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In my area it seemed like 2 years ago there were a decent amount of established bands looking for bass players.

While I am not looking I still keep an eye on what the climate is like for new opportunities and I have seen a decline over the past year.

Below is an example of a typical ad;

•We currently have Guitar, drum, Keys, and Female singer. We are looking for a bass player.

•We are a start up group, but we have been practicing together for a while and have 3 sets worth of music.

•We were real close to being ready to get out and start gigging, and our bass player had to quit for personal reasons.

•We are looking for someone to come in and work hard at the songs to minimize the delay. Vocals a plus but not a must.

•We have a great group of people that all have day jobs, get along well, and have a good time.

•We have a great practice place . We don't do a lot of standards. Some of the artists covered are Stevie Ray , Clapton, Susan

Tedeschi and more.


I don’t think it’s a bad ad, and it’s probably is a good opportunity for someone.

What your opinion, what are the pros and cons of the opportunity. What type of player is it a good match for?

Blue

Now that I look at the ad, personally I can't see any blantant cons. Looks like a really good start up opportunity.

blue

Looks good to me and if this was area of interest I would be in.

BTW and not to hi-jack this thread. The bandleader from the country band I was in almost 5 years ago called and wants me back. I am going to sit in with the boy's and see where we are at tonight. It goes to show not all bands use media when looking for players allot is word of mouth and who you know.

I think the fact they shared they all have day jobs is a plus.

Blue

If I were looking for a band I'd give this one a call. With three sets of material they are nearly "gig-ready" ... maybe ... and I'd find that out at audition. So, the worst that could happen is that I'd lose a few hours of my life I wouldn't get back ... just like any other hours. I'd be interested in exactly what " practicing together for a while" means. Three sets in three months would be great, in three years not so much.

I would not be interested unless I was bandless and fairly desperate, "long-time-on-the-couch" desperate. But that's just me.

Personally, the artists covered would veer me off, but generally speaking any start-up is a red flag for me.

I saw an ad last week for a "once-in-a-blue-moon" opportunity, a big-time busy wedding/corporate/casino outfit. I didn't call because I'm pretty happy where I'm at (plus they travel farther than I like) but even then it was tempting. If I were bandless I would've been all over it.

They lost me at "female singer".

I think it's a good opportunity, but not a good opportunity for me as I am not a candidate for a start up either.

My concern would be, their plan for bookings.

Blue

Do you think the female front will help them take this new band to market?

Blue

This could be a great opportunity for the right person.

Who it would fit best?

Mid level blues/rock players with some band and gigging experience who want to play out, some, but it's more about having fun and making friends, aren't turned off by a startup, have another source of income, and have a laid back personality with a moderate expectation for success.

Basically, players like me.

This sounds like how you have described your own band.

The one thing that concerns me is "We don't do a lot of standards".

Will that hurt them if they are wanting mainstream gigs or to gig a lot? Will the local scene support a band like that?

Well my band has been together for 7 years. And last time I checked were booked and we have a bass player. Lol

How so?

Blue

Start ups are rough, a lot of them have never gigged.
Finding gigs is another big obstacle.
Out of the current listings in my area only one
"Bass player needed" has work. 30 gigs booked for 2013.

It might mean they are trying to stay away from too many 12 bar progressions.

Blue

7 out of 24 stars

Thats a nice ad and potentially good oportunity.

Off topic;

I was talking to the guitarist in a rival band and he was telling me that his band was booked solid through March.

Then I found out from an inside source that many of the bookings were "no pay". He forgot to tell me that part of the story. lol

blue

Good luck,

Word of mouth opportunities are usually good.

Blue

I was thinking it seemed similar to your band: Blues cover band, day jobbers, ready to gig. Of course your band is actually gigging, and this one isn't.

Basically the ad sounds like a decent situation, but like any band situation, reading an ad and having a phone conversation can only tell you so much.

Actually meeting and playing with the band provides the first REAL information and it may take a couple or three rehearsals to find out how the band, as a group and as individuals, does or doesn't live up to your expectations and whether or not its worth the commitment.