Craigslist-- garbage IMHO

[mpdd]

not sure if this is still going on, but i believe it goes like this

-somebody wants to be in a band, but they are so talented/sensitive/drug addled/socially undeveloped/manipulative they blame everybody else for their insecurities and sabotage everything

and if that's not enough they might try to poison the sales section too

-one buys a used bass in excellent condition at guitar center in hollywood dirt cheap
-one claims they got it new and write some sob story about why they can't keep it
-they try to sell it for the msrp on cl

 

[Mystic Michael]

out of the remaining 25% - 20% are ego trips--- it usually goes like this- "since you are responding to my ad, I make all the rules, you have zero input on what we play, which songs, etc.." I have now learned to spot this fairly quickly, and bail the second I get this vibe.

I'm going to challenge you just a bit on this...

While I certainly haven't met the players that you've met, so you may very well be correct in your assessment of these particular individuals, in very general terms there is a case to be made for strong leadership - and too many players, perhaps such as yourself, tend to misinterpret it - and dismiss it - purely as "ego".

A strong leader is one who takes responsibility for the strategic direction of the band, and everything that comprises it. Not necessarily to the point of micro-managing every single song choice, but certainly to the point of establishing the basic ground rules, operating philosophy, and overall means & methods of the band.

To suggest that any given member of the band should get to select 25% of the tunes (or any given number of tunes), simply because he comprises 25% of the band membership, and without any further qualification, is in my opinion, naive and simplistic. Unless you and the band leader - and everyone else - just happens to have an astonishing degree of common taste, such that your selections just happen to mirror his very own selections, piece by piece, the practical effect of your approach amounts to "management by committee". And management by committee almost always leads to inconsistent strategy, inconsistent tactics - and a muddled, possibly confusing aesthetic stance and brand identity.

Most definitely a good leader should solicit lots of input from the other members, and should strive to create a unified consensus that is consistent with the band's creative direction. But at the end of the day - and especially in cases of decision deadlock - one person has to make the final call. And that is the leader.

MM

 

[obimark]

I'm going to challenge you just a bit on this...

While I certainly haven't met the players that you've met, so you may very well be correct in your assessment of these particular individuals, in very general terms there is a case to be made for strong leadership - and too many players, perhaps such as yourself, tend to misinterpret it - and dismiss it - purely as "ego".

A strong leader is one who takes responsibility for the strategic direction of the band, and everything that comprises it. Not necessarily to the point of micro-managing every single song choice, but certainly to the point of establishing the basic ground rules, operating philosophy, and overall means & methods of the band.

To suggest that any given member of the band should get to select 25% of the tunes (or any given number of tunes), simply because he comprises 25% of the band membership, and without any further qualification, is in my opinion, naive and simplistic. Unless you and the band leader - and everyone else - just happens to have an astonishing degree of common taste, such that your selections just happen to mirror his very own selections, piece by piece, the practical effect of your approach amounts to "management by committee". And management by committee almost always leads to inconsistent strategy, inconsistent tactics - and a muddled, possibly confusing aesthetic stance and brand identity.

Most definitely a good leader should solicit lots of input from the other members, and should strive to create a unified consensus that is consistent with the band's creative direction. But at the end of the day - and especially in cases of decision deadlock - one person has to make the final call. And that is the leader.

MM

Valid points --If the band has a creative direction and that direction has led to the band accomplishing its goals.
When neither of these things occur then you have to reevaluate your mission statement.

 

[bluewine]

That is great advice- and the feeling I get too, the good bands aren't posting because they can easily fill there spot if it comes open. Have went out and seen some good bands, but they are so good, noone leaves them. Catch-22, which leaves a lot of far less than great stuff on CL.

True, but you never know.

There was a local blues / rock cover band I went out to see because their web site revealed they were gigging at least twice a week and they had been together for 5 years.

I introduced myself to the guitarist and we started exchanging E-mail about the local scene and gigs.

