Interview before audition?

[Bass Viking]

The following sentence appeared in an ad on a local musicians web site (the band is looking for a drummer):

An in person interview will be held prior to an audition to see if we have a fit.

I've never seen this sort of request before. I suppose it's not a bad idea but to me it seems a bit of overkill. Then again, I don't know what the situation is with this band i.e. full-time pros or weekend warriors.

Anyone here done this sort of thing? Thoughts? Any interesting stories?

Thanks

[nsmar4211]

We talked on the phone with prospective people a bit (actually our guitarist did) and we looked at any myspace type things they may have had and we asked other musicians if they knew anything about em. Guitarist had them come by and pick up a CD with some of the songs on them if it seemed like they might work.... if they weren't local I emailed them the files.

From this we eliminated a couple before ever doing a first audition. However, first audition involved the drums . What happens if you end up liking the guy from the interview and he can't play worth a darn? Think I'd rather find out if they can play before or your opinion of their abilities would be slanted towards cutting them more slack than you should if you like them personally.

Personally, I think it'd be better to steer prospectives towards the bands webpage/myspace so they have an idea what they are getting into.......

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by nsmar4211

What happens if you end up liking the guy from the interview and he can't play worth a darn? Think I'd rather find out if they can play before or your opinion of their abilities would be slanted towards cutting them more slack than you should if you like them personally.

That's what I was thinking.

Something tells me this band has had bad experiences in the past. I'm half tempted to answer the ad and ask them why they're doing an interview. Also ask them what is the appropriate attire. Suit and tie?

[Lemoore-on]

I think its a good idea to weed out buttheads & jerks. It wouldnt keep me from answering the add if I wanted.

[lunarpollen]

I think it's a decent idea, I mean, sure sometimes you can tell over the phone or via e-mail if a prospective new member is someone you will get along with just fine, but I know I'd rather have someone in a band who I get along well with but who is only a competent player than to try an accommodate an amazing player who I don't like being around.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

I think its a good idea to weed out buttheads & jerks. It wouldnt keep me from answering the ad if I wanted.

+1
However, I find a good phone interview is usually pretty effective in getting an basic idea of the personality and goals of the auditioner/auditionee. Some folks just don't fit together, and that's fine.

I am always careful to make clear the range of ages in my various ensembles--and MY age--if I am auditioning. I wish others would do the same. I don't have a problem with 20-somethings wanting a band without someone their Dad's age on bass.

I really prefer bands with diverse personnel (age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, politics, etc.), and have been in many like that, but musicianship, collegiality, respect, and ability to handle responsibilities have all got to be there. Otherwise, the ship will quickly sail off course.

[John Wentzien]

Good idea IMO.
You have to be a decent Human Being as well as a good player.
An interview first will weed out a lot of B.S.

[Sparkdog]

We're on our third go-round looking for a drummer...first one had tempo issues so we replaced him. Second one was really good but had to quit for health reasons.

I'm just tired of messing with it, so now we run an ad, interview them over the phone, and set up 3 auditions on a single night for the ones that sound promising.

"Weeding out" by phone works well I find, you can tell right away that some guys are just not in sync with what you're doing and there's no reason to waste your time or theirs with an audition.

[TheBear]

It sounds like the ad in question was posted by a band that has gone through a few lineup changes due to a myriad of scummy characters. I can see some merit in this idea, as I would rather play with average musicians that I enjoy hanging out with than excellent musicians that I can't stand to be near.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Bass Viking

Anyone here done this sort of thing? Thoughts? Any interesting stories?

If I were in your shoes, I would be impressed by the professionalism of their mindset and approach. So many band situations function (more like dysfunction) in such chaotic, haphazard manner - as if no one had ever given any thought to the big picture and the long term: Everything runs by the seat of the pants...

At least these guys inspire confidence that they've actually put some thought into the matter - and that they probably know where they want to take this thing...

MM

[OldSchoolBass]

I went through a face to face interview with the band I am in now. We met a a local place and talked about the band, influences, experience, what direction we were each looking to go musically etc. The face to face is as much for me as it is for them. A band is like a family, you spend so much time together, it's important to mesh as a person as well as a musician. If they thought I was a tool, or vice-versa, why worry about carting your equipment and wasting the time to audition?

We all met, got along, I then auditioned and got the gig.

I've been in bands with incredible musicians who were complete arseholes. And why the music was good, it always ended up imploding.

Of course nothing is fail-safe, but I had no problem with the interview prior to plugging in and playing.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by Bass Viking

The following sentence appeared in an ad on a local musicians web site (the band is looking for a drummer):

An in person interview will be held prior to an audition to see if we have a fit.

I've never seen this sort of request before. I suppose it's not a bad idea but to me it seems a bit of overkill. Then again, I don't know what the situation is with this band i.e. full-time pros or weekend warriors.

Anyone here done this sort of thing? Thoughts? Any interesting stories?

Thanks

I saw that ad in the OM.

I have had one personal interview before an audition. Basically, we went for a beer at a local Royal Oak.

I can see the benefit. An audition takes time to setup and play. With the interview, if it doesn't work out, at least you got a beer

And some people don't phone interview well. Or you don't get a good visual.

[Unrepresented]

This does save the fat and old people the trouble of moving their gear around. Seems like a time saver for both parties.

[Depth_Charge]

Yeah it's relatively common (25% of ads maybe) that make a reference to some kind of non-musical meeting prior to jamming on some tunes.

Around here it mainly seems to happen with the original scenesters, and the younger ones that want their brand (band) to become your lifes purpose LOL.

Covers I don't think people are that concerned about a fit provided people can play and project positive energy live, so I am yet to personally do a meet and greet prior to joining a band.

[anderbass]

I've atended a couple "meet and greets" for bands I wanted to audition with. (I landed both gigs)

I've also trully regretted not having a "M/G" prior to having serveral obvious flakes (that seemed great on the phone/emails) paraded through my home/studio only to discover they were actually losers, scumbags or tweeters once I actually met them in person... (and then worried about them possibly burglarising my studio after they've seen all our gear)

[KeithPas]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

This does save the fat and old people the trouble of moving their gear around. Seems like a time saver for both parties.

Very true but it also weeds out the no talent kids with stars in their eyes from wasting their time too.

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

If I were in your shoes, I would be impressed by the professionalism of their mindset and approach.

MM

I understand that they want to weed out people who are unsuitable before they even play a note, I just thought that a phone interview would suffice like Jim Carr mentioned above.

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by seanm

I can see the benefit. An audition takes time to setup and play. With the interview, if it doesn't work out, at least you got a beer

It better be a beer. Their ad specifies "no substance abusers".

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by seanm

I saw that ad in the OM.

I check the OM regularly. I don't know who these guys are but the ad says the band has 20 years playing experience so they've been at it for a long time.

20 years is a hell of a long time for any band to stay together!

[GianGian]

Originally Posted by anderbass

(and then worried about them possibly burglarising my studio after they've seen all our gear)

Exactly why I always meet the guys personally before playing with them.