Trouble Finding A Good Cover Band

[GRIFF10672]

Here I am divorced for almost 4 years now .....

I quit the old band when my first son was born ten years ago. Decided there would definately be no time when the second son came 7 years ago ..... Sold my half stack and my precious modded Ibanez . Left myself with my trusty strat and my small practice amp . Just so I could let it rip once in a great while .

Since the divorce I've been playing steadily or should I say I have been actually practicing.

So thinking my chops are back to where they should be I start scanning the local scene for cover bands . Meanwhile I start buying my " tone " again . My tone and playing has never been better . Very happy with my new equipment . Still miss my Ibanez though .

Anyway it's been 6 months searching every means possible for a band to join . I've tryed out for 3 different " bands "

The first was what I called the " over 40 " band

I'm only 34

" we think your playing is just a little to aggressive "

{censored} ..... I'll puke if I have to play Mustang Sally one more time .

2nd audition was a great bunch of guys, good set list

they asked me back right away " thought that was a compliment " So rehearsal time came and for 4 weeks in a row we don't have a full band . someone has things to do etc etc.

I skipped out on these guys for lack of " dedication " . Basically over the 4 weeks realized these guys were going no place fast .

3rd try out .......

This guy bull{censored}ted me from the get go .......

Yeah I'm the singer we got a 7000.00 PA system great drummer great bass player . I used to sound for 3-4 diff bands blah blah blah . So I go down and fell in love with their set list and said to myself OK full of {censored} but some great ideas here . So i decided to stick this one out . Found out yesterday that I'm not in that band anymore . I guess the singer got sick of me calling him on his bull{censored} statements . " I've done sound " my ass . The last time at practice I finally got a look at the board and I told him if he paid the money for the 2 equalizers he had hooked up why wasn't he using them . They were both set straight across and the sound in the practice room was horrible . AAARRRGGG I'm obviously venting here !!!!!!!!1

 

I guess I'm just sick of wasting my time .

How the hell do you find a good band to join ?????

Any suggestions would be appreciated

I'm not a pro but I don't consider myself to be a bedroom musician either . I've played out more than enough in my time .

Is there a middle ground ........ just some guys that realize the best fun happens when the set list is tight and the dance floor is jumping .

 

Guitar player looking for band here !!!!!!!!!

[fastplant]

Unfortunately, unless you know people you have to keep trying out till you find the right fit.

[Jazzguru]

"How do you find a good band to join?" .....well..... Start your own has been the only success I have had. Never had any luck joining one.

 

Greg

[GRIFF10672]

Yeah I figured as much ........ just hate wasting time .

Even when I come out and state the fact that I would like honesty from the get go . It seems I get filled with bull{censored} just so I stick around .

Well I say to myself learn from this audition and learn from that one . But it seems that all I am learning is that 95% of people out there are full of {censored} !!!!!

[GRIFF10672]

I've given the idea of starting a band some thought ... But I don't have rehearsal space . I figure that is key to auditioning people .

I guess good bands just don't lose quality people that often .

[zekmoe]

You gave up too soon. Good bands and players aren't looking for replacement players everyday. They already have a good situation. Don't settle, as you'll hate yourself. F# people with egos or one who blow smoke instead of great lines.

Give yourself a goal to try out 15 bands, even some that might be outside your normal calling. Maybe the one will arrive. You mentioned dedication of the lame-o band. Dedicate yourself to finding your band.

Or as someone else mentioned, start your own band.

 

[GRIFF10672]

Thanks for the input Zekmoe....... I haven't given up yet just getting really frustrated . I agree about not settling for anything . But I got a feeling it might be a long time till I find something . Maybe I'll start that Frank Zappa tribute band I've been thinking about trying . naw that's to crazy heh ????

[SeeU 22]

 

Originally posted by GRIFF10672 I guess the singer got sick of me calling him on his bull{censored} statements . " I've done sound " my ass . The last time at practice I finally got a look at the board and I told him if he paid the money for the 2 equalizers he had hooked up why wasn't he using them . They were both set straight across . AAARRRGGG I'm obviously venting here !!!!!!!!1

 

 

You may have spoke too soon. In the pro audio world an eq with more than a couple of faders moved are a sign of a soundman that doesn't know what they are doing.

 

Most pro rigs will leave the eq's set flat and use them only if there is a problem in a particular room. That's why they are pro rigs because they sound right with out the need any additional eq'ing. Eq'ing is only done to correct frequency problems in certain rooms.

[GRIFF10672]

I understand the EQ settings ......... I just used that as a small example . He had no idea at all how to use the system trust me .

To give another example they had me learning songs every week when I showed up knowing the songs no one else did . I was told not to worry about it . He would have everything locked down when it was time to do a show .

