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Bloodfist

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Apr 10, 2008
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Charleston SC
Played a show at our house gig on Thursday. Our singer decides he's gonna drink some, and some turns into a lot. He got real clumsy and started knocking things over. He knocked over a bucket of beer for the band that was on stage, and some shots that people bought us. THEN, he knocked over my Stingray. It took a dive and landed right on the top of the headstock. My heart stopped as I watch it fall, and luckily it didn't snap the headstock off. It did damage the Tuner for the E string, as that was what hit first. It bent it bad enough so that I can't turn it a full rotation without it hitting the wood. At that point I about lost it. I stopped the set so I could inspect the bass, and calm down a little bit. As if that wasn't bad enough, He knocked over my amp when we were loading out. It didn't take a bad fall though, I had it sitting on it's side in its rack case, and he bumped into it and knocked it over flat. As far as I can tell there was no damage to the amp, I plugged it back in and tested it. At that point I lost it. Luckily our guitarist was right there, saw how mad I became, and made the singer leave. If he didn't, I probably would have taught him the art of receiving pain! He has since apologized, and agreed to pay for a new tuner. I've already talked to someone in CS. Playing a show tonight, and this will be the first show in 2 years that I've played without my Stingray, can't say I'm to excited about it.
 

Norm66

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That sucks man. Irresponsible drunks are the worst. I had to laugh when I read the thread title though because last week I wanted to kill my lead singer. She got mad because there was a bit of a whine in her monitor and yanked the cords out of it rendering the drummer completely without vocals. Childish, unpleasant, unprofessional behavior. Music is a hobby but there's a certain amount of professionalism that goes along with getting paid. Why is it always singers?
 

Lynottfan

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Feb 22, 2008
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With that many "errors" in one night due to grog, sorry mate but I think you need to sack the guy or be seeking a replacement, might seem harsh but it sound like he is a liability looming. hope you get you gear sorted.
 

five7

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singer is a derogatory term usually referring to an alcoholic. Sorry to hear about your bass, if you lived closer I would lend you one. I am glad your amp is allright! Don't punch out a singer, it is usually too easy. At least he offered to pay for it. But does he have any money?
 

Bloodfist

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Charleston SC
I have no idea why it's always singers that have problems. I don't think I've ever played in a band that didn't have a singer without any issues. Lynottfan, as much as I would like to agree with you based on what happened to me Thursday, I don't think that would be the right thing to do. It's not like we play every now and then, and that he's a problem. We have played on average 4 shows a week since September, and that was the only night that he's gotten drunk. All of the rest of the times, he's been extremely punctual, does a good job performing, and is mindful of everyones personal gear. I don't know why he got so drunk, maybe he just needed to let loose for the night. Our schedule keeps us so busy that it sometimes becomes a burden on our personal lives because of the time it takes up, so I can understand letting loose every now and then. We all do it from time to time, we're just mindful not to let it interfere with the show. He did apologize and I'm not holding a grudge against him for doing it. It's a simple repair thank goodness, and once it's repaired It'll probably be a while before I bring it back out. If he does it again, he's a deadman lol.
 

oli@bass

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Sorry to hear that... that's unacceptable behavior in my opinion.


But there must be a lesson in there.... "always wear your StingRay" ;)
 

Bloodfist

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Charleston SC
singer is a derogatory term usually referring to an alcoholic. Sorry to hear about your bass, if you lived closer I would lend you one. I am glad your amp is allright! Don't punch out a singer, it is usually too easy. At least he offered to pay for it. But does he have any money?

He does have the money to pay for it, so I'm not worried about that. If he didn't I'd take it out of his cut from the shows. I have enough basses, so I'm not in a bind, but it's instances like that why I won't borrow anyone else's bass. I take extremely good care of my equipment, but you can never tell when something bad is going to happen. The same thing could have happened if he wasn't drunk.

Oli, I would have been wearing it, but we were playing a song that needed my 5 string, and my rays a 4.
 

Lynottfan

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Respect to you Bloodfist, I made an assumption that the guy was a "re-occuring" problem and that you had finally had enough, especially messing with the 'Ray, so give a him a gentle bit smack with a rubber hose and make him pay for your bass :)
 

Bloodfist

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Charleston SC

lol, if it would turned out that way, they would find out why I call myself Bloodfist. Everything is all good now, I've received the money for the part, just need to order it as soon as I get a chance. I'm still going to be very hesitant about bringing it out live now though. With the amount of shows were playing right now, the chances of it getting damaged again are to high.
 

adouglas

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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Grounds for dismissal. Absolutely.

