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Author Topic: Band timewasters  (Read 5003 times)

Lord Blakers

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Band timewasters
« on: June 26, 2008, 06:23:49 PM »
My band has been searching for bassist since last October. We've had a few people try out, who have been honest and admitted to not being entirely into the music or not technically capable.

But then there's the certain type of person who shows an interest, then just doesn't follow up on it. We've had one person not turn up for a rehearsal and a few who just stopped responding to emails before we even get them along.

One guy came along, seemed pretty happy with anything, then the next weekend was too ill to make practice (on a lovely, warm sunny afternoon). I tried to schedule a rehearsal during the week and was ignored. Now he's too busy moving house (for the next 3 weeks) to rehearse, but he has all the free time in world because he doesn't work!! It's been nearly a month since the one and only time he jammed with us, but he still insists that he wants to continue. I don't plan on having him back.

Does anyone have any insight into why these people feel the need to waste a bands time and energy? I just can't comprehend why they even express an interest in the first place.
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indysmith

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Band timewasters
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2008, 06:34:18 PM »
They dream the life instead of living the dream :lol:
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38thBeatle

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Band timewasters
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2008, 06:44:20 PM »
I know what you mean.They are infuriating-especially when they seem ok at the time and can play pretty well.  I hope you get the right person sorted out though. As for what makes them do it- who knows? Maybe they like the "thrill" of the chase. I have been on receiving end of bands when I have auditioned and they haven't bothered calling me back because their guitarist has changed his mind and is not leaving after all.
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Johnny Mac

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Band timewasters
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2008, 06:49:27 PM »
I know the feeling. I get frustrated with the people who i jam with. They make little effort to learn songs or get their head around the very basic levels of theory, like what key to play in! They seem more interested in taking drugs and drinking, trying to communicate with someone who is off their face on Columbian marching powder is impossible. No wonder so many bands split because of it. I really need to find some new band mates.
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remak

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Band timewasters
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2008, 07:15:31 PM »
Only 1% of the human race has ever learned to say NO. Most get by with, I'm moving house, I have to see my gf that weekend, my car is broken, I can't find my plectrum...

Don't mistake these excuses for a lack of commitment. They are actually the cool modern contemporary version of NO.
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nfe

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Band timewasters
« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2008, 07:23:56 PM »
Quote from: remak
Only 1% of the human race has ever learned to say NO. Most get by with, I'm moving house, I have to see my gf that weekend, my car is broken, I can't find my plectrum...

Don't mistake these excuses for a lack of commitment. They are actually the cool modern contemporary version of NO.


This.

Every exscuse he's made is him saying "I don't want to be in your band".

gwEm

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Band timewasters
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2008, 09:04:48 AM »
Quote from: remak
Only 1% of the human race has ever learned to say NO. Most get by with, I'm moving house, I have to see my gf that weekend, my car is broken, I can't find my plectrum...

Don't mistake these excuses for a lack of commitment. They are actually the cool modern contemporary version of NO.


+1 it p1sses me off, happens with alot of other stuff too
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you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gwEm

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Band timewasters
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2008, 09:06:54 AM »
Quote from: Johnny Mac
They seem more interested in taking drugs and drinking, trying to communicate with someone who is off their face on
Columbian marching powder is impossible.


+1 again!!

surely playing live music is better than this cr@p! i can't certinally imagine anything better.
Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

badgermark

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Band timewasters
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2008, 10:41:42 AM »
Everytime we have a new bandmember- happened a few times now, we recollect what we call the 'Saga of Waters'. I'll type it up one day, it refers to a potential band member who was mental. Proper mental. The saga includes The Scorpions, Aaron Neville impressions, a fat English dude*, multi-effect boards and a dickhead drummer.

*no offence to portly English gentlemen- he was a knob. Sounding like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins never helped his cause.
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Ratrod

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Band timewasters
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2008, 12:04:09 PM »
It's hard for people to say no. They'll act like they want to be in because they don't want to hurt your feelings.
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hamfist

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Band timewasters
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2008, 12:42:36 PM »
Being in bands is a very stressful occupation. There are so many weird characters out there in Musoworld. Being a bit weird is probably a big reason why people get into playing music in the first place.
   Monkey, I can completely empathise with your situation, and agree with the assessment of the other guys here, that your guy is just fobbing you off with excuses because he doesn't want to come outright and say it.
  I'd have a serious talk with him, state your concerns, and give him one last chance. If he can't make rehearsals enough of a priority in his life, then he's not going to do you or your band any good.

  I am truly blessed at the moment, having recently joined a band where everyone is keen, rehearses, is pleasant, and is technically proficient. Having just left a band where getting rehearsals organised was harder than getting blood from a stone (and no-one had learned the new songs either, when we actually did rehearse), it now feels like I've gone to heaven.

   Hope you can get things sorted with this chap, or can get a quality replacement.

Transcend

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Band timewasters
« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2008, 01:57:33 PM »
Quote from: hamfist

   Hope you can get things sorted with this chap, or can get a quality replacement.


I misread that as. "or you can get a cheap quality replacement".