• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Hit the ground running

oldrocker

oldrocker

Feb 13, 2005
3,105
3,745
Long Island, NY / Tarpon Springs FL
www.facebook.com
#1
I'm an old school classic/southern/rock guy between bands. Had the following interaction on CL. I responded to their listing and they sent back this set list.

I sent back "I've played about half of those. Pretty good songs." And followed that up stating that some of them I'm not familiar with.

The guy wrote back - "Ok. Thanks for being honest. Looking for someone to step in and hit the ground running though. But thanks!!!"

I've played in a bunch of different bands and have compiled a list of over 600 songs I've played in bands over that time.
I take it that I dodged a bullet - would you guys be able "to hit the ground running" with this list.

0D8052B1-D0DB-4DA8-8198-71B1D612EF70.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: dbsfgyd1, Deleted member 409896 and Michael Sherry
#4
I spent 50 years listening to the best top 40 songs that I grew up with, and even I don’t know them all. I would bet it is near impossible to know all the songs out there. And even if you could, would it be any fun listening to bands? You would never be surprised again. Not to mention playing in bands.

If they insist on hiring a player that already knows all the songs, that is their prerogative. In my experience, that is an unreasonable expectation, and yes, I do think you dodged a bullet.

Although, my experience also tells me that within a week I would know all the songs on the list. So you could schedule the next practice a week away, and just lie and say “sure. I know them all very well“
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: FRoss6788, ElCrowg, socknroll1 and 8 others
#5
FWIW, I think you definitely dodged a bullet. Not being “familiar with” does not equal “can’t learn it in about 5 minutes”. Apparently they’re unable to think outside of whatever box they’re in. Check back with them in two weeks; betcha they still won’t have a bass player. If you’re still inclined to give them a try, tell them you’ll know the list by the time you audition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ronnie Pudding, BeyondFiredUp, FRoss6788 and 11 others
#9
dreamadream99 said:
I spent 50 years listening to the best top 40 songs that I grew up with, and even I don’t know them all. I would bet it is near impossible to know all the songs out there. And even if you could, would it be any fun listening to bands? You would never be surprised again. Not to mention playing in bands.

If they insist on hiring a player that already knows all the songs, that is their prerogative. In my experience, that is an unreasonable expectation, and yes, I do think you dodged a bullet.

Although, my experience also tells me that within a week I would know all the songs on the list. So you could schedule the next practice a week away, and just lie and say “sure. I know them all very well“
Click to expand...
Yes, my experience has been when given a set list for a new potential band situation - I already know 1/3 of them, familiar with another third of them and don't know or never even heard of the another third of them.

That is a good mix for me as I still like learning new songs. And I have sometimes used the "can't make it this week, but can make it next week" gambit to give me an opportunity to look at the songs I don't already know.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ElCrowg, Bar Band Bassman, DWA2469 and 2 others
#11
oldrocker said:
I already know 1/3 of them, familiar with another third of them and don't know or never even heard of the another third of them.

That is a good mix for me as I still like learning new songs.
Click to expand...
That’s a good point. Everyone forgets it’s fun to learn new songs. It’s fun to cram for that audition.

The opposite is also true: it is not fun to play the same music all the time. Learning and changing is fun for the band and fun for the audience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldrocker and bassfran
#13
Yeah there are only 3 on there that I've never heard. I've played everything else on stage. The 'bullet dodged' here is the fact that they can't comprehend someone experienced enough to put together even half of that short-*ss list in a few days - which tells me that either they couldn't do it, or they have some weird micro-managing BS going on. Hard pass.

I'll say this about the actual list though - I've done that kind of eclectic mix plenty of times, and if the band has a strong identity it works just fine. YMMV etc. but when you see Jethro Tull and Sublime working in the same set, it's real eye opening 😁
 
  • Like
Reactions: moon-bass, Deleted member 394512, oldrocker and 2 others
#16
oldrocker said:
I'm an old school classic/southern/rock guy between bands. Had the following interaction on CL. I responded to their listing and they sent back this set list.

I sent back "I've played about half of those. Pretty good songs." And followed that up stating that some of them I'm not familiar with.

The guy wrote back - "Ok. Thanks for being honest. Looking for someone to step in and hit the ground running though. But thanks!!!"

I've played in a bunch of different bands and have compiled a list of over 600 songs I've played in bands over that time.
I take it that I dodged a bullet - would you guys be able "to hit the ground running" with this list.

View attachment 7172292
Click to expand...
Personally, I Know I could've learned this set in a night of cramming. I'm certain that you could to, based on the playing experience you described. Maybe that band was really young, cuz these songs are really considered standards at this point, no?
 
#17
Pretty much the same background as you oldrocker and with that list. I'm familiar with and have probaby played 60% of what's on the list before. 20% is yeah I've heard it but never played it before and 20% I need to hear it first then gimme a day ahead of time and I'll have those too.

In my entire career I've only auditioned one guitarist for a band who "hit the street running" at the audition and he was a consummate pro session player. I practically cried a year later when he moved back to his old home town to write and record radio jingles and do sessions again.

Good luck to the weekend warriors of the world who believe they rate high enough on the performance scale to be anywhere near as lucky as we were to come across this guy. You did dodge a bullet at least for the moment. The guy may be back when no one else can do it either or they lie to get an audition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldrocker and Michael Sherry

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back