What would YOU do in this situation?
So here's the update on my band, in case anyone remembers or is following.
Brief recap and timeline.
August 2008 - big show lined up, paid gig... male lead vocalist quits the band
September 2008 - big show cancelled due to contractual conflicts with bookers
October 2008 - female lead singer is unable to continue with the band until \"January\" (her estimate) for personal reasons
November 2008 - bassist and drummer learn to sing several songs while playing, adjusting for range via transposition
December 2008 - we find a new male vocalist who is also a prolific songwriter; decide to incorporate originals
January 2008 - four originals demoed; two more ready to go, and three others halfway there
Which brings us to now. We have been recruiting a female vocalist via local advertising sources (craigslist, bandmix, etc). Had a few auditions. In the process, we contacted the old female singer to see about her availability. She was going to come out, but things came up - one weekend she's unavailable, next weekend we're in the studio, following week is superbowl, then she's moving and unpacking... couldn't get her in. In the process, she has communicated with us rather poorly. And she had flaky moments in the past. We went ahead and assumed that she was out of the running.
Last night, we had our first rehearsal with the final auditions candidate. We tried a few covers with her on lead, then worked on incorporating her into original songs. This concludes at 7:00 pm, at which time we decide to probe the unfinished originals to see how she can contribute.
At this time, our bassist finds a text message on his phone, timestamp 5:30 pm - from our old singer - saying, \"I'm on my way if that's still cool\".
Okay, it's 7:00 pm and she's not here yet. She must have decided that it's not cool... but just in case, \"Where you at?\"
Answer: \"I'm turning into your neighborhood.\"
SH**
Bassist and I greet her at the door. Drummer is inside (he knows her), and male vox and new female vox (who don't know her) are on the couch writing a song (or dividing up an existing song, whichever).
Back at the front door. \"Hey guys! I haven't seen you in a while!\" Bass: \"Hey, what's up... we weren't expecting you tonight.\" Girl: \"Oh, but I thought we had agreed, I was moving Sunday after the Superbowl, and then today was the day.\"
At that moment, our neighbor stopped by and introduced himself. He hangs out at our place shooting pool every now and again. We start talking to him... Girl: \"Alright well, I'm going inside.\"
We quickly explain the situation to the neighbor - our first practice with her replacement, and she shows up unexpectedly. And we go inside.
So here you are. The six of us - original three instrumentalist, new male vocalist, ex-female vocalist, and her replacement. In the living room. What would you do??
Brief recap and timeline.
August 2008 - big show lined up, paid gig... male lead vocalist quits the band
September 2008 - big show cancelled due to contractual conflicts with bookers
October 2008 - female lead singer is unable to continue with the band until \"January\" (her estimate) for personal reasons
November 2008 - bassist and drummer learn to sing several songs while playing, adjusting for range via transposition
December 2008 - we find a new male vocalist who is also a prolific songwriter; decide to incorporate originals
January 2008 - four originals demoed; two more ready to go, and three others halfway there
Which brings us to now. We have been recruiting a female vocalist via local advertising sources (craigslist, bandmix, etc). Had a few auditions. In the process, we contacted the old female singer to see about her availability. She was going to come out, but things came up - one weekend she's unavailable, next weekend we're in the studio, following week is superbowl, then she's moving and unpacking... couldn't get her in. In the process, she has communicated with us rather poorly. And she had flaky moments in the past. We went ahead and assumed that she was out of the running.
Last night, we had our first rehearsal with the final auditions candidate. We tried a few covers with her on lead, then worked on incorporating her into original songs. This concludes at 7:00 pm, at which time we decide to probe the unfinished originals to see how she can contribute.
At this time, our bassist finds a text message on his phone, timestamp 5:30 pm - from our old singer - saying, \"I'm on my way if that's still cool\".
Okay, it's 7:00 pm and she's not here yet. She must have decided that it's not cool... but just in case, \"Where you at?\"
Answer: \"I'm turning into your neighborhood.\"
SH**
Bassist and I greet her at the door. Drummer is inside (he knows her), and male vox and new female vox (who don't know her) are on the couch writing a song (or dividing up an existing song, whichever).
