Chicago Band seeking John Paul Jones type bassist

[Bailiff]

We are a guitarist/singer and a drummer/singer, both 26 years old. We're looking for a bassist. Our goals for this band are to record albums and go on tour. We've been playing together as Bailiff for a little over a year. We currently rehearse 3 times per week at our spot in Humboldt Park.

We are looking for a bassist who is looking to join a full time band, and has the goal of touring. Back up vocals are part of our sound. A bassist with a strong knowledge of their instrument and music theory, but who is also comfortable playing very simply if the song calls for it. Although we are song oriented, we like to experiment and improvise. We want someone who would like to work together to build the songs and brings ideas to the sound.


Here are some bands we listen to:

Portishead
Muddy Waters
Jeff Buckley
Led Zeppelin
Battles
Bob Dylan
Howlin Wolf
Hendrix
Miles Davis
Native American music
Beatles
Shakti
James Brown
Anything Tribal
Leadbelly
Radiohead
Eastern/Indian musicians

We recently recorded a 4 song E.P. and it's up on our website.

www.myspace.com/bailiffmusic

[hbarcat]

Fantastic songs on your EP.

[Bailiff]

Thanks for checking us out, and thanks for the kind words.

[Poor Tom]

Man, If I lived in Chicago and had my talent up to where I want it, I would be all over you guys. Love the sound, and JPJ is my idol. *freaks out and decides to go try to get better at my one true love*

[Spinal Tapper]

Bump for Baliff!

<3
Dave from The Sapiens (chicago)

[tZer]

Haven't heard the tunes yet, (blocked at work!), but I'll toss a bump in because JPJ was one of my primary influences and if I were nearer Chicago (St. Louis is not that far away), I'd certainly be checking into this.

[joconnorwi]

check you out! I'm in Logan Square.

gear - trans - experience...

love the sound and your vibe. Can we get together?

[Bailiff]

thump

[TimBosby]

Damn. Too bad I live in Omaha. You guys are right up my alley. Rock 'n roll. Nice work, gentlemen. I'll try to check out a show next time I'm in the Windy City.

[Saluki]

What - Kyuss or Queens of the Stone Age are not influences? That's what I was thinking when I heard the demo. Nice work. Bump for an Illinois Band.

[Bailiff]

A couple of people have mentioned Kyuss, but I haven't heard their stuff yet.

I've only heard a couple of songs by Queens of the Stone Age, and I liked them. I'll have to listen to more of both of Josh Homme's bands.

I guess it's just a coincidence that we have a similar style.

[TimBosby]

Did you guys find a bass player yet? Hearing your stuff made me wish I lived in Chicago. My wife thought it was great too. Omaha is (surprisingly) good for music but there are so many more opportunities in a city like Chicago.
Well regardless, if you ever roll through Omaha on tour give me a holler!

[Bailiff]

thump

[TimBosby]

I am baffled that some Chicago-area bass player on here has not jumped on this opportunity yet.

[hbarcat]

I'd love to go for a tryout as this type of music is just what I'm looking for, but I can't commit to touring. My 15 year old daughter lives with me full time and I can't/won't send her back to live with her mom.

I think it's pretty rare to find talented musicians who are available and who don't have obligations and can commit to going on the road.

Hope you guys find someone. You've got a great sound.

[Bailiff]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Tim,

It is taking a bit longer than I would have hoped, but I have to remind myself that it just does take awhile to find someone who connects on all the different parts that it takes to form a durable band.

I'd say the real hard part is finding a guy who is not only a good player and loves the music, but who is also willing to tour in a van and live that 'go for broke' lifestyle.

I'm thinking of putting an ad in some bass magazines. You guys recommend any? Or any other methods of spreading the word?

Thanks.

-Josh

[chris0186]

How close to Crystal Lake are you?

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by Bailiff

I'm thinking of putting an ad in some bass magazines. You guys recommend any? Or any other methods of spreading the word?

The Illinois Entertainer. Lots of gigging musicians in the Chicago area read it and it's got a good "musicians wanted" section.

[lethargytartare]

The Reader is a must, as is Craigslist -- but CL is a shotgun approach -- you're as likely to get a dozen bad matches as 1 potentially good one. Go slap up some posters with phone number pull-tabs in every music store. As committed as you are, I think you'd benefit from auditioning a lot of guys -- get the word out.

In my recent search for a band, a singer-friend's search for a band, and watching a couple of bands search for bassists, I saw a LOT of struggles. I have to assume it's like this everywhere -- the really top calibre ones (which I am not ) are all working already, or might be difficult to work with; there are tons of very UNprepared folks who don't quite realize it; and there are lots of folks you might just clash with. But get the word out and you might lure a quality guy away from a mediocre gig. Or "settle" for a guy with less immediate skill, but the right work ethic and level of commitment, and let him grow into the gig. Or just keep the hunt aggressive, and be patient.

I'm another in the camp that can't commit a lot of time due to family obligations. But eventually I found a songwriter who had similar limitations, but still wanted to work at it as much as possible -- so it works well. It just took time for our paths to cross. Finding a drummer went much easier, we felt pretty luck about that.

Good luck man -- get your show out soon -- looks like it's gonna be badass!

Cheers!

ltt

[panaran]

Not lookin for a new band, but just wanted to say I dig the demo