hrod, I've seen pics of the real you. You're way hotter than that.It's not very often that I share my real face with TB, but since you asked for it, Nutdog...
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Joining a band via Craigslist...is it worth it?
- Thread starter MovingPitchers
- Start date
There's a person who replied to my ad.
I think they're legit. From his ad: "Just to be clear, we're ideally looking to cover this style, and not the cheesey "rock classics" (think Lynard Skynard, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, etc). There are numerous bands doing this same stuff out there, and I'd love to be in a band the caters for more modern stuff and a younger audience."
I think they're legit. From his ad: "Just to be clear, we're ideally looking to cover this style, and not the cheesey "rock classics" (think Lynard Skynard, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, etc). There are numerous bands doing this same stuff out there, and I'd love to be in a band the caters for more modern stuff and a younger audience."
Craigslist can be eerily similar to online dating IMO. It depends on who is in your area and what both of you are looking for. Some people have fantastic luck with it and others have nothing but headaches. Give it a shot though, it can't hurt anything as long as you are careful. Don't give out too much personal information, I'd also hold off on inviting everyone over for beers until you've gotten a good compass on who they are as a person. My bass teacher used to say "People on Craigslist are there for a reason", and while I don't agree with that statement completely, there is a nugget of truth there. Just be careful who you meet up with.
Yeah I agree. I definitely don't want to be in the company of thirty or forty something year olds with tattoos all over their bodies and chain smoking ten packs a day or anything.
I also don't like to be with people who drink alcohol like it's water. No, that won't roll with me. I'll have a beer or two, fine, after a successful gig, but the former? Nope. Nope.
You will find that the fallout rate is pretty staggering, but you will on occasion meet a group of serious, talented musicians. Worst case (aside form becoming a human sacrifice of course) you drove somewhere, set up your gear, and got to play with a new group of people for a while. All in all, not a bad thing. But, it's a lot like online dating... be prepared for a lot of first dates.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Of course it's worth it! If you're nervous about safety, getting robbed, etc., then bring a friend and make sure they know you're doing that.
I've been with my band 3 years now and it was totally a CL thing.
I've been with my band 3 years now and it was totally a CL thing.
As the others have said it can be a bit hit or miss, but the experience it gives you in playing with other musicians is definitely a learning one.
One word of advice though, when you get the set-list through for your audition make sure you ask the obvious questions like "what / whose version of each song" and also if there are any key or tuning changes away from the original. I had the misfortune of auditioning for a bunch of guys playing MOR party style covers, the song list was ok-ish with some matches within my own repertoire (always a good start). I turned up, set up then plugged in. 1st song - different key. Turned out the singer couldn't hit the notes with some of the set so they played them in a key to suit - and no unfortunately it wasn't just a case of up or down tuning. Onto the second song "Stand By Me" really cool thinks me - don't you just love that bassline - and the correct key. Drummer counts us in and low and behold I kick off with Ben E King the rest of the band dive into Oasis. Ooops.
That aside, the audition turned into a bit of a jam with me transposing on the fly with varying degrees of success. It was fun, I appreciated their time, and they mine. They weren't for me, nor me them, but hey, I got to jam with some half decent musicians and an awesome vocalist, plus I learned some more tunes to stick in my portfolio.
Go for it (but try to screen out the cannibals - or failing that take along a more appetising looking friend and join the party).
One word of advice though, when you get the set-list through for your audition make sure you ask the obvious questions like "what / whose version of each song" and also if there are any key or tuning changes away from the original. I had the misfortune of auditioning for a bunch of guys playing MOR party style covers, the song list was ok-ish with some matches within my own repertoire (always a good start). I turned up, set up then plugged in. 1st song - different key. Turned out the singer couldn't hit the notes with some of the set so they played them in a key to suit - and no unfortunately it wasn't just a case of up or down tuning. Onto the second song "Stand By Me" really cool thinks me - don't you just love that bassline - and the correct key. Drummer counts us in and low and behold I kick off with Ben E King the rest of the band dive into Oasis. Ooops.
