#1689377 - 04/19/06 09:54 AM
AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
Offline
|
|
Man. He quit via a text message! I'm serious!
My singer had left messages for us on our phones, confirming we could get together and practice this coming Friday night. So, I called him back and said that I'd be glad to play. My drummer also responded in kind.
And then, a freakin' TEXT MESSAGE comes in, saying, "I can't, and I probably won't be able to in the future. I think it's best for you to find another bass player."
In his defense, it's been very hard for him to play. He has some job where he gets up at like 4:30am. He has serious back problems that might require surgery. We knew these issues, but at the same time, he's a GREAT bass player who studied with the amazing Carol Kaye.
Still, he could have spoken to us. Quitting via a text message is, well, a bit tasteless.
- Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689378 - 04/19/06 11:38 AM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
forceman
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 5007
Loc: Metro-Detroit, Michigan
|
|
Offline
|
|
There is no good way to quit.
Or to get fired.
Kinda solves the dilemma you posted, though.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689379 - 04/19/06 12:24 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
RETRACTION: I misunderstood my singer regarding my bassist's actions.
He did not text message his resignation. Instead, he left a long voicemail, explaining that he simply has no time that he can devote to the band, and felt it was unfair for him to hold everyone else up. It will remain that way into the foreseeable future. I understand where he's coming from.
So, for the time being, I am bandless. 
- Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689380 - 04/19/06 12:26 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
Originally posted by forceman:
There is no good way to quit.
Or to get fired.
I feel better knowing that it meant enough to him to say what was going on as opposed to writing it into a cell phone. That feels better, for some reason.
- Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689381 - 04/19/06 01:14 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
owen's hound
Senior Member
Registered: 01/18/05
Posts: 328
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
|
|
Offline
|
|
When I quit my last band I was in, I called a band meeting and gave them the news face to face. I also committed myself to the 2 gigs we had already booked, gave them about 2 months notice and helped them find another bass player. We were a gigging cover band that played at least 2-3 times per month and I'd been with the band for 3 years.
I was really ticked with the drummer but wanted to end things as nicely as possible.
I still hang out with the guitar player from time to time.
I found that this was the best way to leave the band for me. It was a tough decision but I'm glad that it happened. As a result, I've had the time to become a better bass player, mostly thanks to the LowDown and their very knowledgable members.
That's a drag that you lost your bass player but hopefully you'll find another one who is a good fit in the near future.
Good luck,
Jason
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689383 - 04/19/06 04:22 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
Originally posted by RicBassGuy: I prefer to say "in between bands".  
Like anything that ends, it presents an opportunity to re-evaluate, and at the moment, I may decide to save my time and energy I can devote to music (what precious little of it there is) devote it toward working on my long-awaited (by me) solo record. However, I'd still be working with a band doing that, or at least a series of great guest stars I've been wanting to work with over the years.
I'll keep you updated, of course. 
- Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689384 - 04/20/06 07:48 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
RicBassGuy
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 3762
Loc: Metro Detroit, MI
|
|
Offline
|
|
Funny, I started working on my solo CD when I found myself in between bands, too.
Mine's not done yet. I've been sidetracked! Oh well, maybe next year.
Best of luck!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689385 - 04/22/06 11:17 AM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2623
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
I don't see how losing a bass player means your band is doomed. Even if you were a trio.
You can carry on between yourself and the drummer for the time being, it'll be a good exercise in itself, and might lead to interesting things.
Which reminds me (yet again) that I need to get my skills up in case I ever get in a band where a guitar player quits 
I can understand your bassist though, and not cos I'm one too. I get up at 05h50 AM and commute to work for 2.5 hours, and then in the evening 2.5 hours back home. Little time left for practice, and it kills whatever motivation you have.
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdansAfter the various bands you've been in, and the headaches you've seen, you figure having TWO bands at once will be better? - Tom Capasso
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689389 - 04/27/06 02:35 AM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Dave Pierce
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/24/02
Posts: 2905
Loc: San Jose, CA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Wow, sorry to hear that, Jeff.
Hopefully this will be the start of your next great musical adventure!
--Dave
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689390 - 04/28/06 01:21 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Geekgurl
Platinum Member
Registered: 08/17/03
Posts: 1232
Loc: near San Francisco
|
|
Offline
|
|
Jeff, I, like "Eddie", wonder why this means you're "bandless." Did you guys practice at the bassist's house or something? Did he do most of the singing?
If no to either, why not just get another bass player?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689392 - 04/29/06 12:39 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
RicBassGuy
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 3762
Loc: Metro Detroit, MI
|
|
Offline
|
|
Jeff is probably too busy interviewing bass players at the moment.
It can be tough finding the right fit, I think, especially as we get older. And it's more than just about the music.
No reason not to try, though.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689393 - 05/01/06 12:46 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Geekgurl
Platinum Member
Registered: 08/17/03
Posts: 1232
Loc: near San Francisco
|
|
Offline
|
|
Ha, thanks Eddie. I don't even know why I picked that name ... I've just used it on so many BBSes by now I just kinda take it with me wherever I go.
In the previous incarnation of our band -- when it was more jazz-fusion than latin -- we went through like 4 bass players. We did originals and some covers, but the covers were "Senor Mouse" by Return to Forever, "Diamond Dust" by Jeff Beck, and the like ... stuff players would have to put in time to learn or be really good chart readers to get at first rehearsal. Playing stuff like that cold on a gig ... fuhgeddaboudit.
Still, if you're playing in a "normal" cover band, you ought to be able to find a bassist to fill in for any upcoming gigs, I'd think, because there is likely to be shared tunes already known by someone doing that type of music already. Just more thoughts.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689394 - 05/03/06 02:10 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
Sorry folks... I was out of town for awhile, and busy as a one-armed wallpaper hanger ever since I got back.
To answer Geekgurl... sure, we could just get another bass player. As it turns out, there are actually a few musicians who live in LA. Who knew?
But here's the reality: in a band with 3 pieces of instrumentation (guitar, bass, drums), everyone is extremely important. Changing anyone really means changing the vibe of the band. We went through hell finding this bass player, and honestly, the effort to go out and get a new "perfect" person is more than any of us are willing to make at the moment.
I've left it open in the aspect of telling my singer, "Look, if you happen to meet someone who you think is worthwhile auditioning or even having a casual jam with, then let's do it. But I'm not going to spend every Friday night for the next three months listening to one crappy musician after another."
I think that my band-related activities over the next year or so will be more about working with people on the recording/production of some original music. This is something I just haven't had the time to do while being in a performance-oriented situation, and I'm really looking forward to it.
As always, I'll let you folks know how that's going!
- Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1689396 - 05/04/06 03:52 PM
Re: AAARRRGGGGHH! My bassist quit.
|
Jeff Klopmeyer
10k Club
Registered: 10/13/00
Posts: 16818
Loc: Redondo Beach,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
It's funny... my (former) bassist spoke to my singer, and while he still has no time to practice and such, he's still up for playing some gigs every once in awhile.
So, my (non) band is actually scheduled to do a few shows in June, July and August. One club date, a private party and a street fair on Lanor Day. Why not? It's not like we're going to forget how to play between now and then.
- Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Jeff Klopmeyer
|
|
|