My band broke up, I called him, told him my story and that I was looking. He said, we should talk.

The rest is history, I have been with them since last October. It worked out well for everyone.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Your search is strategic, which is good.

You want a "turn key " opportunity with a gigging 80s cover band with a female front.

The con is well established working cover bands don't usually have to post ads. They have guys waiting in the wings.

While many tbers do not believe in going out to see bands. I would go out and see some of the local cover bands and do some networking.

This may be an exercise in effort vs. reward. If you have endless free time with minimal obligations, going out and introducing yourself to every band in town might be fruitful. However, that same effort put into proper marketing of yourself, coupled with weeding through CL listings, is probably a much more beneficial use of time.

 

[obimark]

This to me is the funniest ad, that pops up on the Atlanta site- every two days--- funny because from my experience tuning differently between songs is a nightmare where all kinds of things go wrong. For these tools, the audience will probably walk out because they will be retuning between EVERY songs. see for yourselves... note- they are going to play exactly LIKE the record so you better not throw in any extra fills!! Word.

We are a new rock cover band looking for a Pro Bassist. Our goal is to get into the Wild Wing Scene just as soon as we have everyone on the same page and on board. We are doing all songs by band's that are played on Project 96.1. Your favorites. We will be covering new songs by Volbeat, Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, and much more..... If you are a serious and professional Bassist, you know that these low tunings, you have to have a 4 string and usually a 5 String for the Low B. Please be able to play these exactly like the Record. Our tunings are from Standard, Drop D, Drop C, Eb, Drop C#, Drop B, Drop A#. These are what we will be doing songs in. If you are interested, please contact me at the above email link. Please tell me about yourself, whether you have a Demo, or how long you have been playing. We are all Pros and have played together before in other Projects. We will be booking shows very soon once the Setlist is established and learned. This means we could be playing our first Gig by next Month. Everyone will make $100 a night, and then we will ask for more. You have to get a Reputation as a descent cover band first to start out before you can start asking for more money. We all have jobs, and this is going to be a Weekend Gig. We just want to have fun, and be the best we can. If we get into the Wild Wing Circuit, we can make alot of money as a professional cover band. We have Space and Full P.A in Decatur, GA.

We are all in our mid 30's and expect the same. Age isn't that important, but we do want to make a good impression and have a good image. Please only Ages 25-35. The songs we are doing are very hard on Bass, so please be able to play them as accurately as possible as we as pro musicians are going to be playing these exactly like your hear them on the Record. We are very cool guys, and easy to get along with. This is about having fun and making money. Please email us back to let us know you are interested, and we will be emailing you the 2 to 3 songs for your Audition, and once you have learned those, we will setup an Audition time for you. Please be able to commit to practicing these songs on your own time, and learning them very quickly. We want to get together at least once or twice a Week to perfect setlist and to make sure we are tight on the songs so we can perform out very soon professionally within a Month or two.

Thanks for your time, and please email me back just ASAP.

 

[BassNeo]

We are a new rock cover band looking for a Pro Bassist. Our goal is to get into the Wild Wing Scene just as soon as we have everyone on the same page and on board. We are doing all songs by band's that are played on Project 96.1. Your favorites. We will be covering new songs by Volbeat, Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, and much more..... If you are a serious and professional Bassist, you know that these low tunings, you have to have a 4 string and usually a 5 String for the Low B. Please be able to play these exactly like the Record. Our tunings are from Standard, Drop D, Drop C, Eb, Drop C#, Drop B, Drop A#. These are what we will be doing songs in. If you are interested, please contact me at the above email link. Please tell me about yourself, whether you have a Demo, or how long you have been playing. We are all Pros and have played together before in other Projects. We will be booking shows very soon once the Setlist is established and learned. This means we could be playing our first Gig by next Month. Everyone will make $100 a night, and then we will ask for more. You have to get a Reputation as a descent cover band first to start out before you can start asking for more money. We all have jobs, and this is going to be a Weekend Gig. We just want to have fun, and be the best we can. If we get into the Wild Wing Circuit, we can make alot of money as a professional cover band. We have Space and Full P.A in Decatur, GA.