That aside, the audition turned into a bit of a jam with me transposing on the fly with varying degrees of success. It was fun, I appreciated their time, and they mine. They weren't for me, nor me them, but hey, I got to jam with some half decent musicians and an awesome vocalist, plus I learned some more tunes to stick in my portfolio.
Go for it (but try to screen out the cannibals - or failing that take along a more appetising looking friend and join the party).
Short answer, "You have to meet people somewhere."
So far so good. There can still be other things that are problems, but at least if they have a vision for what they want to do, that's good. Not that there's anything wrong with playing Skynyrd and Bon Jovi - some crowds, that's what they want to hear.
One thing is, from your side, make sure you communicate this stuff clearly before bothering with an audition. I had an audition once where my ad had said that I don't do drugs. Had phone conversations prior to the audition, nothing was said about it. I get there and set up and they announce to me, "By the way, we all smoke pot at practice," and proceed to light up. Didn't ask me how I felt about it, didn't inform me or sound me out in our phone conversations and emails ahead of time, just dropped it on me on the spot. Not a good sign.
Oh so true, it is like online dating. While I agree that craigslist does attract some pretty scary characters, there are some diamonds in the rough, for both dating and musicians LOL
I’ve had some good luck finding bands on Craigslist, and some not so good luck as well. My last two bands, one of which lasted through the majority of the 2000’s, were both from answering a craigslist post. I seem to have way better luck when I respond to a post rather than when I put up a post and have someone respond to me. It seems like reading comprehension goes out the window when a band is desperate for a bassist, so they answer your post even when it has nothing to do with what you are looking for. I expect the same next month, I’ll put a post up to get my next band started and I expect to have some responses to laugh at.
Craigslist is like BAM used to be for musicians (a music mag in the SF bay area), I used to answer ads placed in BAM for bands looking for musicians back in the 90’s, and while I did have some good luck, I also had some bad luck as well as weird experiences. But, even when you meet someone at a gig or open mic, they might turn out later to be a whacko.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I've joined good bands with good people from CL ads and I've also come across some goofs - much like life itself.
Here are some of my questions I ask all bands who I inquire about on CL.
What type/style of music.
Originals covers or both.
Are the songs played in the keys the songs are written in.
Do you down tune.
Do you play note for note or be a little creative.
band members ages and are they M or F.
Drug alcohol use.
Practices how many and where ..what is the practice spot like.
What are the bands goals.
How often do they want to gig, how far do they want to travel.
Do you have any gig examples where have you played and when.
Tell me about the players, single , married employed.
What other groups or experience musically do they all have.
Do you all get along well, is it a group vote on gigs and issues.
Now I might not ask all those questions depending on the person I speak to and the ad. I do tell them my wants and needs and do not play with people on drugs or have no goals as a band. I also have not had luck with wided eyed ego filled rock stars or those unemployed.
What type/style of music.
Originals covers or both.
Are the songs played in the keys the songs are written in.
Do you down tune.
Do you play note for note or be a little creative.
band members ages and are they M or F.
Drug alcohol use.
Practices how many and where ..what is the practice spot like.
What are the bands goals.
How often do they want to gig, how far do they want to travel.
Do you have any gig examples where have you played and when.
Tell me about the players, single , married employed.
What other groups or experience musically do they all have.
Do you all get along well, is it a group vote on gigs and issues.
Now I might not ask all those questions depending on the person I speak to and the ad. I do tell them my wants and needs and do not play with people on drugs or have no goals as a band. I also have not had luck with wided eyed ego filled rock stars or those unemployed.
It seems like Craigslist is simply the only real way to do it if you're new somewhere, not part of a scene, and don't know anybody. I have a feeling the time-tested method of putting a tearaway flyer in a record store would just be regarded as quaint if not a little suspect by most in this day and age.
However, given the "jack of all trades, master of none" nature of CL, it's not well-suited to this task and in addition there is a lot of garbage clogging the stream, especially in a big city like NYC, where I am. It's pretty time-consuming to wade through all of the scam and spam to find legit posts. It's good to post an ad for yourself looking, but even then it's tough to stand out.
Given that this process is a lot like dating, it seems what we need is some equivalent of OKCupid for musicians and bands looking for each other. You know, you could list influences, what you're looking to accomplish, etc etc. Hell, even the mercs can get their one-night stands with a Tinder-like offshoot...
