Members james on bass Posted August 28, 2005 Members Posted August 28, 2005 You may remember my thread from last week where I mentioned being double booked and my second band hired a replacement bass player after they told me they had cancelled the gig.http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1015636&highlight=my+drummer It turns out the bar from band #1 had made a mistake and we are to play next weekend. When the guys from band #2 dropped by yesterday to pick up their gear, I found out the party gig was barely 5 minutes from my house. They asked me to drop by, which I wound up doing after I noticed they forgot some gear. I tweaked the sound for them, then wound up singing for a good number of the tunes in the first two sets. The bass player asked me to sit in on bass for a bit, but I passed - it was his gig. I liked his sound. He had a U.S. Jazz with EMG's. Ampeg 410 cabinet with a rented Trace Elliot head. When I was chatting with him, he mentioned some of the flubs he made. I complemented him on the job he did for only having a week to prepare. He said he'd been working on the songs for about 3 weeks. Why didn't the band tell me weeks ago they were doing the gig with another bass player instead of keeping it a secret until the absolute last minute when they needed their gear from my house? Seems a little two-faced to me. They were all buddy-buddy wanting me to sing all the backup parts all night, making sure I was in some photos, offering me beer etc... Oh well. We'll see how the gig in two weeks goes.
Members Deville Posted August 28, 2005 Members Posted August 28, 2005 Whoa... that would've been a little too weird for me. Props to you for being a good sport and all. I don't think I could have watched (and sat in) like that. It's like you're telling them "You guys {censored}ed me out of my position as bassist, and now you realize you need me so you're gonna ask me to sing and pretend like I'm still part of the band? OK, sounds good!" I just don't like it.
Members james on bass Posted August 28, 2005 Author Members Posted August 28, 2005 My other band has really consumed a lot of my time as of late, so I don't fault them for wanting a substitute to get out and play. They could have been forthright about it though 3 or 4 weeks ago instead of at the last possible moment. I've also realized, that while I love singing, standing at the mic without an instrument feels almost naked!
Members Deville Posted August 28, 2005 Members Posted August 28, 2005 Originally posted by james on bass My other band has really consumed a lot of my time as of late, so I don't fault them for wanting a substitute to get out and play. They could have been forthright about it though 3 or 4 weeks ago instead of at the last possible moment. I've also realized, that while I love singing, standing at the mic without an instrument feels almost naked! Oh yeah, I forgot about the whole 2- band thing you had going on. I guess they didn't exactly {censored} you out of the position. You {censored}ed yourself out of it. They probably don't handle confrontations well, so they put off telling you for as long as they could. I too hate singing without an instrument.
Members Azwethinkweiz Posted August 29, 2005 Members Posted August 29, 2005 Originally posted by james on bass My other band has really consumed a lot of my time as of late, so I don't fault them for wanting a substitute to get out and play. They could have been forthright about it though 3 or 4 weeks ago instead of at the last possible moment. I've also realized, that while I love singing, standing at the mic without an instrument feels almost naked! Sounds like they agreed on this behind your back and were all too chicken {censored} to say anything untill they absolutely had to. I only assume this because I've been in their position before and it is a real asshole type thing to do, I'm not proud of it at all. Your best bet is to call a meeting and confront them. I feel you on the singing part though. My bandmates always want me in on harmony (we do a ton of 3 and 4 part harmony), but its just not my bag. I've got really good pitch, and can blend in a vocal ensemble wonderfully, I just dont like doing it. I'd rather focus on playing. Singing will never come close to playing the bass as far as my own musical desires go.
Members Perfessor Posted August 29, 2005 Members Posted August 29, 2005 It also sounds like they weren't too sure if they'd get another bass player or that he'd work out. Let's keep James until we see if this guy can do the material kind of thing. To do what you did was the most professional, mature thing a musician can do. Your name will rise as a result. Word gets around.
Members james on bass Posted August 29, 2005 Author Members Posted August 29, 2005 Thanks for the words guys. I really think it was a matter of them all being too scared to say anything. With my shift work, we live on email. Between the four of us there were usually a couple emails every day, then for over a week, not one response to "are we rehearsing this weekend". It doesn't really bother me. It was kinda fun having a couple of beers and singing with them (I never drink during a gig), then going home after the second set . Besides, I'm gettting too old and too busy to call a meeting and worry about pettiness. If they want me at the next gig, I'll show up (I've made sure the weekend is clear with the other band).
Members Jumpy Posted August 29, 2005 Members Posted August 29, 2005 Originally posted by Perfessor To do what you did was the most professional, mature thing a musician can do. Your name will rise as a result. Word gets around. +1 Glad things worked out for ya.
Members bassgirl9 Posted August 29, 2005 Members Posted August 29, 2005 Wow. That's really cool of you. I'm not too sure I could go sit in... So you're from London hey, ever gig with the Matadors?
Members james on bass Posted August 29, 2005 Author Members Posted August 29, 2005 Originally posted by bassgirl9 Wow. That's really cool of you. I'm not too sure I could go sit in... So you're from London hey, ever gig with the Matadors? No. I've heard the name though. You're out west eh? I lived in Cowtown for 5 years. Alberta is by far and away the best place in Canada. I miss it.
Members bassgirl9 Posted August 29, 2005 Members Posted August 29, 2005 Go check them out. They are awesome! I played with them in Red Deer a few weeks ago and they just quite simply rocked the house. I was really imressed to say the least. Yeah Cowtown is supergreat. I'm living across the Deerfoot from the airport and a bit North. I love this town. When you comin' back?
Members james on bass Posted August 29, 2005 Author Members Posted August 29, 2005 Originally posted by bassgirl9 Go check them out. They are awesome! I played with them in Red Deer a few weeks ago and they just quite simply rocked the house. I was really imressed to say the least. Yeah Cowtown is supergreat. I'm living across the Deerfoot from the airport and a bit North. I love this town. When you comin' back? Don't know if I'll ever make it back. All our family is here which is why we moved back. I guess I could come visit you? We'd like to visit again in a few years. Show our oldest where she was born and lived for awhile. I worked near the airport and we lived in Brentwood and Citadel. Nice area. I understand it's still expanding north and south. 5 Years ago there was nothing north of Citadel.
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