Was this an appropriate way to be fired?

[oldcatfish]

I don't know your financial situation or if it is even why you got fired....but, if you plan on working as a musician, you have to have gear that works. And at least an inexpensive backup instrument, just in case.

 

[Cliff Colton]

Sounds like the studio guy was able to convince your leader to give up on the creative vision.

 

[SheeHAMM]

A band with 4 years of writing but no gigs and a bass player with no functioning bass - it seems that you are better off without each other.

Since short scale is your weapon of choice, you could have got another short scale bass as backup instead of complaining that the borrowed 5-stringer was not comfortable to play. Or you could have borrowed something else that fits you.

I know very well that I can only play proficiently with my own basses which are set up perfectly to my preferences. (I set up all of my basses myself.) So when there's a chance to play or record only one song, for example, a guest appearance, I bring my bass with me. Though I'm in a band who released 20+ songs in the past 5 years and have gigs frequently, I don't really think that I'm very professional or have a strong work ethic. It's only a basic thing to do - keep (at least one of) your basses ready at all times. It's not that difficult.

 

[brianrost]

Your bass gear was not the issue. Any decent studio has a few guitars, basses, amps, drum kits, etc. that have been already tweaked to sound good. If I was called to do a session and the engineer asked me to play the studio's bass, I'd smile and do it.

People will always avoid conflict and expecting to get the real reason for being let go is rare.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

I remember a year or two ago I was asked to audition for an original band and to learn like 4 or 5 of their songs. I did so, and went on over for the audition and meet the singer/guitarist and drummer. We discovered we had mutual friends and ended up chilling for an hour before even playing music.

When we finally got down to playing, we went through three songs, and they said they were impressed and didn’t even need to play through the rest if I wasn’t comfortable on them yet. I said let’s do it anyway and we played all the songs and it went very well according to them.

They asked me to come back in two weeks for a second set of songs to jam on. I came back after the second week with the songs learned and it was basically like a repeat of the initial audition. It seemed like everything went great. I think the only thing at all that happened the entire time was a single run he thought should be played with two fingers and I’m a Jamerson one finger kinda guy unless I absolutely have to summon my inner Adam Nitti chops. But I played it his way and all seemed fun. But besides that, there was nothing at all that indicated that these folks would completely ghost me.

.... and that’s what happened, I left after the second time and literally never heard from them again. Not one text or call and they never responded to me when I inquired as to the status of the position.

Needless to say I was a bit upset and disappointed, but the most frustrating thing was, the reason they even needed a bassist was their previous one had quit and ghosted them... they seemed to have not appreciated it; and then they did exactly that to me xD

 

[JamesNC]

I’ve had a couple of studio situations where my guitars and basses weren’t cutting it. Wether it be the sound/tone we were trying to get, slight intonation issues, whatever. At those times we were able to borrow an instrument, usually within minutes, and continue on. No problems playing unfamiliar gear luckily. If it’s set up nicely, I’ll noodle around on it for a few minutes and roll on. Complete the track. Time is money. A lot of money.

 

[TheIndieKid]

I think the thing to take away from this is that I need to get the other bass repaired.

However, I did see that someone said I don't respect my gear or the future of the band. That's not the case at all. I respect my gear a lot. It's just unfortunate that I've had issues with another bass I love, so I bought a new one, only for that to have issues to.

As for the band's future, they had the vision. I always said to them that "I'm here to commit to that, and you tell me what your plan for bass parts are, and I'll try and commit to that". In that sense, when it came to music videos and stuff, I could give ideas, which I did, when I was up in the studio. But ultimately, they'd make the final decision. They had the picture in their head.

A couple of you mentioned about how they kicked me out after six months. This is the real issue. I gets some of you were mentioning about me not having a working bass at the time. However, I've had issues with it over the course of the six months I was with them. They never mentioned anything. They were happy with me. They said my playing was fine. Don't you think that six months is a bit long to finally decide that I wasn't what they wanted? Especially after making it seem that I was doing okay...and they had no issues? Any problems present at the time of recording were always present.

 

[james condino]

You'll have no problem finding another non gigging Dad band to waste four years of your life with their petty drama; they did you a favor.

If you have not been fired from a band or from anything else in life, you are not challenging yourself or the others enough. I'd rather be fired 100 times than wast my life waddling in unfulfilling mediocrity.....

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Didn’t read all the responses but I think it’s a pretty lame way to fire someone. With that said, keep your gear working if you expect to keep working (yeah, I made this up).

 

[brianrost]

PS: the 4 years in the basement thing is always a head scratcher for me because I grew up in the era where most bands churned out 1 or 2 albums every single year, like clockwork.

Merle Haggard released 11 albums between Sept. 65 and Sept. 69, 1 every 2.8 months.

Johnny Cash released 19 albums between Oct 57 and Jan 68, 1 every 3.3 months.

The Beatles released 13 albums in the UK from Mar 63 to May 70, 1 every 7.2 months

Cream released 4 albums between Dec. 66 and Feb. 69, 1 every 8.6 months.

