Mickeyboro Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 (edited) 10 hours ago, Jonesy said: If he's a good drummer and everyone gets on with him then I'd probably have him back. It kinda depends a bit around his initial decision to quit too. He's admitted he made a mistake, but was there any specific reason he left in the first place? If there was and it's still an issue (eg. Doesn't like the set, too many/not enough gigs, doesn't get on with everyone) then he'll likely end up leaving again unless something changes. I said I would prefer local gigs to ones that involved too much travelling. He interpreted this as an insult to him - how I don’t know, cos he never got us a single gig anywhere! Maybe I am just not ambitious enough… We do have other options but this would be the easy one. Edited March 23 by Mickeyboro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 1 hour ago, Mickeyboro said: I said I would prefer local gigs to ones that involved too much travelling. He interpreted this as an insult to him - how I don’t know, cos he never got us a single gig anywhere! Maybe I am just not ambitious enough… We do have other options but this would be the easy one. The singer likes him cos they are both blues purists, which old strengthen his position. Band politics! Drummers, eh? I think as long as the whole band have a chat together and agree on a catchment area for gigs then he likely won't bugger off again. If there are other options though I'd base it on personality and who I'd rather hang out with over actual ability, unless this bloke is noticeably better than everyone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_dinger Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 I was that leaver. They took me back, I was grateful and happy to play. But I have managed my expectations of the band.... And they have understood the problems that caused me to walk. They've done nothing about the problems, but they have understood them.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 I have been a leaver from a club band, to do more rocky stuff, and subsequently rejoined to help them out. They did sort out a full-time replacement, then needed me in to dep again for a while. The band I left to join dumped me so they could get a mate of the lead guitarist and drummer's in. Some years down the line (a few months ago), they wanted to re-recruit me. However, in the meantime, B****t had happened with me taking a very different viewpoint to them and it was rather obvious from various Facebook posts by some members just how racist they were, so I politely declined. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 On 21/03/2024 at 23:08, Mickeyboro said: If you have experience of re-enlisting a former bandmate, please feel free to share. Has it worked for you? Do previous problems recur? If someone quit without warning would you trust them again? Ta! Speaking as a person who has been asked back by bands I flounced from, and by band members who flounced from me, it can work just fine. We all change, circumstances change, and at the end of the day it's just music. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StingRayBoy42 Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 As many have said, it totally depends on the circumstances. If they left for a good reason, were upfront about it, gave you plenty of notice, did the gigs you had booked and it was all amicable... I'd certainly have them back. If they left halfway through a gig because they had a hissy fit for no good reason, probably not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 I was in a very good band with a great guy but his problem is that he never thought a song was finished. Even when we played together again after an 18 year break he was still saying songs we had gigged in a set form for years were not finished. I nearly formed a new band with him again, but ultimately decided against it. I can’t be dealing with that approach. No art is ever finished, it is only abandoned, but it’s futile to keep going back over and over again at the expense of moving forward. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12stringbassist Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 (edited) I've had experience of taking an old drummer and an old guitarist back after splits in the past. The old drummer was fired because he had an ego the size of St Paul's Cathedral and getting back with him didn't work out and I'm happier not to speak to him these days. The guitarist worked out better (not perfect as he has his moods at times) and we're 8 years or so into this round. Edited March 23 by 12stringbassist 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 6 hours ago, fretmeister said: was in a very good band with a great guy but his problem is that he never thought a song was finished. Even when we played together again after an 18 year break he was still saying songs we had gigged in a set form for years were not finished. I'm currently in the same situation. We cycle through musicians regularly, and extra bars get added and removed each week. Intros and endings are different each time we play a tune. I don't even know what musicians will be at each practice. Last week a new drummer I'd never met before. Same the week before. 