Lying and Deceitful Bandmates... A True Story

[TimWalter]

Hello Everyone.... Hope your week is off to a great start for each of you.


THE STORY:A drummer I knew and had played in bands with before recently asked me to audition for a band supporting a young country singer who had been on The Voice this last season (but was voted off early). In spite of his early exit, this young singer was generating some buzz and interest from managers, etc. wanting to sign him, etc. The back up band for this singer had only been in existence for about 2 months, and the original guitarist was departing due to time constraints (his choice). I went to the audition (without the singer), played 5 songs with the band, and was told I got the gig, and was even lauded by the other guitar player because the chemistry he felt playing with me had already surpassed what he had had with the previous guitar player after 2 months. Country's not my thing, but most of the lead licks today are classic rock licks so I felt good.

This was end of Nov last year. The next concert was about 1 month later (end of Dec) with plenty of time to get tight on the 30+ songs on the list. I put in 100's of hours learning all the lead lines (amazed how many there were). Suddenly, in early December, the drummer/band leader called me saying because of the holiday season, practice time was to be limited, and with not enough time to practice with me, they were bringing back the old guitar player for one last concert, but I was assured I had the gig going forward after that. I was naturally quite disappointed, and protested that there would be plenty of time and I would be ready but to no avail, so I accepted it.

I kept in contact with the band leader. He told me the late Dec gig went well, but no new gigs scheduled, artist might be going back to college to finish his degree, or that he might be going back on The Voice and taping would start in Jan, everything kind of up in the air.

Friday I got a call from a harp player who played part time with this back up band. I have known him for years. When I landed the gig as the new guitarist in this band, he had texted me "congratulations". We talked, and he wanted to know the story as to why I was first in the band, and then I wasn't, as I didn't play the late Dec gig (he did). I told him about the lack of practice time reason, and that they had brought back the old guitar player for one last gig. He then exclaimed that the old guitar player didn't play that gig, it was a new guy.

I was shocked. I asked him again, even naming all the names of the band members, and confirming the name of the new guy he had told me. I then called the drummer/band leader and confronted him about it. He essentially said that the harp player was mistaken/delusional/etc, band leader swore the old guitar player had played the gig and that he had written the check for the gig out to the old guitar player, etc etc, and he even acted all hurt that I questioned his integrity, and said things like "we've been friends for a long time." (about 5 years in fact) He was very convincing, but still I wondered.. just didn't seem right. The next day I searched Facebook. The drummers wife had posted a photo on her page of the whole band at the concert, and the guitar player was not the old one (who I had seen photos of) but was a guy I didn't know. Searched further and on the artists Facebook site there were a whole slew of photos, including closeups of all the band members. The guy playing guitar matched the description and first name that the harp player had told me.

This drummer was known for telling tall fabricated tales about famous musicians he had worked with, talking about auditioning for this recording artist and that recording artist, so I knew he could be loose with the truth, but it had never actually directly affected me. Other band mates would just roll their eyes when he would start with his "stories".

For some reason unbeknownst to me, after that audition I was replaced, but nobody told me. hmmmmmmm Kind of funny after you get over the shock of it.

I have since severed all contact with the drummer/band leader and moving on. I WAS planning on collaborating with him on some Taxi listings, but now looking for a new drummer collaborator.

Trials and tribulations.

Thanks for allow me to vent.
Tim

[AmandaAnderson]

That sucks One thing I can't stand is people who lie - what's the point ? it always backfires in the end anyway.

Sorry that you had to go through this - it's never nice and can be quite a kick in the guts

Onwards & upwards !

Amanda & Tony

[coolhouse912]

Unfortunately this kind of story is all too common. My rule of thumb is that those who are prone to lie aren't going to be too fastidious about when they lie or who they lie to. His "tall tales" were what gamblers call a "tell".

Be glad he didn't get into your wallet too.

Best Wishes,

Mike

[DesireInspires]

You did not lose any money. You got lucky!

[Russell Landwehr]

I generally give people the benefit of the doubt. But your story sure doesn't leave any room for that. It's really crappy what got done to you. However, it sounds like a good thing to NOT be affiliated with this guy. Good thing this happened before you became even more invested in the band. Can you imagine what it would be like to deal with someone like that on a regular basis? Ewwww!

[diablo]

The moment I read this: " drummer/band leader ", I knew the story wouldn't end well.

[coachdebra]

Sounds to me like you dodged a huge bullet. If this is the way they do business you do NOT want to do business with them.

Just remember, what goes around, comes around and that your right opportunity is right around - the next corner, that is...

[sedge]

those are the challenges of adult life hey. Sounds like had an opportunity to be real rocknrollers and tell you straight.
So much we forget is actually really simple hey, like it was when we were kids. Fear stears us into being idiots with each other - what ifs etc - just the opposite of rock nroll.

forgive and forget

[sedge]

The moment I read this: " drummer/band leader ", I knew the story wouldn't end well.

[cardell]

those are the challenges of adult life hey. Sounds like had an opportunity to be real rocknrollers and tell you straight.
So much we forget is actually really simple hey, like it was when we were kids. Fear stears us into being idiots with each other - what ifs etc - just the opposite of rock nroll.

forgive and forget

Wise words from a wise man.

Stuart