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Bad experiences in looking for a band on Craigslist

southpaw723

southpaw723

Oct 20, 2013
1,101
1,330
29
Pittsburgh
#1
yeah I know another Craigslist thread... But I've been playing bass for six years and I've been dying to get out there and gig. Everyone I've encountered falls into a certain category: "we have a couple songs and we are looking to hit the studio soon, don't worry we know a guy who can mix our stuff for only $1000 per song"..... "hey do you wanna pitch in so we can buy some recording gear..", "I can't wait to start writing songs and gigging man!" but then nothing ever happens, and then there's the people who just aren't good musicians. I'm no snob and I definitely don't claim to be some amazing bassist, but when people say they are a band looking to gig you'd think they wouldn't struggle with keeping time and playing simple chords on the guitar. Why is it so hard to find a band where I can just play live!? Today I met up with some people about 40 minutes away from my home and their "practice space" was a messy garage with no heat and barely enough space to fit all the amps. It was 25 degrees in there and all they did was struggle to play jump by Van Halen for two hours. They told me beforehand that they had gigs lined up, but they don't even have a drummer! Rant over, kill me now
 
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#4
Two suggestions:

1. Start looking for established bands as opposed to start up bands.

2. Let go of any expectations, and go with one of the not so perfect groups you're finding. You might be surprised what evolves out of it.

Remember too, that just because you hook up with one group of musicians, it doesn't mean you can't still keep looking and playing with other. You might very well click with one person in another group and get something else going from there, too.

Just get out there playing. The rest will fall into place.
 
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#6
The problem with Craigslist is the 98% fail rate. But what keeps us coming back is sometimes it actually works.
The most successful band I've been with was a Craigslist find. About 10 years ago, I had just moved back to my hometown and looking for work. Looking through the ads and one comes up " need a bass player tonight". I respond, dude says great, meet me at 6pm, I want to make sure you can shuffle. We did our first gig at 8pm that night and have been playing together ever since.
 
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#7
Joe Nerve said:
Two suggestions:

1. Start looking for established bands as opposed to start up bands.

2. Let go of any expectations, and go with one of the not so perfect groups you're finding. You might be surprised what evolves out of it.

Remember too, that just because you hook up with one group of musicians, it doesn't mean you can't still keep looking and playing with other. You might very well click with one person in another group and get something else going from there, too.

Just get out there playing. The rest will fall into place.
Click to expand...


Damn Joe,you just inspired ME to get off my ass! Thanks,bro!
 
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#9
@lfmn16 mentioned your screening process. Perhaps you are not asking the right questions before you drive to an audition.
These are a few that are helpful:
  1. What is your instrumentation
  2. What happened to your previous bass player
  3. How long has your band been together
  4. How often are you gigging
  5. Were have you played recently
  6. How often do you rehearse
  7. Tell me a little about your practice space
  8. How is the money split
If you don't get good answers to these questions, don't go.
If they seem offended that you are asking these questions, don't go.
 
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#10
My most recent Craigslist fail... it looked like a promising opportunity. I clicked well with the BL in all the setup communications. I auditioned well, dug the material. The guys all liked me. It was all too good to be true though as another local bassist (and I think a fellow TBer) also auditioned and he was a better fit and had a better resume than me. Bummed for myself but happy for the other guy and the band. Who know's maybe I will still get a call to fill in.
 
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#11
I don't know your market in Pittsburgh (oddly @Sturg is in PGH and having similar issues) but around here, we have an open mic every night it seems. Bassists are usually in high demand. I'd say turn up there, and get to know folks that go. Introduce yourself as a bassist and ask if they want some bass. Many open mic folks play the same stuff every week so take notes on who plays what and learn those tunes.

Also, we have a bunch of local FB groups for musicians. If you're on FB, you might have similar, you'll see the same people turn up after a while. Also, guys with Real Bands, looking for a player will be quiet for a while and then post that they need someone. You'll learn about more open mics and jams and stuff. If people know you, they will invite you to things.

People that outright suck or spend all day working on Jump (or any other song they can't play) don't leave the garage...people that have some competence Do. Find those people.



FWIW I have met some great people on CL, but I can quickly read through BS and will pick up the phone to talk to a person after I have screened well via email.
 
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#12
I've actually had nothing but good luck with craigslist. Did a few auditions that weren't the right fit, but also found two bands that I ended up playing and gigging with for years, and one of my bands just recently found a new drummer via craigslist. It's hit or miss...
 
