Audition tomorrow...hardly any info from the band

[CultofJay]

I think this post belongs here...

Anyway, I could use some advice/perspective. I have an audition tomorrow with a moderately successful local band. They're not really the kind of sound I'm used to but they do have a lot booked.

My delima is that my audition has been postponed once and I'm still waiting on an email that the band leader wanted to send me that has the chords for their songs that they want me to know. Oh, also the address of the place I'm supposed to audition at.

I've talked to the band leader several times over the phone and he tells me how busy he's been but always seems excited to try me out. I'm just a bit frustrated at the moment and I don't feel like I'm going to be able o really show what I'm capable of if I'm learning their songs during the audition.

Any advice how to handle this?

[OmnitzGarima]

Relax. Auditions are generally an adventure in one way or another. You'll be fine.

[Foamy]

It ain't gonna get better - if they (or he) is not trying to impress you now, imagine "if" you are a familiar member of the band down the road. I'd take a pass on it. Communication is everything.

[Downunderwonder]

Could be they have someone else in mind? Or just disorganised.

I wouldn't agree to show up unprepared.

[EddiePlaysBass]

Had an audition like that once, for an all original band. They did not send any songs or lyric sheets/chord sheets up front ("for copyright reasons"), when I got there they gave me a small shabby piece of paper with seemingly random chords - no idea which set belonged to which song. Then when they started playing they told me: "Oh yeah, we tune down half a step." I did not get that gig, and I really did not care.

[stanknuckle]

First impression last. They are not serious. Though do the audition and make an informed decision once its over. Think of it as a business meeting and really sus out the people as people.

[stanknuckle]

First impression last. They are not serious. Though do the audition and make an informed decision once its over. Think of it as a business meeting and really sus out the people as people. Search out like minded people or you will be unhappy.

[bluewine]

The. Band could be falling apart and one or two members are trying to salvage what's left.

I have learned the hard way when it comes to these goofy weird auditions. I have a few rules now;

Only audition for bands you really would want to join.

I want 3-4 MP3s of the bands recordings they want me to audition. No MP3s, I don't audition.

Get a definitive answers about vocal requirements. They will always take the guys that can sing over guys that just play bass.

If they don't have a current active web presence, no audition.

If they cancel a scheduled audition and want to reschedule, I will decline.

[tycobb73]

Originally Posted by bluewine

The. Band could be falling apart and one or two members are trying to salvage what's left.



If they don't have a current active web presence, no audition.

If they cancel a scheduled audition and want to reschedule, I will decline.

We had an audition scheduled. Road to band house got flooded. We had to reschedule. Life happens.

Then again maybe its a good thing you wouldn't come because I wouldn't want your poor attitude in my band.

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by bluewine

If they cancel a scheduled audition and want to reschedule, I will decline.

Are you really that inflexible? Wouldn't it depend on the the reason?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

We had an audition scheduled. Road to band house got flooded. We had to reschedule. Life happens.

Then again maybe its a good thing you wouldn't come because I wouldn't want your poor attitude in my band.

No,we all deal with life differently.

I, personally am not in the business of letting people ot musicians take advantage of me. You might have a higher tolerance for that sort of thing. In addition, I don't trust people, maybe you do.

It doesn't mean I have poor atitude. I happen to be in a band and I look at the whole thing as a team effort.

However these guys had a professional protocol in place during the whole audition process.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Bass Viking

Are you really that inflexible? Wouldn't it depend on the the reason?

I am very flexible in most situations.

However, lets put this into context. I don't know about the scene in your part of the country, but here 9 out of 10 ads for bass players are from flakes, that by my definition don't have a band.

It's usually the type of guy that sat around and said; Hey I should start a band, while they have no experience or anything to offer anyone.

These guys are easy to spot.They are vague, can't supply songs for an audition, cancel auditions,can't supply an address for the audition, always busy, stuff like that.

I am not saying that is the situation here. All I am saying is, yeah, I might be a little different from others when it comes to audition flexibility.

[Downunderwonder]

Depending on your definition of "moderately sucessful" it would seem none of these total gloom and doom scenarios apply....

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Depending on your definition of "moderately sucessful" it would seem none of these total gloom and doom scenarios apply....

Good point, a definition on moderately sucessful would help.

However the OP did present several of what I call red flags.

[drpepper]

It sounds to me like the drummer in this band is dealing with some trans-gender issues and one or three (but not two) of the other members are engaging to try to talk him out of getting a sex change operation.

Some rules I've developed to deal with this kind of thing:

1. Any ongoing gender reassignment issues or drama and I don't audition.

2. I insist that they send me 12 Scitex CT image files of crowd surfing at their shows. If they don't have these, I don't audition. If they try to send me some other format or ask "What's a Scitex CT image?" I don't audition.

I'd suggest you pass on this one based on the issues with the drummer alone. That can be messy.

[TBrett]

OP, I really don't see how the band can expect to get a good sense of your abilities and whether or not you'd be a good fit if they don't provide you with all the information you need ahead of time. Recordings would be good, too. I agree with what some have said here, in that the way these guys conduct themselves up front will tell you a lot about what they're like to work with. If the band leader follows through and provides the information as promised, great. If not, I'd consider holding off on the audition until he can meet your requirements. Auditions are a two-way street. Actions speak louder than words.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by TBrett

OP, I really don't see how the band can expect to get a good sense of your abilities and whether or not you'd be a good fit if they don't provide you with all the information you need ahead of time. Recordings would be good, too. I agree with what some have said here, in that the way these guys conduct themselves up front will tell you a lot about what they're like to work with. If the band leader follows through and provides the information as promised, great. If not, I'd consider holding off on the audition until he can meet your requirements. Auditions are a two-way street. Actions speak louder than words.

Excellent advice.

Funny, how I basically say the same thing, but because I'm a little rough around the edges some of the TBers choose to challenge me and throw out personal insults.

[TBrett]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Excellent advice.

Funny, how I basically say the same thing, but because I'm a little rough around the edges some of the TBers choose to challenge me and throw out personal insults.

Thanks, Blue. I got what you were saying and agreed. Sometimes if a message is delivered in a heavy handed fashion, people will focus on that and won't hear the message itself.

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by EddiePlaysBass

Had an audition like that once, for an all original band. They did not send any songs or lyric sheets/chord sheets up front ("for copyright reasons"), when I got there they gave me a small shabby piece of paper with seemingly random chords - no idea which set belonged to which song. Then when they started playing they told me: "Oh yeah, we tune down half a step." I did not get that gig, and I really did not care.

Sounds a lot like the band I just left. They would audition a musician, say a guitarist, much the same way as in your post. He'd come in, set up his gear, listen to us do a couple of our songs, and then the bandleader would have him come in and play with us, with nothing but a chord sheet in front of him. After a few songs we'd talk to him and see if it was a good fit. Naturally the guitarist would suck, after all, he's never heard the songs and he's coming in cold! I don't know how many guys they went through with this approach, which was amateurish to the extreme! I imagine the bass player that replaced me had to go through the same process! If I run into the same situation when the time comes to get back into a band, I know what I'll do, tell them thanks, but no thanks!

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by TBrett

Thanks, Blue. I got what you were saying and agreed. Sometimes if a message is delivered in a heavy handed fashion, people will focus on that and won't hear the message itself.

Your reasonable and your right.

blue