Just got the sack!

[Almuric]

I just got fired!

Here's the deal... I was playing in two bands, a trio and a five piece. The five played a gig and the bassist from the trio came out to check us out and support me. He talked to the venue's propriator (they actually knew each other for years) and got us (trio) a gig for the following week. Since the five'rs weren't playing that weekend I agreed to play it. I told the other guys about it and they all seemed cool with it.

Well, they weren't!

We had just lost the use of the guitarist's house for practice (wife crap, of course) so we were kind of looking for another place and "on a break" for a few weeks, so I thought. Turns out they'd found a place to practice, were auditioning drummers, got one, and geared up to play a gig! They called a "band meeting", told me I stole the gig from them, gave me some line about "loyalty" and I was OUT.

That was it. No recourse, Strike one - You're out. After a year of dedication, partying, and hard work with musicians I thought were my friends.

The trio was only ever a side project for me and I never expected it to do much, just playing with some really good players on the off days to keep my chops and expand my abilities while the five piece was not playing out or rehearsing. I was always up-front about it and the other guitarist from the five piece even has a side band going too(He keeps it a secret but his wife told my wife.)

Not looking for any sympathy here, just a word of education to all my DW pals. Watch out for the politics of a small group dynamic. It BITES!

[fixxxer]

Thanks for your story. I have been thinking about working with another band on the side as you stated, "to expand my abilities" but I have feared what has happened to you. I think it's funny how "protective" people get once your in a band. It's not as if you married them and said, "I do"! Furthermore, the experience that you could get from a side project could help with your "main" band.
Now, if I could only convince my wife of the same thing!!! jk!!!

[Flamacue]

Communication was lacking...but then, they felt what they did was right for the band, and it's a tough break for you. Do you know how many world class drummer's have been cut from bands, only to go on to become famous? Don't sweat it...the band was probably bringing you down anyway...

[NUTHA JASON]

our job is very unprotected. no notice no legal obligation. it can be so tough.

j

[brittc89]

I find it best to not become really good friends and emotionally attatched with band members and if anyone ever gave me any crap about loyalty, Id be outta there before the dedication to "the band" speech could ever begin. Im as professional as I can be when Im playing in a band and I expect the same from the people I play with. I understand when people play with more than one group because I do it as well and a professional acting, mature person should understand it too.

[Deathmetalconga]

Bummer. Sounds like the band was looking for a reason to get rid of you. Playing in more than one band complicates things and leads to these kinds of conflicts, espeically if you are dealing with immature people.

Plus, Firing The Drummer is one of the great traditions in rock music. When the going gets tough, the drummer gets fired.

[Vixus]

It's happened to me twice...

First time in a band, we were all learning to play music together, we even played a gig... then suddenly I'm told I have no commitment. Although this one was no skin off my nose because the bandleader was a jerk.

Second time, recently (already posted here) got asked to join a band... we play one session which went so-so... then, a month or so later I get told over MSN that they were trying out other drummers and went with someone else. This is after they said we could have another jam together...

So it happens and I'm used to it. Wonder if I'll ever get a band.

Remember that joke...

What did the drummer say before he got fired?
"Hey guys, there's this song I've written..."

[drummerchick435]

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the warning though...it will serve me (and others) well. Don't get attached! *moves eyes side to side* Don't trust nobody!

[billy ward]

Almuric -
congratulations! You've just joined a very large group! good luck with your future. Someday, you may look back upon this as a big break! :)

[fusssion]

lack of communication ......

besides ....sounds like the others were jerks anyhow.....

[Leadfoot]

I'm in the same position as you were, 5 pc. and a trio. I book the trio into the same clubs as the 5 pc. all the time. I cover my bases communicationwise, if they don't like it, screw 'em, I'm not married to them. It's never been a problem as each band only plays a particular club once a month tops, & the trio is a one or two gigs every six weeks thing. It sounds as if your 5 pc. guys have an issue with insecurity. It's usually one person out of the lot with an ego larger than his/her talent that has the problem with it.

[hevy kevy]

I have done the old, 'break up and reform without THAT guy' routine. There may have been something else going on that they didn't like, and did not want to take the time to try to change the way you play or something. Besides, the next band you get into will blow them away! There is a drummer in my area that insists on wearing goofy hats at least once in the night, and off color jokes that don't really go with what the band is about. He is in a new band every time I talk to him. You can't change people, you just have to get different ones sometimes.

[rendezvous_drummer]

Ta hell with them. They want to say that you weren't loyal? Just goes to show you that nobody's ever safe. Trio's are better anyway. Look at the John Mayer Trio.

[irishnd74]

I used to be one of those "you play with us and nobody else" people when i was 17. I have better luck and a whole lot more fun playing with 3 or 4 bands. It's more work for you, just keep a calendar with you at all times and write down every booking so you don't double book.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

That seems pretty out of the blue to me. I wonder if there were other reasons they just didn't tell you.

I don't think playing in more than one band should be a problem unless things start to interfere. My two band-mates and myself have been in side projects over the years, and only one of them caused a conflict. The guitarist played drums for another band, and at one point they were sharing the same practice space as our band, and it started to cut into our practice time.I think musicians should be able to play with as many other musicians as possible. It helps us learn. We just need to keep things balanced.

I find it best to not become really good friends and emotionally attatched with band members and if anyone ever gave me any crap about loyalty, Id be outta there before the dedication to "the band" speech could ever begin.

I still play with the same guys I did back in highschool (my main band- always has been). That was twelve or so years ago. They were my bestfriends back then- and still are. We may not hang out every day like we used to, what with full time jobs and women and kids, but that connection is still there. Over the years the other two have lived out of state at different times. When that happens I regain focus on my solo stuff.

[spartacus1989]

The words 'JEALOUSY TO THE TRIO' spring to my mind!