joining new band..NO audition, just showing up and gigging...

[Guiseppe]

This is a new one on me, but it works. I've played for awhile, and just got hired on with a band fronted by a young g***** slinger with some rep around here in the blues circuit. He's played the biggest festivals regularly the last 5 years, and is booked solid for the next 4 months. Anyway, he put an ad on Craig's List and through corresponding with him he hired me for the next 2 weekends sight unseen. Has anyone else had this happen (I'm sure I'm not the first, but...)? It's all stuff I've covered before and none of it is particularly difficult. I'm planning on playing it very simply and letting tone do the talking.

I've just asked for a set list (sent to me, but not w/ what keys he wants to play them in) and the approximate order of the tunes. Also, I verified what arrangements they're doing (they're doing all covers). Is there anything else I should ask? (oh yeah, the gigs are on the coast, about an hour from home but the pay is good.)

[Lazylion]

That's how I got into the band I've been with for the past 6+ years. I happened to run into the drummer, who I'd played with before. He was brand new in the band, but offered me the gig anyway. I said "you sure you can just give me the gig?" He said "Oh yeah, no problem". He got me some CDs, and I took them on vacation. Met the rest of the band at the first gig.

Oh yeah, no problem!

[invader3k]

It's nice if it happens. Take it as a compliment, I guess.

[brianrost]

Originally Posted by Guiseppe

he hired me for the next 2 weekends sight unseen. Has anyone else had this happen (I'm sure I'm not the first, but...)?

Well, yes I have been hired like that.

If you have a resume with the right names on it and you sound like a sane, normal human being over the phone it's not unusual to be hired sight unseen.

It sure beats dead-end auditions in dank, dark basements

[Wesley R]

all the time. Sometimes they were throw together bands. Some sittuations lasted one or two weeks, some lasted three or four months.
It sure beats cattle calls and hauling gear halfway across the state for the fun of it.

Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

PS, Did you ever wonder if you were going to get mugged or ripped off at an audition? Several times I was a little aprehensive.

[Edwcdc]

I played with a couple of bands like that last year. Each of the bands had about an albums worth of original stuff and the rest covers. I met with the leader and got a song list and a demo cd with the original music and went home and did my homework.
The pay wasn't anymore than I make with my regular band but the extra effort was worth it. It was fun to go out and do something else for a change.
Do yourself a favor and try to get the guitar player's number or email address and get the keys to the songs. And do your homework. It will be more fun if you aren't flying by the seat of your pants.

[Charling]

I do that regularly, with jazz rather than blues but pretty similar, id say definitely ask him for the keys, he could have some odd ones in there. Not that its such an issue for bass players as it is brass or piano but still worth an ask for when he counts in a song and you realise he hasn't confirmed that its the original key!

always ask the dress-code, nothing worse than turning up on jeans and a tshirt and the band are wearing suits!

if you want to be very pro ask him to give you examples of bass players whose style would suit the band, have a quick listen and try and play like that. doesnt take much but its worth it when they turn to you at the end and say 'mate that was spot on'.

[F-Clef-Jef]

You may want to find out if the guitar player tunes down a half step or more like many blues gtr players do. Could be a little confusing otherwise. And definitely find out what the keys are!