Auditioning players in the real world

[jmarcus2]

Just an observation, and excuse the partial rant

It's been amusing watching Rockstar.SN.
Many of us do a very small scale version of this without the star power, hype, free food and housing.

After a discouraging search, my drummer and I finally found a guitarist/singer to front our band! I know this has been discussed before, but it still amazes me that:

1. No matter how clear you are about musical direction and goals, some folks don't get it.

2. there's a significant difference between what certain players SAY they can do, and what we finally hear [More said = bigger difference].

3. they don't come prepared with what they know and can do best, and/or any material we've suggested.

I think I'm reasonable, and certainly wouldn't post some ad requiring the reincarnation of [name your guitar hero here].

In the time a player sets their gear up and warms up, I can usually tell if its going to be a good or bad moment. I'll not be mean and give that person the benefit of more time, usually to our discomfort.

I think for the now I can laugh about those weird & uncomfortable moments.

I know, goes with the territory.

[jady]

DUDE, TELL ME!!!!! We auditioned blues guitarists for 6 months. We would give them 4 songs on a cd to play. If it wasnt obvious by the time they were set up, 30 seconds into the first tune it definately was, and then we had 3 1/2 more songs to wait out. Audition 5 dudes in 1 day and you have to have a serious drinking party just to make it through.

It was the worst (then) and funiest (now) summer i have ever had.

[MazeMouse]

Even worse is it when searching for a band (because you're new to the area and don't have the luxury of being in a band or know people) and stating the genre or genre's you're willing to play.

And then getting auditioning offers by bands who are nowhere near the genre's I told them... all originals progressive/symphonic/rock/metal (sorta combination of Nightwish and Symphony X)
And getting offers from coverbands wanting to play old rock (led zep, ac/dc, sabbath, etc)
Am I asking in swahili? Or do people only read "bassist looking..." and forget to read the rest?

EDIT:
(and ignoring bands because of distance when searching for "bassist wanted" adds and not a day after I decided not to reply on their add they reply on my add )

[hartke20g]

Originally Posted by MazeMouse

and ignoring bands because of distance

i hate it when that type of thing comes up. i've found loads of bands on craigslist looking for a bassist about my age, and have to let each one go because the trip and amount of times i have to make that trip just aren't plausible for me. then the ads that are near you (some even within a mile/kilometer or so) aren't plausible either because of their requirements/style.
i hate not having a car. or a liscence to drive that car on my own.

[jmarcus2]

Originally Posted by hartke20g

i hate it when that type of thing comes up. i've found loads of bands on craigslist looking for a bassist about my age, and have to let each one go because the trip and amount of times i have to make that trip just aren't plausible for me. then the ads that are near you (some even within a mile/kilometer or so) aren't plausible either because of their requirements/style.
i hate not having a car. or a liscence to drive that car on my own.

I see you're about a year and 1/2 from a license (which is good!) but you still may have to rely on parents/siblings for the car. Hope you're luckier than I was. Nothing is better than supportive parents.