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Audition Red Flag Time Again

#41
I've only ever looked/started original bands, so with that caveat...

+ Inability to improvise. I find that if the band just jam and play off each other, then they're not that great.

+ Getting drunk/stoned/high during the audition - concentration and hearing goes out the door when you're intoxicated.

+ Not offering to help with gear - that means they're a bunch of douchebags.

+ If you can't have a conversation with them between songs because they're really quiet or have nothing in common with you, then it's probably not going to improve with time.
 
#42
mellowinman said:
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.
Click to expand...

Have you seen these clowns? I love mixing styles, but Barry Manilow vocals in metal just don't work. My favorite part is them tuning up for like five minutes before they begin, because they couldn't get there early or afford a tech/roadie.


My red flag is when people want you as their token bass player, not as part of a band with an equal say. This usually includes what type of bass you should play, etc...

I also don't like being treated like it's a job interview. Maybe I'm touchy, but if they aren't paying me, I don't need the confrontation. If I'm not enjoying it, I won't be back.

I hate it when you show up and instead of giving you some songs to practice, they assume you know the same "standards" they do. Corbeau is right. If you can't improvise, it won't be enjoyable playing their one song ten times.

Guitar players that don't know how basses work or what note the root they are playing is.
 
#44
Anaughtybear said:
Have you seen these clowns? I love mixing styles, but Barry Manilow vocals in metal just don't work. My favorite part is them tuning up for like five minutes before they begin, because they couldn't get there early or afford a tech/roadie.
Click to expand...

Interesting, how many of you guys travel with paid Roadies and guitar techs?
 
#45
If the guy you're replacing is at rehearsal. If he/she is not gone, I won't be unloading my gear.

(at my level) NO internet presence at all by any members. If you can't prove you've gigged, have gigs, been in a band I've heard of, or if you can't prove you can play at all, I will not waste my time.

I won't go to an audition if they refuse to give me a set list (covers) or samples of their music. (Just come on over... we'll figure something out)

Not having their own decent, working order gear ready and available (Drummer's kit is in the pawn shop, guitarists amp is getting fixed) or not having a PA.

If any member can't get to/from practice on time and on they're own. I am NOT picking up your singer at the Skytrain station.

Telling me you've got connections and gigs lined up without being able to tell me where.

Sorry, no substances or booze at rehearsals. If that's your thang, have at 'er, but I'm here to play, not party.
 
#47
Muttleybass said:
If the guy you're replacing is at rehearsal. If he/she is not gone, I won't be unloading my gear.

(at my level) NO internet presence at all by any members. If you can't prove you've gigged, have gigs, been in a band I've heard of, or if you can't prove you can play at all, I will not waste my time.

I won't go to an audition if they refuse to give me a set list (covers) or samples of their music. (Just come on over... we'll figure something out)

Not having their own decent, working order gear ready and available (Drummer's kit is in the pawn shop, guitarists amp is getting fixed) or not having a PA.

If any member can't get to/from practice on time and on they're own. I am NOT picking up your singer at the Skytrain station.

Telling me you've got connections and gigs lined up without being able to tell me where.

Sorry, no substances or booze at rehearsals. If that's your thang, have at 'er, but I'm here to play, not party.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on all points.

You, like me have obviously seen all this stuff.

"You got to go through it to get to it "

Blue
 
#50
aus_bass said:
Red Flag - Gear snobs.

Dissing your Squier VM or CV before you even play a note.
Insisting you need a certain brand bass or amp to be "pro" or cool or whatever. :scowl:
Click to expand...

I really wouldn't want anyone dissing my vintage Gibson Bird at an audition. I would pack up and leave, not interested.

I really wouldn't want anyone Dissing my Fender Reverse Jaguar Bass at an audition either.

blue
 
#51
I would be wary of any band with keys. Obviously keys can be great, my bar band has keys, but there is no way I'd join unless I knew the keyboard player wouldn't bury me with subsonic bass notes etc.

Also I'd listen for a clean mix. Boomy sound where its hard to hear each player would be a red flag for me.
 
#53
Here's one...

I've recently had my first crack at starting an original band and i've had to do a bit of searching to fill out the roles.

I've had a decent amount of people want a demo to listen to. If i've started a new original band, and i'm looking for members still... why would I have recordings? In my world it costs money to record a demo, and if I haven't finalised the lineup yet why would I forkout cash to make a half finished?

Yet I see some people having no demo as a 'red flag'.

This thread has a lot of rigorous criteria! As a young dude having his first crack at running things I can see my efforts would even be sending off "red flags" in certain areas to some of you older guys. Interesting that i'm reading this thread from the perspective of "things I shouldn't do so I can attract good band members"

I will say that almost every time in bands i've been in the members were invited to join right after the audition. That's not to say everyone who auditioned would be invited, but I think you can pretty much tell if someone is going to fit after a few hours with them and asking the right questions. It's also slimmer pickings musician-wise in my country I think as we are quite small
 
#54
"Yet I see some people having no demo as a 'red flag'."

Not knowing what the material is in an originals band is a pretty big deal. Are the songs any good? Are there songs already written or is the band going to write together at practices?

Recording a simple acoustic guitar demo (or bass demo) for a bare bones outline can be cheaply done with a hand held audio recorder or even a flip camera. Having no recorded material to refer to will definitely limit the pool of potential members.
 
#55
bluewine said:
Keys are great.

Thats a new one for me, I have never been burried by a keyboard player.
Click to expand...

I have in two bands- and it AINT pretty! There are some songs where the keyboard player would double my bassline- and I finally said "Look if you want to play the bassline on this, I 'll just take a break" He got the message and stopped. Beleive me if the keys are prominent in the PA in practice or gig, and the guy hits the low ones hard- it will be VERY difficult for you to hear anything you are playing (on top of your guitard ) turned up too loud to begin with.
 
#56
puddin tame said:
Here's one...

I've recently had my first crack at starting an original band and i've had to do a bit of searching to fill out the roles.

I've had a decent amount of people want a demo to listen to. If i've started a new original band, and i'm looking for members still... why would I have recordings? In my world it costs money to record a demo, and if I haven't finalised the lineup yet why would I forkout cash to make a half finished?

Yet I see some people having no demo as a 'red flag'.

This thread has a lot of rigorous criteria! As a young dude having his first crack at running things I can see my efforts would even be sending off "red flags" in certain areas to some of you older guys. Interesting that i'm reading this thread from the perspective of "things I shouldn't do so I can attract good band members"

I will say that almost every time in bands i've been in the members were invited to join right after the audition. That's not to say everyone who auditioned would be invited, but I think you can pretty much tell if someone is going to fit after a few hours with them and asking the right questions. It's also slimmer pickings musician-wise in my country I think as we are quite small
Click to expand...

If you have a lap top,you should be able to record a stripped down demo for next to nothing.

The most you might need is an interface. You can purchase an inexpensive beringer interface for 39.00.
 
#57
red flags:

Singer uses a pitch-corrector and still manages to sound out of key.

Singer with pitch corrector not interrested in whether you can sing background or lead vocals.

Guitarist has severe arthritis involving 4 knuckle replacements in his fretting hand.

band member is over 30 minutes late, other members say "thats just(you pick the name), their always late.

Member asks about your last band, and you tell them about who you played with, they respond " oh, they are really good" with a complete look of fear in their eyes.
 

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