Myolpal. Think I could git that fruit cup?
Mosh, I agree.
First off, the band hired the guy so they knew what they were getting.
Child or not, he's a member of your band so either work with him or get rid of him.
In all the bands I've played with, the idea was to sound good. If there's a weak link you help that person get over that hump. If one member sounds bad it makes the whole unit sound 'not at the top of their game-ish'.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe the guy is a decent player but has a drug/alcohol problem and they finally had enough of him showing up not in the proper frame of mind so to speak.
On a side note.
We always enjoyed slapping our guitar player around but there is a time and place for everything.
For us it was Tuesday night practice.
Never under any circumstances did we ever do it during a show.
Save it for Tue. night.
Mike