If that happened to me it'd be him or me, gone. Life's too short to put up with that kind of crap. Mark my words... this will happen again. That level of poor judgment is never a fluke.

It's a sign of massive disrespect for the band and not least your employers. You are all professionals, or supposed to be. There is no excuse to get drunk on the job--any job.

If that guy wants to get stupid-drunk and play, he should go hit up an open mic somewhere. He doesn't belong in a working band.

Just my $0.02.
 

Five-string

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Orange, TX
I have no idea why it's always singers that have problems. I don't think I've ever played in a band that didn't have a singer without any issues.

Q: How many lead singers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: No one knows. The world revolves around them...

And a few more...

Q: How many lead guitarists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 10. One to actually change the bulb and the other nine to stand around saying how they could have done it better...

Q: How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Who knows? Drummers are always in the dark...

Q: How do you know a drummer is at your door?
A: The knocking gets faster and faster...
 
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Powman

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Wow. Bloodfist, that is a scary story. I hate people who can't handle alcohol or can't consume responsibly. Drunk people frighten me more than stoned people.
 

Lynottfan

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Feb 22, 2008
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Wow. Bloodfist, that is a scary story. I hate people who can't handle alcohol or can't consume responsibly. Drunk people frighten me more than stoned people.

Both scare me, you are going to play, do it straight, idiots that think they play better pissed or stoned talk ****e, as they tend to be the only ones that think they do, NOW, after the gig bring it on! still respect brother Fist's tolerance!
 

Powman

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Both scare me, you are going to play, do it straight, idiots that think they play better pissed or stoned talk ****e, as they tend to be the only ones that think they do, NOW, after the gig bring it on! still respect brother Fist's tolerance!

Agreed. Ever see the Family Guy episode where Peter and Lois got stoned and think they sound great playing folk songs. Then they show how they really acted on stage. Its perfect!
 

TheAntMan

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Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Power to you for your tolerance Bloodfist. This Homey don't have that here!

I refuse to deal with people who can't keep it together during a gig or rehearsal. It is a lot of hard work to put together a band, rehearse and find good gigs. I like having fun, enjoy joking around, have a beer here and there. But to let it get to that point is showing a total lack of respect for the other band members. Not cool!

Told my wife about this and she was like "whoa, glad it wasn't you!" She knows I would have not been very "polite" with Mr. Buzzoid! Anyway, glad things worked out and keep an eye on old "Buzz boy."

--Ant
 

Bloodfist

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Charleston SC
Well like I said I almost killed him lol. Believe me, I agree a lot with what yall are saying, and under normal circumstances I probably would have honestly punched him. I make a pretty decent amount of extra spending money each week doing this, between $300 - $400 depending on the amount of shows we do a week. To quit the band because of it wouldn't have been smart on the wallet, and firing him would done the same thing. I guess you could say sometimes it pays to think rational, regardless of how bad you break somebody's leg off and beat them with it.
 

Movielife

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Woah, I would have been so upset about it. Well done for not losing it totally and I hope your Ray is well on its way to being back to normal.

Was it on a stand at the time?

I have found I only use one bass live, and im super super over the top about people going near it who looks drunk.

My singer can act a little brash with his possessions, and I dont think he understands how much my gear costs and that it is looked after very well by myself. He suggested we use a new cheap, dirty, very cold and damp practice room. Absolutely not...and I explained its my gear, not his, so I make the choice. All he needs to bring is himself and use whatever PA and mic is there.

We arent a paid band, so I make sure from now on we arent playing total dives, or using bad practice rooms.

I mean, who seriously leaves their £500+ bass cabinet in a damp room for months where other people can use it?! Not me.
 
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oli@bass

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Oli, I would have been wearing it, but we were playing a song that needed my 5 string, and my rays a 4.

I'm sorry, it was meant tongue in cheek. I know that there's sometime a need to play another bass... and be it just to put one 'Ray on the stand and strap on another fretless one (as I used to do).

Anyway, if you're even making a decent amount of money with your band, I'd rather not have the fun and pleasure of playing an MM on stage spoilt and just handle the loss when (if) it happens. If you really want to keep your Cherryburst forever, then maybe it would be a good time to get a nice used beater you don't have to worry about... even in the rougher places.

BTW, I'm pleased to hear you're back into playing that much! I thought your band had dissolved some time ago...
 
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