"I've sang in bands before " turned out to be he sat in on 2 songs that his brother's band was doing . His brother told me about his " experience "

The thing is even if he was a begginer if he would have told me that up front I wouldn't have went anywhere. the music is what was keeping me .

[wheresgrant3]

My advice... go out to the clubs where these types of bands perform. Find a couple of bands that you could picture yourself playing in. Make friends with people who regularly see these bands. Alot of times they know if a band lost a guitar player or are looking for a replacement. Joining a band is like finding a job. Networking with the right people is a HUGE help. If you place classified, model your search around bands that you like.

 

I moved back to this area after college, I barely knew anyone personally on the music scene. When I started my first band, I went and checked out all of the other bands. I made introductions, and asked other musicians who the good players were, what bands were on top, where the good places to play were. Eventually I ended up playing with the people on the scene rather than the undependable people I started the band with. I wouldn't be in the band I', in now if it weren't for connections I made in person.

[GRIFF10672]

Now that's seems like logical advice thanks .......

[VSpaceBoy]

Well I would put in another vote for "Start your own" band.

 

I looking around for awhile, answered alot of ads, and was never really happy for alot of the same reasons you mentioned.

 

So I ran my first ad. I was vague-ish in what I needed, it sounded something like:

 

"GUITAR, BASS, DRUMMER, KEYS, - Forming a new band, Originals/Covers"

 

Well I got LOADS and LOADS of crap. Everything from location/travel issues, to metal heads, to Country bumpkins to 15 year olds to YOU NAME it. (no offense meant at all to each their own)

 

So I ran a second ad something like:

 

"BASS, GUITAR, DRUMMER,KEYS- Practice on Eastside, ages 25-35, playing pop/rock"

 

Still got some unqualifieds, but was better. Scored a great drummer. I learned that playing 20 questions on the phone before even talking about what I was looking for/doing paid off big. Any ad I ran after that I was VERY specific in what I was looking for and my Influences and what not. I got fewer calls, but the calls I got were much better.

 

If you concered about a place to rehearse, then YOU take the responsibility to secure one. You can find PLENTY of places for CHEAP!! If your commited to do this then thats what you should do. THEN if you happen to get a band member that has other means you can go from their.

[GRIFF10672]

Thanks SpaceBoy.....

very good info ..

I just don't like the pigeon hole feeling I get when I list " my " influences / what I want to do . I'm the kind of person that's very open to other people's ideas . But I suppose it's a place to start .

[VSpaceBoy]

I couldn't agree more. Personnaly.. I am influenced by the likes of Elton John, Smashing Pumpkins, Queen, The Cure, Tool, The Beatles, Incubus, Sublime, and even Paul Oakenfold (Trance).

 

But what that does is.. give you a little bit of a head start. My songs vary greatly in mood, tempo, and genre.

 

And just so you know, MOST ppl don't like to be labeled to one style or influence either. YOU are the ONLY one like you so anyone else you bring in will have differnt Ideas, even if you both grew up listening to Clapton. However, if you are still concerned, just say something like "Creativity welcomed" after your list.

 

TRUST ME on this.

 

Originally posted by GRIFF10672 Thanks SpaceBoy..... very good info .. I just don't like the pigeon hole feeling I get when I list " my " influences / what I want to do . I'm the kind of person that's very open to other people's ideas . But I suppose it's a place to start .

[GRIFF10672]

creativity welcomed is a good ad on

That's a great point .

[freddynl]

I don't know if there are in your area, but a good chance could be places where they have jam sessions where you just can join in.

 

Just an idea..

[GRIFF10672]

A neighbor of mine who is a incredible bassplayer/drummer heard me playing one night and invited me down to a open mic night . That is a really good idea . I haven't really tryed to hook up with him because he hangs out with a bunch of guys that go to Berkley . I have alot of confidence in my playing but you should here this one guy he jams with ,{censored} man . I thought I had tone . this guy's tone is so tubey wet sounding I want to cry .

Anyway maybe I'll take him up on that .

Thanks for the suggestion

[crisis]

Originally posted by Jazzguru "How do you find a good band to join?" .....well..... Start your own has been the only success I have had. Never had any luck joining one. Greg

Start your own and be prepared to run around and organise the purchase (even if not all the funding) of your practice and pa equiptment, organise a place to jam, organise everyone each week for each jam, organise the lyrics and music for each band member, make 6 copies of each cd of new songs to practice each time someone thinks of a new song to try, coordinate who is available when for what and counsel some memebers on what are the songs they like and what they think the band should and shouldnt do. And its not even my band.

If that sounds like you go for it!

I did.

