do people not know how to read???

chakah · #1 07-26-2007, 02:14 PM

while perusing the normal places people post for musicians wanted, backpage, craigslist, etc. I'll see an ad for a bass player looking for a band that does 90's alternative music etc. - then a few days later I'll see a band looking for a bass player that does 90's alternative music. So do people just blindly post ads everyday while they are searching for people until they get a hit. I know my band is looking for a replacement for me and I've seen their ad every couple days.

Probably just a rant - because I'm having trouble finding a drummer for an 80's tribute/cover band. I posted an ad a couple weeks ago - one drummer called - I talked to him a few times. Told him (verbally on the phone and through email) that audition/practice/rehearsal would be at my house on Tuesday. I'd have a guitarist, vocalist, keys, and bass there. So Tuesday - no drummer - but oh well. We practiced anyway and I'm pretty psyched about the musicians I've got in the band.

But then I see the guy has posted an ad that he's looking for a band.

I just don't get it. So should I keep posting the same ad looking for a drummer every day until I find a drummer. So any good drummers in Houston (prefer one with an electronic set to do some 80's new wave / pop stuff)

NickyBass · #2 07-26-2007, 02:24 PM

HA. I always have troubles with posting ads. I make it clear that I'm looking to play instrumental funk music with world influences....then I get 10 emails from various people asking me to join their punk band. I also mention that I'm just looking to lay low with the project because I have a child on the way, and just want to rehearse once a week and gig once in a while....Then I get 10 more emails from bands who are 'going to take over the world.'

If I get any good responses, I usually end up getting together with 1/4 of them because most of them flake out.

Then again, I've had some good luck too.

Cristo · #3 07-26-2007, 02:52 PM

Posting ads is a numbers game. You just have to sort through a lot of crap to find something works, oftentimes.

eedre · #4 07-26-2007, 03:12 PM

I've been looking for a regular gig for some time now in the St. Louis area - I state that I'm not looking to drive 45 min to practice and that I'm in school and can't travel until I graduate. I still get messages from bands that just see "Bass player..." and immediately start contacting me.

So we both end up wasting time discussing my gear, experience, location, travel ability - then I bring up the school thing and I get "Oh yeah, that'll be a problem, we're looking for musicians who can tour."

Lame.

eedre · #5 07-26-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chakah

while perusing the normal places people post for musicians wanted, backpage, craigslist, etc. I'll see an ad for a bass player looking for a band that does 90's alternative music etc. - then a few days later I'll see a band looking for a bass player that does 90's alternative music. So do people just blindly post ads everyday while they are searching for people until they get a hit. I know my band is looking for a replacement for me and I've seen their ad every couple days.

Probably just a rant - because I'm having trouble finding a drummer for an 80's tribute/cover band. I posted an ad a couple weeks ago - one drummer called - I talked to him a few times. Told him (verbally on the phone and through email) that audition/practice/rehearsal would be at my house on Tuesday. I'd have a guitarist, vocalist, keys, and bass there. So Tuesday - no drummer - but oh well. We practiced anyway and I'm pretty psyched about the musicians I've got in the band.

But then I see the guy has posted an ad that he's looking for a band.

I just don't get it. So should I keep posting the same ad looking for a drummer every day until I find a drummer. So any good drummers in Houston (prefer one with an electronic set to do some 80's new wave / pop stuff)

There this band in Stl that has been posting for probably a year about getting a bass player. I've actually had contact with them - the problem? Their stuff is terrible!

Gubna · #6 07-26-2007, 03:37 PM

Yeah, I've experienced this quite a bit myself. I think it's only bass players who can read. In fact, I think I'll go post an ad for "Bass Player Available" right now and see what kind of responses I get.

zongeek · #7 07-26-2007, 03:57 PM

Well, first and foremost, you're dealing with craigslist. Not to say that craigslist doesn't offer good things from time to time, but consider your source.

Out here in LA, it goes through 3 (roughly) month rotations. I have posted numerous adds with very detailed info. and still recieved replies that made it very obvious that the people hadn't read at all.

As to the specifics of what you're saying about people posting blindly - a lot of times, people have probably answered the adds and didn't click. I know (at least in my case) that I have answered and played with probably everyone in this city who put an add on CL in the last 11 months and I have not clicked with anyone. Not to mention here and there you just bump into some really awful musicians or bands.

mrokern · #8 07-26-2007, 04:22 PM

I lucked out...both of my current bands were found through Craigslist. Then again, I've found some real schmucks there as well...

One audition I went to earlier this year was for "an established recording artist with major label connection".

Artist was a kid (ok, 19) and friend in his basement. Established meant 2 self-produced, self-released CDs. Major label was a local indie agent.

I rolled in with my practice rig (custom 4x10 cab and a SVTIII I was trying out), pulled out my MIM Jazz. Friend-guy says, "Nice looking bass! Must be an American?" I said, "Nope, just a Mexi with some modifications." He got a disappointed look.

Got an e-mail the next day saying that it wouldnt' work out because they were looking for someone who had professional gear.

-Mark

need4mospd · #9 07-26-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chakah

while perusing the normal places people post for musicians wanted, backpage, craigslist, etc. I'll see an ad for a bass player looking for a band that does 90's alternative music etc. - then a few days later I'll see a band looking for a bass player that does 90's alternative music. So do people just blindly post ads everyday while they are searching for people until they get a hit. I know my band is looking for a replacement for me and I've seen their ad every couple days.

