Members zachoff Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Well, the guitar player and I came to the conclusion that our drummer isn't going to work out. Dude's a hockey player friend of mine that said he had a kit and could play... Turns out he had a kit but really couldn't play. So, we're going to tell him we need someone with a little more experience. I hate doing this crap. Hopefully he understands and there are no hard feelings. He does say "sorry" a lot when he messes up at practice and all that so I don't think this will come as a surprise, but still... Sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I dont play with friends anymore. I play with strangers and if they become friends along the way.. bonus. Speaking of which we just finished rehearsal and my drummer and guitar [layer are watching the flames game while I'm typing to youse guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 . Wish I was watching hockey. PSA: {censored} DirecTV and their refusal to renew VS (the only channel in the US that regularly plays hockey) and on top of that their refusal to let me quit them without charging me $170. FWIW, I've been in bands with friends where I've quit and there were not hard feelings. This is the first time I've actually "fired" a friend of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr.Mow Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 In our case.. I'm the guy who sucks.. I'm just not sure anyone else has noticed yet.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Wish I was watching hockey. PSA: {censored} DirecTV and their refusal to renew VS (the only channel in the US that regularly plays hockey) and on top of that their refusal to let me quit them without charging me $170. FWIW, I've been in bands with friends where I've quit and there were not hard feelings. This is the first time I've actually "fired" a friend of mine. Lucky. My brother in law put us in the position of having to fire him, unfortunately. I drew the line after that. No more family, no more friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Take solace in knowing that no musician ever becomes a worse player for being fired from a band for not having enough chops. When I quit Crescent Seven the first time, it was because Jake wasn't holding it down on the drums as tight as I wanted. By the time we reformed the band 2 years later, he was 10x the drummer he was before. It motivated him to practice like a wild man. So basically, it will sting for him, but as long as he understands that he needs to get better if he wants to be in a real band, he'll thank you in a year when he's in a real band and playing better than he ever has.C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Take solace in knowing that no musician ever becomes a worse player for being fired from a band for not having enough chops. When I quit Crescent Seven the first time, it was because Jake wasn't holding it down on the drums as tight as I wanted. By the time we reformed the band 2 years later, he was 10x the drummer he was before. It motivated him to practice like a wild man. So basically, it will sting for him, but as long as he understands that he needs to get better if he wants to be in a real band, he'll thank you in a year when he's in a real band and playing better than he ever has. C7 Yeah, he'll either be bummed or he won't care. He'd told me before our first practice that he'd never been "in a band" and just "jammed with friends". I figured since he had a kit he could at least hold down a beat, but yeah... It was rough. He's better now than he was just 4 weeks ago, but the guitar player and I both have been in good and bad bands and both came to the conclusion that it's not going to work out. Jake want to drive to Longmont every Tuesday night?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members absintheXIII Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 . Worst thing I ever did was date a band member I tell you that was a HUGE mistake. Couple fighting leaks into band stuff no matter how hard you try for it not to. When we broke up, so did the band.:poke: Not such a hot idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JacieFB Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Not meaning to be the ultra-glass-is-half-full type, but can he get better? Like with some lessons, dedicated practice, and some extended band practices where you all work on fundamental stuff in addition to the songs you're doing? If he's a good guy, has the work ethic, you get along with him, he at least has decent meter, and he wants it, that's a huge chunk of the battle. I say this because of how much of my life I've spent frustrated because I couldn't find a drummer...at all. Talk to him. He may surprise you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassplayer7770 Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yeah, I generally try to make it clear that even friends have to audition. It's part business unless you're really only playing for fun. Best of luck, Zach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yeah, I generally try to make it clear that even friends have to audition. It's part business unless you're really only playing for fun. Best of luck, Zach. We are playing for fun, but also playing to gig probably early next year. ...and to Jacie. I'm not too keen on playing with someone that's not quite up to the bar... And our bar is fairly low. I've played with a drummer that wasn't up to snuff before and it's a constant struggle. When you're not confident you can make it through a song without something going wrong, there's a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Not meaning to be the ultra-glass-is-half-full type, but can he get better? . Some people may have the patience for this, but I don't. Maybe I am asking too much and it may come off as egotistical, but I am at a point where I just want to jump in a band and go. If I was asked to wait around for somebody to possibly get better I would just bail. In fact my dream gig is one where I am the weak link and it's up to me to keep up. YMMV of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 In fact my dream gig is one where I am the weak link and it's up to me to keep up.YMMV of course. I prefer to be the weakest link as well. I can control that by getting better. I hate having to have a 'chat' with others not pulling their weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I prefer to be the weakest link as well. I can control that by getting better. I hate having to have a 'chat' with others not pulling their weight.Werd. I can become the world's biggest idiot if someone else isn't pulling their weight. I'd like to think that I'm pretty cool in real life, but if someone isn't all that talented and I don't see an effort to change that, my alterego, "Jerkman", comes out swinging. I used to have another alterego, "Dorkman", that used to come out whenever I tried hitting on women. