worst way to be dumped by a band

[CountHavoc]

Found out thru the bands myspace that i was goin to be replaced(even tho i was brought in to "heavy" up their sound)apparently,im too metal & too fast.Anyone else with worst way's of being kicked outta a band?

[caddywumpus]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig...

[CountHavoc]

Think what made it worse was that we had only rehersed once,everything was fine,then a week later i find out,then receive an e-mail a day later that it was a unanimous decision & when i did speak with the rest of the band,they claim to have known nothin about it.I just think it's a bit gutless to advertise b4 that let u know

[Average]

Found out thru the bands myspace that i was goin to be replaced(even tho i was brought in to "heavy" up their sound)apparently,im too metal & too fast.Anyone else with worst way's of being kicked outta a band?

Man that sucks. That is poor personnel management and completely unprofessional. They aren't going to be together that long.

[Naigewron]

I had a few rehearsals with a band a couple of years ago. It was a pretty loose project, and I wasn't an "official" member, but I left my kit at their rehearsal space since I wasn't playing with anyone else at the time. After a few weeks without contact, I saw on their MySpace that they had a drummer listed, and it wasn't me. Now, I wouldn't have had a problem with this if it wasn't for the fact that they never called me to tell me to pick up my kit... I guess they were just hoping I'd find out at some point and then call them instead. I got hold of them after a few days and arranged to pick up my kit. Thankfully they hadn't used it, they'd just (clumsily) packed it away.

[boomstick]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig...
If a singer surprised me that way and expected me to give up my kit to some stranger from the audience, I'd be like, "Yeah, right." That drummer should not have caved.

[rmandelbaum]

I have had a few experiences in my 32 years of playing.

When I was about 17 I was in a band. I called my close friend the bass player and asked about rehearsal. He told me it was canceled. I decided I wanted to go get my kit so I drove over to the guitarist to grab it and when I show up there is the entire band, including my friend and some other guy PLAYING MY KIT! I simply walked in and took my my gear and went home. I was so mad I did not say a word, I really felt if I said anything I would end up going to blows with someone. ahh youth ;-)

More recently about 2 years ago I was in a blues band. When I auditioned for the gig I told them I travel for my job and there would be a few times a year I would be out of the country for a few weeks at at time. They said "no problem, we want you" so it was done.
I am always browsing Criagslist looking for pick-up gigs and I see this ad, I am reading it and I am thinking, this sounds like my band. So I jump on yahoo and open an email account under another name and respond to the ad, sure enough it was them.
I then called the bass player and asked him to bring some stuff of mine to the guitarists house and met both of them there. I was giving them the chance to be up front but they said nothing. I took my kit and that was that. I told them I was not going to take time away from my family to spend time with people that had the lack of character that they possessed and I was gone.

I see there ads looking for drummers all the time now and I am in 4 bands and working almost every weekend, I am opening for major head liners here in Austin as well as one of my bands is going to be playing on the morning news in a few weeks.

So things have a way of working out for the better a lot of the time.

[bobdadruma]

I once had this happen to me. I tried out with a band and I played a few gigs with them. All was fine! I didn't know that they were also courting a drummer who I admit was better than me at the time. The other drummer joined them and they started giving me the same lines of crap! Rehearsal is cancelled this week etc! I found out through an outside source that they had replaced me. I confronted them and they said that no one in the band would take on the task of telling me that I was out! Ever since that experience I always make it clear that if for any reason the band doesn't want me please let me know as soon as possible so that we don't waste each others time. I tell them that I don't want to be where Im not wanted! I say that if you want me, Im there 110%, If you don't want me I don't want to be here at all either.
I haven't ever been replaced since. When I left a band by my choice I always gave notice and I stayed until a new drummer could be worked in.
If my bands decide to replace someone I always choose to be the one that tells that person. I always tell them the truth. I didn't like it when it was done to me and I won't let it happen to someone else. It is better to have someone disappointed for a short while than jerked around and made a fool of!

[mcbike]

I got fired at the end of a tour once we had a band meeting and they told me I was sacked. It was mainly a personality thing because we had 4 guys in the band that like to DO-IT ALL. and nobody really wanted to give up control of anything. I'm alot more relaxed now and I realize that things aren't always going to go with the plan.

every other band i've been in has just dis-banded or I quit.

getting dumped and quitting always sucks though. alot of problems in bands can be avoided by communicating. anything that is said behind somebodies back should be said to their face.

