. I hesitate to post because the party thrower apparently became the bassist and is now a member here. But here it is:

I arrived a few minutes before the band started and mingled with the party-goers after saying hi to the band. I noticed that one marshall half stack was mic'd, one Mesa half stack was mic'd, the other Marshall was DI'd; the keys were DI'd with the keys player running the board from his position in the left rear. The 1x12 Bass combo might have been DI'd, the drums were completely unmic'd, 3 microphones at front of stage. 2 1x12 powered mains with tweeters pointed at our chests. No sub. I'm not sure they ever ran a real sound check, board being in back and all. Since they had refused my offers for assistance in running sound, I chose not to address any of the issues I saw with the band.

First song started and, well, you know... drums and bass were nonexistent (front of house) except for cymbal crashes. Keys were actually overpowering the guitars. Vox were muted, but I think more of a stage fright thing than a levels issue. Guitars were loud and I think affected stage volume. I tried to remain unaffected, but by the third song, I approached them and suggested a few adjustments, including perhaps using a mic, any mic to reinforce the drummer. Some changes were made like increasing the bass in the mix, lowering the keys slightly, and raising the mains on their stands to an appropriate height.

The rest of the set was improved, but there were no extra mic for the drum kit so that was unchanged, and I think the keyboard player turned back up after I walked away. I made keyboard playing signs and volume down gestures to the party thrower and he finally had the keys adjusted to a reasonable level. From there it went as good as could be expected.

I stayed for the rest of the set and yelled my support for them. Some people danced, everybody continued to drink, and while nobody sang along, I think they all appreciated the effort and balls it took to get up there.

I think the biggest thing they had issues with were understanding the differences between stage sound and front of house, and the importance of each. It sounds like the drummer bailed after the show, but they are continuing with the bassist change noted above and perhaps a new singer.

Props to them for pulling of the show and carrying on.

 

[Handyman]

Inaudible drums in a smallish space?

Was this a case of overpoweringly loud guitars, a super quiet drummer, or strange acoustics?

I know that if my usual drummer were overpowered with stage volume, I'd probably be deaf by the end of the night.

 

[xgator4u]

Hmmm,
A keytard running the board from the stage, Yup that oughtta go well.

 

[Trauma]

OOPS! neglected to mention this was an outdoor pool party ~1/4 acre backyard.

 

[Robus]

You went above and beyond. They're better off with the third guitarist on bass than they were before, if the guy can play. But if they can't get a handle on their levels they're going nowhere--except deaf. Thanks for the report.

 

[rocksmoot]

Awesome thread, trauma, you're a class act.

 

[jamersonburton]

I would play the gig but I don't think you made a bad decision.

 

[Honch]

Trauma! Good to hear. Nice to hear from you! You're not ostracized then, and it went down well. They even accepted your sound mixing offers, at hand. I thought it should sound way worse (or hearing about it) . No hard feelings, and they don't hold grudges. What can be better? verdict ? Not a **** move by any tretch, and just move on with whatever your band is going to be. No rumours and bad mouthing of your move, or else. A sighe of relief. So just one thing left: Good luck!

 

[Jim Carr]

Call the drummer and restart the reggae band. Find singing players only. No rock guitarists.