We are all in our mid 30's and expect the same. Age isn't that important, but we do want to make a good impression and have a good image. Please only Ages 25-35. The songs we are doing are very hard on Bass, so please be able to play them as accurately as possible as we as pro musicians are going to be playing these exactly like your hear them on the Record. We are very cool guys, and easy to get along with. This is about having fun and making money. Please email us back to let us know you are interested, and we will be emailing you the 2 to 3 songs for your Audition, and once you have learned those, we will setup an Audition time for you. Please be able to commit to practicing these songs on your own time, and learning them very quickly. We want to get together at least once or twice a Week to perfect setlist and to make sure we are tight on the songs so we can perform out very soon professionally within a Month or two.

Thanks for your time, and please email me back just ASAP.

Okay that was mind blowing. There were more flip-flops in that ad than a Waffle House on a Sunday morning.

I have an ad up for a drummer that is three lines. So far I have four solid potentials. My previous ad had more details and laid out plans, expectations, etc.. I had zero replies.

 

[nickrs540]

I found the drummer for my Rock band on CL and I my country band found me on CL. I have never had any bad experiences from meeting people on CL before. Only time I ever was dissapointed with what actually happened from an ad was when I went to see a old Peavey Dyna bass and the thing was beat to crap even though it wasn't shown in the pics.

Other then that all my dealings in CL have been great.

 

[beggar98]

Sorry for the rant, but want to see other peoples experiences, and start a new thread.
This is my experience recently with craigslist in Atlanta. 80% of people posting on it are out and out crap. (Either people who jsut can't get there act together or messing around)
out of the remaining 25% - 20% are ego trips--- it usually goes like this- "since you are responding to my ad, I make all the rules, you have zero input on what we play, which songs, etc.." I have now learned to spot this fairly quickly, and bail the second I get this vibe.
5% may be legitimate but out of that- 10% might be close eough to your style and what you want to do/location.
Its' funny with the shortage of good bass players that more bands don't understand, if I play bass very well and you want me in your band, then I have a say over what we play and the direction of the band. Period! Auditioned for a band recently- who were like after the first audition "You are really good, if you want in your in." my reply "Fine, but out of 40 songs, I want to add 4-5 that I want to play. Pretty reasonable as I am 1/4 of the 4-piece band. So the "leader" sends out the revised setlist for next weeks practice. Surprise, not one! of the songs I suggested is on there. Been there done that before, reply email, "thanks for your time, thsi isn't a fit for me." Seems he thought, to add a song I have to sing it myself!! Which isn't good for anybody ;-)
I post my ads, and am very specific now, but you must have a lot of patience.

It sounds like you want the advantages of being a hired gun and the advantages of being a band member/leader.

It is perfectly reasonable for someone who has a working project to manage their set-list as they see fit, tell people how to play their parts, even have requirements on stage attire. This is what a hired gun gig is all about- showing up and being the bass player the leader wants, regardless of your personal opinion. The advantage to this is that you don't have to worry about much, just learn the tunes (as you're expected to), show up and play the gig and, hopefully, get paid.

The other option is to build a project on your own, either collaboratively or with you as the leader. Here you get a voice as far as set-list, style, etc. You also have to deal with booking gigs, promoting and managing the other musicians.

You can't have it both ways, and if the market for bass players was really as you said it was, people would be more willing to accept your terms. Seems to me you may be over-playing your hand.

 

[obimark]

Fair enough- if any of these bands I was auditioning for were actually playing out with real gigs- they were not. They were in the goof-off stage of well "maybe we can play this, well maybe we can play that."
Yes if I was auditioning for a well-established credible band with paid gigs- I would fully expect that I would have to pay my dues with them for a while before I could suggest some songs. (and would only join if I liked a good portion of what they were playing anyhow as I am not planning to make a full time living off this)

 

[butchblack]

I'm going to challenge you just a bit on this...