[T.Underhill]

I deployed for 4 mos and my band kept going with a replacement. It got to be too much drama and headache for the one guy so he left as well. Since then the other two replaced me and still play as trio...badly so I've heard. Eventually it turns out the backstabbing snake of the group wanted me out of the band because he was jealous of the other band I play in. I always dedicated everything and the other band never interfered. Even though it's legal for them to do so, I could still sue them although it's not worth my time. They stink now anyways. That and the other band kicks a**.

I have to say some of these stories of reading ads for your own bands and other people secretly practicing without you is TERRIBLE. What a horrible way to learn of the band's future without you. You're all better off though, just don't be involved in doing it to someone else.

[bobdadruma]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig... If I were the other drummer that they called to the stage, I never would have gone along with it! I would have told them to fire the other guy first! Is there more to this story? Revenge perhaps? Or something like that! It seems to cruel to not have a hidden agenda behind it!

[CountHavoc]

turns out i didnt have a "feel" for the music.
Feel is all i have when i play!!
Im going to go play the triangle now.LOL

[mattsmith]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig...
My Dad was hired at age 20 by Buddy Rich in New Orleans, 15 minutes before a down beat. Buddy's regular 2nd trombonist was fired for being too drunk to play. Dad was then fired by Rich in the middle of a set 2 nights later when the regular trombonist showed up sober to ask for his old job back. Dad would then go on to play with Rich twice more for longer periods.

[T.Underhill]

My Dad was hired at age 20 by Buddy Rich in New Orleans, 15 minutes before a down beat. Buddy's regular 2nd trombonist was fired for being too drunk to play. Dad was then fired by Rich in the middle of a set 2 nights later when the regular trombonist showed up sober to ask for his old job back. Dad would then go on to play with Rich twice more for longer periods.

That's a great story!! You didn't want to argue with that guy haha.

[Drumrunner]

Here is one for ya. I was in a club watching a live band and the singer started changing the lyrics of a song with lyrics saying how much the drummer sucked. Then he proceded up on the drum riser and spit on the drummer. After that all i saw was fists, sabians, and saturns flying.

[Funkussionist]

I replaced a drummer who was unreliable and prone to substance abuse.
He showed up at a rehearsal drunk or stoned or both. I was friendly to him and let him have a play on my kit. He played pretty well considering.
Then he got in his car and weaved off down the road.
I felt sorry for him because he had an addiction that stopped his musical carreer.

[Mr. Serpent]

Here is one for ya. I was in a club watching a live band and the singer started changing the lyrics of a song with lyrics saying how much the drummer sucked. Then he proceded up on the drum riser and spit on the drummer. After that all i saw was fists, sabians, and saturns flying.

And the drummer won right? If he lost the fight AND his cymbals that's one hell of an insult.

[rogue_drummer]

I'd been playing for 7 months with a praise band at a little church 30 minutes from my home. No pay, totally volunteer. I wanted to give something back. In January the regular leader left to join his old church again. The young pastor brings in this guitar player to lead. This guy was cocky and arrogant from the start. Egotistical to the extreme. For 7 months I get all kinds of compliments on my playing, even this egotistical guitar leader compliments me.

Three weeks ago, the rhythm guitar player invites me out for BBQ. Friendly gesture. We've become friends over the 7 months I was at the church. We discuss all kinds of stuff over dinner and eventually it leads to the praise band. Granted, I'm not the most religious guy, but I try.

Then he drops the bombshell. The leader wants to bring in another drummer - his friend and drummer from another band he plays in.

Neither the young pastor, nor the leader had the guts to tell me themselves! No reason given, no warning. Just he wants to bring in the drummer from his other band.

After seven months of volunteering and being absent only once for illness I was sacked. But get this, they wanted to still use my equipment and wanted me to train as an audio tech up in their sound booth "helping" with audio and visual.

I exploded I was so pissed. I quit immediately, wrote the pastor a nasty letter and wrote most of the church members a letter saying why I would not be back.

I've not heard a word from anyone since.... Hypocritical bastards......