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Werd. I can become the world's biggest idiot if someone else isn't pulling their weight. I'd like to think that I'm pretty cool in real life, but if someone isn't all that talented and I don't see an effort to change that, my alterego, "Jerkman", comes out swinging. Yup. One of my jerkman speaches right here: People work hard all week. Really really damn hard. They drove through hell traffic to be here and now they want to relax. They spend their tiny bits of profit to come see us play. Us. We are their entertainment. We are the highlight of their whole crappy week. What do you mean you didn't practice all week and how dare you show up drunk and high as all {censored}? Jesus man, grow up! I used to have another alterego, "Dorkman", that used to come out whenever I tried hitting on women. Hahaha, tell me about it. I totally landed Mike by accident. What a lucky break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Werd. I can become the world's biggest idiot if someone else isn't pulling their weight. I'd like to think that I'm pretty cool in real life, but if someone isn't all that talented and I don't see an effort to change that, my alterego, "Jerkman", comes out swinging. I used to have another alterego, "Dorkman", that used to come out whenever I tried hitting on women. Believe me, it's not just you. I used to have a lot of frustration due to this, waiting around for people to get better, practice more, whatever. It's just not worth it and really not hard to spot the genuine players from the wannabes. And it's not always about skill level, it's not like i demand some level of perfection or wankery. With drummers it doesn't take much to distinguish between a strong confident drummer and the weak, timid-having problems with tempo kind of guy. Why is it the weaker drummers are usually also the nicest guys? Now that I think about it that has almost always been the case for me...seems like the bigger the jerk the better the drummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yup. One of my jerkman speaches right here: People work hard all week. Really really damn hard. They drove through hell traffic to be here and now they want to relax. They spend their tiny bits of profit to come see us play. Us. We are their entertainment. We are the highlight of their whole crappy week. What do you mean you didn't practice all week and how dare you show up drunk and high as all {censored}? Jesus man, grow up! *Standing ovation* That's not a jerkman speech, that's a mission statement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members collinwho Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 It depends a lot on the situation for me. When I was forming Escape Artists, the bass player I took on had some developing to do, but I was ok with it because I knew it was a good fit, and that she was willing to put in the work. By the time we were ready to play shows, she had improved to a point where I didn't question her ability, and by now she has improved to a point where I'm very nervous about trying to replace her, because its going to be tough to find someone as good who fits as well. On the other hand, if I were to put together a cover band, I would want to play almost immediately and see some cash flow. In that situation, I need the talent, we can figure out the personalities later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 People work hard all week. Really really damn hard. They drove through hell traffic to be here and now they want to relax. They spend their tiny bits of profit to come see us play. Us. We are their entertainment. We are the highlight of their whole crappy week. What do you mean you didn't practice all week and how dare you show up drunk and high as all {censored}? Jesus man, grow up!I dig your attitude, seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I dig your attitude, seriously. Needless to say it didn't go over very well. I was called arrogant, a faker and a wannabe and told to F off. Now I have a new band and I've been given a speech: The "You need to start taking yourself more seriously and stop being shoved around by all these promoters..." speech. I have to start standing up for the band by laying down the law (regarding bookings and payment) or I'm going to be out a drummer I think. How does one take control of their band situation without being (or simply feeling like) a jerkface? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Needless to say it didn't go over very well. I was called arrogant, a faker and a wannabe and told to F off. Now I have a new band and I've been given a speech: The "You need to start taking yourself more seriously and stop being shoved around by all these promoters..." speech. Yeah, that all kinda depends. When I say we play mostly for fun but occasionally gig, I mean it. We all drink beer at rehearsal & will do the same when we play shows. I wouldn't care if anyone smoked weed, either... I just don't. Problem for me is when someone doesn't have the skill to do what's required, drunk/stoned or not. I'm just not in the frame of mind where music is serious business, but the members all need to be able to at least play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I'm just not in the frame of mind where music is serious business, but the members all need to be able to at least play. Agreed. It's not just for 'fun' of you're embarrassed to be there. I once had a drummer who played better a little bit wasted. I didn't mind so much and I've jammed with folks and had a few drinks before and it was nothing serious.It's when someone completely compromises a gig that the claws come out. If you can't stand up to pee let alone play, GTFO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 If you can't stand up to pee let alone play, GTFO. But you can't stand up to pee without a little help. :poke: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members collinwho Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 If you can't stand up to pee let alone play, GTFO. This is why I only allow very talented females in my bands. I agree, I certainly wouldn't want someone sloshed for a show. At the same time, I'm hoping that the lead guitarist and my drummer each have a couple to play tonight, because they both become pretty tightly wound when the nerves start to hit them, and the music suffers from it. The best the guitarist has ever played was when he was slightly drunk, because the nerves were gone, so he just nailed everything, and the drummer is the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 How does one take control of their band situation without being (or simply feeling like) a jerkface?I'll let you know when I figure it out, been working on that one for quite a while now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.