KevB Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Went to rehearsal last night with a new project I've been involved with for a few months after a past band mate (guitar) asked me along. The guy behind it (guitar/vox) turns up and says he'd like a meeting before we get started. Well you know when you get one of those 'Uh-Oh' moments? Now this guy has been pulling me and the guitarist mate up on some of the most trivial things pretty much every session and I've tried to accomodate wherever possible. Of the 16 songs we've been working up to date I *once* commented that I thought *one* of them was being played a bit too quick and it didn't do the song any favours. Apparently this means I have been 'constantly moaning' and have 'an attitude'. He then started grilling me on previous bands I'd been in (never asked at any of the previous sessions to date). questioned my commitment (I'm between cars for a short time and took 2 buses and a tram just to get to the session) and rounded it off by saying he thought the bass sound was 'muddy' (oddly no one has ever used this adjective in any of the previous bands I've been in, I actually go for a bit of an upper range 'edge' to my tone if anything). Packed up my gear, wished them all the best and walked. Sorry to use the forum for a spleen venting session but thought some of you might find it amusing. At times I was trying to keep a straight face myself hearing some of the guff coming out...back to the want ads when I get my new car sorted out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 people ARE strange! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Did you get to utter the line "you can't fire me, because I quit!" S.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odub Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 You did the right thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Sounds like a bit of a tit. Better of out of it aren't you? Sorry to hear that though, not pleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyJay Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [quote name='KevB' post='546112' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:35 AM']Packed up my gear, wished them all the best and walked.[/quote] Sounds like you maintained your dignity, good for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 What a twat. This was a guitarist [i]and[/i] the singer? The worst of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamapirate Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) [quote name='KevB' post='546112' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:35 AM']Of the 16 songs we've been working up to date I *once* commented that I thought *one* of them was being played a bit too quick and it didn't do the song any favours. Apparently this means I have been 'constantly moaning' and have 'an attitude'.[/quote] Well, maybe not the attitude bit (which I'm sure you wouldn't have) but I'd love to have someone in a band who thinks that the song can be improved by doing this or that. I mean, an amazing example is a band called the 'diverse city band' who I saw live a few years back, and they were simply amazing! I'd got all their studio stuff (including remixes) and they did every song different, but amazingly brilliant at the same time when they did it live. They then did a live album (a few tracks are on the myspace - [url="http://www.myspace.com/tobymac"]http://www.myspace.com/tobymac[/url] ) EDIT i stand corrected. there are no live tracks up there, oh well, they're a great band - the remixes are... intresting. Try youtubing them is the best thing probably. Edited July 21, 2009 by iamapirate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 heh heh... at least you stick to your principles. If you don't get along in a band setting there's no real point as you won't be playing "together". Hope you find something soon bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) You should have just said to him... "Look mate, if you want me to wear a flowery dress just say so I can tell you're a bloke who like other blokes to dress up for you". Edited July 21, 2009 by WHUFC BASS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 [quote name='silddx' post='546145' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:52 AM']Sounds like a bit of a tit.[/quote] I disagree entirely. He sounds like a [i]complete[/i] tit. You're definitely better off out of that dictatorship Kev. Hope you find something more democratic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 You're far better off without, sounds like they've done you a favour. Being in a band isn't all its cracked up to be sometimes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sturm Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 i started learning bass in january and im now in a band, the other members have been gigging/playing for well over 20 years and they've always encouraged me to contribute and supportive in my bass education. the guitarist/singer though as silddx says what a tit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Thanks for the responses guys. I think in his day he was a well respected player in the area but he's not gigged seriously for 12 years and I came to live work late in life so our paths have never crossed. He's played more gigs than I'll ever do in my life so I've tried to show the respect due but I can only assume his social skills have got a bit blunted during his lay-off. Weird thing was he then started going on about some of the new songs he had in mind not really needing another guitar and doing a trio with a bass player and drummer and there's my mate the guitarist who he's taken on in the first place as a second guitarist/b vox standing right in front of him. I think it was at that point I started putting my bass back in the case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) [quote name='KevB' post='546329' date='Jul 21 2009, 12:48 PM']I think [b]in his day [/b]he was a well respected player in the area but he's not gigged seriously for 12 years[/quote] There's his problem right there... Edited July 21, 2009 by WHUFC BASS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Playing an instrument is not guarentee of a firm grip on relaity. Yup you did the right thing .. So glad it isn't the forum you are leaving - my email alerts don't include the subheader .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 You did the right thing. Tw@ts like that dont deserve a band, and usually end up in a reheasal room on their own at some point..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I'm with everyone else you did the right thing. Total support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Did you ever get along with this guy? Sounds like you were ready to quit before the "meeting". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 [quote name='OldGit' post='546555' date='Jul 21 2009, 02:59 PM']Playing an instrument is not guarentee of a firm grip on relaity.[/quote] Actually I think it's a guarantee of NOT having a grip on reality at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Yeh - I've been there. A couple of - what you thought where - constructive comments and the "band leader" takes a big huff. Remember, he's got a crap job with a bullying boss, his parents wished he'd been a girl, his girlfriend treats him like crap and the dog sh*ts in his shoes. Having a go at you is the only little bit of power he (thinks) he has and even that didn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmpires Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 One word springs to mind. Idiot. Well done on packing and saying farewell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Totally the right thing to do. I have left bands/getting bands together sitiuations due to similar experiances. This aint my living, it`s a hobby I do cause I enjoy doing it. When it becomes too much grief, I walk away. It has taken a while but the guys I play with now all get along great and although we aint the best bunch of musicians, we enjoy it and people seem to like us. (No accounting for taste!!). Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 [quote name='KevB' post='546329' date='Jul 21 2009, 12:48 PM']Weird thing was he then started going on about some of the new songs he had in mind not really needing another guitar and doing a trio with a bass player and drummer and there's my mate the guitarist who he's taken on in the first place as a second guitarist/b vox standing right in front of him.[/quote] I think a swift chat with your mate might be in order. Then all you need is a drummer and maybe a vocalist ... You'll find it easier to find another band than they will to find a capable bassist. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I always thought that making constructive comments during rehearsal was all part of rehearsing. Nothing worse than a band mate like this daft guy. You've definitely done the right thing. All the best for the next band! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.