You wanted drama? You can't handle the drama!
Or maybe you can.
I just got off the phone with John, again.
JT was pissed, and called John. Why did John decide to end the band just because he (JT) called out of one rehearsal? Well, JT did not make it clear that this was just one rehearsal, in fact he made it sound like he was speaking in general terms. He's not gonna risk his life for a cover band, he never goes out, he doesn't see how we can continue, etc. We had five rehearsals on the calendar to get our shit together for the two upcoming gigs, both with an alternate singer and alternate guitarist, and a good 1/4 of the songs that the band overall has never played before. JT didn't say he was calling out of just this one rehearsal, and he definitely spoke in general terms about not seeing how it was safe to practice, blah blah blah. JT said all that via text, in response to John's statement that he was ending the band, and never once said anything about John misinterpreting his words. So he's backtracking.
John, sick and tired of having to deal with this shit, had apparently made the decision at some point that the next time someone quits, he's done with it. And this was the next time. So he pulled the plug, simple as that. He told me that when he went to bed that night, he was at peace. Bummed that it was over, but also relieved, and in a way it was comforting to know that he'd made good on the promise he'd made himself.
But as mentioned, others have been busy finding new drummer candidates, because they don't want this to end. And in seeing that others are willing to fight for the band and that he doesn't have to do it all by himself, John decided that the band will continue after all. So among those on the list is Mike, the drummer from one of the area's professional cover bands, those guys who do not have day jobs but instead make a living playing bars, festivals, and private events like weddings and parties. Yvette had told Mike about us, and to check us out if he's interested. He did, and called John. He told John that he watched some videos, checked out our song list, and he wants to play with us. Strictly as a temporary thing, because his regular band isn't doing anything right now; they've written 2020 off completely and are trying to make ends meet right now by doing odd jobs. So he'd love to play the two gigs, and hopefully his regular band can find work again next year.
It gets better. John was concerned about moving forward without JT, because JT and Jerry, besides being our rhythm section (drummer/bassist) are also good friends. They hang out together with their wives, etc., or at least they used to before the lockdowns. Anyway, John didn't want to do anything that might put Jerry in an awkward position, with Jerry continuing in a band that is moving forward without JT. And that's whether you consider JT being fired, or him quitting, or just the band continuing without him, because it really doesn't matter at this point.
I'm not clear on the exact sequence of events and conversations, but at some point Jerry told John that if we did the gigs with someone other than JT, that's fine with him, and if he (Jerry) was also being subbed out, then that's cool, too. Jerry doesn't want anything to be awkward, and his other band has been gigging anyway (all outdoors, different level of gig, but hey, they're playing and we're not), so he's okay sitting out these two gigs. And at some point, Mike mentions to John that Steve, the bass player from his band, is also in need of gigs. Rather than having a bassist and drummer having to learn to work together, it could be beneficial to all involved to just take both of them on.
John agrees. We will play these next two gigs with the bassist and drummer from a professional cover band. These guys who normally make $600-$800 per gig per person want to play with us and make $100 a gig, because they want to play and we seem like we're pretty good. In fact, Mike tells John that we could probably be doing the same thing if we wanted to. John says yeah, if we wanted to. We're all in our 50's with six-figure day jobs. None of us are quitting that to become full-time rock musicians, even if that was our dream 30 years ago. Maybe if we'd started all this 30 years ago, but not now.
Anyway, Mike and Steve will be the drummer and bassist for these next two gigs. We'll play these gigs with only two of the same seven people who played there last year, and only three who are actual full-time members of the band. But who cares? It's the brand, not the band, that counts. Actually, probably not even that. They're not going to the gigs because they've heard of us and we're awesome (well, maybe some of our friends), they're going because they're going out to the bar that night anyway, and the band is usually pretty good. We will be that band.
So John's telling me all this, and comes back to JT. John believes that JT will feel much better about Mike subbing for him, since they actually know each other, and Mike has no intention of quitting his regular band. I ask why does it matter what JT thinks? I thought JT was out. Apparently not. Apparently during the course of their conversation, John and JT worked it out.
But there's also this. Sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, JT contacted Lex and Ric (singer, guitarist, spouses) and said Hey, since FlashDrive is over now, he's thinking of putting together a new band, and would they like to be the singer and guitarist? They're wondering WTF he's talking about, and damn, that was fast. Didn't he just end a great band by refusing to rehearse due to health concerns? How's he going to start a new band if he won't rehearse? This was before the backtracking and before John even called me Wednesday morning, because that's when he told me about it. Anyway, Lex and Ric were blown away, couldn't believe the balls on the guy. Remember that they just moved here last year, and Lex has played two very short gigs with us (one set apiece), Ric met us once, and they basically don't know JT from Adam. In fact, from what they've seen, he's the real drama queen of the band, so after pulling this shit, why would they want to join a band with him? Actually, I just thought about it, but if JT is still technically in, then that could be an issue because he's just alienated Lex and Ric.
Also, it's looking more likely that Ric will actually be our new permanent guitarist. John went to visit David last night, spent about an hour with him. He is not going to be playing guitar any time soon.
Also, apparently Katrina is more or less out, although with only two gigs on the books and a sub in place for both gigs, that doesn't actually matter. But I guess there's been some more shit going on behind the scenes with her as well that John filled me in on.
Also, I need to just accept the fact that I don't know what the fuck is going on most of the time.
Topic: The Saga of Orbert's Band (now with A New Development) (Read 83961 times)