Black Sabbath released 4 albums between Feb 70 and Sept. 72, 1 every 10.6 months.

Led Zeppelin released 4 albums between Jan 69 and Nov. 71, 1 every 11.3 months.

 

[JamesNC]

I think the thing to take away from this is that I need to get the other bass repaired.

However, I did see that someone said I don't respect my gear or the future of the band. That's not the case at all. I respect my gear a lot. It's just unfortunate that I've had issues with another bass I love, so I bought a new one, only for that to have issues to.

As for the band's future, they had the vision. I always said to them that "I'm here to commit to that, and you tell me what your plan for bass parts are, and I'll try and commit to that". In that sense, when it came to music videos and stuff, I could give ideas, which I did, when I was up in the studio. But ultimately, they'd make the final decision. They had the picture in their head.

A couple of you mentioned about how they kicked me out after six months. This is the real issue. I gets some of you were mentioning about me not having a working bass at the time. However, I've had issues with it over the course of the six months I was with them. They never mentioned anything. They were happy with me. They said my playing was fine. Don't you think that six months is a bit long to finally decide that I wasn't what they wanted? Especially after making it seem that I was doing okay...and they had no issues? Any problems present at the time of recording were always present.

I say brush it off. Learning experience. I’ve been on both sides of the creative vision ownership fence. You might bow to their “vision”, but don’t think for a minute that they have all the answers. Also watch for control freaks who THINK they have all the answers. As a bassist, sure, ask what sort of bass line they have in mind. Great. Super. Chances are, the guy isn’t a bass player or you wouldn’t be standing there. Just when the visionary thinks he knows precisely what he wants, he’s had FOUR YEARS after all, that’s when maybe you construct a bass line that hasn’t entered into his creative genius. Turns out, he didn’t know everything. You’ve just played something that compliments/elevates the song, made his vision sound better than he had imagined it, and proved your worth. Congrats, you’re in the band.

As for the issues with your instruments, I assume this wasn’t a pro level situation, so lesson learned. I don’t think a public caning is necessary, just be more prepared next time that’s all.

You don’t drive. Not the end of the world. Again, if this isn’t a professional situation. I spent my younger years without a vehicle. Never stopped me from joining a band. It limited my options of course, but didn’t eliminate them entirely. I always did just fine.

 

[Discount Bassy]

"As much as I'm a proponent of "two sides to every story", there's not more to it than that."

"I don't drive. We all drove together. There was also the fact that we couldn't have fit another instrument in the car. 5 of us in a five seater with a roofbox. Packed with lighting for photos, camera, guitars, mics, drum kit, clothes, pedalboard, stands etc"

I don't want to get in a pissing match and it's not my business. You posted a thread looking for support and/or ears for your lament. Your only bass was broken. According to the above, even if it was working, you couldn't have brought it anyway. You don't have transportation arrangements to get your gear to a gig/studio opportunity. This is part of what is called "the other side of the story".

 

[gln1955]

...I gets some of you were mentioning about me not having a working bass at the time. However, I've had issues with it over the course of the six months I was with them. They never mentioned anything. ... Any problems present at the time of recording were always present.

I'd say they were more than accomodating during all that time. Anyone who can't get their equipment together over 6 months should have been fired long ago. Not being ready at the studio was probably the last straw for them.

Not trying to be a jerk here, but I'm seeing it from their POV.

 

[Charlzm]

So I was in this band for six months. They'd spent 4 years writing songs but hadn't done a gig yet. Said they wanted to perfect them and stuff. Fine...bit peculiar, but I could understand wanting a full set list under your belt before gig time.

Anyhow, we gelled like cookies 'n cream (or so I thought). They had a vision and were more than happy to point out when a bass part wasn't what they were looking for. They did compliment my bass parts what I pull out the bag and really like some stuff I do.

Anyhow, time comes around for studio work to record a single, plus one extra. All goes smoothly. There's no complaints. Parts that they changed their opinion on are changed around, and the studio guy is happy with my parts (I think). Says he really likes some ideas I play.

Roll on 2 weeks post studio, and we are all in lockdown. They seem a bit quiet but nothing seems particularly off. There's a video call with the studio guy that they do, but I don't participate. I was asked before about doing a band video call regarding a music video, and I didn't mind sitting out, since I'm not the one with the vision. These guys really knew what they wanted.

I take a listen to the raw mixes whilst they're calling. I don't know if it's the guy's style of mix in which he experimented with, but you could probably hear my bass less than Jason Newsted's on the Black Album. Except I wasn't downtuned, and I was playing a 5 string Squier Jazz, borrowed from the studio guy, strung with fresh rounds and ran through a DI, with an distortion simulator on it.

It was a far cry from my usual bass - 4 string short scale, strung with flats, but unfortunately that was in repairs. My other basses are in due need of repairs too. I discovered I'm not used to playing long scale 5 string basses.

I thought nothing of the mix. He'd gone down 1 or 2 directions with the mix prior, and the band didn't like his approach, so he changed it. No biggie.

