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First time joining a Craigslist band?

ZanaZulu807

ZanaZulu807

Aug 6, 2007
510
4
#1
Recently I've been seeking out some new groups to jam around with, so I decided to have a look on the infamous Craigslist. Long story short, I ended up posting an ad and got a response when I realized, I never joined a band based off classifieds. Usually, I find groups/musicians through close friends or folks associated with my relative's studio, basically I get to know the folks I'm dealing with REALLY well before setting up a jam. Now these folks seem to be alright (based off phone conversations...) and their music is pretty simple, but I don't wanna end up getting knocked in the head and robbed of all my gear or worse.

Am I being overly paranoid? I'm thinking I should meet these folks in a public spot or something before an actual practice with them...
 
#5
If they have a "jam spot" I would refrain from leaving my gear there until you have a bonded trusting relationship. They should understand where you're coming from, or just tell them you don't have a rig to practice with at home or make up a different excuse.

In this day in age I guess it would be normal to be paranoid, but I highly doubt a band of ruffians has formed a make shift musical group to advertise with on craigslist to lure in potentially poor musicians and rob them of their $15!
 
#6
Ric5 said:
Seriously you should be fine ... I have met and jammed with a lot of craigslist people.
Click to expand...

+1
i always told people, like my dad and gf, exactly where i am going and how long im expected to be. just so they know whats going on. i kept my cell phone handy just in case.
ive done a lot of audition work though CL, never had a bad experience.
 
#8
Lol at some of these responses, they do have a jam spot and said they have some extra basses and amps (some nice stuff I might add, 'Wicks and a few Ampeg rigs...). My thing is that I've done a little background check on them so to speak and I see they've had a revolving door of bassists and drummer's. I tried to fish around in my conversations with some of the group to get some insight on why but I've had no luck. I'm gonna check 'em out in a few days...
 
#9
I have met most of the people I have played with on CL.Only a few were flakes and if you screen well and go by your gut its usually good. My current band is all CL musicians, some of thee best people and players you could ever know.
 
#12
I have met a few dozen bands and individual musicians via CraigsList. There were no horrible experiences, but none of those meetings resulted in gigging bands either. Some of us sounded great together musically. Unfortunately, most people have too many other obligations to make it work.

I've had better luck with people I already know or friends of friends.
 
#14
Both bands I'm in currently I found via craigslist. Both were complete start-ups. One is in its sixth year about to release its fourth record and the other is moving along nicely, playing pretty much nothing but weekends at good venues.

I always meet folks at a bar or coffee shop prior to getting together to play so I can get a feel for what they're like. Vibe good, we meet up, vibe not so good? Send me some files.... :p
 
#15
The problem with CL is much more flakes than criminals. I've responded to a lot of CL ads where they didn't even write me back, or they did but then never told me where the rehearsal space was, or posted ads that people reply to but then don't show up. I had one guy insist on meeting me at a coffee shop to check me out before letting me come to his house. On the whole, I wouldn't worry about it too much, but if they want you to meet them alone down some dark alley or whatever, sure, don't go.
 
#16
This reminds me of back in March when a friend asked me to play bass for these Jazz/Psychedelic guys who had a rehearsal space above a pawn shop. I was fine with it then cause I checked the guys out about 3 weeks prior and they sounded great. I told my sister about what I was gonna do and she played this scene on her tablet before I left.

Quentin's Rapist from Pulp Fiction 1994 - HQ - YouTube

I guess that's why I'm seeking out some fellow musician's advice for this new group now :)
 
#18
No kidding, my one "weird" craigslist experience...

So, Im putting together a Psychedelic Improv Rock band. I find a guy who plays drums, not too far from me. He seems alright, and into the idea. I find a guitarist also into the idea, and we all meet up at this drummers house.

I get there and the "house" looks like a factory building. In fact, it used to be. The drummer comes out wearing short cut-off shorts. Maybe he tought a "jam session" would be something else entirely. We bring our gear inside what looks to be the residence of a hoarder. Not only that, but there are saws all over the walls. A LOT of saws. Anyways, he sets up and electronic kit, puts on headphones, and pounds out the simplest of 4/4 beats, not changin anything up at all. :scowl: what did I get myself into?
He clearly was not the drummer for me.

Oddly enough, thats the ONLY time Ive had a "weird" experience auditioning off of craigslist.
 

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