Just when you think you know some people...

Three years in a band, three years without major success (we weren't trying anyway) but three years of decent music and the occasional gig. Practice times mostly on weekday evenings which suited me very well (I have a bit of longer drive than the other three, after work it's fine and also already a bit closer than from home, but on weekends it was always annoying). Always flexible in our time schedule, arranging meets just a week or two before. No stress, no "job feeling" to it, just some fun making music together.

Suddenly for no reason I'm aware of (no major gig coming, no other major development) the other three decide we need to practice at least twice a month on weekends, and have to have a strict "schedule" of at least a month in advance. Totally would kill my other interests/projects and likely also my relationship. Also they insisted the band had to be "more important than any other hobby" (huh? We aren't making money of it). I suggested compromises. They didn't listen. I'm no longer with them.

It's funny but it sucks almost as bad as being left by a girlfriend. I had a good personal contact with these guys, we spent a decent amount of time with each other outside the practice room. In fact had I moved out of the big town back to my parent's village they would have been almost next door neighbors.

The part of me that silently wants revenge is telling myself they'll have though job finding someone playing my style and getting him integrated in less than six months. I'll at least be busy racing the bike.

Not gonna join any other project any time soon, U2 will have to live with my playing along to them...

Sorry, just had to vent.

Sorry to hear about that. My mother used to say "...when one door closes, another opens up...". At the time the statement was less than helpful, but life always did turn out for the better. Good luck.

Bummer. Hopefully something come your way soon that makes you forget this. BTW your still a bassist, your just between opprotunities.

Well, I already have going a nice fat "project" for this summer (and many to come) in regards to get into serious sport motorbiking/track day racing.
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3556696/My_new_project_GCC_Comfy_Chair.html

I suppose it did take away a bit of my focus from the music, but not enough that I would have ditched it on my own (and certainly not enough for them to complain as I always played well at our recording sessions and live gigs). Kind of they made the decision for me on what to focus...

So as Wireman said, the "door closes/opens" analogy isn't so far off. And yeah, I realize I'm still a bassist but I admit I never enjoyed playing on my own - I always did it more for the fun as a group than as a "serious melodical exercise".

Bit of two minds about their offer to purchase one of my two basses at a very fair price. Part of me says for now I won't need it but could use the money, part of me says there's too much memories involved to sell it.

Oh well, it really feels surprisingly "sad" given that I saw it coming for the last three weeks in the ongoing discussion. I guess it's less about "not being in a band" anymore than about being sold off so cheaply by three guys I considered friends.

so they pretty much kick ya out, heck i wouldnt sell them anything even though its them using money, they get rid of the bassist then try to get a base from you? i'd tell em where to shove it dude! if i were you i would focus on that motorbike racing sounds pretty damn awesome to me!

They had someone already in line and gave you the boot.
Don't assist them in any way.

Reb, part of "paranoid me" is thinking that too. Although if I had agreed to sunday planning they wouldn't have kicked me, so not sure what is going on. Will be interesting to see how quick they will have a replacement.

It is a bit surprising and "mathematically inefficient" that after we finally integrated a great drummer last year and were now finally able to play 1h+ hour intense and error-free setlists they would rather chose to look for a new bassist (estimated six months inactivity at least depending on how quick they can find someone) than chose to practice a bit less formally and strictly. The productivity from their sundays will not make up for that effort needed, not in a long while. They will also have to ditch our 400EUR "professionally produced" demo song as they can't use it without me anymore.

Really can't get my head around why for example they did not want to spend additional money on professional demo recording/producing (which IMHO you can't avoid if you want to sell yourself harder and better) but yet they want to be "professional practizing as number one priority". They are still doing it for fun, but want to do it like it would be a job.

And yeah you guys are totally right, I'll keep the bass. It was after all my first one, and the second one is not easy to finger-pick with, that's what the first one is for. I really appreciate your thoughts, it makes it a bit easier to deal with the sudden change of attidude I get from these guys.

Damn sorry to hear that. I know you're passionate about music and photography.

While you're doing your motorcycling effort, you might want to think about maybe doing some photography work along the way, give people a look into the sporting culture around motor racing.

Sounds like constructive dismissal. It happens frequently in bands.

I've seen it a lot over the past 50 years - even instigated it. You are prepared to sacrifice anybody if you are going for the gold clock.

I have also found that if you don't fall out with someone in a rock band, you never will.

Sorry to hear that RSColonel_131st. I've been through it a couple of times myself over the years, and as Old Dux mentioned above, even instigated it once or twice. It happens, and is just a just a part of playing music with other folks. You're still a bassist, don't be discouraged from playing because of this.

Makes you wonder how bands like the Rolling Stones keep it together for almost 50 years. Longest streak I had with one band was 18 months, and it was HARD!

Good luck mate!