Anyhow, I can't remember if it was the morning after, or 2 days later, but I get a message from the singer. Without the fluff of saying "you're a great guy and hope you got some experience from this", he says that I'm not the right bassist for them and that "it's the wrong time to be jamming with them" and that he's sorry but wishes me best of luck.

Now at first, I was dissapointed, but I thought "Ah it's nothing out the ordinary. You win some, you lose some". But a family member kept reiterating that it was a real bad move. They said it's weird they've strung me along for six months, telling me that I'm great with the band and that we've got a good line up, only for them to drop me now.

After sending a message to the singer saying I was dissapointed, but ultimately asking for the aspect they didn't like about my playing (to take away and improve on), I was left on read.

Furthermore, the other two band members didn't even wish me a farewell or a good luck or nothing. Not in the group chat. Not privately. I was removed from the studio chat we had overnight, but not from the band chat.

These reasons compounded made me warm to the idea that what they did wasn't that nice. Maybe it's me, but I'd be keen to know your experiences and opinions.

I'd say you may want to consider it a blessing you aren't working with this group of people and now have an object lesson in how not to treat people, so you're better-off all-around. Move forward with wisdom and don't burn the bridge; they may want to hire you sometime if things don't work out with their next choice (and, as a hired hand, things will be different).

 

[TNCreature]

If they were truly happy the whole 6 months, then something revealed itself in the recording session.
Good luck on your next move!

 

[Charlzm]

PS: the 4 years in the basement thing is always a head scratcher for me because I grew up in the era where most bands churned out 1 or 2 albums every single year, like clockwork.

Merle Haggard released 11 albums between Sept. 65 and Sept. 69, 1 every 2.8 months.

Johnny Cash released 19 albums between Oct 57 and Jan 68, 1 every 3.3 months.

The Beatles released 13 albums in the UK from Mar 63 to May 70, 1 every 7.2 months

Cream released 4 albums between Dec. 66 and Feb. 69, 1 every 8.6 months.

Black Sabbath released 4 albums between Feb 70 and Sept. 72, 1 every 10.6 months.

Led Zeppelin released 4 albums between Jan 69 and Nov. 71, 1 every 11.3 months.

And let's not forget my favorite overachievers, Rush, who released 10 studio albums, 3 live albums and 2 concert videos between 1974 and 1984.

OTOH, my band has been working on our second album on and off for 4 years now. Between kids, marriages, careers and school for advanced degrees, it's been a slow process. I guess things have changed because record sales are virtually gone now as compared to the 60's through the 80's. However, the record is done and awaiting mastering when this Covid-19 thing has passed.

But getting back to the original poster's thread topic: four years is an awfully long time to not have a completed, recorded project.

 

[JamesNC]

If they were truly happy the whole 6 months, then something reveled itself in the recording session.
Good luck on your next move!

I have had this happen a few times. In the club level rock world, I’ve seen perfectly capable band members for live work just choke in the studio.

There is also a chance it took 6 months for them to find a more suitable player behind your back. Happens a lot.

 

[newwavefrank]

I think the thing to take away from this is that I need to get the other bass repaired.

They said my playing was fine. Don't you think that six months is a bit long to finally decide that I wasn't what they wanted? Especially after making it seem that I was doing okay...and they had no issues? Any problems present at the time of recording were always present.

I did see this mentioned before but may have been a bigger issue than it's being given credit for....It seems very likely that they didn't like your playing in the studio. To say any playing issues at the time of the recording were always present may not be accurate. I have played with guys for months who's timing seemed OK in rehearsal but then were weak in the studio. The facts that you were playing an uncomfortable bass, and that they mixed you way down, and that that they let you go immediately after recording seem to support this theory. we have no way of knowing, and you won't agree, but it does seem likely. To you original question, its probably not the way you want to be let go, but it's possible they didn't want to tell you you weren't cutting it. Sorry

 

[2112]

Musicians aren’t always noted for their ethics and thoughtfulness. This sounds like your first experience with this. Most of us have been dealing with this kind of thing for decades. I recommend you—not be jaded, necessarily—but cautious, and if you expect fair treatment in life, then expect to be disappointed.

Spot on.

Don't trod upon it. At the end of the day, you're still fired. Yes, it stings, but it's time to move forward. The best way to do that is to go "all ahead" and not looking back.

 

[2F/2F]

Doesn’t sound that bad to me.

Actually being in the studio probably revealed things about your bass playing that they realize they didn’t like. The studio can be a real revelator. Then they didn’t really know how to tell you that face to face. Happens all the time.

This just happened to a good friend’s band. They didn’t realize their drummer sucked until they were trying to make an album. His tracks were so ridiculously bad they had to let him go, hire somebody to come in, and they re-recorded everything. However, everybody handled the situation professionally, face to face, and like friends, and everybody is still cool with each other.

However, these were 40+ year olds who have been playing music for decades, and who have known each other for years. You guys all sound young, or at least somewhat inexperienced. Is that the case?