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Flake musicians.

Herbal

Herbal

Guest
Jul 10, 2016
229
183
England
#1
I've replied to a fair few ads for bass wanted recently.
Not had one person has even had the decency to reply to me.
What is it with people and their "great ideas for a music project" & then you don't ever hear from them?
Since my last band fell inwards due to the guitar player getting seriously ill, I'm looking for new things to do, but dear me its hard to find people.

Is this a common theme with adverts?
 
#6
Musicians are inherently flaky. Many do not approach this as a business, and common courtesies such as call backs or responses often don't happen. It's just the nature of the business. I've had issues of late trying to find a drummer for some sub gigs. I'm working in a professional setting and have been looking at some better players in my area, but still having issues with communication with some of them. It's not how I conduct business and it honestly aggravates me as well.

I have come to the belief this is just how it's done in the musician world, I just need to take a deep breath dealing with it and move on. :)
 
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#9
I think @charlie monroe is onto something. Get out ahead of them. Put up your own ad. I do fill-in gigs mostly these day. Sure, most of the responses I get to an ad are bands wanting me to join. I have to sift through some weirdos. But I get what I want in the end.

I have actually has a guy call me from an ad I put up over a year prior. He had stored my number in his phone in case he ever needed it.

Keep the ad short. The more details you give the more "filters" there are....more reasons for them NOT to contact you.

"Bass player available looking for working band. I prefer this genre but I'm willing to try x, y and z. Good gear. Good work ethic. Easy to get along with. (Mention if you sing....which you should.) See contact information below."


Best of luck.
 
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#10
i'm with charlie monroe and two fingers .

also: i've found that playing with the 'best' guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, yada yada, is often less rewarding (more issues) than playing with folks who share some core life experiences/values with me, even though they may not be top-dogs. i would be looking for people with whom you can relate = avoiding those who don't take the time to be courteous or to follow up appropriately.

good luck! :thumbsup:
 
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#12
this guy's name is actually Flake (he's in Rammstein)
maxresdefault.jpg
 
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#14
I've had the most success by "networking" in the outernet (the real world).

Go to musical events in your community - whatever genre, and scope out the players. If you see/hear a good player, go talk to them after the show and let them know what you play and what you're looking to do.
Tell people you're willing to fill in if they ever need a bassist.

Get some $10 business cards made up so you can hand them out, and it helps if you can refer them to an example of your playing online - reverbnation, soundcloud, youtube etc
 
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#15
  • Drummer contacts me through Bandmix
  • We settle on 7 'let's seen how it sounds' songs
  • Drummer contacts potential guitarist... actually meet up at a gig of his, introducing ourselves
  • Drummer does a group text, with interested vocalist
  • I suggest if you want gigs, stick with covers taken from local classic rock station, as it sells...
  • Vocalist deems this 'written in stone', falls off cliff, while taking selfie...
  • A few days later, ask drummer what's going on, and he virtually shrugs...
  • Haven't heard from the drummer since...
A: I should have kept my big mouth shut, or...

B: Fired the drummer, after first contact.

Flakes, indeed...
 
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#17
Spidey2112 said:
The flakes I deal with with are so far gone, even if it was freezing outside, they would still come down as rain...
Click to expand...
Yeah, they can be pretty tough to deal with. Having a day job that involves dealing with absolute flakes in a certain profession that will remain nameless but has an iffy reputation means dealing with flaky musicians is almost a relief. That profession isn't construction, either.
 
#19
Herbal said:
I've replied to a fair few ads for bass wanted recently.
Not had one person has even had the decency to reply to me.
What is it with people and their "great ideas for a music project" & then you don't ever hear from them?
Since my last band fell inwards due to the guitar player getting seriously ill, I'm looking for new things to do, but dear me its hard to find people.

Is this a common theme with adverts?
Click to expand...

I would just assume that they found someone. I wouldn't be put off because of it. Maybe they're waiting for more responses, who knows. Keep fishing, for sure !
 
#20
dtripoli said:
If it's craigslist, it's free.
People don't value things given free as much as things you worked and paid for. Hence the cavalier attitude about acknowledging responses to their ads. Plus, some people are just jerks and can't be bothered to at least reply with, Thanks but you're not what we're looking for.
Click to expand...

And Band Mix is just as bad! Of course Band Mix is free to post but if you want to freely communicate it is not cheap! I can't count how many messages I've sent with no reply's! Flakes is absolutely the case here! I've had better replies from Craig's List!
 

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