You have some good advice here.
If you DO end up ditching them.. TELL US ABOUT IT
... I wanna hear lol
If you DO end up ditching them.. TELL US ABOUT IT
... I wanna hear lol
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What would you do?
- Thread starter lowfreq33
- Start date
Oh! This is juicy! Just the reason I peruse these threads...
I'd ask them for the straight up...but know this - they might lie to you to get a ride back and try and be all nice to you until the trip is over...just be ready for that.
And if they come clean about it, get some money out of them. That's a total bullcrap move they're pulling on you. I'd leave em at the rental car place and head home.
I'd ask them for the straight up...but know this - they might lie to you to get a ride back and try and be all nice to you until the trip is over...just be ready for that.
And if they come clean about it, get some money out of them. That's a total bullcrap move they're pulling on you. I'd leave em at the rental car place and head home.
Chances are they've planned this outcome already too. If you find out after you get back... they have car tires, you have slash-ey slash-ey
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
Ok, a little more info is in order.
I know for a fact it's true. They had an ad up on craigslist, no names but I recognized the specifics they did give, and more tellingly the phrasing of the ad. I've heard the bandleader use several of the same phrases while interviewing fiddle players over the phone (yes, it's a country gig).
So I had my good friend who happens to live in the city we're in respond to the ad posing as a Nashville bassist. Then I stood next to him and heard the entire conversation over speakerphone.
So there's no doubt, and no denying it.
What I'm going to do: tomorrow night I play the scheduled gig as planned, and keep my mouth shut. The gear will be with me overnight, as I'm staying with my buddy 10 minutes from the next gig, while they're staying an hour away.
Thursday I'll call and tell them I know what's up, and they can either pay me now for the shows I've already done, and then nightly for the next three, or they cancel their shows and screw themselves (the original agreement was to be paid for the whole 2 weeks upon return to Nashville). At this point I can only assume they plan to stiff me, or at least short me, because I only have a verbal contract (I know, I know...) and they clearly aren't to be trusted. Either way they're taking the bus home. They're welcome to pay me to take their gear back to Nashville, mainly because the trailer handles better on the highway if it's loaded. If they decide to cancel the shows, I haven't really lost anything, because I'm out of a gig anyway, and I really don't expect them to honor our agreement.
I'll be happy to provide names once things are done.
I know for a fact it's true. They had an ad up on craigslist, no names but I recognized the specifics they did give, and more tellingly the phrasing of the ad. I've heard the bandleader use several of the same phrases while interviewing fiddle players over the phone (yes, it's a country gig).
So I had my good friend who happens to live in the city we're in respond to the ad posing as a Nashville bassist. Then I stood next to him and heard the entire conversation over speakerphone.
So there's no doubt, and no denying it.
What I'm going to do: tomorrow night I play the scheduled gig as planned, and keep my mouth shut. The gear will be with me overnight, as I'm staying with my buddy 10 minutes from the next gig, while they're staying an hour away.
Thursday I'll call and tell them I know what's up, and they can either pay me now for the shows I've already done, and then nightly for the next three, or they cancel their shows and screw themselves (the original agreement was to be paid for the whole 2 weeks upon return to Nashville). At this point I can only assume they plan to stiff me, or at least short me, because I only have a verbal contract (I know, I know...) and they clearly aren't to be trusted. Either way they're taking the bus home. They're welcome to pay me to take their gear back to Nashville, mainly because the trailer handles better on the highway if it's loaded. If they decide to cancel the shows, I haven't really lost anything, because I'm out of a gig anyway, and I really don't expect them to honor our agreement.
I'll be happy to provide names once things are done.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Any clue why they want to replace you and why they're going behind your back. I guess the second part doesn't really need explaining 
.... but doing it WHILE you guys are out touring?
.... but doing it WHILE you guys are out touring?
Great plan man; a perfect response to the blatant disrespect they have shown you. I can't wait to hear how the react and this all unfolds. Gotta love justice man!
If things take a turn for the worst and you hit the road, give them a written letter of resignation stating your case, get them to sign a copy of that letter so that they can't say that you're the bad guy and you ditched them.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Wow your bandmates sound like a bunch of douchebags.... I mean there's no class and then there is them. I too would be curious to know why they want to part ways........
i'd make sure the truck and trailer are out of sight when you confront,just to ensure that they don't have plans to grab the gear and strand you.....Ok, a little more info is in order.
I know for a fact it's true. They had an ad up on craigslist, no names but I recognized the specifics they did give, and more tellingly the phrasing of the ad. I've heard the bandleader use several of the same phrases while interviewing fiddle players over the phone (yes, it's a country gig).
So I had my good friend who happens to live in the city we're in respond to the ad posing as a Nashville bassist. Then I stood next to him and heard the entire conversation over speakerphone.
So there's no doubt, and no denying it.
What I'm going to do: tomorrow night I play the scheduled gig as planned, and keep my mouth shut. The gear will be with me overnight, as I'm staying with my buddy 10 minutes from the next gig, while they're staying an hour away.
Thursday I'll call and tell them I know what's up, and they can either pay me now for the shows I've already done, and then nightly for the next three, or they cancel their shows and screw themselves (the original agreement was to be paid for the whole 2 weeks upon return to Nashville). At this point I can only assume they plan to stiff me, or at least short me, because I only have a verbal contract (I know, I know...) and they clearly aren't to be trusted. Either way they're taking the bus home. They're welcome to pay me to take their gear back to Nashville, mainly because the trailer handles better on the highway if it's loaded. If they decide to cancel the shows, I haven't really lost anything, because I'm out of a gig anyway, and I really don't expect them to honor our agreement.
I'll be happy to provide names once things are done.