[progguitar]

 

Originally posted by GRIFF10672 A neighbor of mine who is a incredible bassplayer/drummer heard me playing one night and invited me down to a open mic night . That is a really good idea . I haven't really tryed to hook up with him because he hangs out with a bunch of guys that go to Berkley . I have alot of confidence in my playing but you should here this one guy he jams with ,{censored} man . I thought I had tone . this guy's tone is so tubey wet sounding I want to cry . Anyway maybe I'll take him up on that . Thanks for the suggestion

 

 

 

Then you need to immediately accept your neighbors offer. Never turn down a chance to play with people who may or may not be better than you.

 

Sometimes the simpler player gets the nod.

[anonpostguy]

Starting your own thing is a great way to go. My advice would be to book a month's worth of shows then start recruiting. Place some ads that explicitly state what you are looking for. Visit some open mics or jams to seek out musicians. Then you go and rent a PA for a month - recover your PA expense from the gigs.

 

Audition these players out on the shows. Mix and match bass players and drummers. Find the ones that work well together and then see who wants to work on a regular basis. Don't bother rehearsing. For the first month's gigs just play the standards that everyone else plays. Everyone gets paid, you get to see how the musicians handle themselves in a live situation. Are they professional? Are they lazy? What I've found is that if players are comfortable in booking a night with no rehearsals then they generally have enough experience to pull off the night.

 

Once you've found your players then start adding in new material to replace the standard bar shlock.

 

Just my two cents.

[VSpaceBoy]

 

Originally posted by progguitar Sometimes the simpler player gets the nod.

 

 

YES!! There is SO much more to a band mate than the notes coming out of his/her instrument!!

[GRIFF10672]

some more great ideas and opinions ........

thanks guys

[FlogRock]

 

Originally posted by anonpostguy My advice would be to book a month's worth of shows then start recruiting.

 

There are some problems in this plan... Often it is already hard to book shows when you're a new band without a demo. My guess is that booking shows when you're not even a band yet is even harder...

 

And it's true that musicians who are willing to gig without rehearsing are probably good enough, but I'm not sure if I would want to show up to a paying gig with a bunch of musicians that have never played together.

 

Still it's an interesting plan. Has anyone ever done something like this?

 

Maybe it's better to do this without the booking and PA rent. Find out when there are open jams, arrange to meet the musicians there, and play a small number of songs on which you agreed before.

[anonpostguy]

 

Originally posted by FlogRock There are some problems in this plan... Often it is already hard to book shows when you're a new band without a demo. My guess is that booking shows when you're not even a band yet is even harder... And it's true that musicians who are willing to gig without rehearsing are probably good enough, but I'm not sure if I would want to show up to a paying gig with a bunch of musicians that have never played together. Still it's an interesting plan. Has anyone ever done something like this? Maybe it's better to do this without the booking and PA rent. Find out when there are open jams, arrange to meet the musicians there, and play a small number of songs on which you agreed before.

 

 

You bring up some good points. This is based however, on the premise that you won't be going into the "A" rooms during this first month. Pick out some "C" rooms that are easier to book. Also, if you do end up playing with musicians that are truly disastrous then it's not such a big deal. Because you want to graduate pretty quickly from the C rooms.

 

The fundamental problem with demos is that even if you supply one, it is almost impossible to get bar owners/managers to actually take the time to listen to it. When I used to do demos years ago, they would end up in a drawer and it was a great excuse for the bar to put you off by always saying "I just haven't had a chance to give it a listen yet". If you really need a demo, just borrow one from some other band. The internet is a pretty big place. If you want you can borrow one of a previous band I was in. To be honest if they ever actually do listen to your demo and give you a booking, by the time your gig came about, they would have forgotten how you sounded on the demo, anyways.

 

Here is the best booking tip I ever received: bar manager's always tend to be extremely busy and seem to be always flying by the seat of their pants. I would go into a bar, introduce myself, with regards to my interest in booking a gig. They would always say that they were really busy and to call them next month to talk about it. However, don't wait for a month. Wait 1 week and when you call back say, "Hey, I was in to see you last week and you asked me to call back at the beginning of this week to book a show. I've got my calendoer out with my availabiility. What dates do you have open?" By putting them on the spot and catching them off guard they can't remember exactly what they told you so they stammer a bit and give you a booking. This has worked exceptionally well for me.

 

Part of the plan also depends on how well you can sell yourself.

 

This whole plan has worked so well for me that I don't actually have a regular band. I keep a regular group of bass players and drummers steadily working.

[FlogRock]

Originally posted by anonpostguy Part of the plan also depends on how well you can sell yourself.

I get the impression you're quite good at this.

Interesting advice and tricks, especially about borrowing demos.

Originally posted by anonpostguy This whole plan has worked so well for me that I don't actually have a regular band. I keep a regular group of bass players and drummers steadily working.

So you're a singer/guitarist?

I think it's harder when you only play guitar (or bass or drums). It's not like the other guys are your backing band in that case. On the other hand, a singer/songwriter can book gigs for himself, and sometimes the bar owner does not even care if he brings a full band.

 

Note to self: learn to sing.