GregBass Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Hi all OK - I suspect that most of us have been through this at one time or another. I have just left a band that I had helped to start, and had been with through (a few) good times and (many) bad for two years. I told them that I would do the two remaining gigs for this year (the low gig rate was the main reason for my leaving) and they have just contacted me to take me up. That's no problem. They are a rock covers band with a current set of 21 numbers, and last night they auditioned for my replacement. Because of holidays, they had not rehearsed for a while and realised just how rusty they have become. So - here's the crunch. They want me to go along to three rehearsals before the gig - essentially to help them brush up on songs that I feel I already know. I feel disinclined to do this. They have already auditioned for my replacement, and only need this rehearsal because their own holiday schedule is stopping them from staying tight as a band. I feel that's their problem - I will happily turn up knowing my parts and having all my vocal harmonies in place. The rest is up to them. Am I being unreasonable? The rehearsal room is 30 miles from my home, making it bloody inconvenient! Cheers Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Having been in a similar (but not identical) position, I would offer to do one rehearsal with the new person also present, and if the band think they need more, they can use the opportunity to get the new bod up to speed. I try never to burn bridges if I'm on my way out - I even supplied my last successor with tab for as many of the songs as I could! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Not an ray one to answer . Are they a nice bunch? Could you / have you had a beer with them? If so, help out and keep contact . On the other hand ,are there10r2 tw@ts in the band? If so, wave bye bye and move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Poxy spellchecker!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I would just make a clean break and let them start again from scratch if it were me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 [size=4]I'd say it's their problem now and let them get on with it. My 2p.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Depends if they are good mates or not. I think you could compromise and maybe do one rehearsal but you don't have to do any if you don't want to. The goal posts have been somewhat moved from your initial departure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 So many variables, about which we know nothing. Top of my list would be: Are these people who practise on their own between rehearsals, or who only practise AT rehearsals? (I've played with both types as, I'm sure, have most of us.) If they all practise on their own, then three rehearsals seems to be excessive to simply get back up to speed as a unit. If they only practise at rehearsals, then ONE rehearsal seems excessive. Let them sort themselves out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregBass Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the rapid advice guys. They are (mostly) decent guys, and one rehearsal wouldn't be a problem. I think their plan is to have a rehearsal, then a three week break while the singer goes on a visit to Australia, then cram in two quick practises before the gig. Personally I would be happy to stretch to the two just before the gig - but if they have gone rusty in the last three weeks then I can't see the benefit of rehearsing before another three week break. I'll keep you informed ..... Edited August 30, 2013 by GregBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregBass Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 Happy Jack - the theory is that the band has always worked out their parts between rehearsals and just put the songs together on practise nights. Added to which, there is no new material here. It's all songs we have worked on before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I would offer to do one practice to help them out, but only because you say they're decent guys. After that they should be practicing with the new bass player anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I`d help out for one, possibly two, as I would for any mates band, but let them know that was all, and to not rely on my help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) If they need/want you to do more practise sessions than you are comfortable doing you can always ask for petrol money to cover your cost of getting there. Edited August 30, 2013 by Jonnyboy Rotten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1377877635' post='2193178'] If they need/want you to do more practise sessions than you are comfortable doing you can always ask for petrol money to cover your cost of getting there. [/quote] Agreed ... in principle. In practice, you might feel a bit of a tosser asking your recently-ex-bandmates for cash before you're prepared to rehearse with them. Just saying ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Seems to me that if these guys got off their arses and did something like gigged more, they wouldn't need the rehearsals and you might not be leaving. Since you have made your decision and agreed to help them fulfil dates, then that is the extent of your obligations as far as I can see. It isn't down to you to make them better rehearsed...that is what their new guy should be doing. If it isn't convenient then tell them exactly that... I don't see why you should fall out over it, you have other priorities or things to do. If that means you suit yourself, then so be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Tell them you want petrol money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 By your own admission your only obligations are the gigs. I think they should rehearse with the new player before the gigs, so that they're good to go when you eventually step down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I left a band back in May that I had seen "evolve" over time, and whilst I liked the people they were never going to be "my thing". I had ambition, they were more a pottering band concerned more with rehearsing than gigging (not a bad thing if that's what everyone is signed up to). I told them I was leaving and committed into doing 3 gigs we had in the diary, I also offered help in finding a new bassist. However, whilst I offered assistance to the new bassist, I didn't attend practices after I had "handed in my notice" so to speak. I do firmly believe in not burning bridges though, which has worked for me, as one band that never got off the ground has, by association, got us a backing singer. I also had a blast with another band following a recommendation by a former guitarist I'd worked with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Just fire everybody else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregBass Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 [quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1377892667' post='2193422'] Just fire everybody else! [/quote] I like the cut of your jib, young man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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