Dad bands- how do I find one

[LowWay]

I’ve recently relocated geographically, and after reading a recent post from a guy in a band of busy professionals and dads/grand dads that gig like 4 times/year, I started wondering where I can find such a band.

I have no kids, but I’m in my later 50s and a busy professional looking for a band that fits that description. 4 gigs/year sounds perfect.

How do I start finding this kind of thing? I have no social connections in my new state, and I’m not a church goer or club attendee.

Thanks for any help.

 

[TheReceder]

Trolling for dads?

 

[TheReceder]

Sorry.... seriousley, it's all about the area you're in. 90% of it is letting people know you're there. You have to be able to sell yourself. Craigslist, facebook, bandmix, and other sites can get your name out there.

I'm in a simlar situation, but I'm at an age where it's even tougher. realisticly once you hit a certain age, people start to ask the question how many more years does a person have at a point. Me, realistically, I figure I can go another 5 years, but I've heard it takes more than that for a band to really take hold

Best of luck!
BTW, saw that you've got a Wattplower. I Picked one up last summer.... one of my best purchases.

 

[Don Kasper]

Guitar Center parking lot?
(jk) Sorry.

 

[ParallaxSM]

Check to see if there are bands listed on Bandmix in your area. About a year ago I saw a cover band looking for a bassist and sent the BL an email. Had an audition/practice and have been playing with them since. It’s not a a “dad band” but it’s a typical classic rock band that has about 4 gigs a year.

Another suggestion is to start scoping out open mic nights at local bars/breweries/other establishments. They can often get a mix of musicians and you can network from there.

 

[Michedelic]

Try CL, as anyone who is dad band material probably doesn’t know of Bandmix. Then, if you have any mom’n’pop music stores left where you are, place a scribbled note on their bulletin board, with the little tear-off phone number strips.
Do get out to clubs, to get a sense of what’s going on, what the typical crowds are, what’s going over with them, or else figure out where exactly you would be playing.

 

[Heantune]

Open mics… jams etc You will probably find more than you expect in your area. If you sing you will be set. Bass is good if you don’t mind playing songs you haven’t heard before. Generally electric guitar is very well represented, lots of guitars.

H

 

[bassicmike]

Besides CL, check FB to see if there are any Musicians Wanted groups in your area.

 

[Sharko]

I started with work: asking coworkers if they or their family members play instruments. Then asking those people if they wanted to jam. After that people self-selected, interested ppl came back for the next session. After a couple sessions with a core group, we decided we were a band. I’ve done this twice now. Your mileage may vary

 

[Ben Clarke]

Generally, I'd say go to the places that you think you would want to play. Sit back and observe. Say hi and just be yourself. See if you like a place, try more, see what comes and be open. You'll hear solo or duo artists that maybe have a need for a bassist, or you'll see a band that is pretty much what you want to do, and they have a sub that is helping them out in a pinch because they really need a player like you.


I think go where you want to do the thing - it's where the people who need your help will be.

 

[Topkat13]

Have you heard of the Grateful Dad?

 

[51PRI]

I’ve recently relocated geographically, and after reading a recent post from a guy in a band of busy professionals and dads/grand dads that gig like 4 times/year, I started wondering where I can find such a band... I have no social connections in my new state, and I’m not a church goer or club attendee.

Thanks for any hehelp.with

With all due respect you have to network and make contact with folks that might want to start or already have a dad band. You've got to put yourself out there. I would recommended you start spending time in local music stores and clubs, like Eagles, Moose and VFW where dad bands might be found playing.

 

[KenSmithFan]

EVERYWHERE. Craigslist, BandMix, Facebook groups, open mics, every time you see a band, talk to them.

None of these are perfect, but if you get your name out there, you’ll find something.

 

[ahbradot]

I'm turning 62
I guess I qualify for a, "grandpa" band.

 

[bthiemann80]

EVERYWHERE. Craigslist, BandMix, Facebook groups, open mics, every time you see a band, talk to them.

None of these are perfect, but if you get your name out there, you’ll find something.

This for sure. Weighted more heavily on in person interactions with the performers due to the older demographic (which I am quickly approaching myself). I'd also add talking to the folks running the shows, which I guess would amount to sound guys. They are often running sound for many bands and as a result become intimately knowledgeable of those dynamics and have plenty of contacts.

 

[brianrost]

I see a lot of Craigslist posts wthat sound like “dad bands” to me…they say they are older, only plan to play once a month (or less), etc.

Personally I can’t say I’ve had great experience with answering “bassist wanted” ads over the years, though. If you’re new to the area you don’t have much choice, though, until you actually start meeting local players.

 

[LowWay]

I started with work: asking coworkers if they or their family members play instruments. Then asking those people if they wanted to jam. After that people self-selected, interested ppl came back for the next session. After a couple sessions with a core group, we decided we were a band. I’ve done this twice now. Your mileage may vary

My mileage will definitely vary. I work from home, remotely, for a co
Pans 1500 miles away with 8 total employees. None live near me.

 

[LowWay]

Yeah, as an older Gen Xer, relocating from an area with a vibrant local music scene, where I did know a lot people, I’m starting over.

And though I agree I need to start meeting people, I don’t want to spend my free time in the places where live music is happening. I’m busy with work and fixing my house and enjoying time with my wife. I guess I’ll start networking with music shop flyers, Craigslist and bandmix (which I had never heard of) and hope for the best. Facebook is not gonna happen. I’m off Facebook.

I appreciate the laughs and the suggestions.

 

[FullumMusic]

1 - Find whatever jams are in the area. Start going to them regularly enough. You don't have to go every single week, but enough that you become a familiar face and start getting to know the other players.

2 - Check out local Reddit channels to see if anyone is talking about live music or shows or bands. I was surprised about this one, but a couple of my friends' bands got together this way.

All of my local friends in bands got that band together in either of these methods. Either through the neighborhood Reddit channel, or being a regular at one or two of the jams in the neighborhood. Whenever i get asked to sub a gig, it's from the other people i've met at the jam, or they pass me along to friends of theirs who need a bassist.

It'll take a little time going and talking to people and getting to know everyone and letting them hear you play. But it's fine because you get to go to jams and play different tunes with different people in the meantime.

 

[mustang bass]

Yeah, as an older Gen Xer, relocating from an area with a vibrant local music scene, where I did know a lot people, I’m starting over.

And though I agree I need to start meeting people, I don’t want to spend my free time in the places where live music is happening. I’m busy with work and fixing my house and enjoying time with my wife. I guess I’ll start networking with music shop flyers, Craigslist and bandmix (which I had never heard of) and hope for the best. Facebook is not gonna happen. I’m off Facebook.

I appreciate the laughs and the suggestions.

Don't discount Facebook. I don't post anything on my Facebook page but found my current group on a Facebook musicians page. In the past I have had good luck with craigslist. Bandmix has been hit or miss for me. Any way you approach it will require an investment of time when you are new to an area and don't have any music contacts.