Do you Google potential band members?

[jive1]

Just curious to see if you folks google people who you are auditioning to be potential bandmates.

I usually do to verify any claims, and to see if there are other things I can find that might have an affect on the band, such as an arrest record. I know I've been googled prior to an audition as well.

[UncleFluffy]

Try www.pipl.com as well.

(They will try and up-sell you to other search sites, but the free stuff can be quite interesting).

[TRichardsbass]

Originally Posted by jive1

Just curious to see if you folks google people who you are auditioning to be potential bandmates.

I usually do to verify any claims, and to see if there are other things I can find that might have an affect on the band, such as an arrest record. I know I've been googled prior to an audition as well.

Fortunately today's technology makes it possible for us to know something about potential band mates before the crap happens.

Wish we had this when I put together the first band I fronted. Would have saved me a trip to the pawn shop to retrieve all the bands gear...

[Jazzdogg]

Which search engine do you use to find out if a prospective bandmate had a problem with chronic tardiness, drugs, or alcoholism?

[MNAirHead]

Hmnnnnn..

San Diego Chargers
or
San Diego Padres

They both seem to be amuck with tardiness, drugs and alcoholism.

[jive1]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Which search engine do you use to find out if a prospective bandmate had a problem with chronic tardiness, drugs, or alcoholism?

You can query local courts for records and see if they have any drug or alcohol related arrests.

[bassybill]

This works the oither way around, too - I got asked if I was interesting in joining a band the other day (my guitarist buddy put the band on to me) and I googled the name of the band member and ended up finding quite a bit out about the band. Not bad, either.

[Kbone_ATL]

I do this for about everything, including companies to work for, band-mates etc...

You can also use nice Google features like Joe Done site:anysite.com to be specific on URL's.

Checking sex offender records, policy charges etc.. is a good start

I hope you all feel like cyber-stalkers now

[Edward G.]

No one simply appears from nowhere to be in your band. Unless the person is a fugitive from justice or a proven sociopath, googling them will likely not tell you what kind of bandmate they're likely to be. But why not google? More telling are the histories of the person's previous bands, IMHO.

[Rickett Customs]

query local courts. every member. can't be too sure about anybody these days....I hope they check me too, won't find much.

[jive1]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

No one simply appears from nowhere to be in your band. Unless the person is a fugitive from justice or a proven sociopath, googling them will likely not tell you what kind of bandmate they're likely to be. But why not google? More telling are the histories of the person's previous bands, IMHO.

Agreed, googling won't tell you if a person practices regularly, shows up on time, grouchy, negative, etc.

But, it's interesting to see the history of someone. If someone says they've been playing in successful bands for 10 years, I expect to see some body of work available online.

[fenderhutz]

If they have an open Facebook profile you can find out quite a bit from photos and posts. I have done Facebook searches for people and turned down auditions when drug related items were in photos.

[Joe Nerve]

I google people on talkbass. I find it interesting and entertaining. Sometimes sad. Not sure why some make the claims that they do.

And yes, I always google people I'll be working with. Why wouldn't I?

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by jive1

Just curious to see if you folks google people who you are auditioning to be potential bandmates.

I usually do to verify any claims, and to see if there are other things I can find that might have an affect on the band, such as an arrest record. I know I've been googled prior to an audition as well.

Yes, I stop short of paying for a background check, but I do anything I can on my own.

I have had bands do similar checks on me, I've even had bands I auditioned for check my current gig schedule and come out to see me in action.

I think it's really smart and pays off big time.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I google people on talkbass. I find it interesting and entertaining. Sometimes sad. Not sure why some make the claims that they do.

Heh heh, thanks for confirming this for me. I long ago stopped checking profiles here on TB, so many people pad them with lies and garbage.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I google people on talkbass. I find it interesting and entertaining. Sometimes sad. Not sure why some make the claims that they do.

And yes, I always google people I'll be working with. Why wouldn't I?

I just googled myself, and I think I'm OK.

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

I just googled myself, and I think I'm OK.

Did it make you feel all funny inside?

[Joe Nerve]

I always google myself. I like to see how I'm doing.

[jive1]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I have had bands do similar checks on me, I've even had bands I auditioned for check my current gig schedule and come out to see me in action.

I've had a couple of folks google me and then tell me that they thought I was involved with too many projects or that I was a jobber. I have an uncommon American name, but a very common Korean name, and wonder sometimes if they got me mixed up and overestimated my popularity. Or maybe they found some outdated information. I dunno. Sometimes, I have a bunch going on, but most of the time I need the work!

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I always google myself. I like to see how I'm doing.

It's one way to gauge how big a splash you make, especially if you work a lot.