While I certainly haven't met the players that you've met, so you may very well be correct in your assessment of these particular individuals, in very general terms there is a case to be made for strong leadership - and too many players, perhaps such as yourself, tend to misinterpret it - and dismiss it - purely as "ego".

A strong leader is one who takes responsibility for the strategic direction of the band, and everything that comprises it. Not necessarily to the point of micro-managing every single song choice, but certainly to the point of establishing the basic ground rules, operating philosophy, and overall means & methods of the band.

To suggest that any given member of the band should get to select 25% of the tunes (or any given number of tunes), simply because he comprises 25% of the band membership, and without any further qualification, is in my opinion, naive and simplistic. Unless you and the band leader - and everyone else - just happens to have an astonishing degree of common taste, such that your selections just happen to mirror his very own selections, piece by piece, the practical effect of your approach amounts to "management by committee". And management by committee almost always leads to inconsistent strategy, inconsistent tactics - and a muddled, possibly confusing aesthetic stance and brand identity.

Most definitely a good leader should solicit lots of input from the other members, and should strive to create a unified consensus that is consistent with the band's creative direction. But at the end of the day - and especially in cases of decision deadlock - one person has to make the final call. And that is the leader.

MM

Nothing is right or wrong, it's all what you want and what you're comfortable with.

I prefer a democratic band in which I have an equal say, but I'm comfortable with a band that I have a reasonable, but not necessarily equal, say. I've been in bands that it's the BL's way or the highway, but haven't stayed long. As a weekend warrior I do this for enjoyment as much as $ So it boils down to what's important to you. I realized a while ago I did not want to be a BL so there has to be some flexibility on my part.

To get back on topic I've had some success on CL but agree you have to sift through a lot of chaff to get to someone worthwhile.

 

[EastCoastThump]

CL: essentially a tool for networking if you screen well. If you don't screen, it's essentially a network of tools.

 

[obimark]

Nothing is right or wrong, it's all what you want and what you're comfortable with.

I prefer a democratic band in which I have an equal say, but I'm comfortable with a band that I have a reasonable, but not necessarily equal, say. I've been in bands that it's the BL's way or the highway, but haven't stayed long. As a weekend warrior I do this for enjoyment as much as $ So it boils down to what's important to you. I realized a while ago I did not want to be a BL so there has to be some flexibility on my part.

To get back on topic I've had some success on CL but agree you have to sift through a lot of chaff to get to someone worthwhile.

This is exactly my situation, I realized if I am not having fun playing in a band, it is WAY too much work to do otherwise- and lets be real technically gig money = gas and food, and small pay to haul your stuff there and back for most of us. (and some small part of my gear upkeep)

 

[dminer]

Ha...A few months ago there was a band here in Atlanta looking for a bass player on cl...they were doing southern rock and blues and specifically mentioned doing lots of Allman Brothers songs...the funny thing was...they stated flatly that the candidate must not be a pick player!!! Even though I wasn't interested in the project, I felt compelled to inform them that Barry Oakley PLAYED WITH A PICK! Never heard back from them though....I agree that our local cl has little to offer for bass players in the recent months...slim pickings indeed....but good luck and keep trying...dm

 

[obimark]

Ha...A few months ago there was a band here in Atlanta looking for a bass player on cl...they were doing southern rock and blues and specifically mentioned doing lots of Allman Brothers songs...the funny thing was...they stated flatly that the candidate must not be a pick player!!! Even though I wasn't interested in the project, I felt compelled to inform them that Barry Oakley PLAYED WITH A PICK! Never heard back from them though....I agree that our local cl has little to offer for bass players in the recent months...slim pickings indeed....but good luck and keep trying...dm

Good to hear that it is just not me. Maybe there are too many bass player in Atlanta so these guys think they can pull this utter crap??... but I know for a fact my old band I quit hasn't found a replacement 3 months later so that may not be true...
I know one thing there definetely aren't too many good cover bands!