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#14
I have found several good bands from Craigslist. Also have a few funny stories about some of the crazy characters encountered along the way. It is hard to find people to play with so don't over screen. Don't limit yourself to a narrow age bracket. I play punk originals with bandmates that are twenty years old to mid-fifties. You can learn a lot from people of different generations. Be willing to drive a little farther if its a good fit. Try expanding the kind of music you would be willing to play. At some point you could introduce songs that you write or want to cover. Be realistic about what you have to offer. If the bands that show interest are start-ups then be the one to write songs, learn to record, and book shows.
 
#15
Joe Nerve said:
Two suggestions:

1. Start looking for established bands as opposed to start up bands.

2. Let go of any expectations, and go with one of the not so perfect groups you're finding. You might be surprised what evolves out of it.
Click to expand...

Agreed. If you want to prioritize working with a band that has their stuff together and is going to get you gigging soon, then focus on looking at bands that are already gigging but need to add a bass player. In addition, or in the alternative, look for bands that already have songs recorded (whether it is a studio recording is irrelevant, I just mean something recorded in any basic fashion, even just something made at their practice space, so you can confirm that the songs exist and that you like them), as this will suggest that they are capable of finishing songs rather than endlessly jamming on potential material.

Given the easy access to social media and mp3s, there are a ton of bands that already have *some* kind of presence you can check out for partial validation before you meet them. For example, my current band is technically a new project that started when I joined, but the two guitarists and the original drummer had been playing together for years, had gigged regularly under the prior project, and had some recordings from that prior project, all of which I could confirm in just a few minutes online. I also found out in our emails before meeting that they had some new songs in decent stages of development for the new project, which they showed me at our first meet-up.

On the flipside, this time-saving measure may cut out some potentially great projects that are only just getting started, as Joe suggested, so if time permits you can still be served well by casting a wider net.
 
#16
I've also had some pretty good CL experiences over the years. But I also really scrutinize or vet the posters and am really selective as to what I respond to, so as not to waste either their time or mine. I'm local to the 'Burgh, so I understand what the OP is saying... Currently on the Pittsburgh CL, I think there are a few ads of bands looking for bassists... and about 10 bassists looking for bands. Its a way more upside-down than usual right now. Next month someone will post on CL "where are all the bassists?"... so hang in there, OP, things will change and opportunities will come around.

The 'Burgh isn't the best live music scene either. Better than it was 10-15 years ago... but still nothing close to vibrant. But I think there are some good signs and things are getting a little better for live bands. At least a little more varied in genres, not just "classic rock cover bands."

Not sure exactly what you're looking for, OP, but if you're open to just playing, it might be easier to find a project to get involved with. At 6 years of experience, were I you, I would be tackling any genre that comes my way and doing my darndest to learn from it. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to do what you really want to do... but in the mean time, expand your horizons and play anything as often as you can.

Good luck, southpaw723
 
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#17
Musicians Wanted

Pro Players with Pro Attitude! Looking for Bass Player with Pro Gear! We are going to be the biggest thing ever. Remember Prince? You won't after we get done! We are going to have 2,000 Top 10 singles in our first week, and that's not all!!! We will only gig in the best clubs, for premium rates. Our drummer is able to play 856 bpm in any time signature, and has played with some of the top players in history. He is currently shopping for a pro kit, and if he gets that one check from social services, should be able to make a down payment by March. Garbage cans are working great for rehearsal, though!!! Lead guitarist has almost finished his lessons, and can play several songs fairly closely to the original recording, but he's more about making songs his own!!!! Ad writer has thousands of exclamation points available for text!!!!! We are also looking for someone who can sing on key, and a keyboard player. Oh, and a rhythm guitar player who is not wanted by the FBI for serial killing. Yeah, who needs THAT guy????!!!! LOL!!!! If you're interested, meet us in the back alley by Scabby Pete's, sometime between noon and February.
 
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#18
It can work. I got hooked up with a group of guys through CL who all had previous band experience, but had not played in gigging bands for many years due to family and job demands. It's a start up, but we all know what needs to be done and are doing it.

I learned pretty quickly that screening with a phone call, or if convenient in person, is critical. The majority of CL ads are flakes who can't play or don't have a clue about how to make a band work.
 
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#19
Try to get together with any musician friends and see if they'd be interested. When my band formed we were mostly still in the learning phase. The guitarist and I had only been learning for a little while and the singer and drummer had been playing in church and writing at home. We grew together both as musicians and friends. Now were a tight group, we typically dont have any of the hostility or drama I hear of in other bands. I think that's the benefit of being real friends with your band mates, hanging out aside from practice, group messaging every day, etc. I think that trust and brotherhood works its way into the music.
 

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