Author Topic: Fired Again (Read 513 times)

flaxattack · « **on:** June 23, 2008, 03:56:50 PM »

well out of the blue the band has asked me to leave. i am too :busy: when i play.
the drummer called me to tell me this, not once in 6 weeks did anyone say anything about what they wanted or not wanted. no one said stay in the pocket etc.
most of their tunes don't allow for much rambling to begin with. so i am guessing i stepped on someones toes aka ego.
how the heck am i to know what they wanted if no one said a freaking word? that was all i needed to hear. no one said a word so i assumed all was good. and i believe i asked if they were satisfied. Annie had a great line- these guys must be good with relationships also.
i just dont get it........
and we sounded real good sat night and of course i got compliments on my sound from the patrons
the really bad news? they are playing a local festival and i wont get to open for the jonas bros. true stuff,,,,,

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2008, 04:38:33 PM »

Damn!
My sympathy , Flax. Back to looking for a musical home with brothers who won't pull the rug on you. Keep on truckin'.
Mike

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:40:31 AM »

That's tough luck Jeff. A little communication from themn early on might have saved the day. Hopefully you'll have more luck finding a better band.

graeme

pas · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2008, 06:12:09 AM »

Ah, the never ending search for home. Isn't that somewhere in Fennario...? Good luck.

terryc · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2008, 07:15:23 AM »

Flax..oh dear that was once said to me but I left because I think I was overshadowing the egotistical guitarist.My sympathies to you as you had a belly full of the last band.
I have played in a lot of trios and you have to be 'busy' to fill the sound out but maybe when there is two guitarists and/or keys we busy bassists have to refrain..having said that I say bollocks to them, them bands are too used to a bass player playing root notes all night.
Hope you get another band soon again much sympathy.
On a foot note..we have e mails, mobile phones(cellphones in the USA), forums and even conversation..and people still do not talk to each other!!!!!

speicky · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2008, 07:27:45 AM »

Jeff, I am sorry to read about your bad luck, especially after the experiences with the former a$$Os... good luck with finding a real good home, I keep my fingers crossed for you.

Terry, I think it's best to invite people into a TV talk show, preferably a commercial channel between 1 and 5 p.m. You'll be amazed about what's being discussed there

Christian

glocke · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2008, 08:10:33 AM »

Dont fret too much Jeff....alot of people are used to bass players who play root notes all night long, and get intimidated by bassists who open things up and keep things moving. One of the guys I play with is like that, when I get bored playing some songs I will start playing fills, and than have to deal with dirty looks from this guy....but what the hell else am I to do when they want to play a 15 minute version of The Weight....yawn.....

Ever thought of hooking up with a singer/songwriter type person who does acoustic stuff? Usually these people appreciate a bass player who likes to play busy alot more than other people....

californiaman · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2008, 10:29:32 AM »

Jeff, my sympathies.
I believe everything happens for a reason. You will no doubt bounce back and find a new band. It's only temporary. Trials are to teach us something or to push us in a new direction. You will be stronger in the end.
Good luck.
Todd

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2008, 11:04:24 AM »

I believe everything happens for a reason.
Indeed - and the reason for this is that those guys are dipsh*ts. Hang in there, Jeff.

Peter

flaxattack · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2008, 01:24:00 PM »

i like to think so to cowboy...
should i not be surprised none of them answered my email?
should i be surprised that the guy holding my practice gear hasnt called me back?
they basically used me to cover the 3 gigs they had...so i gave up one set of a-holes for another set of classless scumwads,......`
i dont deserve this crap.......

briant · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2008, 01:36:51 PM »

Bummer, man.

Whenever I join a new music project I make sure to ask the other band members for their opinion/take on what I'm playing. I make it clear that I can change or keep anything - just that I want feedback to make sure everyone is digging what I'm doing. I've found that this is a much easier way to get people to engage in this sort of conversation. A lot of musicians won't say anything for fear of getting confrontational or whatever. Better to talk about it than wait until it is so annoying that you can't stand it anymore.

Just think of a band as you would a relationship. The more open your communication is the better.

terryc · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2008, 04:27:08 PM »

you know at 51 years old I don't think I can get insulted anymore, if I get refused a gig I ain't going to worry about it but when a***holes like the band that fired flax act like that well you wonder why they haven't matured. I think all of us in this forum are mature enough to accept criticism, compliments and advice but some of the bands out there are still acting like teenagers who think they are going to amaze the world with there stuff..I say to them 'get real', if you were that good you would be revered like all the jazz, rock, c&w, mainstream bands but you ain't.
Flax..they were scared of you because you were too good for them, you were a threat...their loss, not yours..best without them I say

rklisme · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:17:15 PM »

Flax

Sorry to hear about the band but I am sure you will land on your feet and find something without the childish behavior. Keep practicing and don't give up!

Regards,

Rory

anarchyx · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2008, 07:38:47 PM »

I cant believe someone could be so egomaniacal that they can't allow a bass player to play like the bass god they are! I love playing fills and complicated basslines in a song, and my bandmates always approve. Keep playing greatly, Jeff, no matter what all the other egotistical douchebags say!

dannobasso · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2008, 09:05:22 PM »

Ah yes, but the world is full of insecure musicians who are not in control of what is really important, so they try to control other things. On the flip of inspired playing, some folks at a jam were really surprised when I had to play some Neil Young and Lyle Lovett tunes, and I played simple and in the pocket.
No solutions Jeff, just good wishes on finding a situation that feels good to you. We are all seeking the perfect gig in our hearts. Now if everyone would just pay the cover!