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
We're in my vehicle... if they do that it's grand theft auto, plus assault... plus I'll be accompanied by several very scary bikers... forgot to mention that my buddy who responded to the ad is a big time Harley guy.
YEeesH! 
Play it smart. Stay calm. If the tour gets cancelled or whatever, don't take off with their stuff w/o their consent to transport it back to Nashville, 'cause then you're the thief according to the lawmen.
Get stuff in writing, as suggested and maybe even surreptitiously video-tape/audio record the meeting with them. Watch your back mang!
I'd hate to be their next bass player, and I already feel sorry for whoever has to fill your shoes 'cause that person is likely going in blind.
Good luck!
Play it smart. Stay calm. If the tour gets cancelled or whatever, don't take off with their stuff w/o their consent to transport it back to Nashville, 'cause then you're the thief according to the lawmen.
Get stuff in writing, as suggested and maybe even surreptitiously video-tape/audio record the meeting with them. Watch your back mang!
I'd hate to be their next bass player, and I already feel sorry for whoever has to fill your shoes 'cause that person is likely going in blind.
Good luck!
Any clue why they want to replace you and why they're going behind your back. I guess the second part doesn't really need explaining
I've been wondering this (from the start) too.
Theft? Probably. Collateral? It'll work. Hardball? Yep. And I did say he might leave the stuff sitting in the parking lot.
Getting screwed on pay for a job is......what?
When the money gets funky, I load up and head out. And I've had to get pretty worked with folks up to get my return trip airfare. Sometimes you go on the road to work with people and they think they own you.
Next time, he'll know better and get some details worked out, and paid for in advance. There is nothing wrong with getting your per diem and travel money upfront.
The OP at least has his own rig to drive home, but if he's gotta go 1500 miles in a heavy pickup truck towing a trailer, he's looking at: about $500 in gas, two very long days of driving, and meals. That's sleeping in rest stops. Plus, he says he hasn't been paid for his work so far.
Why should he let them keep running up the tab?
Getting screwed on pay for a job is......what?
When the money gets funky, I load up and head out. And I've had to get pretty worked with folks up to get my return trip airfare. Sometimes you go on the road to work with people and they think they own you.
Next time, he'll know better and get some details worked out, and paid for in advance. There is nothing wrong with getting your per diem and travel money upfront.
The OP at least has his own rig to drive home, but if he's gotta go 1500 miles in a heavy pickup truck towing a trailer, he's looking at: about $500 in gas, two very long days of driving, and meals. That's sleeping in rest stops. Plus, he says he hasn't been paid for his work so far.
Why should he let them keep running up the tab?
Regardless of the situation, it's a pretty D-bag move to ditch them. Don't stoop to thier level, handle this in a mature fashion. "Treat others the way you wish to be treated" and such.
Sure it's a crap move on thier part, if it is even true, but there's no reason you should be a DB back. Finish up what you agreed to do and part ways afterwards if need be.
This could be just one person doing this underhanded stuff and you'd be hosing everyone else involved if you ditch 'em. Burned bridges are near impossible to rebuild.
Sure it's a crap move on thier part, if it is even true, but there's no reason you should be a DB back. Finish up what you agreed to do and part ways afterwards if need be.
This could be just one person doing this underhanded stuff and you'd be hosing everyone else involved if you ditch 'em. Burned bridges are near impossible to rebuild.
We've come to the right place!
TB is the perfect place to plumb the philosophical depths.
My number one objective in the OP's situation would be to get the straight story without a blow up. They would have to back it up with some cash or a check. Then we all get back to work, hey, it was just a bump in the road. Beers all around. I'm buying. And I wouldn't care if they are looking for another bassist, at this point it just about getting what he's owed and covering costs to finish the job. He'll be looking for another band when he gets home anyway.
My back up plan would be to stem the bleeding and get home. Once the job has gone south, what's the point in sticking around? If he lets them stiff him when he's got some leverage, why would they pay him when he doesn't?
Labor relations get personal fast. As the OP describes it, he's been getting a lot of warm air blown up his skirt, but not much else. IF it's just the "leader" pulling this stuff, I'd expect the other guys to be talking about it too.
I wish he could video the sit down, it would be classic.
A contract would have been optimal here.
This guy went out on the road, with his truck, trailer, and gear. Most likely, he took time off work or quit a job. Home life is on hold. He put his trust in these guys. It turned into one of those ugly reality shows.
How deep a hole is he supposed to let them dig?
TB is the perfect place to plumb the philosophical depths.
My number one objective in the OP's situation would be to get the straight story without a blow up. They would have to back it up with some cash or a check. Then we all get back to work, hey, it was just a bump in the road. Beers all around. I'm buying. And I wouldn't care if they are looking for another bassist, at this point it just about getting what he's owed and covering costs to finish the job. He'll be looking for another band when he gets home anyway.
My back up plan would be to stem the bleeding and get home. Once the job has gone south, what's the point in sticking around? If he lets them stiff him when he's got some leverage, why would they pay him when he doesn't?
Labor relations get personal fast. As the OP describes it, he's been getting a lot of warm air blown up his skirt, but not much else. IF it's just the "leader" pulling this stuff, I'd expect the other guys to be talking about it too.
I wish he could video the sit down, it would be classic.
A contract would have been optimal here.
This guy went out on the road, with his truck, trailer, and gear. Most likely, he took time off work or quit a job. Home life is on hold. He put his trust in these guys. It turned into one of those ugly reality shows.
How deep a hole is he supposed to let them dig?
Sorry, I disagree. Some folks need to learn the hard way. What makes you think this is the first time they've pulled this?
I would confront them, demand pay for the trip, then ditch them and head home. Sounds like they are just using you anyway.