[fromyesterday]

I was tossed out of a hip hop funk band for "not being black enough"

[Deathmetalconga]

I'd been playing for 7 months with a praise band at a little church 30 minutes from my home. No pay, totally volunteer. I wanted to give something back. In January the regular leader left to join his old church again. The young pastor brings in this guitar player to lead. This guy was cocky and arrogant from the start. Egotistical to the extreme. For 7 months I get all kinds of compliments on my playing, even this egotistical guitar leader compliments me.

Three weeks ago, the rhythm guitar player invites me out for BBQ. Friendly gesture. We've become friends over the 7 months I was at the church. We discuss all kinds of stuff over dinner and eventually it leads to the praise band. Granted, I'm not the most religious guy, but I try.

Then he drops the bombshell. The leader wants to bring in another drummer - his friend and drummer from another band he plays in.

Neither the young pastor, nor the leader had the guts to tell me themselves! No reason given, no warning. Just he wants to bring in the drummer from his other band.

After seven months of volunteering and being absent only once for illness I was sacked. But get this, they wanted to still use my equipment and wanted me to train as an audio tech up in their sound booth "helping" with audio and visual.

I exploded I was so pissed. I quit immediately, wrote the pastor a nasty letter and wrote most of the church members a letter saying why I would not be back.

I've not heard a word from anyone since.... Hypocritical bastards......

That's a raunchy way to treat someone. Just pack up your stuff and leave immediately. I can't believe they would have the nerve to ask you to use your gear (a stretch even for people on good terms) and time. Personally, I wouldn't have sent a letter to anyone but the pastor, reminding him that you have the decency to talk to him directly about this issue even when he didn't. Most people probably wouldn't care.

This often happens when you play for free. People do not value you or your work. The worst treatment I have endured happened at free gigs and the best, at gigs where the band was paid well. Go figure.

[tbmills]

I was tossed out of a hip hop funk band for "not being black enough"

that is hilarious! im sorry man... but i just LOLed. i heard the same thing from my current bass players old band. my bass player, drew, is white, and replaced their black bass player. the bands reason for his replacement was that he "did not play like a true black man." he showed up at their next gig to watch and saw white drew in a black band and was furious. got up on stage and started yelling at drew and the lead singer. drew was terrified.

its weird how these things happen.

right now i am replacing the drummer for a bands summer tour. while the band is really excited about summer, he has been complaining about the road and making small threats about being done with it all. they have been auditioning new drummers but havent told him. i kinda feel bad, but he has put unnecessary stress on the rest of the band. my first show with them is this friday... well see what happens then.

[caddywumpus]

After seven months of volunteering and being absent only once for illness I was sacked. But get this, they wanted to still use my equipment and wanted me to train as an audio tech up in their sound booth "helping" with audio and visual.


Man, that's just WRONG!!!

[Deathmetalconga]

right now i am replacing the drummer for a bands summer tour. while the band is really excited about summer, he has been complaining about the road and making small threats about being done with it all. they have been auditioning new drummers but havent told him. i kinda feel bad, but he has put unnecessary stress on the rest of the band. my first show with them is this friday... well see what happens then.

You are playing with people who are jerking around the current drummer, and you are helping them. Do you really want to be in a band with people like that?

If the current drummer is sending signs that he doesn't want to do this anymore, or is otherwise unfit to continue, the band needs to have a come-to-Jesus talk with him and work it out or fire him. Auditioning people behind their back is very bad juju and don't be surprised if this current band is, or could be, using you as part of some cruel trick. See above posts for ideas.

[tbmills]

You are playing with people who are jerking around the current drummer, and you are helping them. Do you really want to be in a band with people like that?

If the current drummer is sending signs that he doesn't want to do this anymore, or is otherwise unfit to continue, the band needs to have a come-to-Jesus talk with him and work it out or fire him. Auditioning people behind their back is very bad juju and don't be surprised if this current band is, or could be, using you as part of some cruel trick. See above posts for ideas.

yea, they have talked to him about someone else playing for the summer.

[Chalcedony]

I had a friend, he played a yamaha stage custom. He was in a band, but then he discovered weed and counterstrike. He smoked the weed for a long time and played the counterstrike. He wasn't contacted by his band for months.. things got suspicious.

In the end, he discovered that his mentor.. the drummer who inspired him, one of his best friends, had been practising with his band, and replaced him. I think that's pretty harsh!

