Backstage With the Band

[deezle250]

Had to let a guy go today. First time I've had to let someone go who didn't know it was coming. Nice enough guy. He's young and needs to put in some more time to get better. Just not the right fit. Think I left it on good terms.

[FitchFY]

It's hardest when they don't see it coming, but it also justifies the decision.

I had an original band a few years back where we fired the bassist... a few years later over beers, he said "I just had no idea it was coming," and I said "Well, had you known it was coming, I'm supposing we wouldn't have had to kick you out."

[Mutha Goose]

We had a guy (2nd guitar) a little more than a year ago.. GIT grad, guitar teacher, really good guy. He could play like a MuthaFucka... in his bedroom

On stage he looked like a deer in the headlights. And god forbid he had to step on a foot pedal... It screwed him up every time.

Telling him that he wasn't gonna cut it was hard as hell. Like I said, he was a really good guy. He took it rough too. That made it all the worse. Unfortunately I haven't spoken to him since.

[GtrGeorge!]

I can relate. On one occassion I was asked to join this band. They were rough, but showed promise. 6 months later the stoned out other guitarist still hasnt upped his game..meanwhile I had learned all the songs,sang my backings, had my switching down etc etc ..and the other guy is showing up TOASTED and leaves his flanger on for the entire rehearsal..swoosh!!!! The guy was seriously hurt when I said he needed to go. I still feel kinda bad about it...but the band sounded bad..and much better when he wasnt playing. It got even better later, but yeah it hurt to tell him what he didnt see coming. GtrGeorge

[deezle250]

everyone is leaving it on good terms. now it's time to update the setlist and get back in gear.

[WynnD]

Not a good idea to burn bridges. You never know when that person gets better or serious and can help you.

[RoadRanger]

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WynnD wrote:
Not a good idea to burn bridges. You never know when that person gets better or serious and can help you.

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or hurt you .

[Opus Antics]

I had to let someone go a couple weeks ago. I thought we left it on good and friendly terms.  They kinda saw it coming.  I thought, well that went pretty well, that's good.  Everything stayed friendly.

The next day they started saying all kinds of malicious stuff.  I contacted them to ask about why we weren't staying friendly and they went off. 

Bridge burned. Not how I wanted it to go at all.

[WynnD]

One more thing to think about. I was replaced in a band I had started, but if anyone had talked with me about it, I would have told them that I had been thinking about leaving for more than a year. (My Wife kept telling me to play nice with my friends.) So the secret meetings required to get rid of someone, might have been better to have been an open meeting. I would have voted myself off the island too.

[CliffordN]

I had the idea, and started the group, but soon I was forced out by the lead singer, because we were pulling in opposite directions and he claimed he was getting stressed. This clever bastard had it all laid out, so most of the group went along, and now they are playing all over the place for FREE!

Not long ago I got the call to see if I wanted to come back, or at least sit in with them when I was around... Want to guess what I said to that?

[StratGuy22]

But it would be great exposure!!

[CliffordN]

They are exposed alright! Playing all over South Louisiana... I already have enough things to pay for besides travel expenses to play free!

[StratGuy22]

Lol no kidding hey.

[RoadRanger]

I'd tell them:

Here's your exposure  !

[CliffordN]

I forgot to add that they claim no one is willing to pay what it would require to book a large group... But then, they never tried either! They now call themselves a charitable organization... Next, they will be doing the nursing home tour!

[jimiv]

Change is usually good, especially in music.

[CliffordN]

Unless you're playin Chain of Fools, right?