Back at the front door. \"Hey guys! I haven't seen you in a while!\" Bass: \"Hey, what's up... we weren't expecting you tonight.\" Girl: \"Oh, but I thought we had agreed, I was moving Sunday after the Superbowl, and then today was the day.\"
At that moment, our neighbor stopped by and introduced himself. He hangs out at our place shooting pool every now and again. We start talking to him... Girl: \"Alright well, I'm going inside.\"
We quickly explain the situation to the neighbor - our first practice with her replacement, and she shows up unexpectedly. And we go inside.
So here you are. The six of us - original three instrumentalist, new male vocalist, ex-female vocalist, and her replacement. In the living room. What would you do??
Comments
But...since you DID - I'd have tossed the old singer out on her @$$.
Guys have been all over this forum talking about how being in a band means commitment and doing what's required of you. Look at the crapola 'taus went through with that stupid lead guitarist, and the whole drummer thing.
Occasional things are to be expected...there is life outside a band, after all. People move, etc. But if a performer can't put some effort into pulling their own weight, send 'em packin'.
I read the story, and it was so convluted, and confusing, my 1st reaction was to shoot everyone in the livingroom..
(Probably not a good option??)
It's not an improvisation, Tal... it's a well-rehearsed, mindfully composed piece of storytelling. I did say it was for those who followed previous threads. Let me break it down for you, though.
Ex-singer. Offered a singing spot in a new band. Postpones her audition \"indefinitely\". We decide she no longer wants it, so we bring on a new singer. Ex-singer shows up to try out, on her replacement's first official rehearsal.
There you are - band, ex-singer, and her replacement. What do you do?
The 'new' chick, got anything else going for her? Such as Can she play any instrument?
But you said the 'old' chick went in, you never said what happened after she did! So it isn't what would you do , But what would've you done! So what happened after she went in? ( that's good part )
But the way I see it. Like in football, you got yourself a quarterback controversy... LOL If you really want the old one back ( man...she did have some nice.. uh um pipes! ) I think as shred .. you have to RE-explain what commitment means, to her. But let them battle for the position, Can the old chick write? better than the new one? But then it isn't fair to the new chick, who's all gung ho and hyped to be in a band! ( I assume ) If the old chick really still wants in? Maybe down grade her to back up vox.. ( all kinds of possibilities )
Ok, enough pr talk. My personal opinion is; You already counted her out. Went ahead and replaced her...... stick with your decision and move forward. The old chick been around long enough to know \" you gotta show \" to stay in! You all waited the time frame sha gave you! And she didn't have the curtisy to let you all know what was/is going on. Don't let personal feelings get in the way of a business decision!
Ok, So what happened after she went in? Don't leave us hangin' bro. :!:
She can always redeem herself and standby for the next opportunity.
+1
I was lost very early.
I don't get it! what exactly are you talking about :?: :P :roll: :shock:
If you're looking to gig...GET RID OF HER!!!
If she's that flighty you don't want her not showing up for a gig as well..
I've been down that road and it can be a long 4 hours on the bandstand, when the lead singer don't show..
JM2cents.
[Pictures removed. She's hot and has hot friends.]
How is this even a decision?!?
OK. She can sing. She can write songs. She has a good attitude and is willing to put effort into the band. She has models for friends. AND she looks like that???
Jeezuz Ilia. I thought you wuz a smart boy. This one is a NO BRAINER.
I would like to \"meet\" her after the show ...but wouldnt want that to be part of my bands R&R show. I know she looks cool but thats kinda cheazzy man. :P Does she feel the need to strip during all your shows?
AND she can sing, write, and show up for practice?!?
got talent and a good attitude,
I should not be even commenting...I took the stage in 86 in a pair of gold lepord skin spandex with fur kneehigh boots :oops: :oops: :oops: :roll:
at least she's hot....did I mention that 8)
really all in fun i'm sure she's a talent and a sweetie.
Ok so?? She's marketable. But so was the other one! Close your eye's and listen to the tapes of both, if you still are in a decisive tude. Who is better? Or is it all about, Who has the best A$$ to stand behind for 3 hrs?
