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Was this an appropriate way to be fired?
- Thread starter TheIndieKid
- Start date
Ideal? Nope. And sure the timing of having just completed recording is suspicious at best. But I'm a firm believer in the sooner a party is told they are no longer welcome as part of a project the better.
We don't have all the angles and only your side of the story. Not suggesting it's not accurate, but there's usually more than one view of a situation. Might be that they were listening to your lines isolated and found they weren't what they really wanted (recording reveals the brutal truth). I know I always sound better in a mix than when my parts are exposed... wait...that doesn't sound right.. you know what I mean.
Anyway, it really doesn't matter what the guys' motive were - they want to move on without you. Accept it and learn whatever lessons you need from this experience and go find your next project. Isn't it funny how you were able to roll with it until your "friend" started chirping about what they dealt you? This won't be the first time you encounter a less than perfect relationship with bandmates, so just start preparing your self for "sudden shifts of loyalty".
And I agree that you should not be using "didn't have my bass" as an excuse for any of this. Stuff breaks and needs repairing, but it's on you to be properly prepared to contribute to your projects.
We don't have all the angles and only your side of the story. Not suggesting it's not accurate, but there's usually more than one view of a situation. Might be that they were listening to your lines isolated and found they weren't what they really wanted (recording reveals the brutal truth). I know I always sound better in a mix than when my parts are exposed... wait...that doesn't sound right.. you know what I mean.
Anyway, it really doesn't matter what the guys' motive were - they want to move on without you. Accept it and learn whatever lessons you need from this experience and go find your next project. Isn't it funny how you were able to roll with it until your "friend" started chirping about what they dealt you? This won't be the first time you encounter a less than perfect relationship with bandmates, so just start preparing your self for "sudden shifts of loyalty".
And I agree that you should not be using "didn't have my bass" as an excuse for any of this. Stuff breaks and needs repairing, but it's on you to be properly prepared to contribute to your projects.
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If you got stonewalled by the BL about reasons for your firing I'd send an email to the whole group, be as cool as you can. If you enjoyed the time with them, say so. Ask again for anything that you could have done differently.
2 reasons.
1. I was fired from a band by a lead vocalist that was upset that I wouldn't hang around a hotel with a bunch of underage girls (approximately 10 years younger... we were 25) and I let them know the car was leaving in a couple hours. The band said they'd find another way home. Me and a guitar player left them. He rode back with me and got them the next day. The Lead vocal was married, and I suspect he didn't want his wife to find out, so he fired me the next day. He didn't tell the rest of the band he fired me, and when they found out … well the rest of the band quit. The same could be happening with you. A group email will at least let everyone know that you appreciated the effort and wish them luck.
2. If anyone in the band was worth anything, they'll either end out in another project, or there will be someone looking and that could be your "in" for something a lot better. Leave yourself looking like a professional and you may open doors in the future.
2 reasons.
1. I was fired from a band by a lead vocalist that was upset that I wouldn't hang around a hotel with a bunch of underage girls (approximately 10 years younger... we were 25) and I let them know the car was leaving in a couple hours. The band said they'd find another way home. Me and a guitar player left them. He rode back with me and got them the next day. The Lead vocal was married, and I suspect he didn't want his wife to find out, so he fired me the next day. He didn't tell the rest of the band he fired me, and when they found out … well the rest of the band quit. The same could be happening with you. A group email will at least let everyone know that you appreciated the effort and wish them luck.
2. If anyone in the band was worth anything, they'll either end out in another project, or there will be someone looking and that could be your "in" for something a lot better. Leave yourself looking like a professional and you may open doors in the future.
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Yes, it was a bad way to get fired. Most firings are done poorly because it is a task most find unpleasant, they don't want to handle it straight on, they are not well rehearsed and there are few good ways to do it. Anyone else here blaming you is wrong. Maybe you could have done something else, maybe not, how the heck is anyone outside the band to know? (And I really doubt you got fired because you borrowed a bass.)
Leaving aside the '4 years without a gig' aspect and the big red flag that implies, joining an already existing band never seems to work out in my admittedly limited experience, I see bands as a thing, an entity if you will, that you all start together and you all finish together (ideally, I know that does not always happen). I have been dropped from bands before and the reasons were fine by me: I didn't want to tour in one case, things like that. To be given the bums rush for no stated/good reason just plain sucks and you are better off away from these jerks. Seems you were just a free session player at the end of it all.
Edit: you say that you 'don't drive' - that would be enough reason to let you go, you really have to be self sufficient in terms of gear and transport.
Edit: you say that you 'don't drive' - that would be enough reason to let you go, you really have to be self sufficient in terms of gear and transport.
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It's probably best to initially assume that all musicians are scheming bar stools, flakes, or both. Occasionally once you really get to know them you'll be surprised when one isn't.
I'm no angel, I went to one audition with the sole intention of assessing their singer with a view to poaching him (only to discover that he had all the wannabe singer traits of g.f. problems, no transport, and no equipment other than a folder of words (that his eyes never left) and a $20 mic). I was offered the gig but politely declined.
Which brings me to - Never burn bridges. I have since played with 3 of the members of the above band.
I'm no angel, I went to one audition with the sole intention of assessing their singer with a view to poaching him (only to discover that he had all the wannabe singer traits of g.f. problems, no transport, and no equipment other than a folder of words (that his eyes never left) and a $20 mic). I was offered the gig but politely declined.
Which brings me to - Never burn bridges. I have since played with 3 of the members of the above band.
Hold on a sec...... because the car was loaded with lighting and clothes, you couldn't fit your bass in the car if you wanted to? ... for a recording session? C'mon man!