However, given the "jack of all trades, master of none" nature of CL, it's not well-suited to this task and in addition there is a lot of garbage clogging the stream, especially in a big city like NYC, where I am. It's pretty time-consuming to wade through all of the scam and spam to find legit posts. It's good to post an ad for yourself looking, but even then it's tough to stand out.
Given that this process is a lot like dating, it seems what we need is some equivalent of OKCupid for musicians and bands looking for each other. You know, you could list influences, what you're looking to accomplish, etc etc. Hell, even the mercs can get their one-night stands with a Tinder-like offshoot...
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I've met and jammed with all sorts of musicians off kijiji (Canada's CL). Three of the "events" led to bands, one of which lasted for 2 years and was a lot of fun (although not much gigging), and the other one I'm currently in and things are going fantastic - best band experience I've had in a couple of decades. If we rewound to the early 90s, a big way of finding other musicians and bands back then was to use the weekly print classifieds in what used to be called the "Bargain Finder" (basically the same thing as kijiji/CL). Through there I found a great band that I wish I had kept up with, and many fellow musicians put together their groups through there too.
I think the dating references that others have made are pretty valid. You have to have some way of meeting others, but no means is going to be perfect. Who says the guy you meet at a jam ends up being any better (or worse) than someone off of kijiji? Just because you saw him tear off a few licks and then had a beer together?
To me, every experience of jamming with another group or person ends up with me learning more and potentially becoming a better musician. Nothing bad about that.
I think the dating references that others have made are pretty valid. You have to have some way of meeting others, but no means is going to be perfect. Who says the guy you meet at a jam ends up being any better (or worse) than someone off of kijiji? Just because you saw him tear off a few licks and then had a beer together?
To me, every experience of jamming with another group or person ends up with me learning more and potentially becoming a better musician. Nothing bad about that.
Go, have fun. It's not like you're making a lifetime commitment... if they turn out to be a bunch of chowderheads at the worst you wasted a couple of hours on an afternoon/evening.
s0c9
Supporting Member
Only ONE of the bands I have been in over the last (err.. 15 yrs?) was NOT from CL. That one was an invite from the last singer in my "rock" band, whom I DID get over CL - before the economy and other events caused a permanent hiatus.
Oh yeah.. been the thru many wannabee's, garage bands, dreamers, etc. and initially learnt the hard way. It's a life experience, but most folks are looking for the same thing you are.. a decent group that meets their music needs. Note that I said "most"!
Now - whether I'm looking for a band or people - I ALWAYS phone screen the people, musicians or BL's. If they can't communicate basics over a phone.. I'm not interested in wasting my time, or theirs. I'm not interested in teaching beginners and I'm no pro, but been around the block once or twice. I still get surprised occasionally.. but that initial conversation follows the usual.. "Saw ur cl add <link>, this is me.. let me know if there's a fit and we can go from there... " email.
If that doesn't go over.. move on.
Oh yeah.. been the thru many wannabee's, garage bands, dreamers, etc. and initially learnt the hard way. It's a life experience, but most folks are looking for the same thing you are.. a decent group that meets their music needs. Note that I said "most"!
Now - whether I'm looking for a band or people - I ALWAYS phone screen the people, musicians or BL's. If they can't communicate basics over a phone.. I'm not interested in wasting my time, or theirs. I'm not interested in teaching beginners and I'm no pro, but been around the block once or twice. I still get surprised occasionally.. but that initial conversation follows the usual.. "Saw ur cl add <link>, this is me.. let me know if there's a fit and we can go from there... " email.
If that doesn't go over.. move on.
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I have found three bands through CL, and all have been very good experiences. I was 3 years on one, 1 in another, and just started my third 2 weeks ago.
I am friends with most of them still and keep in touch. I think a phone screen is a great idea, as remember, you are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you.
Good Luck!
I am friends with most of them still and keep in touch. I think a phone screen is a great idea, as remember, you are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you.
Good Luck!
- Oct 18, 2012
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Everything in life is hit or miss. The sooner you realize that the better off you will be. You have nothing to lose by meeting them.