The band no longer exists now!
Remember kids, say no to drugs(tm) ! etc
(please dont bash me :))

[MNdrummer21]

Thankfully, I have yet to be removed from a musical outfit, unceremoniously or otherwise. Some of these stories are quite harrowing; not something I intend to experience.

[elpol]

i too have been fortunate not to have been 'unceremoniously' or otherwise dumped by a band. well, at least not nearly as harshly as some of these prior examples...

my own fear is one day showing up for a gig and finding another drummer already there getting set up...

[Funkussionist]

Then he drops the bombshell. The leader wants to bring in another drummer - his friend and drummer from another band he plays in.

Neither the young pastor, nor the leader had the guts to tell me themselves! No reason given, no warning. Just he wants to bring in the drummer from his other band.

After seven months of volunteering and being absent only once for illness I was sacked. But get this, they wanted to still use my equipment and wanted me to train as an audio tech up in their sound booth "helping" with audio and visual.



Man, this sucks, why couldnt' they make up a roster so both of you could play or better yet have turn about on drums and auxillary percussion.
The church I attend has 3 drummers including myself rostered and another 2 who fill in occasionally. Church should be about inclusion and encouragement.

[Funkussionist]

I had been practicing for weeks prior to a music festival and had all the songs totally sorted.
Then our lead singer rang me and said his son (who is a drummer) was going to be at the festival and would be playing drums for the band.
When the band played their set the music was really sloppy because the young drummer wasn't familliar with the songs.
I couldn't stay and listen because I was so frustrated.

[Pavlos]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig...

That is ice cold. If I had been the drummer getting replaced I would have grabbed the snare and pedal so the next guy couldn't play much. Even if it was a house set. Bill me later.

[drumac]

If a singer surprised me that way and expected me to give up my kit to some stranger from the audience, I'd be like, "Yeah, right." That drummer should not have caved.

No kidding! I'm a nice guy, but I do believe someone, or maybe a couple of people might have gotton their nose socked. Hasn't everyone dreamed of punching a lead singer? That guy missed his chance!

[drummydude]

That is ice cold. If I had been the drummer getting replaced I would have grabbed the snare and pedal so the next guy couldn't play much. Even if it was a house set. Bill me later.

No kidding! That dude would've been kit-less if that was my drums up there. That's one of the worse firing stories I've ever heard.

BTW............GO WINGS!

[fat in the middle]

''I have been fired by better bands than this!!''

[Class A Drummer]

That is ice cold. If I had been the drummer getting replaced I would have grabbed the snare and pedal so the next guy couldn't play much. Even if it was a house set. Bill me later.

Ive played two shows in my life with only a bass drum (including pedal) hi hat, 1 rack tom, one floor tom, and one crash cymbal... It was ALOT of fun.

[eddiehimself]

Funny. I could swear i posted in this thread?

[JT1]

I remember when i was replaced, man it sucks whether it's done nicely or harshly but obviously harsh would be worse. I was in a band for a few months, playing things i didn't usually play or particularly liked like Incubus, Lenny Kravitz and some soft rock stuff. I loved double bass back then lol and i still do although i didn't use it very much and i used it when i thought it was needed. I received a text from my mate the lead guitarist saying that it wasn't working. I automatically assumed that it was the whole band and asked if we were splitting and he said no just you. Then i received texts saying that they had been hinting on saying use less double bass, the funny thin is that they never said a word to me about my playing at all so how was i to know? I felt like crap needless to say i didn't talk to them for a while and when i did show up at practice for my other band, they were there and i still felt awful. In fact the only one i talked to was the drummer who is also my mate. However then they replaced my mate on lead guitar and we are both in a band together again, something really heavy which i have always wanted to do and its going great! I guess these things happen for a reason. It's even harder when they are your friends cause you feel betrayed but from now on i try to separate bands from friends so if anything does happen in the future i won't be as upset about it.

[JT1]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig...

I have to say that is disgusting, i would have taken my gear right there and then and spat on the singer and would then have proceeded to pour my pint over his head. You'd think people would have the decency to fire someone before hand and not humiliate them during a show. Humiliating someone on a skill level is absolutely dreadful, this is a case of bullying in my opinion.

