Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

How about this.
I was scheduled for an audition as a Keyboard player, 30 miles from where I live. The audition was to take place at 7:00 PM.
At 4:00PM I received a call, from the Band leader requesting that I be there and ready to play, at 6:00PM. So, I load everything that I need, Keyboards,Stands,Amps.
When I arrived at the Band Leaders house, he was kind enough to help me unload everything, carry it through the yard, around back, up the steps and into the house. The whole time I was sitting up my equipment he remained on the telephone with different people. As soon as, I had everything ready, I ask, where is the rest of the Band. He said, they will be here shortly. And, proceeded to make more phone calls.
The rest of the Band, began arriving at 7:00Pm. That is when he ask me, to step out on the back porch to talk. He told me, they would not be able to use me as they had just hired another Keyboard Player while he was talking on the phone. He went on to explain that this other Keyboard Player had a repetation as being awsome.
That is when I ask, how do you know, that I'm not awsome ? He replied I don't know ! ,And, I may be making a big mistake .
I must tell everyone reading this, I have been playing music professionally 35 years. I also shower and shave regularly.
Go figure......

Based on what you explained.... I would say you got ignorantly ripped off from being offered a fair chance to at least try to prove yourself to be what they are looking for.

Being that you took the time to drive all that way... with your equipment ... and ahead of the previous schedule to begin with ... setup all your equipment.... (and i'm thinking still on who called who to show up at 6pm) you would think buddy would have had at the very least enough respect and decency to give you a fair chance.

Sounds to me like this was more so a case of "who knows who" ... as likely a couple of his phone calls were to one or two of his current band members who suggested a friend of theirs for the job.... likely someone they just met in some bar the night before or something crazy.

I'd say .... pat yourself on the back for being the responsible one of the entire bunch .... and count your lucky stars that you didn't get mixed in with that crew.... as a band member.

shallow musicians suck- Since you loaded your stuff and arrived on time, you could have at least jammed with them for a while.... if they are that judgemental you lost nothing, they will be scrambling about acting silly..... indecision is a terrible thing. Rest easy, it was a good workout to load your stuff. For me, being a drummer, I usually meet the guys first or pack lightly. Stay committed or be comitted- peace bro

Another case, Groove-In, of the abysmal lack of basic social skills plaguing our society. I wouldn't think it needed to be said, but they owed you at least an audition after putting you through all of that work. What's it going to cost them? 15 minutes of their time?

Your regrettable incident got some other image going in my head. I saw that band you were going to audition for, at some show after they had gone through hours of difficult set up and a trying sound check, ready to play the first chord of their first song, and the audience suddenly getting up and leaving, telling them "Oh...sorry dude, we decided we're going to see another band. We don't know what they sound like but we have heard they are awesome."

I always play with everyone I get the chance to and being in that situation, I'd rather have the guy who sounds good, no other variable plays into it.

I think my reputation is that of a fairly quiet guy.
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But I would have been rip - roaring PISSED!
. . . hmmmm; that's not being a very helpful comment, huh?
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Weird situation - he helped you carry your equipment, and all . . .
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But, I still don't like it when someone kicks me between the legs while they're shaking my hand . . .
At least he could have given you a six-pack or something, on your way out, as a consolation . . . .

The prudent thing on their part would have been to at least play with you for a little bit, then call you later and say they had decided on someone else. Some musicians are good at burning bridges without thinking about where they might be a year or so from now.