But then again! Not for shreds reasons... The new chick does come with all them modeling friends ( hope their friends ) Will they come to support their friends gig? Purely business decision mate. Chicks at gigs, we all know how that goes, it's a win, win!
I needed the abridged version. Once a message goes beyond my 500 character limit, I get lost.
The way I see it, is that it's like ex-girlfriends...you get back together because of some feeling that you can make it work, but soon after, you realize why you broke up in the first place.
By the way, the new girl is stunning. If she has the singing chops to match, it's a no-brainer.
She's a model. That wasn't one of our shows, just some other gig she did where she was \"rocking it out\".
I don't have anything recorded with Sandra. Here's Stephanie on our old demo - this is one of her top songs. http://www.56kay.com/Demo/04 On & On.wma
Sandra has more of a rock voice, but overall she's not quite as good. Then again, I've only heard her sing on three occasions at this point.
We had a similar situation when our fem vocalist left (kids). We checked out several gals during an audition. The guys picked the \"hottest\" eye candy girl with a \"decent\" voice. I liked another girl who had attitude and came from a more professional background and was a stellar performer!
My vote was lost over the other guys' reasons to get the \"hawt one\"
We spent almost 20 weeks getting prepared. During that time, having 2-3 rehearsals a week, she canceled more than 15 x. She had so many personal problems and was bi polar, taking meds, had a weird fiance..... yada yada. She started hanging out and exch ph numbers with our bassist and things went down hill after that.
Needless to say, they picked the wrong girl for the wrong reasons. We originally wanted a great singer and ended up wasting nearly 5 months.
If the girl you had orig had issues of concern, you need to express those concerns if she wants to stay. You can't back out and expect to move right back in either. She should understand that much.
All I can tell you is when you audition, do interviews and get some feedback on more than just performance and eye candy. Our guys kept this girl we had way too long... for their own reasons. I knew after 2 weeks she was a dud! To be fair I gave it 6 weeks and from then on I knew we were all wasting our time.
Great singer, decent git'r player, fun-loving, good-lookin', yada.
BUT - she did everything HER way, everything happened on HER terms, and you all heard/read my posts about what it was like trying to get her into the studio for an afternoon to do some vox.
Like many other posts and threads have stated, attitude and commitment are as important as ability and appearance.
So...kin I have Sandra's phone #? Or at least tell me where the modeling school is??? :twisted:
Same answer as when you asked for Stephanie's number about a year ago
So! You gonna tell us what happen when Steph went in and found Sandra there?
Then my understanding is, Stephanie introduced herself to Sandra and the male vocalist. At this point, they had no idea who she is (presumably) but they were working on lyrics to a new song, with a loop running on my recorder of the verse riff. So Steph must have gotten a pretty good idea of who they are.
Now, if Steph and Sandra got in a fight, my money would be on Sandra. In fact, if Sandra and I got in a fight, my money would probably be on Sandra.
But it all ended peacefully. Juice (bassist) came back in the house and explained to everyone who everyone is. The four of us went outside for a quick strategy meeting, and decided to keep them both.
So, we talked to each of them individually... neither had a problem with this arrangement. We reconvened as a group, divided up the cover songs between the singers (the girls were cute... \"Hey, if I you're taking this song, I'm taking that one\" \"Okay, I'll trade you that one for the other one, how about that?\" etc), and recorded the originals for the two of them to take home and work on backing vocal parts.
We also talked to Steph about commitment, etc. She definitely has her life together better than she did four months ago... got an apartment that's near our place (no more 1 hour one way commute), a desk job that pays the bills, problems with her car/license resolved, etc. And we had Stephanie sing a song, which I think made an impression on Sandra - now she has to keep up.
All in all, this works out. Steph is stronger on high notes, and has a more soulful voice. Sandra has a wider range, and can go almost half an octave below Steph. She's also more \"rock\" as far as style goes. And both of them write lyrics and melodies, and already have original material to put music to.
We didn't do that, simply because (a) we're still good friends with her, (b) we did want her back and she did want to come back, (c) the miscommunication about her audition date was on our end as well, not just hers, and (d) we did discuss having two girls, but were concerned that Steph would be catty about it. The situation played out about as well as it could have.