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need help writing CL ad

Surfers Guts

Surfers Guts

Dec 17, 2018
40
54
#1
I need help writing a CL ad. I want to be in a band, but i don't want to be the band leader per se. Been there, done that, fronted the band, owned and maintained the PA, paid the guys and watched them take off while I packed up. Never again.

I've had ads up and been flamed, been criticized for not owning a PA, you-name-it. Musicians can be a sorry lot, and I want to get good people so we can all get along. It that even possible?

Almost forgot. I have to use CL because I'm 62 and out of the loop. One thing I truly want to avoid is people who have a blast playing but don't know they can't play IOW have poor proficiency and have no clue, and especially people who can't keep time.

How would you start even finding people?
 
#3
Surfers Guts said:
...I'm 62 and out of the loop. One thing I truly want to avoid is people who have a blast playing but don't know they can't play IOW have poor proficiency and have no clue, and especially people who can't keep time.
How would you start even finding people?
Click to expand...
I'm 65 and in a similar position WRT forming a project.
Get in the loop.
Go check out players at open mikes and jams - people who can play together will be obvious.
There's a version of this site: Open Mic Philadelphia for every big city in the country.
You don't need a PA until you're playing out. Maybe not then if you work out a partnership with a sound guy.
Sounds like you want to join a working project.
If there aren't any in your area for the music you want to play - the marketplace may be telling you something.
If you want to form an egalitarian band of 'like-minded' musicians who want to participate in your vision just for the love of the music - good luck with that...
Every musician is entitled to ask "what's in it for me?" You need to be able to offer something.
 
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#5
I disagree with above. CL CAN work. It has for me. But it is one tool of many including word of mouth and networking, local band/musician groups on FB, whatever. I see no downside to at least using CL or trying. So "forget Craigslist" is silly. It takes very little effort even if you don't have happen to find something that way at some particular time. No downside to using it. None. I have found fun bands that way.

but when I do post, I have one rule for my CL posts. I'm very specific about what I am looking for so as to not waste my time or theirs. I always say things like:

1. I am only looking for a part-time, working band that does covers. I'm simply not able to work 4 nights a week, most start-ups never get off the ground and where I live, there is no real market for originals. I say it up front, and therefore I don't get these inquiries (much).
2. I tell them in response that I wish 5 things: 1. Name of your band; 2. link to your web and/or FB pages so I can see you, especially videos, so I know what you are all about so I can decide at any level if this is for me; 3. Set lists so I can get an idea of what you do (everyone has a different definition of a "rock cover band"); 4. Tell me where you practice so it's generally within reasonable driving distance for me. 5. Tell mewhat exactly are you looking for in a bassist? age? Look? Preferred styles? Need lead and/or backing vocals?

Now, do I get responses that are copy/paste jobs that don't answer my questions? Yes, I do. And I usually ignore them. The fact that they blew off some simple questions tells me a lot. but I'll say this - I'm specific enough that I don't get hurt feelings from people that I turn down for even an audition because they read exactly what I'm looking for.

and in return, I'll point you to my FB page. I have a ready set of youtube links of me playing. I'll tell you my exact age. send you photos whatever. But meet me halfway on this.

When I see a CL that says, "band looking for bass player. call me", I go by. if you can't provide info, it tells me a lot.
 
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#6
Here is today's CL ad in Roanoke. If I read it correctly the only piece of his "band" that he has is a tambourine, a set schedule for one hour of practice a week and an RV to get this "band" to "gigs" that are already booked.No instruments, songs, genre, vocals or PA yet but he does have very high expectations of everyone else.


Tambourine player here.
Looking for 2 guitar players rythem and lead. Must have at least 10 years experience. Vocals a must. Also, a bass player that is versital and can play 5 string maybe 6 string bass. Must be multi-taletent at bass and keyboards. Vocals a must. Looking for drummer that can play everything from country to speed metal. Must have double bass and all own equipment. No drugs or alcohol No weed no drama. Looking for also a singer that can sing but do good screams also and knows how to work a crowd. Must write all songs. Vocals a must. Singer must have own PA system, monitors and mic stands. Stage lights would help too if you have them. We play for an hour every week on Thrusdays. Must be on time and have own transportation. I have gigs lined up already and an RV.
 
