Was this complete BS or was I being too sensitive?

[SmokinJoe992]

I probably wouldnt have bothered unloading my gear but a side of me would have ridden this out because it seemed so friggin bizarre it had to be for a tv show or twisted contest or something.....

The thought that I was being 'pranked' did occur to me.

 

[40Hz]

Except he felt both members were more than competent. Hard to get a read without actually meeting the BL yourself but when they called back with the turn down I would have probably said something to the effect of "Thanks for the call back. As you probably realize, I didn't expect to get the job after walking out early. That said, I had a very good impression of you both of as musicians. If you are still looking for someone down the road and want to give this another try, I'd be happy to do it again on different terms. I suspect you will continue to have trouble finding someone at your level going about the process the way you are."

Out of curiosity, since you met the BL at a first location, then drove 30 minutes to the practice facility, did you backtrack at all or is it more than 30 minutes from your house?

Fair enough. However, you can be musically competent and still be a complete moron to work with. And when it comes to bands, being able to play is a given. But that doesn't automatically carry over to the interpersonal and organizational skills needed to operate or be a member of one.

And there are such things as professional and personal courtesy…even when it comes to local bands and musicians.

And why would anybody in their right mind be wanting two auditioning bass players to be playing at the same time? That makes no sense no matter how you want to look at it.

So I still say BOZOS!

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Except he felt both members were more than competent. Hard to get a read without actually meeting the BL yourself but when they called back with the turn down I would have probably said something to the effect of "Thanks for the call back. As you probably realize, I didn't expect to get the job after walking out early. That said, I had a very good impression of you both of as musicians. If you are still looking for someone down the road and want to give this another try, I'd be happy to do it again on different terms. I suspect you will continue to have trouble finding someone at your level going about the process the way you are."

Out of curiosity, since you met the BL at a first location, then drove 30 minutes to the practice facility, did you backtrack at all or is it more than 30 minutes from your house?

One of the main reasons I was interested was because I thought it was closer for me than my other bands. After the 1/2 hour drive from the meet location it ended up being only about 10 minutes closer.
Part of me thinks this was all Karma getting back at me for 'cheating' on my other bands.

 

[obimark]

I would have left the first time he asjed for both bassist to play at the same time.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I would have left the first time he asjed for both bassist to play at the same time.

Exactly, there's a lunacy in that UNLESS it's some kind of perverse prank. I probably would have suggested that no one except the basses, should play. I would have been pretty pissed off. Wasting your time, gas money and screwing with you. Not cool at all.

 

[basted]

It was poorly run. You could have texted them back and said you would choose six songs for the audition. That would have simplified that part and then as others said okay I will wait outside while the other guy plays.

I dont think they were expecting you to learn them all but given the other weird circumstances, maybe?

 

[TL23NC]

Wow. That has to be one of the worst experiences I've heard of. Perhaps you should have asked questions when they sent the full song list but I cannot imagine having two bassists show up for an audition. I'd chalk it up as a learning experience and be thankful you didn't end up wasting more time with these nutjobs.

 

[five7]

Should of turned up as loud as your rig goes and start playing one of your other bands songs.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Should of turned up as loud as your rig goes and start playing one of your other bands songs.

That would have been great.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Admittedly, I didn't read the entire thread. Perhaps it was a test to see who could handle the absurdity of the situation and mention it in a reasonable way. Did it never occur to you to say, "Hey. This really isn't working like this-maybe we can take turns since that is how it would be done in a band. Tell you what-i learned those songs. You play with him for a bit, and I'm going to take care of some emails. Then, I'll come inn and play these tunes, and we can go from there." I mean , yeah the idea was dumb. But so is being pissy, passive aggressive and not soaking up for yourself.

 

[electracoyote]

I greatly appreciate everyone's responses. I guess I needed some confirmation that I was justified to be as mad as I was when I left. I can now find the humor in it, chalk it up to experience and move on.
Just to clarify some things. I expected to show up, have a brief discussion about experience and 'getting to know you stuff'. Then have them ask me which songs I knew the best from their list. After we played through those if things are clicking stick around and play through some other songs. If not thank them for their time and move on. That is pretty much how most auditions I have been on have gone. This was just a complete cluster of epic proportions. This is also the first audition I have ever been on that I did not get a call back (not that I wanted one).
Both of the bands I am in now were found through CL so I guess I can't complain too much.

