Many moons ago, whilst my main band was 'on hiatus' (I can call it that now rather than say 'we broke up', since we got back together eventually) I got a call from a local booking agent I had worked with - he was looking for a keyboardist for a reformation of another local cover band (people I knew and liked) - I figured I'd check it out - I'm a bass player 1st, but I liked the music this band played - amazing female singer, started out as a Heart Tribute, also played Yes and many other progressive covers.
I got to the 1st band meeting with a list of songs I knew they played before, and a full page of other suggestions - I was excited. 2 other people (the bassist and drummer) were also from other local decnt bands, I thought we had a good thing here.
Then we went through the list - the original members didn't want to play 'all the same old stuff they used to play', and the other guys didn't want to play anything they used to play from the other bands they had been in before. So basically, the list ended up being a bunch of obscure B-sides - some cool songs, but nothing that would appeal to Joe-what-the-heck-is-that?
And then the kicker - most of the songs were ones that required 3-4 part harmony vocals - something I was used to from my previous band, and excited about that part. But although the lead vocalist was (still is) amazing, the guitarist didn't sing, the drummer didn't sing, and the bass player sang some lead in his previous bands - but that's ALL he could do - melody gang-vocals, no harmonies.
That lasted about 2 rehearsals before I booked. And although nothing sounded decent enough to play out yet (and probably never would with that lineup), the singer gave me a ton o' s*&$ cuz she had gone and booked about 8 shows for the next month.
*sigh*
I got to the 1st band meeting with a list of songs I knew they played before, and a full page of other suggestions - I was excited. 2 other people (the bassist and drummer) were also from other local decnt bands, I thought we had a good thing here.
Then we went through the list - the original members didn't want to play 'all the same old stuff they used to play', and the other guys didn't want to play anything they used to play from the other bands they had been in before. So basically, the list ended up being a bunch of obscure B-sides - some cool songs, but nothing that would appeal to Joe-what-the-heck-is-that?
And then the kicker - most of the songs were ones that required 3-4 part harmony vocals - something I was used to from my previous band, and excited about that part. But although the lead vocalist was (still is) amazing, the guitarist didn't sing, the drummer didn't sing, and the bass player sang some lead in his previous bands - but that's ALL he could do - melody gang-vocals, no harmonies.
That lasted about 2 rehearsals before I booked. And although nothing sounded decent enough to play out yet (and probably never would with that lineup), the singer gave me a ton o' s*&$ cuz she had gone and booked about 8 shows for the next month.
*sigh*
) as much as possible, playing with as many people as possible, and MOST IMPORTANTLY being completely reliable, friendly, and knowing your material inside out and upside down. People want to work with people who they trust and are happy to be around, not someone handing their card to everybody walking in the room. Just my opinion - but I'm right. 
