Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I guess Im just venting this morning. After 6 monthes of getting my dream band back together, working on pa equipment and putting some money into some items we need. Last night I get a call from our bass player saying his CTS had flaired up again real bad. Hes going on some sort of treatment, that will take a minumum of 12 weeks without playing. The singer told me a few monthes ago that he wouldnt play without this bass player in the group and I feel the same cause we have around 250 songs we can pull from between us. So I have to make a few calls and cancel a couple of gigs that I initiated and either sit back and wait or move on to something else.

Its frustrating cause I have had a couple of offers to play in groups that although not ideal for me I could jump right into and play in and get out and play. The only problem is all the groups I talk too want a firm commitment to their band. Ive always tried to be honest with folks and tell them up front what I want or expect from a group. So now in the back of my mind I want to think that my group will be playing in the future but our bassist may not be playing anymore.

I guess Im looking for collective advice on what to do. Wait it out or try to move to something else?

Im not in a position to get out and hit the road, just a local weekend warrior type gig with some good folks, thats all I want. Ive spent the last year getting my equipment in good shape, Ive been playing a lot to get my chops in shape, and mentally am ready to get in front of some audiences. And now this.

Maybe its just not to be.

I would try to get a fill-in bass player. Your singer should be able to understand that it's not like your bass player just chose to leave.
See if your singer is willing to work with a sub for awhile. You could make an agreement that your bass player gets to comes back when he's ready.
Yeah, it's not a great solution, but I doesnt sound like your other band opportunities are going to do it for you.

When I was a youngin in an original band, just as we were getting some momentum and thought we were going to take over the world, our drummer broke his arm. We decided just to wait it out, and didn't play at all till he was able to drum again. Lost all of that momentum, and never really got the same buzz back again.
So... I think it's better to limp along than to sit.
Crappy situation to be in.

(And philbymon would be more than happy to fill in )

That sucks John. I like to have several projects going in case one takes a dump. I like to have an acoustic thing, an original and occasionally a cover project going at the same time. You can't count on most musicians, many are as flaky as a pie crust.

Hey JW,

As I was readin your post , 3 identical sitches I experienced came to mind..Its hard to put your faith in others AND remain loyal to them (which alot of that is being loyal to yourself ) when doing so may be cuttin your throat.Only YOU know this lead singer so go with your gut..Yeah , Im just like you in that I dont want to join something if I know in the back of my mind, my heart is not really in it AND I MAY not be 100% committed..I ve learned over the yrs that ya really gotta take care of #1 even if it comes un-natural becuase when push comes to shove everyone else will..
You know how this bis is? You have to go with the best case senerio AT THE TIME alot and not worry what the future may or may NOT hold...GEEZ, I look back on what was SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN and Im glad I made some of the decisions I did...They seemed illogical at the time but I went with my gut...Yeah , your sitch is alittle different becuase your local and ya cant afford to to burn any bridges,and I know Im kinda giving a raod perspective., BUT, I still say go with what your gut currently tells ya to do...OPs may not be there a week or 2 weeks from now...


John

If you can manage juggling another band, do it. If anything it's another experience. Best of luck.