[Thunderhoof]

I have to say that is disgusting, i would have taken my gear right there and then and spat on the singer and would then have proceeded to pour my pint over his head. You'd think people would have the decency to fire someone before hand and not humiliate them during a show. Humiliating someone on a skill level is absolutely dreadful, this is a case of bullying in my opinion.

Agreed, except for the pouring of the pint. I would have instead, drank the pint, then bashed the singer into the twilight zone with the bottle and/or glass that it came in.

[JT1]

Agreed, except for the pouring of the pint. I would have instead, drank the pint, then bashed the singer into the twilight zone with the bottle and/or glass that it came in.

Very good point, why waste the pint? Drink and then smash i like your logic.

[Class A Drummer]

I knew a guy that was kicked out of a band mid-set! No joke--the band had a couple of rehearsals with the new drummer and had an elaborate scheme all worked out. During the 3rd song, the singer stopped the music and asked if there were any drummers in the audience who could do "better". Their planted drummer took the stage and proceeded to play the rest of the show after the singer roused the audience to cheer for the drummer who "didn't know the songs, but could play them better than their current drummer". What a rotten thing to do! Obviously, there was a three-person altercation that followed the gig...

That guy should read Nutha's thing about why its bad to let others play your drums.

[fromyesterday]

These stories are horrible!

A good note, the band that kicked me out lost their replacement drummer and called me up to fill in some shows - I was happy to decline.

It also spawned me to practice a ton, because I thought "maybe I have a feel problem and the band didn't know how to explain it?" - I benefited from the experience greatly.

As for the guy getting kicked out mid set with the planted replacement drummer - _WOW_..just ->WOW<-. I would not had let the other guy up on my kit, and if it wasn't mine I'm not sure I could refrain myself from beating the people responsible with a sock full of warm nickels...

[rogue_drummer]

Absolutely horrible!

I answered a posting on Craigslist for musicians. The guy who made the post wants to organize a Jazz-Swing band along the lines of Stompy Jones to play corporate parties, festivals, ect. I met with him several weeks ago. Turns out we have a lot in common,career, education, etc. He's getting a piano player, he plays trumpet, he has a trombone player, a sax player, I'm the drummer, and we need a stand up bass player. We have two pieces from Louie Jordan to practice. And we have a great place to rehearse. We should be getting together for our first rehearsal soon.

I told him, if I start making mistakes, start sucking to PLEASE let me know so that I can work on whatever it is I'm sucking at. Hopefully this will be a positive experience.

[yandii]

the stories are quite shocking huh?. i've heard bands that get disbanded before but i really don't know any. well, it's their choice. I wish all the bands here would have a good relationship with their bandmates. That's still a part of music. :D

[fromyesterday]

I detail a single bad experience out of many many GOOD ones - don't worry about it. 99% of people would rather talk to ya if they're not happy rather than mess with a replace. Replacing a musician just flat blows - and I hate to do it.

In SW Missouri finding a good player is HARD to begin with.

Absolutely horrible!

I answered a posting on Craigslist for musicians. The guy who made the post wants to organize a Jazz-Swing band along the lines of Stompy Jones to play corporate parties, festivals, ect. I met with him several weeks ago. Turns out we have a lot in common,career, education, etc. He's getting a piano player, he plays trumpet, he has a trombone player, a sax player, I'm the drummer, and we need a stand up bass player. We have two pieces from Louie Jordan to practice. And we have a great place to rehearse. We should be getting together for our first rehearsal soon.

I told him, if I start making mistakes, start sucking to PLEASE let me know so that I can work on whatever it is I'm sucking at. Hopefully this will be a positive experience.

[shanec]

idk about not being friends with people of the band your in, i feel you will only get to the level of playing you want by having a very very close relationship with your mates, kinda of like a marriage, and if you get dumped by a band out of the blue that just tells me that you cant possibly have any kind of chemistry going, so id just brush it off if i was you, in a legit band telling a member that they are out, is an emotional thing

[mikeybdaman]

I haven't been sacked yet because I've always started the bands.
However I have let people go.

I let people know that they are not in the band until they prove they fit in.
Not necessarily musically but personality wise. I feel this is more important in the long run.

When I have let people go I tell them straight up and in private.
Haven't had any problems yet.