Probably just a rant - because I'm having trouble finding a drummer for an 80's tribute/cover band. I posted an ad a couple weeks ago - one drummer called - I talked to him a few times. Told him (verbally on the phone and through email) that audition/practice/rehearsal would be at my house on Tuesday. I'd have a guitarist, vocalist, keys, and bass there. So Tuesday - no drummer - but oh well. We practiced anyway and I'm pretty psyched about the musicians I've got in the band.

But then I see the guy has posted an ad that he's looking for a band.

I just don't get it. So should I keep posting the same ad looking for a drummer every day until I find a drummer. So any good drummers in Houston (prefer one with an electronic set to do some 80's new wave / pop stuff)

I have also noticed that myself. My favorite one is the guy posting the same ad almost everyday for months, sometimes twice a day. I'm sure you've seen it if you look at craigslist. Then there's the 6 string bassist with a very strange myspace page, check it out sometime. I've met some strange people through craigslist, but I eventually fell into a good group of guys.

invader3k · #10 07-26-2007, 04:52 PM

You guys who live in a big city have it easy, though. I live in an area that doesn't even have a nearby craiglist listing...basically, I'm between Madison and Milwaukee, and don't really fall into either area, so trying to post on either/both is basically hopeless. Everyone wants me to drive 45 minutes or more to practice, and I can't do that with my job, family, etc.

Dan Molina · #11 07-26-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrokern

I rolled in with my practice rig (custom 4x10 cab and a SVTIII I was trying out), pulled out my MIM Jazz. Friend-guy says, "Nice looking bass! Must be an American?" I said, "Nope, just a Mexi with some modifications." He got a disappointed look.

Got an e-mail the next day saying that it wouldnt' work out because they were looking for someone who had professional gear.

-Mark

You've got to be kidding me????

Trouland · #12 07-26-2007, 07:39 PM

I am going through some of these problems right now looking for a good lead guitarist.

Can some one tell me why 99.9% of guitarists are flakes or can't play a lick?

It is just a numbers game, we have to go through all the bad ones to find the very few good ones. After the last guitard audition at our studio the key board player said "my God its like a never ending worst of american idol, guitar version"

But we will endevour to perservere!
TR

jonly · #13 07-26-2007, 07:47 PM

I posted an ad for a guitarist to play with me and a drummer, and I got a response requesting that I play guitar for another band.
so, yes, people are a little off.

mrokern · #14 07-26-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Molina

You've got to be kidding me????

What's really amusing is that the guy who played before me got the gig. I caught the last part of his audition, and man, it was painful. I think he was playing fretboard olympics in the wrong sport. He walked out with a SR-5, though.

No skin off my nose...I'm very happy with the gigs I ended up with, and my MIM isn't feeling inadequate anymore.

-Mark

chakah · #15 07-27-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrokern

I rolled in with my practice rig (custom 4x10 cab and a SVTIII I was trying out), pulled out my MIM Jazz. Friend-guy says, "Nice looking bass! Must be an American?" I said, "Nope, just a Mexi with some modifications." He got a disappointed look.

Got an e-mail the next day saying that it wouldnt' work out because they were looking for someone who had professional gear.

-Mark

Some people really need help. Hard to believe that actually happened. Sometimes I think people go a bit overboard on that "looking for someone with professional gear". I'd go for someone playing a Squier Guitar if he could really play than someone with a $1000 guitar if he couldn't play.

BellBottomBlues · #16 07-27-2007, 12:20 PM

You can always change the headstock decal.

vinny · #17 07-27-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chakah

while perusing the normal places people post for musicians wanted, backpage, craigslist, etc. I'll see an ad for a bass player looking for a band that does 90's alternative music etc. - then a few days later I'll see a band looking for a bass player that does 90's alternative music. So do people just blindly post ads everyday while they are searching for people until they get a hit. I know my band is looking for a replacement for me and I've seen their ad every couple days.

I've seen those too. I just figured they were the two parties who had just fired/quit each other.

eedre · #18 07-27-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouland

I am going through some of these problems right now looking for a good lead guitarist.

Can some one tell me why 99.9% of guitarists are flakes or can't play a lick?

It is just a numbers game, we have to go through all the bad ones to find the very few good ones. After the last guitard audition at our studio the key board player said "my God its like a never ending worst of american idol, guitar version"

But we will endevour to perservere!
TR

Funny story Trouland

I know so many "guitarists" but only a handful of guitarists

Just curious, how'd you tell him off?

Dave Muscato · #19 07-27-2007, 01:19 PM

You know, it's against Craig's List policy to post your ad multiple times like that. You can mark it (click the icon in the upper right corner) and they'll remove it. If they keep doing it, they'll block the guy's IP address.

- Dave

mjolnir · #20 07-27-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrokern

I lucked out...both of my current bands were found through Craigslist. Then again, I've found some real schmucks there as well...

One audition I went to earlier this year was for "an established recording artist with major label connection".

Artist was a kid (ok, 19) and friend in his basement. Established meant 2 self-produced, self-released CDs. Major label was a local indie agent.

I rolled in with my practice rig (custom 4x10 cab and a SVTIII I was trying out), pulled out my MIM Jazz. Friend-guy says, "Nice looking bass! Must be an American?" I said, "Nope, just a Mexi with some modifications." He got a disappointed look.

Got an e-mail the next day saying that it wouldnt' work out because they were looking for someone who had professional gear.

-Mark

I know this is a useless addition to the conversation, but I just feel compelled to say "What the ****?..." to this...