actually, we've all talked with him quite a few times. first time was he really wasnt up to par with his technique. sloppy playing in a technical metal band doesn't fly. 2nd time was because of getting wasted and wasting everyones time, going on 'bass adventured' as i liked to call them, playing uhh, 'basslines' that have nothing to do with what the rest of us are doing. he calls that 'counterpoint'. im no counterpoint expert, but i seriously doubt playing random things doing that fabled 'bass slide from hell' at every available moment and making the whole band sound bad. he's been injured for a few weeks sitting out. and we've progressed so much in that short time. its amazing, we actually sound like we are playing together now! but i know he's gunna throw the guilt trip thing at us, and go after our drummer, who we've had problems with in the past, but he has his act together now. just a shitty situation i guess. also, he knows something is up so since he's been back at work he's just yabbin' on about how he wants to do this and that with the music (when he doesnt even write his own parts, he literally can't) and what we've been workin on and what music we've written and on and on. i feel really bad for him, to be honest. he has good intentions, but he's a smoke blower.
Everything else can be turned around on you. Good luck!
Just fuel yourself with your own ambition, and do it! (though of course being civil/tactful is always better to hopefully not damage the relationship too much)