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 On 22/03/2024 at 12:51, SH73 said: I quit a band before, the same band twice, but they wanted me back I'm not sure I'd go back, even if someone asked me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackroadkill Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 I quit a band once; I climbed out of the toilet window and ran away. Not my proudest moment, but neither was rejoining the same band a year or so later only to quit again because, despite the assurances, nothing had changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 1 minute ago, Jackroadkill said: I quit a band once; I climbed out of the toilet window and ran away. Not my proudest moment, but neither was rejoining the same band a year or so later only to quit again because, despite the assurances, nothing had changed. $hit happens ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 50 minutes ago, Jackroadkill said: I quit a band once; I climbed out of the toilet window and ran away. Not my proudest moment, but neither was rejoining the same band a year or so later only to quit again because, despite the assurances, nothing had changed. Did you climb back in through the same toilet window? The world needs to know 😆. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackroadkill Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 54 minutes ago, Len_derby said: Did you climb back in through the same toilet window? The world needs to know 😆. If only I had - that would have been the world's longest toilet break, wouldn't it?! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 2 hours ago, Jackroadkill said: I climbed out of the toilet window and ran away. Did you go back later for your instrument and gear? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackroadkill Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 3 hours ago, Dan Dare said: Did you go back later for your instrument and gear? Yes, but I waited until the band were leaving the rehearsal space before I did so. Like I said, not my proudest moment! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 This reminds me of years ago when my then band went out for a curry. The guitarist went to the toilet, and then walked in through the front door proudly announcing he’d just done a runner. Don’t think he really got it 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 I was once sacked after having a nose to nose with the singer immediately before a gig. The band had a few bassist-less months then the singer left and I was asked back. We carried on for a bit with a new name but it wasn't quite the same. Old singer was impossible but a good front man, new guy not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 On 23/03/2024 at 11:51, fretmeister said: No art is ever finished, it is only abandoned, but it’s futile to keep going back over and over again at the expense of moving forward. From my years working as a local Newspaper journo, I learned that sometimes “good enough is good enough.” As in, 250 words by today’s deadline is worth more than 400 words next Thursday afternoon. I don’t think there’s any piece of art or music anywhere whose creator wouldn’t go back and tinker with but there’s a cut off point for me where it becomes diminishing returns - not a better or worse version, just a different version. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 18 hours ago, Jackroadkill said: Yes, but I waited until the band were leaving the rehearsal space before I did so. Like I said, not my proudest moment! With some of the bands I've been in, the others would have sold my gear in that time, and used the money for booze! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 8 minutes ago, fretmeister said: With some of the bands I've been in, the others would have sold my gear in that time, and used the money for booze! This is why we call them - bandmates, not - band friends ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiltyG565 Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 On 21/03/2024 at 23:08, Mickeyboro said: If you have experience of re-enlisting a former bandmate, please feel free to share. Has it worked for you? Do previous problems recur? If someone quit without warning would you trust them again? Ta! For the most part, if they unceremoniously left me and my band mates up a creek with little to no good reason, it would be difficult to justify to myself, let alone the rest of the band, a good reason to have them back. However, relationships are complicated and messy, and people can change; how much and in what ways will be dictated by themselves. I suppose what I’m saying is it can be hard to disregard the human element. Typically, most people will put up with somebody that’s not overly impressive for the fact they get along well and they are reliable, over somebody who is breathtaking good but is always late/drunk/cancels last minute/a pain in the arse etc. Remember, all the stories of big-name bands full of arseholes that couldn’t get along and were the most unprofessional people to ever grace earth - they’re the exception, not the rule. Most bands like that never even make it to recording an album, I would reckon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 I’ve worked with people from previous bands in new bands, but I don’t think I’ve ever been in a band where an ex member has come back. Then again most of my work is depping in existing bands, so there’s a huge overlap of people coming and going for different reasons. Unless someone has personally shafted me I’ve got no reason not to work with them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 19 hours ago, MiltyG565 said: Remember, all the stories of big-name bands full of arseholes that couldn’t get along and were the most unprofessional people to ever grace earth - they’re the exception, not the rule. Most bands like that never even make it to recording an album, I would reckon. True. If you are in a band that will earn you enough to enable you to live the life of Reilly, it's worth making the effort to get along with people you can't stand. If your band plays for £200 at the Dog and Duck every fortnight, it 's a different matter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 On 21/03/2024 at 23:08, Mickeyboro said: If someone quit without warning would you trust them again? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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