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Can You Afford To Be Picky

B

bluewine

Inactive
Sep 4, 2008
10,296
27
WI
#1
As some of you know that Pop Rock originals band I was in broke up, essentially we all mutinied on the lead singer and band leader.

Since then the band members have been in contact with each other on a daily basis.

I want to get back to work with a working band, I really don't care so much about the genre, as long as they are working every weekend.

With the other guys, I have heard so much of this, "I'm not playing in that kind of band or I'm not playing covers ect." Problem with that is, my ex band mates might end up out of the scene for a long time.

I have another audition this week, (my second since the breakup of the band) It's a blues rock band with a very busy schedule. The lead guitarist knew I was looking and he also knew I failed the audition with that classic rock cover band last month. He said he wanted to talk to me. When I called he filled me in that they were looking.

I audition on Wednesday night. I am still a little ticked about getting rejected by the last band.To be honest at this point I am not very prepared.

Would you be out auditioning or waiting for the ideal band?
 
#2
There is never an ideal band. Only ones with tolerable amounts of drama.
It helps to study psychology and learn the science behind why people do and think the stupid things they do. The more you know about that, the more you know how not to make things worse.
In areas with large populations of musicians, people definitely tend to be too picky, there's a revolving door mentality and the thought that there's a replacement musician out there without any issues.
The truth is we all have issues of some kind. I've found in rural areas people are sometimes more tolerant of others because if you aren't you will be finding yourself playing alone.
 
#4
I'm a gig whore. I'll play with anyone so long as the hang is decent and the scratch is good (wow, that sounds sexual). Anyways, go ahead and audition. If you like the guys, can tolerate the music, and are making decent money then it's a band worth being in.
 
#5
jmattbassplaya said:
I'm a gig whore. I'll play with anyone so long as the hang is decent and the scratch is good (wow, that sounds sexual). Anyways, go ahead and audition. If you like the guys, can tolerate the music, and are making decent money then it's a band worth being in.
Click to expand...

That is exactly the way I'm approaching this.

It's interesting hearing about drama. I will never understand why people bring non-band issues into a band.
 
#6
Rejection is part of the business. There's more to it that just being good enough. Sometimes you can be so good, you're intimidating.

Go ahead and audition. You might like the guys, music is music and playing is different than listening. Gigs are gigs and venues are getting fewer... if they're working...

And +1 to never an ideal band. There is ALWAYS compromise.
 
#7
I'm different I guess. There are allot of types of music I won't play and would never auditon for bands that play that music. I know what I like and what I want to spend my time doing.
I also need a decent/good hang and since the music is more important than money the musicians have to be good also. I cant hang in say a crappy coverband that gets gigs in crappy clubs ..been there.

If i was just out to just to play, get coin and stay busy, then I'm sure my bar would be lowered. Music is much more than that to me and quality is more important than gigs, money and just the sake of playing.
For now I will stick to having a bar set high. I am lucky to have a great group to be with so for the time being ..no worries.
 
#9
My life is pretty busy, so it's real important that I look forward to practice/gigging. It's not a money issue, so if other members are not holding their own learning the tunes, I move on. Diverse personalities and opinions I can deal with, but lethargy I can't.
 
#10
Before I played in a band, I would play my guitar and think that someday I'll be in a band and I'll get to play all my favorite music. After being in bands for a while, I realize you're lucky if you get to play some of your favorite songs.Being in a band is all about compromise. I wouldn't wait for a perfect band, I'd find one that is tolerable and go from there. Good luck Blue.:bassist:
 
#11
Why overthink things, if you dream job giggin w/ Mott The Hopple materializes while you are with the blues band you can always quit. With each passing day as our economy scuffles finding venues hiring live acts are decreasing, so no none of us can afford to be picky until the recession lifts
 
#12
I'm surprised to see that for many people music it is all about making money in a rock/pop band.

no one still like to play because they are better than yesterday and closing the gap between you and the technical challenge of a song ?

But oh well for the sake of this tread ... why don't you put an ad that you are looking for a guitar player/drum etc that like the same music as you ??? It may be your chance to have an cover/original band and maybe playing at some place that you think better than with your last band.
 
#13
+1 to the there is no perfect band. Some are (much) better then others but none are perfect.

It sounds like you have a handle on what you want. You want to be working every weekend and you're flexible in the genre band that you play in.
 
#16
Mayers said:
I'm surprised to see that for many people music it is all about making money in a rock/pop band.

no one still like to play because they are better than yesterday and closing the gap between you and the technical challenge of a song ?

But oh well for the sake of this tread ... why don't you put an ad that you are looking for a guitar player/drum etc that like the same music as you ??? It may be your chance to have an cover/original band and maybe playing at some place that you think better than with your last band.
Click to expand...

Great idea, however that's like starting a new band, which I don't have the ability or interest in.

I hope my audition goes well tomorrow night. I am dropping my gear off and setting up tonight at their rehearsal studio to save time for tomorrow night.
 
#17
bluewine said:
Great idea, however that's like starting a new band, which I don't have the ability or interest in.

I hope my audition goes well tomorrow night. I am dropping my gear off and setting up tonight at their rehearsal studio to save time for tomorrow night.
Click to expand...

Good luck! A possitive attitude and your overall image is about just as important as how good of a player you are.
 
#18
Mayers said:
I'm surprised to see that for many people music it is all about making money in a rock/pop band.

no one still like to play because they are better than yesterday and closing the gap between you and the technical challenge of a song ?

But oh well for the sake of this tread ... why don't you put an ad that you are looking for a guitar player/drum etc that like the same music as you ??? It may be your chance to have an cover/original band and maybe playing at some place that you think better than with your last band.
Click to expand...

It's not that easy or that simple of an issue.

I love music and playing bass, I have been at it for over 40 years. And when I say I like playing, it means after 40 years I still take weekly. lessons and I love wood shedding.

But my main love is playing out live to decent size crowds. And bands with good marketing and a strategy to sell are rare.

I can't afford to be picky, but I can't afford to play in a basement hobby band either.
 
#19
You can afford to be picky.. A piece of advice a mentor gave me a ways back that has served me really well in these sort of decisions is...

There are three key ingredients to every gig
1) music (as in do u dig the music)
2) hang (is it a stress-free hang with likable people)
3) money (are you getting paid $$$ worth your time)

If you only have 1 out 3 skip it, 2 out of 3 you should take the gig.. 3 out of 3 and you're in musical heaven..

I'm pretty lucky that my band regularly hits 3 of 3 and my GB gig is usually 2.25 of 3..
 
#20
AfroCubanFunkMa said:
There are three key ingredients to every gig
1) music (as in do u dig the music)
2) hang (is it a stress-free hang with likable people)
3) money (are you getting paid $$$ worth your time)

If you only have 1 out 3 skip it, 2 out of 3 you should take the gig.. 3 out of 3 and you're in musical heaven.
Click to expand...

Id say thats pretty good. If I were looking for a new band, there would definitely have to be at least 2 of those 3. Ive not made much money musically, but every band Ive been in has had good music that I like to play, and cool people that I can hang out with. Now, if we could just stay consistent with the paying gigs things would be ideal, but Im happy where Im at now (aside from the nonactivity for the last 3 weeks, but that will be addressed at the next rehearsal).
 

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