audition - is this unfair?

Ivs · #1 02-26-2009, 01:50 AM

I'm starting a band with a friend. We wanna have a good time, so playing gigs for money isn't our top priority. Now, two singers have called us, and we're pretty much set on one of them already.

We're going for the one we like hanging out with the most, even if the other singer might be better. But is it unfair to choose one before having heard both of them? I like to justify this with the fact that we're doing this as a social thing.

cowsgomoo · #2 02-26-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivs

I'm starting a band with a friend. We wanna have a good time, so playing gigs for money isn't our top priority. Now, two singers have called us, and we're pretty much set on one of them already.

We're going for the one we like hanging out with the most, even if the other singer might be better. But is it unfair to choose one before having heard both of them? I like to justify this with the fact that we're doing this as a social thing.

it probably is unfair, but you don't have to be fair...

Stumbo · #3 02-26-2009, 02:19 AM

How long have you known each singer?

I suggest giving the second one a chance.

cnltb · #4 02-26-2009, 02:35 AM

You wanna form a band-chose whomever you want.
Nothing unfair about that I recon.

VisualShock · #5 02-26-2009, 02:43 AM

choose who will fit in with your band!

there's no point taking on a keyboardist if he's an &$$ in the same way there's no point taking on a vocalist if you can't socialize with him...

Ben Wilkie · #6 02-26-2009, 03:14 AM

Go with your friend, if your priority is to have fun

woffle · #7 02-26-2009, 03:19 AM

Could be cool with both when its (just 4 fun) no cash involved.jmo
Woffle

atheos · #8 02-26-2009, 03:25 AM

No need to tolerate bad personalities in leisure activity. It's your choice. If you're aiming to go really pro then the singing skills, voice, stage charisma etc. really matter but if you only aim to have fun you'll do fine (maybe even better) with less talented singer. Also the basic voice tone is really the only thing in singing that one can't learn. Pitch, rhythm, breath technique, even stage charisma are all adoptable skills which means even a bad singer with good voice can become really fantastic with practice.

QORC · #9 02-26-2009, 05:45 AM

I'm not sure "fairness" is the issue. Who said this had to be "fair"?? You do things as you wish. It's your band.

BUT I think you should hear both singers because it's SMART. Why not comparison shop a little bit?

AlembicPlayer · #10 02-26-2009, 07:23 AM

make an A list and a B list
use them both..(if the other one is decent too)
if "A" can't make the date, go to the B list
this way the show goes on and you can choose both, but in a prioritized order

and fair? nothing in life is fair...let's get over that today eh?

Hyper-sloth · #11 02-26-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivs

We're going for the one we like hanging out with the most, even if the other singer might be better. But is it unfair to choose one before having heard both of them? I like to justify this with the fact that we're doing this as a social thing.

I've played in bands with great musicians that were a holes. Those bands never lasted.

Jim Campbell · #12 02-26-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

it probably is unfair, but you don't have to be fair...

that link leads to advertising for hotels,debt consolidation,etc.....is there a real link to the zappa transcriptions

woffle · #13 02-26-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyper-sloth

I've played in bands with great musicians that were a holes. Those bands never lasted.

Me too,but trying to groove with Pinocio ,wooden arm git
and budy with wooden leg on drums can be frustrating at best.Friends are great to hang out with and when they are able to play thats when the magic starts.
The a++holes we keep for the practise room and the stage.
Woffle

JTE · #14 02-26-2009, 09:04 AM

I remember reading a story about the Beatles early on. When John first heard Paul play and sing, Lennon thought he should try to get McCartney into his band. But one of his first thoughts was "Can I control him? Yeah, I'm enough older that I'll be in charge" That's not fair at all, but look at what came out of that.

Another story about not being "fair"- When Bill Wyman first got together with Keith, Brian, and Mick, he had a spare pair of Vox AC-30 amps. They were using dime-store 5 watt amps, and Wyman shows up with real professional guitar amps. After they jammed, Brian and Keith said "Well, there's a lot of better bassists, but he's got those amps we can use!"

"Fair" is a bunch of tents outside of town.

jte

Absentia · #15 02-26-2009, 09:08 AM

I would choose the guy I like hanging out with first and foremost, and a hole can really kill it and make it so you don't even want to do it.
humor him and give him a chance.

behemecoytl · #16 02-26-2009, 09:13 AM

chemisty is the most important thing in a band. strangely enough, it's often more important than skill.

cowsgomoo · #17 02-26-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

that link leads to advertising for hotels,debt consolidation,etc.....is there a real link to the zappa transcriptions

the domain lapsed and now I can't reregister it. (GRR)... I should remove it from my signature

pm me if you want the transcriptions and i'll host them somewhere

excane · #18 02-26-2009, 09:53 AM

+1 to everything above.

Where is it written that something has to be fair? Pick the person you prefer, the end.

Obe · #19 02-26-2009, 10:42 AM

Ditto on the fair, it is your band and your decision so "fair" doesn't even come into the equation, plus it sounds like you made the right choice, if you are doing this as a social thing. If you want to do it as a business thing though, I would suggest at least trying out the other singer, in order to be "fair" to yourselves.

Mikio · #20 02-26-2009, 10:44 AM

well, you said you haven't heard him, that makes me think you don't know him too much, that being the case, hang with him and listen to him too, also talk about what he wants in the band and stuff, I mean with both

but yes, you don't have to be fair, you can decide whatever you want xD, don't worry