Singer always late (rehearsal and gigs) and never learns material

[pepj]

They might not be ok, but they'll take another gig without fixing it which amounts to the same sort of thing.
I wouldnt see any other option but to halt that train.
Either they'd decline further gigs or the don't get offered any more.
Sounds like they'll only do them if 'available' anyway.

 

[LBS-bass]

They might not be ok, but they'll take another gig without fixing it which amounts to the same sort of thing.
I wouldnt see any other option but to halt that train.
Either they'd decline further gigs or the don't get offered any more.
Sounds like they'll only do them if 'available' anyway.

Not really. There are gigs on the books through November. Nothing else is being booked until next spring, which is when I expect the changes to occur.

It's more than a little melodramatic to suggest that a minor level of imperfection in a local stage-show means you need to drop everything and start over. I've been doing this for 40 years and have yet to play an entire show where someone didn't screw up somewhere. The key to professionalism isn't not making mistakes, it's knowing what to do when mistakes occur.

That said, I'm not a fan of outright train wrecks and I don't accept them lightly. This situation needs to be addressed and if it isn't, my personal time with this bunch will be short. It pains me to say it, because collectively and in terms of overall musicianship, this is one of the best bands I've ever been in, but if the leadership fails to address this issue I am not in it for the long haul.

 

[pepj]

Minor level of imperfection is different to my ears that hopelessy confuse the band because they don't remember etc..

They are a few ways I'd interpret that..they can't fix it or can't be bothered.
I'm not sure which is worse but if you can laugh it off then fine. I'd go off the deal if that sort of thing occurred every gig though.

 

[LBS-bass]

Minor level of imperfection is different to my ears that hopelessy confuse the band because they don't remember etc..

They are a few ways I'd interpret that..they can't fix it or can't be bothered.
I'm not sure which is worse but if you can laugh it off then fine. I'd go off the deal if that sort of thing occurred every gig though.

Trust me, I don't laugh at it, but it is not my job to fix it. It's apparently in the works to be addressed in the way that will diplomatically make the most sense and keep the band as a whole moving forward. Addressing it harshly would be a disaster from a PR standpoint, and destroy longstanding friendships. My discomfort with it is not worth all that.

I am not sure what else I can expect from a reasonable standpoint. I could walk away myself, but that would also be a PR disaster and I'm willing to wait and see how things go after our commitments with him are played out. The venues we're committed to want to see him - they don't want to see "Band minus LS1" or "Band with some other LS" so this is just how it has to be done.

 

[pepj]

He is a fly in. He can't commit to you enough to learn the material but venues have booked you on the basis that they front the show?
If that person is on contract or has a preferred big gig then I would expect they may have to cancel from time to time?

This is the pain of contracted/retained people and because they are in demand, they'll take the best gig for them.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Pain in the butt lead singers are not a female exclusive. I've worked with guys just as bad. You have to weigh what they add to the live performance against how much of a pain they are to work with.

Hmmm, if I have to weigh what our (male) singer brings to the live part ... I have bad news for him

Sometime it can have the entirely opposite effect when you realise you are the only one that did.

My current band has got me to the point where I will "learn the changes" if we actually agree on some new material. I am done with learning the whole thing note for note, break for break, only to show up and have the rest think the intro riff is the main riff and nothing changes after the first 30 seconds.