Yeah, the silver lining is you obviously have your act together and aren't nearly dysfunctional enough for that band.

And you can find good people and good projects on CL, but sometimes you have to clean a bunch of oysters to find the pearl.

 

[shwabilly]

Wow.......just wow. As others have stated, I see nothing wrong with being sent the 40 song list. I've auditioned for bands and had that same experience. It gives me a total view of what they play, and chances are I'm going to know a handfull of them. Now, when I get the list, and tge audition is a few days away, I make it known that I wont be learning all of them.

Auditioning 2 bass players at the same is ludicrous. Reading your op, I would've expected these guys to be teenagers, and not a guy in his 60's and one in his 40's.

 

[bassbully]

Well you know why nobody has filled the position. I had a try out with a local jam band a year or so ago. I was semi interested but liked the songs they sent me which So I learned them.
I was told to meet at a local bar near their practice space as well. I got there met the band and the also spring on me another bass player is coming and we were to both audition. I was like whhhha?
It went well, we both got our turns but it was uncomfortable, to say the least. I never went back and never will audition like that again. You were wise to move on.

 

[MrLenny1]

B.S. for sure.
I had an audition where I had to wait
for the first bass player to finish his audition.
A little odd but not as odd as yours.
I had to learn 9 songs.

 

[FranF]

You're a better man than I.... I may have bailed at the restaurant. And if I did make it to the gala event I would have given them a half hour max of that ********. You're worried? Jesus H, you were far from sensitive, and were light years more pro than them. I'm actually mad a.f. just reading that tale of woe...

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

B.S. for sure.
I had an audition where I had to wait
for the first bass player to finish his audition.
A little odd but not as odd as yours.
I had to learn 9 songs.

Yes, similar for me, they sent a song list, I told them YOU tell me what 5 or 6 songs to prepare and I'll show up ready to play.

As I was walking in, another player was walking out. I'd seen him play. - he was very, very good. Better than I am. I did the audition, the band was awesome and after a few days I contacted them to say thanks for the audition sorry it didn't work out.

They said don't sell yourself short it's between you and a local player. I asked about the "great player " I'd seen leaving and they said, "yeah, he can play but what a lousy attitude".

Did not get the gig , but it was a valid, legit audition and I didn't walk away feeling like a schmuck.

A very good band, sorry they picked someone else but it was a pro audition and not the craziness you describe.

 

[Buster Brown]

I wouldn't have put up with any of that.

Indeed. I would have packed my gear and gone I would have been.....

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Admittedly, I didn't read the entire thread. Perhaps it was a test to see who could handle the absurdity of the situation and mention it in a reasonable way. Did it never occur to you to say, "Hey. This really isn't working like this-maybe we can take turns since that is how it would be done in a band. Tell you what-i learned those songs. You play with him for a bit, and I'm going to take care of some emails. Then, I'll come inn and play these tunes, and we can go from there." I mean , yeah the idea was dumb. But so is being pissy, passive aggressive and not soaking up for yourself.

To a certain extent I agree with you, but I didn't really see a need to be actively aggressive. They weren't rude or critical in any way. At the time I was more confused and in a state of disbelief. I didn't really start to get mad until after I left. I also think the other bass player seemed more willing to go along with it than me because he actually wanted the gig. I more or less didn't care by the time we got to the practice space. I was only half interested to begin with.

 

[Stumbo]

1) I would have asked for an amount of songs to learn from their set list that would have been appropriate for an audition.

2) I would have explained to them immediately why it was ridiculous to have me and the other bass player, play at the same time...

2a) Ask them why they want two bass players to play at the same time. (Bass Players Got Talent show?)

3) Told them that you'll wait until the other guy us done to audition.

4) Leave when you realize there are two bass players.

5) Pulled the other bass player aside and see if he agrees with you.

+1 to turning around once you passed the ten minute travel time mark.

 

[TimB 619]

It's BS, I wouldn't have even bothered, after seeing another bass player unloading his stuff.