Audition Red Flag Time Again

[bluewine]

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

All points, right on the money.

Nice!

 

[bluewine]

Not necessarily a red flag, but if they're auditioning friends of the band, I'd take a pass.

You might be the better bass guitarist even the better overall match for the band it's still hard to compete with someone's buddy.

Blue

Side note;

If you're going after a premium opportunity, don't be suprised if they have you back for multiple auditions.

 

[bluewine]

Here's a good one.

In your opinion the lead singer can't sing.

 

[Martin89]

Watch out for acts that want you to be solely committed to them, especially if they're not that marketable.

 

[bluewine]

This is up to you.

You find the comute to rehearsal is over 30 minutes one way.

Not a red flag, but something to think about.

 

[Demonjrx]

I think it's a red flag if the band members are quite a bit older than you or quite a bit younger.

 

[bluewine]

I think it's a red flag if the band members are quite a bit older than you or quite a bit younger.

Depends on the age spread, if your a minor or under 25 , but after that it's more about personalities.

I do understand that a 25 year old is at a completely different point in life with different priorities and responsibilties than a 60 year old. But it just depends.

 

[mcnach]

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

Pretty much agree on every single one!

 

[mcnach]

This is up to you.

You find the comute to rehearsal is over 30 minutes one way.

Not a red flag, but something to think about.

Not sure where you live... but 30min does not get you very far... so unless you intend only to jam with your neighbourhood buddies...

 

[Demonjrx]

Depends on the age spread, if your a minor or under 25 , but after that it's more about personalities.

I do understand that a 25 year old is at a completely different point in life with different priorities and responsibilties than a 60 year old. But it just depends.

I get you, I'm only 18. I'm perefctly fine with playing with anyone. Hell, my first 'band' was me, my friends grandfather and her cousin along with some other guy from our church. 61, 18, 25. Those were some spread out ages lol. But I don't think I could see myself walking into an audition with a bunch of 40 year old men, because they probably are those kinds of guys who have been playing at the same bar since they were 15, the same can be said for someone who is 15 or something. They probably aren't going to be able to meet my expectations.

 

[fdeck]

I play mostly jazz. A red flag is lack of charts. There are exceptions of course.

 

[EastCoastThump]

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.

When those pros do get noticed, living in their cars and eating cereal, it's almost invariably by the mall parking lot's overnight security.

 

[Stumbo]

Here are a few links on the topic:
~Auditioning
1 For new band
2
Getting back in the game
Red flag stories
Hilarious/Bizarre audition stories
"Never got to audition"
Audition didn't go as planned

 

[jaywa]

If you know the audition songs better than anyone else in the band.

If they ask you to "try some vocals" when the ad never said anything about vocals being required.

 

[bluewine]

Not a red flag, however;

You should really carefully define what your looking for.

If your strategy is merely " I want to get in a band" your doomed.

 

[bluewine]

This is a stunt that has been pulled on me more than once. Always clarify prior to audition if your going to be asked to sing.

Also, if it's a well run audition, it's not a bad idea do a short sound check and ask all the band members if thy can
hear you and if yur tone is ok.

It's not unlike a band to tell you after the audition they couldn't hear you.

 

[BawanaRik]

It might be an idea to let every know who the are.

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.

 

[pmchenry]

1)Any ad that uses the word "jam" in place of "audition".

I'm guessing this is more directed at cover bands than originals, but I think it's also a regional terminology thing. In my area, pretty much everyone uses the term "jam" as slang for getting together and playing music. That wouldn't be a redflag in and of itself.

 

[mellowinman]

When they're all wearing black robes, and want you to take a blood oath to Satan.

Or if they're Nazis.

I never join bands like this.

 

[pmchenry]

When they're all wearing black robes, and want you to take a blood oath to Satan.

I hear this is actually preferred in certain metal circles.