[Vipercussionist]

Found out thru the bands myspace that i was goin to be replaced(even tho i was brought in to "heavy" up their sound)apparently,im too metal & too fast.Anyone else with worst way's of being kicked outta a band?
I've had thet happen, not with a MySpazz, but everyone in the music community knew and was telling ME before I even got my notice.

I'd been IN the band for 12 years, since the forming of it. I kinda got the last laugh though as I moved UP the ladder of bands locally and the old band kinda fizzled for a while and players moved on and the band died.

HAHAHA!!!! L0L!!
(my last laugh, I thought I'd share it with you)

[R Furb]

I once had a very odd experience with a band that came over to my house. anyway, They came over and started setting up their amps etc and after about 15 minutes of jamming they shot each other some weird looks and next thing I knew they had packed up and bailed! not a word was said and to this day I still wonder, "Was I doing something wrong". Never heard from them again and honestly I don't care to but it still pops into my head from time to time and makes me wonder just what the hell happened that day.

[kevmac858]

I was tossed out of a hip hop funk band for "not being black enough"

haha thats the lamest thing ive ever heard! yet insanely funny. sorry but that sucks big time

[bromasi]

I just never got a call back, no big deal

[Deathmetalconga]

I've had thet happen, not with a MySpazz, but everyone in the music community knew and was telling ME before I even got my notice.

I'd been IN the band for 12 years, since the forming of it. I kinda got the last laugh though as I moved UP the ladder of bands locally and the old band kinda fizzled for a while and players moved on and the band died.

HAHAHA!!!! L0L!!
(my last laugh, I thought I'd share it with you)

I think it is good to check out the Myspace postings. You can probably glean a lot about a band by lookin g at what they post, how they treat people, etc.

[MatchedAndNumbered]

I'm a 23 year old drummer with a migraine and seizure disorder.
I was going through a period in my life where my migraines and seizures were being held at bay by medication.

At this point, I helped start an experimental double piano rock outfit after the singer/piano player got in touch with me.

I named the band, helped arrange songs, write lyrics, got the rhythm section tightened up and helped the bassist get a real grip on backing up the pianos so that the songs weren't chaos.

After getting us booked for a great rate at a professional studio and helping engineer and produce the demo, my migraines returned and I voiced that if they found this to be a problem, they needed to speak to me face to face.

After said discussion, the singer proceeded to cancel practices even when I was dragging myself and my gear to practice with a splitting migraine, barely able to stand. He moved other "songwriting sessions" to the keyboardist's house without telling me and avoided me for three weeks.

He finally CALLED me and told me that I was out after he spoke with and twisted the opinions of the other members but he decided that I could "still book shows for [them]."
I told him that I had no interest in booking for a band that I have no real stake in.

Since that time, they are now on their 3rd bass player, 2nd keyboard player, and 2nd drummer and they kept the name, which makes no sense to me personally since no original members remain other than the singer.

No sweat for me in the situation although I was slightly angry.
I've been playing sessions and preparing to apply for a BA/Master's program in Music Therapy.

[DrumPowa]

Found out thru the bands myspace that i was goin to be replaced(even tho i was brought in to "heavy" up their sound)apparently,im too metal & too fast.Anyone else with worst way's of being kicked outta a band?

Could've been worse man, much worse. My friend showed up on the night of has band's gig, it was their 5th gig, he brought his whole drum kit and I helped him too, which was a big hassle since he had one of those monster kits.

Anyway he came in early as usual and they were the first band to play so he was setting up his drum set, the other drummer who replaced him (he hasn't been told that he was replaced yet) came in and told him that his band is playing first.

My friend told him no and to ask the guy managing the order of the bands when he was going to play. The replacement drummer asked the manager dude in front of my friend when their band is playing and he said your first and he brought up the name of my friend's band.

My friend was confused and said that he was the drummer for that band, then the replacement drummer told him that they replaced him. Then the singer and bassist showed up and told him that they sent him an email that he was replaced, my friend checked his email that day and never received the email so we talked trash a bit and took his monster kit back to the car. My friend is an insane drummer so they lost one hell of a drummer. The good thing is the band ran late because it took a while till me and my friend packed up his kit.

It was weird because my friend got along with the band pretty well and he already had some inside jokes with them which is a big step in a "band relationship".