Sounds like they weren't letting you audition them.
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I tried out as a drummer for a band that said they played out 1-2 time a month, interesting setlist, great practice space with nice drums. The guitarist was so loud it was painful. I almost burst out laughing when we did "peaceful easy feeling" and the singer was yelling to be heard above the guitar. On a break they asked me what I thought and I told them it was just too loud for me. the guitarist immediately got mad and said that it had to be loud to get the tone he wanted. When I was leaving the singer walked me out and admitted the rest of the band had tired but couldn't get him to turn down, and by way the 1-2 gigs a month was really "we played a couple of BBQs in peoples back yard last year."
Same issue once with a band:
I was playing guitar and keys for an agency band. The drummer/BL asked us to learn songs for next practice - which was already a dab over an hour drive each way for me, but at his house. I recall it was Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard. I did my homework, learning both the guitar part and the violin part on the keys.
Show up to rehearsal and the drummer clearly never bothered. We had to stop three times because he kept missing the changes and finally he told us all to just shelf it for now. Next rehearsal I asked if he learned it, which he didn't. I checked out at that point. I refused to rehearse after that. We played every weekend and I knew the 40 songs they did, so I wasn't going to waste my time.
I found a new band a few months later. I tried calling BL to let him know I'd finish out what gigs we had for the month but he never bothered to call back. I ended up telling the other guitarist (only nice guy in the band) who passed it along at rehearsal that night and he calls me back saying BL is fine, won't need me for any more gigs, and thanks!
I was playing guitar and keys for an agency band. The drummer/BL asked us to learn songs for next practice - which was already a dab over an hour drive each way for me, but at his house. I recall it was Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard. I did my homework, learning both the guitar part and the violin part on the keys.
Show up to rehearsal and the drummer clearly never bothered. We had to stop three times because he kept missing the changes and finally he told us all to just shelf it for now. Next rehearsal I asked if he learned it, which he didn't. I checked out at that point. I refused to rehearse after that. We played every weekend and I knew the 40 songs they did, so I wasn't going to waste my time.
I found a new band a few months later. I tried calling BL to let him know I'd finish out what gigs we had for the month but he never bothered to call back. I ended up telling the other guitarist (only nice guy in the band) who passed it along at rehearsal that night and he calls me back saying BL is fine, won't need me for any more gigs, and thanks!
Don't understand how some people can be so inconsiderate. But there they are.
There are a lot of clueless amateurs in bands. The harder it is to make a living in music the lower the quality and greater the incompetence you get.
Most of us don't vet the bands we audition for or accept a position with nearly well enough. There are about 10 questions you should ask before you even accept an audition invitation. I'm guilty of it myself, although I've been luckier than the average bear. I can't remember the last time I got in a situation that was so bad that it either didn't resolve itself or escalated until I quit.
I had that happen many, many years ago. They wanted me to let someone use my bass and amp. I looked at them like they were crazy and said no. I packed my stuff, they didn't call me, I didn't call them. Talk about some brass doodads.
Odd behaviour. Sounds like you are well out of that one....
Wait...don't clickbait us...what are they????
That's just ridiculous for multiple reasons!I had that happen many, many years ago. They wanted me to let someone use my bass and amp. I looked at them like they were crazy and said no. I packed my stuff, they didn't call me, I didn't call them. Talk about some brass doodads.
I love reading these stories, good for a laugh. I saw one where the band rented a space and expected the auditionees to chip in. 
First red flag: the word JAM.
2nd over the top praise... the last guy to do this was sending me "how to play bass" videos 30 mins after the "audition" ended.. thus I consider it playing games to find the next source of narcissistic supply.... why did the last guy leave?
3rd; family members in the band. Just say NO!!!
4th Long Distance driving required... anything over 60 mins and that's it... See ya later..
5th Guitarists with triple decker pedal boards with squillions of buttons, dials and the ability to produce 20 quintillion sounds except when you really need them, not 4 songs later.
6th dominating attitudes, control freaks..
7th Politics being discussed any time at all, even if I agree with the politics being put forward... just don't do it. I'm out of there.
2nd over the top praise... the last guy to do this was sending me "how to play bass" videos 30 mins after the "audition" ended.. thus I consider it playing games to find the next source of narcissistic supply.... why did the last guy leave?
3rd; family members in the band. Just say NO!!!
4th Long Distance driving required... anything over 60 mins and that's it... See ya later..
5th Guitarists with triple decker pedal boards with squillions of buttons, dials and the ability to produce 20 quintillion sounds except when you really need them, not 4 songs later.
6th dominating attitudes, control freaks..
7th Politics being discussed any time at all, even if I agree with the politics being put forward... just don't do it. I'm out of there.
Just my list:
I never go on an audition without asking:
1) How often do you play
2) Where do you play
3) How much does the band charge
4) Who books the band
5) How often do you practice
6) Where do you practice
7) How close to the original song do you try to get
8) Who provide the PA
9) How is the band money split
10) How do you choose songs
And here's a freebie just for you!
11) I would like to see a songlist
If you don't know the answers to these questions, you don't know enough to go on an audition. This should take less than 5 minutes.
At least half of the complaining threads on TB relate to these things.
That's just ridiculous for multiple reasons!
You get that on Sub gigs too. They want the rehearsal and then want to split it.
I have nothing against people drinking and I have nothing about people smoking weed.
However, I see a difference between having a few cold ones during practice and getting hammered.
Same goes for weed - jamming a bit when high can be fun for some, but getting band work done with stoned people is not.
However, I see a difference between having a few cold ones during practice and getting hammered.
Same goes for weed - jamming a bit when high can be fun for some, but getting band work done with stoned people is not.
Where do you live? I live in the suburbs of DC. If I didn't drive to places, I wouldn't do anything. It seems any trip anywhere is at least 20 min. I see not driving far often on TB. After a while, in some locales, you have to know everyone, right? I'm curious how far people go.
#7. Yeah. Some people cannot stop talking about that.
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Where do you live? I live in the suburbs of DC. If I didn't drive to places, I wouldn't do anything. It seems any trip anywhere is at least 20 min. I see not driving far often on TB. After a while, in some locales, you have to know everyone, right? I'm curious how far people go.
#7. Yeah. Some people cannot stop talking about that.[/QUOTE]
For me, it's 30-40" on a Sunday and David (drummer) rides with me. Don't mind the drive provided the rehearsal time is productive and folks are prepared.
Riis
Red flag: when it seems like excessive work to just play songs.
Red flag: within minutes of arrival, you sense a major conflict between band members or a band member and their family member.
Red flag: someone shows up very late and it is not you. Bonus red flag: they don't have their instrument.
Personal Red flag: backwards baseball cap...JK. I have never had good experiences with band people wearing one. I am sure there are good ones out there though.
Red flag: within minutes of arrival, you sense a major conflict between band members or a band member and their family member.
Red flag: someone shows up very late and it is not you. Bonus red flag: they don't have their instrument.
Personal Red flag: backwards baseball cap...JK. I have never had good experiences with band people wearing one. I am sure there are good ones out there though.
Not a sub situation but I've heard of a band leader holding rehearsals in their house and charging the band for it. Money grubbing #$&*!
I had that happen many, many years ago. They wanted me to let someone use my bass and amp. I looked at them like they were crazy and said no. I packed my stuff, they didn't call me, I didn't call them. Talk about some brass doodads.
The previous auditionee didn't leave their gear.
