Chandra Moon
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11/21/2008 2:40:29 PM
---- Updated 11/21/2008 2:49:30 PM
Sack the bass player
I've been fretting a bit about a gig I have on Monday. I've had a bass player and a keyboard player in my little band for some time and the bassist has let me down a couple of times recently. At the last proper gig we had he actually went off before we played and left us in the lurch - this was because we weren't exactly sure of the time we'd be on and he had to listen to some of the other music first. It was a benefit gig and the other music was mainly African stylie and a really good atmosphere. We had to play only ten minutes after he'd hoofed it and I had to re-jig the set on the spot and it was very disconcerting.
And he's missed a couple of pratices including this Wednesday evening even though we have a gig on Monday with no explanation - I've sacked him leaving just me and the keyboard man who's really good.
I feel bad about it as he's a bloody good bass player and seems a nice guy - but even if he was the best in the world he's no use to me if I can't rely on him!
Grrrrrr - life is never simple. I'll have to try and find a new bass player in the New Year but it takes ages for someone to learn all the tracks........
NOVEMBER 24th Mr Wolf's, St Stephens St, Bristol. 45 mins set with Paddy Uglow! Free before 9pm with copy of flier.
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Duane Flock
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11/21/2008 10:35:54 PM
I play bass for two cover bands. I'm not going to defend bass players. On the contrary, If you can't make a gig, you're pretty much an ASS or you'd better be on your death bed!
My time is valuable. So is the rest of the band's.
A few years back, keyboard players did all the bass parts. You may be better off, Yes?
D.
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Conversation Suicide
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11/22/2008 2:52:26 AM
---- Updated 11/22/2008 4:09:31 AM
I feel your pain... That's why, rather than bein' another "man with no band" out there (and we all know there's only ONE Sam out there), I formed a collective over 6 years ago. Conversation Suicide is fairly simple, on a public access channel interview, I told them that it's basically "if you show up for practice regularly & learn the songs, you're in the band". Nobody is ever really kicked out, but those who actually SHOW UP for practice, get to do the forthcoming show.
AND if THEY flake out, there is 2 other Guitarists in the collective & 2 on the hook, for fill-in guest musician (especially if it's a paying gig). We currently have 2 drummers, with a couple OTHER drummers on the hook for the same reason.
It's not fool proof, and practice can sometimes be a cluster fuck, if the flaky musicians decide to show up randomly, when it's not their nite. BUT I don't really ever have to cancel a gig, and get to learn HOW to play with ALMOST anybody out there in this crazy world.
I recommend givin' him a few more shots, and practicing with him STILL, on the side. If you do this with your bass player, and he KNOWS you are also playing with ANOTHER bass player, because your FIRST bass player (the guy you fired) is a FLAKE, THEN he might just step up to the plate, realizing he's replaceable. It'll give you the chance to build the band with another MORE reliable Bass player on the side.
What do you do if a gig comes before the RELIABLE bass player is fully ready? Simple only play the songs he's tight with you on.
And if the original bass player is willing, let him play on the remaining songs. And then your band can continue to move forward, instead of starting over FROM SCRATCH, every time a member leaves.
just another way to do this.... 'cause it sounds like it's basically YOUR sole-owned project & YOUR songs, and you just want other musicians to fill positions (not create or truly collaborate), so one talented bass player is as good as any other talented bass player, ya know?
If ya REALLY wanna be silly, try a collective. Then the musicians involved DO create & get TONS of poetic license, and the vision of your songs is completely changed depending on the musician playing it with you. It's really quite an amazing solution to the whole rotating band members & personnel hassles issue. And it's kept Conversation Suicide alive doing ORIGINAL indie music, for over 6 years, in a town where ONLY cover bands make money.
-just my wacky thoughts on the matter. -pHLeGm
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