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Audition Red Flag Time Again

B

bluewine

Inactive
Sep 4, 2008
10,296
27
WI
#1
I have noticed several new TBers in the forum that are looking for bands.

It might be a good time to start sharing red flags in ads and at auditions to help newer players from wasting time on wild goose chases.

The red flags may be somewhat different depending on if were dealing with originals bands or heavily booked cover opportunities.


Base your "red flags " on your own personal experiences


Blue
 
#3
Does the band have a decent, current and informative web page.

Can the person who ran the ad articulate what the band is about, their mission and direction.

Are the band goals and direction realistic in your opinion.
 
#4
Check out their equipment, condition, playing ability, practice location.
Also, do any of your buddies know/heard of them.

I did an audition 1 month ago, put 10 hours into it, said they would call
no matter what, never heard back. Oh well.
 
#9
1)Any ad that uses the word "jam" in place of "audition". They might not ever get out of the garage. Not a bad thing, unless you wanted to join a gigging band, and these guys balk and give every reason why they're not ready.

2) In certain markets, like in the south, you have to be able to pull off Lady Gaga and John Mayer and Miranda Lambert, so I'm not sure that is an immediate signal. In order to have a widely diverse set list, the band's chops must be stellar. If you don't get that feeling from the audition or dialogue, run.

3) If you hear any stipulation on must-have gear other than the need to have professional gig ready gear. Stay away from the folks that force you to own a specific model of bass or amp.


Oh, and practice! Then practice some more.
 
#12
ksandvik said:
If this band has had multiple postings on CL for a long time - red flag, something is not right if they can't get a bass player stick.
If they immediately start to put demands on your playing - red flag, means they want to push you into a corner being a puppy following whatever the alpha male or males in the group wants you to play like.
Click to expand...

+1
 
#13
bluewine said:
Red Flag;

They ask you to join the band right after the audition.
Click to expand...

Maybe just a flag ;)

I joined my last band this way. We got such a good vibe from each other, and they had auditioned something like 6 or 7 bassists prior to me. They knew what their options were, so offering me the gig at that point wasn't a hugely suspect to me. I accepted it, as my other auditions were with groups that were mediocre at best.

But, yes Blue, you are correct, this should make you at least think twice before saying yes.
 
#14
viper4000 said:
Maybe just a flag ;)

I joined my last band this way. We got such a good vibe from each other, and they had auditioned something like 6 or 7 bassists prior to me. They knew what their options were, so offering me the gig at that point wasn't a hugely suspect to me. I accepted it, as my other auditions were with groups that were mediocre at best.

But, yes Blue, you are correct, this should make you at least think twice before saying yes.
Click to expand...

Makes sense, but you're case is exceptional.

After going through 6 or 7 duds, I can understand why they jumped on it.
 
#15
The really nasty cases are where the band and/or the band leader masks the real intentions. Happened to me once. There are no clear signals what's going on, let's say the band or band leader is keen on swapping out a bass player based on a whim now and then while they or he/she sounds very professional. The best is to have a network of fellow bass players and find out what's going on. Anyway, I did this and got burned, anyway. Sigh.

PS: Anyway, this band around here now has the reputation of swallowing and spitting out bass players every second month so they have a hard time finding someone willing. Might be someone who does not know this is happening, poor bloke.
 
#18
Red Flags:

-Lack of punctuality

-Subpar PA (unless planning on always hiring production/using house sound)

-Using substances other than cigarettes or caffeine at audition

-Been together for a long time but rarely or hasn't gigged (unless strictly a recording project)

-Band members not singing important backing vocals in cover material

-Band members who don't drive/own transportation

Deal-breakers:

-Band members dating each other

-Tension between members at audition

-Not knowing the songs you're auditioning on

-Hard drug usage or getting drunk during audition

-Expectation of practicing three days a week, 8 hours a time
 
#19
Oh another red flag -- looking for someone pro that is willing to leave day job for daily practices and daytime gigs. Where you get one daytime gig per year. And the average take from a gig is $100 or less...

Or, have the perception that pros don't have daytime jobs, they just 'live for the music' and don't mind suffering living in cars and eating cereal until they get noticed.
 

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