• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

checklist for joining a band?

#44
Chango Malo said:
Was just reading another thread where someone mentioned "X had a crappy/incomplete checklist" when joining a project. (that's paraphrased but you get the idea...)

Since I'm getting around to seriously looking for another project I thought a checklist of stuff to ask/sort out/get straight/confirm/deny would be a great thing to have worked out in advance. Hell, I could even have it layed it as a spreadsheet and compare and contrast stuff and better use my time as well as everyone else's.

So what are the things you'd like to have on a "prospective project interview Q&A checklist"?

stuff like:
set list
BL or democratic band
gig freq
reheasal freq
who picks new tunes
covers vrs own material
dress code at gigs
drug/booze policy
who owns/pays for the equipment
payout

what am I missing?
Click to expand...

Good list and great thread. I'm trying to think what else to add other the background of the players involved, how long they have been with the band, how long they were with the band before and why they left,
 
#51
I join a band only if they play music I like and there's no bad vibe inside the band..

One of our guitar players has some kind of animosity towards one of our singers... And the singrs doesn't care about it...

Once, after a rehearsal, the tension was so high that I threatened to quit the band just right the next gig. That was a red flag for the band ,and for almost a year we had some truce...nowadays the situation is similar and , honestly, I don't want to deal with this s**t again..
 
#52
mikewalker said:
ALL musicians are flakey musicians ** :)

(** PRESENT COMPANY EXCEPTED) ;)
Click to expand...
Just as a follow-up, one of the guitarists seem perturbed (facial expression, not verbal) when I mentioned that although I still had interest, I wouldn't commit until I got a chance to play with the drummer (who wasn't there) and hear the female vocalist (who wasn't there). I was told that they could have been there, but they (guitarists) didn't invite them over. Who does this? Did they think I was some lowlife or non-talent. But even then even if I was, I made the effort to get to the tryout and I learned their songs (sent them a list of what I was ready for). Don't I get something in return, like the whole band being there. I did one other tryout in my life without a drummer there, and I didn't like it. Last night went better, but still.......
 
#54
City said:
Just as a follow-up, one of the guitarists seem perturbed (facial expression, not verbal) when I mentioned that although I still had interest, I wouldn't commit until I got a chance to play with the drummer (who wasn't there) and hear the female vocalist (who wasn't there). I was told that they could have been there, but they (guitarists) didn't invite them over. Who does this? Did they think I was some lowlife or non-talent. But even then even if I was, I made the effort to get to the tryout and I learned their songs (sent them a list of what I was ready for). Don't I get something in return, like the whole band being there. I did one other tryout in my life without a drummer there, and I didn't like it. Last night went better, but still.......
Click to expand...
Yeah. No more auditions for me without at least the drummer, lead vox and at least one of the guitarists. I prefer everyone to be there, but I need enough of the band there for it to be a band. I did one audition a couple years ago with no drummer (start up and just the lead singer and husband guitarists were in place - least comfortable audition of my electric bass life) and just won't do it again. I suspect I'd walk out before even plugged in in if I learned that no drummer would be there after I got there.

Who does this? Amateurs, rookies and "richards" - easy no join for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: City
#56
where they rehearse and how often is key to me. Is it an hour away or more? I'm probably not interested.

Is it in a suitable place, or stuffed into something not much bigger than half a guestroom (been there, deal breaker)?

are they established with gigs or not (most start-ups never get off the ground - tired of wasting 6 months or more on a band that gets nowhere)?

What are their ages (i need to fit in)?

What are they looking for in a bassist in their own words?

If they are not all there, an audition to me is a waste of time.

or worse I've done auditions where I knew the songs better than they did?

so much of this comes down to ability, attitude and professionalism. And yeah, the hang, the money, the material.
 
#57
My list has changed over the years. The only constant non-negotiables have been good people, competent musicians, low drama and music I enjoy.
1)For my first "band" it was just simply a chance to make and write some music with my friends. Almost no expectations.
2)For my second band I wanted:
-To play shows
-Original tunes.
3)When that wrapped up I deliberately sought out a project that would be:
-A new style of music,
-Better musicians
-Better gigs.
4)Took a bit of a break and when I got back into music recently my priorities were:
-Steady paid gigs
-No rehearsal

At each stage I found myself in a group that met what I was looking for.
 
#59
Continuing the OT.... :-)
vvvmmm said:
OT, thanx for linking the Chi GTG page.
Click to expand...
I'm so glad I forgot to take that out of my sig!
Subscribe to that thread as each year I post a link in the previous year's thread when I start a thread to plan the next GTG. We've had 3 so far and should be having another next April. Hope you can make it!
 
#60
Many of these should be answered in the original ad they posted. If not, I don't even inquire. How well they write the ad tells me a lot about how well thought-out the project is. Some others you can find the true answer by checking their social media/website (how often they gig, where, etc.). The main thing I wouldn't expect to see in the ad is specifics about money (how income is split, and what I am expected to chip in for), and details about how gigs are scheduled.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back