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Worst. Drummer. Ever.
- Thread starter FugaziBomb
- Start date
It's your reputation too if you're involved in what appeared to be somewhat of a train wreck.. I don't think it would be out of line to inform your buddy you won't be playing gigs with him any more. No reason to be an a$s about it, but I think it's fair to euh.. create some distance between you and that drummer
Regards
Mark
This. One can only suck it up to a point. The best guitarist I ever played with was passed over for a really good gig because they paired him with a crappy drummer at the audition. The next drummer up was the one that got hired and they paired him with a mediocre guitarist. Guess which guitarist got hired? My point is that you can't be certain that whoever is hearing this train wreck is going to be able to pinpoint the source of the wreck.
I have standards and even though I'm not the best player around, I still want to play with people who know how to rise to a minimal level that makes the music work. I don't see why anyone should suck it up for a train wreck of a band unless they're completely in it for the dollars and, if that's the case, you need to teach yourself to not care because there are lots and lots of crappy players out here.
I see the point.
Then, you must do what you believe that is best for you. I guess that there are lots of BL out there...
How do you find stuff like this??!! That is hilarious!
That guy is not bad. He's actually pretty good! A little stiff, but quite good. His timing was excellent, his fills were quite fancy and yet ended exactly on time every time, which is damn impressive, especially with all the criss-cross stuff. The only issue I see is that he was playing the Dream Theater version of the song while everyone else was trying to play the Burt Bacharach version of the song! Oh, and I guess he could learn to use the high hat a little more delicately.
Agree. If his wife had been over on the other side of the room with the camera so that the drums didn't dominate the mix, he'd have sounded fine. Sure, he could have reined it it a little, but the Elks Lodge will probably book them again anyway.
Joining this thread late, but if I was the drummer, I'm sure I would realize that I sucked and was over my head in this band and do the right thing and bow out.
Same here, that's one reason I'm a hobby player, I mainly like to work on the stuff and play some.
It's a bad feeling to tell someone they aren't up to the skill level the rest of the band needs. Suggest that he join in a band that is in the learning phase and they would all sympathize with each other. But no need to get all steamed up unless the person won't listen and pleads the rest of the band to join in on a failing venue.
It's a bad feeling to tell someone they aren't up to the skill level the rest of the band needs. Suggest that he join in a band that is in the learning phase and they would all sympathize with each other. But no need to get all steamed up unless the person won't listen and pleads the rest of the band to join in on a failing venue.
No, but you might not like how he resolves that issue. Yes, canceling last minute is a sure fire way to remove your name from his list ... permanently. Maybe you don't want to work for this BL anymore; but if you want the gig (and the money, which seems to be the only reason you take the gigs) you need to grin and bear it. Or become a BL yourself, and put your own lineup together.
Our keys player is a busy guy, a music teacher/director/actor and sometimes needs to be covered by a sub. One in particular I'm not wild about, but the BL likes him, and he's an old friend of the lead guitarist. I gave my opinion (kindly and professionally) once after dinner and drinks, and it fell on deaf ears. Hey, it's only three hours a couple times a year .... I survive.
Unfortunately a lot of these players are victims of the Dunning-Kruger syndrome and can't discern how bad they are. There's a guy local to me who is the poster child of this. Can't carry a tune in a bucket but thinks he's the best singer ever. When it's pointed out to him how bad he is he denies any criticism and claims a grand conspiracy against him. It's funny and sad at the same time.
To the OP the one thing to consider is your reputation and how you're perceived. It's hard to overcome the reputation of a bassist that plays with "those guys." Outside of my 2 main gigs I do a fair amout of sub work. Some of the bands are good and some are not so much. However I have drawn the line and turned down a few bands because they are just not of any decent caliber of players and venues. I can't afford to be perceived as "Aren't you the guy from X and Y bands? How come you're playing with these guys?"
For a minute I thought you were talking about me.
But I don't remember playing when I lived close to the east temple of the mouse. 
On your last comment, isn't that reason we have an ugly stick, a fedora, and dark glasses?
Update: I hung out with the BL yesterday and he related to me that he told the drummer there is no way he can ever hire him again. The drummer was offended by this then told him that he felt everyone else delivered a sub par performance that night and didn't understand why he was being singled out! Unfortunately the absurdity of that statement is lost on anyone who wasn't there that night. I wish I had a recording of the night to share with TB to illustrate how delusional he is. All I can say is this: the guitarist playing lead that night has attended performing arts school since middle school and I am a classically trained jazz bassist playing fluff reggae... We definitely were not the problem. Even the front man, while not an amazing guitarist, plays rhythm well within his means. I'm more annoyed than ever that this clown a** drummer tried to drag the rest of us through the mud. Unbelievable!
