Tell them you have arthritis in your fingers and cant play anymore XD, no seriously though that sucks I think if you could get them out of there "comfort zone" it might be a fresh of breathe air for your band and everyone just my .02 cents though

They will get out of it for about 2 days by introducing a new song from the grunge era, which is very strange, new, and modern to them, then go right back. We just don't like similar music.

And sorry if i offend any hair metal lovers, not that its bad, but seriously, how many of you rock guys would play in a country or jazz band? Especially one that sucks.

The eternal question.. be honest and just say, "I don't want to do this anymore, I'll give you two weeks but I'm not going to come to anymore practices just any Gigs you now have for the next two weeks".

No sense beating about the bush or doing something you hate if you're not getting paid for it.

just because they're your best friends doesn't mean they are your best bandmates - friendship has nothing to do with being in a band.

the rule is, if you wanna quit the band, you should've done it as soon as possible so they can move on with different player. more you procrastinate - everybody will suffer.

important thing is, there's nothing wrong with quitting the band - you gotta do what you gotta do. but you have to do it right. you should be open minded with your bandmates and talk to them about your situation - make them understand how you truly feel about band's direction and how it doesn't satisfy your musicianship - you can't just decide not to show up for rehearsals and tell them u don't wanna do this OVER THE PHONE...lol. my band had constant member changes and you wont believe how annoying it is to face those immature people..so, don't be one of those guys.

if you talk to them with open mind, they should be able to understand and they won't take it personally, meaning that you guys will stay as good friends. what will endanger your friendship however, is you keep procrastinate and waste everyone's time.

if your band has upcoming gigs or sessions very soon - it would be nice if you could sub in until your band finds a new player. if nothing exciting is going on soon, it should be okay.

Just like goodbyeboy said - do it as soon as possible so everyone can move on. Do it in person. DO NOT resort to childish, passive/aggressive behavior like not showing up or playing poorly. Man up and in the end they will respect you for it. Those that do not are people you don't need in your life.

To add, six months before my last band broke up because our singer quit, our singer was pulling that passive/aggressive shit: showing up to rehearsal, but not singing, shitty attitude, showing up way late for rehearsal, missing rehearsal because he was hung over, etc. Don't be that guy.

Be honest. tell them what you dont like and why you dont like it. I was in your situation once and it was pretty bad. I told them that they were unprofessional and to show my professionalism I helped them find a replacement guitar player. Playing is supposed to be fun. If you are not having fun, you are wasting time.

So i should let them know i've decided to quit before the gigs, or inform them after?

ASAP. If you're hating it then you need to stop torturing yourself. Help them find a bass player if you need to. (Good suggestion, btw, quitting and finding your own replacement.)

You did indicate that there are probably no other bass players around, but that's the breaks. My son has struggled for years without a drummer, then they get a drummer and the bass player leaves. Singers? That's a laugh in itself, but keeping one, even when they can't sing, seems impossible too.

It's the nature of bands. You ALL need to be on the same page. Once people start going in their own directions, it's over. Look at history. Even the big groups end up here sooner or later.

Do everyone a favor and just end it. Play the gigs that they've already set up, (they did that with you on board,) but don't agree to ANY new ones.

"So i should let them know i've decided to quit before the gigs, or inform them after?"

depends entirely when the gigs are. If the gigs are a month from now (or longer) you need to move on down the road. IF the gig is next week you should play it.

however; no matter when the gigs are you need to tell them (face to face) yesterday.

I would STRONGLY suggest you don't weasel around with the "I'm thinking about quiting", etc.. Just tell them flat out you're done. You'll do whatever to help them out but your though. That way it eliminates the "oh we'll change and do other stuff just for you" conversation. Which , by the way, they may well learn but if what you're saying is true it won't last long doing that anyway.

You should honor the gigs if already agreed to them. If they give you a pass on them, all the better.

Hmm... Try finding something that is part metal, part others... maybe that will work out. If not I'd propably call it a quit.
It's not always friends that are the best band-mates.

Never leave a job until you have found a new one.