What would you do in this situation...?

[andres3195]

Hello talkbass people! I've been asked to join a band, but I rejected the offer because I find their music awful. Seriously, AWFUL. The thing is after I rejected it they asked me to help them (play the bass lines) in the album they are going to record soon, and pay me as a session bass player.
What would you do?
P/S: It's actually the first time I think of music as something that generates cash lol. Always played for the sake of just creating music. Never recorded an album either.

 

[Biggbass]

Session players often work on sessions where they don't have any affection to the music. IF it's a paycheck then do it. If it's not, as if they just want you to contribute and save their butts, then pass, since you find the music awful.
I regularly hire session players when I'm producing album projects...never once asked them if they liked the tracks...but they always deliver a great contribution to the project. I pay those players by the song so if you decide to do it keep that in mind and charge a per song rate. The rate varies among players and what city you're in and how in demand you are. It can vary from $50 per song to $200 per song and some have a 2 or 3 song minimum. There are no back end royalties.
I've never paid a session player by the session hour, btw.
Example : Brent Mason quoted me $200 per song with a 2 song minimum. I consider that a bargain! If you're not familiar with Brent do some research on him.

 

[Bullitt5135]

"10 bucks is 10 bucks." ~ Geddy Lee

FWIW...I've been a graphic designer for 25 years. These days, I mainly design brochures for a toilet company.

 

[viper4000]

If you do it, be sure to bring the same enthusiasm you bring to music you like.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Depends on how much time they want you for. Will you need to rehearse every week for a couple months to help write/arrange the songs? Or just show up to the studio and lay it down in one take?

If I hate the material I would maybe do the sesssion if it paid well and the guys are nice and it was an in and out in one or two days type of thing. If they need much more of my time outside just laying tracks, then I'd respectfully pass.

 

[JMacBass65]

If you do it, be sure to bring the same enthusiasm you bring to music you like.

I would alter this statement a bit, and say ONLY do it if you can bring the same enthusiasm you bring to music you like. If you'll be phoning it in, pass, not fair to them. If they are really desperate and you think you can do it without it coming off half a$$ed, do it to help them out (plus you get paid).

 

[Lobster11]

It depends on what you mean by their music being "awful." If it's just a matter of not liking their particular style or genre, I would do it if I thought it would be an interesting and fun challenge (despite the "awfulness"). If, however, it's a matter of them being poor musicians, I probably wouldn't want to be associated with it (and wouldn't have fun working on it anyway).

 

[Nev375]

Take the cash and agree to do it on the condition that you are not credited anywhere on the recording or promotion materials.

 

[andres3195]

Depends on how much time they want you for. Will you need to rehearse every week for a couple months to help write/arrange the songs? Or just show up to the studio and lay it down in one take?

If I hate the material I would maybe do the sesssion if it paid well and the guys are nice and it was an in and out in one or two days type of thing. If they need much more of my time outside just laying tracks, then I'd respectfully pass.

That's what i think. Agree 100%. Those are important things that i am yet to ask.
I don't take this thing so seriously, specially because the guy (the one member who asked me to join them) doesn't even know me, he just saw my videos on youtube. Plus, he doesn't seem too nice, or at least that's what i think. He sent me some of the songs they have on soundcloud, I listened and respectfully rejected the proposal. The thing is he seemed a bit "butthurt" about that And that's when he said the session thing.
He also introduced himself saying "My name is xxx but my artistic name is xxx". Sounds like a huge ego there.
The only thing that makes me even consider this thing is the money.

It depends on what you mean by their music being "awful." If it's just a matter of not liking their particular style or genre, I would do it if I thought it would be an interesting and fun challenge (despite the "awfulness"). If, however, it's a matter of them being poor musicians, I probably wouldn't want to be associated with it (and wouldn't have fun working on it anyway).

I don't like the kind of music they play, and also think the songs are not like... well made. Repetitive stuff, heard it once and i was already thinking "i heard things like this a million times already". And the vocals are really bad. I guess I'll just reject this

 

[RustyAxe]

Hello talkbass people! I've been asked to join a band, but I rejected the offer because I find their music awful. Seriously, AWFUL. The thing is after I rejected it they asked me to help them (play the bass lines) in the album they are going to record soon, and pay me as a session bass player.
What would you do?

I'd pass, but I'm not you ... I play with one project or another every weekend, sometimes Fri/Sat/Sun. And I've spent lots of time in the studio, recording. If I was new to the scene, though, I'd be tempted to take it. Studio work can teach you a lot. If they suck, the album isn't gonna get any traction, so no need to worry about that. You might even ask to remain anonymous and just chalk it up to a learning experience.

And for the record, one usually doesn't "rehearse" with the band for a session ... you get there, get the chart, and away you go. You might get scratch recordings you can practice to in advance, but if anyone insists on rehearsals prior to the session, you should be paid for those, too.

 

[bassbrad]

Make the record and bank the money and experience.

 

[markoc]

It depends on what you mean by their music being "awful." If it's just a matter of not liking their particular style or genre, I would do it if I thought it would be an interesting and fun challenge (despite the "awfulness"). If, however, it's a matter of them being poor musicians, I probably wouldn't want to be associated with it (and wouldn't have fun working on it anyway).

This.. I often enjoy playing music I wouldn't otherwise listen to.

 

[JimK]

Take the cash and agree to do it on the condition that you are not credited anywhere on the recording or promotion materials.

See...I hated that.
When I played/wrote the bass lines/parts on a couple things...I was a bit miffed when the yahoo they hired got the cred on the album.
YMMV.
(Eventually, I threw something in there that I hoped would be enuff so friends would know it was me).

 

[mcarp555]

See if they can pay you at least half upfront; no point doing it then having to chase them for the money. Half now, the rest due upon completion. Then nobody bails or walks away empty-handed.

 

[HolmeBass]

I would do it, but I am hungry for studio credits and experience. Who knows, maybe some studio polish and autotune will have the tunes sounding not half bad?

 

[4dog]

Take the money and the credit...you have no idea where things lead to.

 

[ThePresident777]

If they can pay you for studio sessions then they can pay you for live sessions too............................

 

[Wfrance3]

I'd do it, as long it didn't look like it was going to turn into a deal where you inherit the role of producer and (even worse) music instructor in the process.

 

[andres3195]

If they can pay you for studio sessions then they can pau you for live sessions too............................

I'd never play with them live, even if they are willing to pay me . It's not that i'm such a great bass player, but i really don't like the band.

 

[skwee]

I'd do it for the dough. but never phone it in.