Not having appropriate gear, whatever the reason, when it comes time to record is a bad sign. It makes it look like you're not taking it seriously. It's likely that the tracks that you played with an unfamiliar 5 strings long scale weren't the best and needed to be recut. A friend of a friend came in and nailed it on the first take and they decided to go in another direction for a bassist.
While I feel you were let go poorly, it seems obvious from what you've written that you were 'just' a hired gun bassplayer, and not seen as an equal member of that band.
I'd say you're well out of that situation.
Hope your bass issues get worked out, and you can move onwards and upwards.
I'd say you're well out of that situation.
Hope your bass issues get worked out, and you can move onwards and upwards.
The way the story reads, it was a 'the band & me' situation from start to finish.
In my experience, those never last. Either because you join in full, or because you leave.
I've had this gig with a group who broke their bass player (he literally dropped dead from stage, had to get cpr and was brought back 'from the other side', but needed a heart transplant afterwards). Great musicians. Not so great choice of songs, but they did their homework on their performances. I did it once to help someone out, and then a couple of times more because it actually paid handsomely. One thing was clear for me, though. They were looking for a full member and I'd not join. I'd fill the place of a permanent sub for paid gigs as long as it takes, but as soon as they do find someone to play the bass, that spot would be gone.
In my experience, those never last. Either because you join in full, or because you leave.
I've had this gig with a group who broke their bass player (he literally dropped dead from stage, had to get cpr and was brought back 'from the other side', but needed a heart transplant afterwards). Great musicians. Not so great choice of songs, but they did their homework on their performances. I did it once to help someone out, and then a couple of times more because it actually paid handsomely. One thing was clear for me, though. They were looking for a full member and I'd not join. I'd fill the place of a permanent sub for paid gigs as long as it takes, but as soon as they do find someone to play the bass, that spot would be gone.
Well if they did “use” you to get free bass on their recording, they didn’t make all that much use of you if the bass is inaudible in the mix. I wouldn’t sweat it. The recording guy owns a 5-string, my money is he axed you by telling them he could do better and put his own bass parts down. The kicker of course is if just played the parts you wrote. Ask me how I thought of this possibility.
I only got through the first few chapters. I'll reply later after reading the whole thing.
The firing and followup are lame, but not unusual it seems.
I hope you didn't contribute any money for the recording session. If so, these guys totally used you and you will be better off not having any more to do with them.
I agree with others, there is no excuse for not bringing a suitable bass to a recording session. You said you have two long-scale basses you don't play any more. Sell them and get workable backup to your number one. Never, ever be dependent on someone else for your instrument.
I hope you didn't contribute any money for the recording session. If so, these guys totally used you and you will be better off not having any more to do with them.
I agree with others, there is no excuse for not bringing a suitable bass to a recording session. You said you have two long-scale basses you don't play any more. Sell them and get workable backup to your number one. Never, ever be dependent on someone else for your instrument.
Let me see....
These credentials show me a possible "why"...
=> You show no interest in the future of the band.
=> You show up empty handed.
=> You show no respect for your own instruments.
=> You show no interest in the result.
=> You can't show up by yourself.
These credentials show me a possible "why"...
How many rehearsals did you have with them in 6 months? They could not tell that you were not musically or personally appropriate for their band in that time frame?
They are the ones that caused themselves more grief. Now they have to find another bass player(months of auditioning) and practice with him/her(more months of rehearsing) to spend more money and time in the studio.
I strictly play 4 strings, almost 40 years. If I had to play a 5 string on the fly in the studio I would say my performance would be drastically impaired. It was probably not the smartest move but 6 months man come on....you should be grateful.
They are the ones that caused themselves more grief. Now they have to find another bass player(months of auditioning) and practice with him/her(more months of rehearsing) to spend more money and time in the studio.
I strictly play 4 strings, almost 40 years. If I had to play a 5 string on the fly in the studio I would say my performance would be drastically impaired. It was probably not the smartest move but 6 months man come on....you should be grateful.
I tried the hired gun approach to current band. Joined an existing gigging band as the old bass player decided to retire. They found me on Bandmix, asked me if I would try and play with them but they had another bass player but he couldn't make half the gigs because of real work. Being brand new to the area I said what the hell, at least I'm playing. Started practicing with them and realized without bragging that my talent and experience level was above them, but hey any port in a storm. I fit in and nailed my parts, I was a bit leery of asking exactly what gigs I would play. They would talk about upcoming gigs and not exactly tell me I was playing. So I took the hired gun approach, just did my part, well, agreed with whatever they wanted. They would try to pry me for an answer but I was always, I'm good with what you guys want. Played a bunch of gigs, no problems. Noticed I played all the gigs, no other guy. Went along for a few more months, finally the 2 who started the band cornered me and said, we really like you and your playing and we want you to think of yourself as a real, fully functioning part of this band. We want your input, criticism etc. Guess they could tell my method of operating. Best thing that ever happened, our playing has remarkably improved after this and everything is pretty harmonious. Sorry for the long story, moral for me is it is better to know you are a full member of a band than someone being used or using.
learn to fix and maintain your basses ... with all the info/help to be found here , the really is no excuse ...
maintenance is part of playing .. ! if your #1 has issues , then #2 should be ready to play ..!!
why ... you've laid out exactly why ... you normally play a short scale 4 strg ... then suddenly need to perform at your best on a long scale 5 ... !! whoops
now that we're mostly stuck at home ... this is a good time to learn said things
maintenance is part of playing .. ! if your #1 has issues , then #2 should be ready to play ..!!
why ... you've laid out exactly why ... you normally play a short scale 4 strg ... then suddenly need to perform at your best on a long scale 5 ... !! whoops
now that we're mostly stuck at home ... this is a good time to learn said things
You should sell your long scale basses and buy a working shortie, ideally new, so that it has a warranty. You can't afford to get involved in projects without working gear -- word gets around.
Also, take more of an interest in what you're doing.
