Lmao, I was trying to figure this out too. Am I supposed to know who Michael is??
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Litmus Test...can you READ? (Need networking help)
- Thread starter KevInDaBassment
- Start date
The OP has in his profile-box thingy with the avatar that he's the bassist for a Michael Rowe.
What you want to do is produce. That is, you have a concept, you have the music and you need specific people to fill the slots. It's not a whole lot different form casting a play, actually... You are no different than any other producer who built a disco band in the 70's, or boy bands, or even the Monkees. Village People? The Clash 
You have an idea and you need people who can do the job and look the part. I think half the bands in LA and NYC start like this....
Forget wondering what others will think about how you will audition, and lay it out specifically what you want and fill those slots. Write an ad with all the details and put it up. Ask for a picture or video, both full body and head shot and a recording. That will weed out a lot if the "iffys".. Then have a specific audition process - like send them recordings of three songs you want them to learn, and give a set start and end time to the audition. Have them bring their own gear, too. This way, you can see them "in action", to see if they have work ethic and can do something simple like show up on time, prepared. Initially, you will have to be all business until you get the project rolling, but you will have to be firm and clear eyed to get it going in the right direction.
You have an idea and you need people who can do the job and look the part. I think half the bands in LA and NYC start like this....Forget wondering what others will think about how you will audition, and lay it out specifically what you want and fill those slots. Write an ad with all the details and put it up. Ask for a picture or video, both full body and head shot and a recording. That will weed out a lot if the "iffys".. Then have a specific audition process - like send them recordings of three songs you want them to learn, and give a set start and end time to the audition. Have them bring their own gear, too. This way, you can see them "in action", to see if they have work ethic and can do something simple like show up on time, prepared. Initially, you will have to be all business until you get the project rolling, but you will have to be firm and clear eyed to get it going in the right direction.
FWIW, here's how I'd write it up:
Bassist/songwriter forming an indie band to develop an original concept album (scratch tracks: *include link*). Ultimate goals include CD and gigs.
Need lead and rhythm guitars, drums, singer, with songwriting collaboration including lyrics.
Please be on board with the concept: soft-edged indie, clean and jangly, staying close to the sample tracks.
- Need reliable transportation and gear
- Free on Saturdays, maybe weeknights or Fridays
- Age 18-35
- Willing to chip in on rehearsal space rent once we get going
- Any recreational substances should be outside and invisible to the band
Thanks for your interest.
Bassist/songwriter forming an indie band to develop an original concept album (scratch tracks: *include link*). Ultimate goals include CD and gigs.
Need lead and rhythm guitars, drums, singer, with songwriting collaboration including lyrics.
Please be on board with the concept: soft-edged indie, clean and jangly, staying close to the sample tracks.
- Need reliable transportation and gear
- Free on Saturdays, maybe weeknights or Fridays
- Age 18-35
- Willing to chip in on rehearsal space rent once we get going
- Any recreational substances should be outside and invisible to the band
Thanks for your interest.
Damn! I remember when chest hair was in with the girls. I owned it! To the OP I'm 54 and see no reason not to put down an age range..its cool and understandable.Man, if I wanted to do a KISS tribute band this would be no problem...might have to glue some more chest hair on though
As a 45 year old, I'm relieved when I see ads that specifically eliminate me from applying. Saves me the hassle of learning audition material just to go to the audition with young dudes who are acting awkward about the age difference and not enough guts to say what the actual issue is. Would be a total waste of my time, and theirs.
I don't mind ageism at all when it comes to music. I get it. I was young once too and I know the stupid notions that youth buys into. Image is more important to some bands in the entertainment industry.
The only glaring mistake I see in your ad is you describe your tone as a p-bass with flats, but you don't mention whether or not it has a tort guard. How is anyone supposed to know what it sounds like?
I don't mind ageism at all when it comes to music. I get it. I was young once too and I know the stupid notions that youth buys into. Image is more important to some bands in the entertainment industry.
The only glaring mistake I see in your ad is you describe your tone as a p-bass with flats, but you don't mention whether or not it has a tort guard. How is anyone supposed to know what it sounds like?
They do, I read it, and I still had the question "am I supposed to know who that is?" Since you know. Nobody does (other than the dirty jobs guy).
Yeah, and I'm the bassist for Dale, our guitarist, in case anyone gives a crap.
Guess I can't read at all this thread is confusing. CARROTS. Who is Michael Rowe? Somebody, anybody? CARROTS. My head hurts, I'm going to take a nap. BLOODY CARROTS.
I listened to the scratch tracks. You said there are no lyrics, are there melodies? One had a guitar part, but did not sound like a "singable" melody. Would that be the singers job also?
I used to play second sewage process return loop filter for Mike Rowe, but it was a crap job... and everybody knows the flow stack manifold monitor operator gets all the groupies, anyway.
It's your project from the ground up. You have every right to run it and staff it however you like. If you have a particular age, look, mentality, or even eye color in mind, it's all on you. End of story.
Anyone who doesn't like it can start his/her own project.
The rest is pure semantics/conjecture.
Best of luck with your project.
Anyone who doesn't like it can start his/her own project.
The rest is pure semantics/conjecture.
Best of luck with your project.
It's been a day, has anyone figured out who Mike Rowe is?
Anyway...man I'm going to be that guy. If I saw that ad I'd definitely pass on it for a couple of reasons. First it comes off as a weird mix of faux self deprecation and micromanagement. Like saying "I'm totally open to constructive criticism but by the way I require complete creative control." I've been in a band or two with that dynamic and it's never worked out well. Sometimes the taskmaster kind of attitude is a real asset, but if you're trying to develop creatively it may not be the right thing.
Second is the music. This is just my opinion, but I feel like I've heard the same thing many times before, often with better execution. I live in LA and I hear two or three bands like this every month. You really have to do something to separate yourself from other people. What I hear is just a chord progression fleshed out with paint by numbers instrumentation. There's nothing that really draws me in. That being said, I think your bass playing is good, and has a lot to recommend it. Being good at that is only one thing, though, which brings me to the point of what I'm saying. You *need* good people to really make this work. Perhaps a guitarist and maybe a singer with vision comparable to what you have on bass. Find a writing partner or two, and see where that takes you. A good song is written by writing for the song, not just for an instrument.
Anyway...man I'm going to be that guy. If I saw that ad I'd definitely pass on it for a couple of reasons. First it comes off as a weird mix of faux self deprecation and micromanagement. Like saying "I'm totally open to constructive criticism but by the way I require complete creative control." I've been in a band or two with that dynamic and it's never worked out well. Sometimes the taskmaster kind of attitude is a real asset, but if you're trying to develop creatively it may not be the right thing.
Second is the music. This is just my opinion, but I feel like I've heard the same thing many times before, often with better execution. I live in LA and I hear two or three bands like this every month. You really have to do something to separate yourself from other people. What I hear is just a chord progression fleshed out with paint by numbers instrumentation. There's nothing that really draws me in. That being said, I think your bass playing is good, and has a lot to recommend it. Being good at that is only one thing, though, which brings me to the point of what I'm saying. You *need* good people to really make this work. Perhaps a guitarist and maybe a singer with vision comparable to what you have on bass. Find a writing partner or two, and see where that takes you. A good song is written by writing for the song, not just for an instrument.
Man, if I wanted to do a KISS tribute band this would be no problem...might have to glue some more chest hair on though
I've got plenty--- just the wrong color (need a color chart to pick out which of the 50 shades it is).
Dye it? No-----shave it.