 

[NicJimBass]

While I've had far more negative experiences with musicians on CL than positive, I wouldn't be where I am today without it. Found an ad for my first successful cover band back in 08 or 09, played with them for about a year or so. Met another bandleader through the lead singer of the first band, and did a couple shows with him. Bandleader then recommended me for a sub gig, which ended up offering me the position, which I declined. Because of how well I did on the sub gig though, was offered a full time spot in another band, which I took. Ended up subbing for one of the better known cover bands in the area, which got my foot in the door, and eventually led to me going full time with them. Had I not gone through CL, I would never have met the people I did, and I'd probably still be in my basement.

 

[obimark]

Atlanta Ad of the day- so wrong to me on so many levels...

The last time I posted this, I had bass players contacting me. I had drummers contacting me. What I did not have contacting me were drummers and bass players. Together. If you were brothers, that would be too cool. I would like to find those two guys who just know they can click on any thing. Naturally, I would assume these two are in a band already. I am not looking to capitalize your Friday and Saturday. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Maybe even a Sunday. The pay will not be much. but you will play from 3 songs to a single set depending on the night and you need to bring nothing but a bass guitar and a stick bag. And I do guarantee this. You will have a blast doing it.

Singers, fellow guitar players, if you want to pimp your bass and drums out...

 

[Mystic Michael]

Singers, fellow guitar players, if you want to pimp your bass and drums out... [/I]

Oh. So that's how it works, eh?

The singers and the guitarists are the pimps - because they have all power & control over the drummers & bassists? So then the bassists & drummers must be the whores who have no right to make their own decisions, no control over their lives - and therefore must do the bidding of the guitarists & singers?

Just checking to make sure I understand how this all really works...

MM

 

[obimark]

Oh. So that's how it works, eh?

The singers and the guitarists are the pimps - because they have all power & control over the drummers & bassists? So then the bassists & drummers must be the whores who have no right to make their own decisions, no control over their lives - and therefore must do the bidding of the guitarists & singers?

Just checking to make sure I understand how this all really works...

MM

Also note- you aren't even being paid well for being a band whore!! ;-) That is just one of the many "choice" Atlanta craigslist ads... this is fun- I will put the best ones up every couple of days!

 

[bluewine]

This to me is the funniest ad, that pops up on the Atlanta site- every two days--- funny because from my experience tuning differently between songs is a nightmare where all kinds of things go wrong. For these tools, the audience will probably walk out because they will be retuning between EVERY songs. see for yourselves... note- they are going to play exactly LIKE the record so you better not throw in any extra fills!! Word.

We are a new rock cover band looking for a Pro Bassist. Our goal is to get into the Wild Wing Scene just as soon as we have everyone on the same page and on board. We are doing all songs by band's that are played on Project 96.1. Your favorites. We will be covering new songs by Volbeat, Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, and much more..... If you are a serious and professional Bassist, you know that these low tunings, you have to have a 4 string and usually a 5 String for the Low B. Please be able to play these exactly like the Record. Our tunings are from Standard, Drop D, Drop C, Eb, Drop C#, Drop B, Drop A#. These are what we will be doing songs in. If you are interested, please contact me at the above email link. Please tell me about yourself, whether you have a Demo, or how long you have been playing. We are all Pros and have played together before in other Projects. We will be booking shows very soon once the Setlist is established and learned. This means we could be playing our first Gig by next Month. Everyone will make $100 a night, and then we will ask for more. You have to get a Reputation as a descent cover band first to start out before you can start asking for more money. We all have jobs, and this is going to be a Weekend Gig. We just want to have fun, and be the best we can. If we get into the Wild Wing Circuit, we can make alot of money as a professional cover band. We have Space and Full P.A in Decatur, GA.


Thanks for your time, and please email me back just ASAP.

I could easily rewrite the ad and convey the same message in one sentence.

" Want to hang out in a basement with a couple of dudes?"