#9
Just state in the ad, firmly but politely, who you are and what you're looking for. Fundamentally, "bassist available..." Include your background and a fair assessment of your skill level, what kind of music you want to play, whether you want to gig and how much, and anything else relevant. If you don't want to start a new band from scratch or be BL, don't offer to.
 
#10
Well. Options I’d try:

1. Local music center opportunity board
2. Open mics that have people you think you’d get along with
3. CL, there can be good opportunity there. It just takes a long time. Write a good ad that’s descriptive but not a novel. Reply to ads that are adequate. Get a YouTube demo!! Or website of you.

I don’t know why so many people don’t stup a YouTube demo. I’ve gotten so many gigs cause I have demo material. And I’ve seen so many people reply without demos. Insane.

Good luck. I’m sure there’s a few like minded people in your same situation.
 
#11
@QORC Fair point, I was a little abrupt in my response. I monitor CL and I see the same old garbage week after week. There are guys that tweak their ads a little bit and I can still see through it all. Two examples: 1. A drummer that is looking for members in his "band". The band is just him. I met him, he's a nice guy, organized a jam at a rehearsal space. It was a freeforall as there was no plan aside from assembling a bunch of guys in the rehearsal space. I sing so I did a couple songs, next iteration of the ad listed those songs as part of the repertoire. 2. Other guy is a bassist that has a band of revolving characters. I don't think they have ever gigged but maybe a block party. OK, no problem. But he's listed on every gigmasters, reverbnation, etc site. But always looking for people. He's a singing bass player, I have never seen him on the scene, or any jam nights, you'd think that could work for him. There's a third guy out there that posts every week that he's not "fat, bald, or out of touch, not wanting to chase trends, etc....reading his ad makes me think he's a real peach to work with..."

I'm nothing special, but I have a good memory. So I see a lot of people out on the jam scene. Some make a lot of waves, some very little. If there are actual bands on CL recruiting, they don't advertise much, the same ads pop up all the time. So what I think is that bands that are viable, pull people from other bands or their contact lists (or facebook) and don't need to use CL. Your market will vary of course. I have assembled a decent band (for me) from CL, but I was very careful in who I called back from their response. Next time, or if I need to replace someone, I will go from my contacts.

Here's a gem from this morning (bonus points for the use of niche, points off for misspelling it):

Male vocalist looking first and foremost for a strong lead guitarist. While a bassist, drummer, keys or any specialty instruments such as sacaphone, mandolin, fiddle or banjo players are all welcome, a lead guitarist is necessary to carry the song and begin the project. While I can play guitar, I can’t do it so well while singing lead. Key to getting this project up and running is to develop a mutually acceptable set list that I can sing, desire to sing or the alternative is for another band member to sing which would be great. The set list is going to be a compromise, realizing everyone has their influences the sets need to make sense and work. Genres, do genres even matter any more? Rather than waste anyone’s time influences are classic rock, pop music from various aras, new wave 80’s, grunge, rockabilly, contemporary, R&B, modern and classic country with and edge. Everyone’s got their nitch, I got it, we need to find a grove, establish a set list and roll with it. Rehearsal location is xxxxx. Thank you.
Click to expand...

This is the other one I have seen on the eternal quest:

Not looking to waste my time or yours so please read my entire post before responding. Thanks!

ABOUT ME: 40s (not fat, bald, old, or out of touch), self-taught melodic player, more about feel and style than technique, tons of stage and studio experience, classic gear (Gibson/Fender), varied tastes (have played everything from Stones-y R&R to power-pop, glammy punk rock to old school country (poorly!). . .). I have a small home studio setup and have gotten proficient enough to make decent bedroom demos.

LOOKING FOR: Reliable, solid, cool people to make original music with. I am fairly open to style (see list of stuff I like -- and don't like - below) but hooky guitar oriented rock & roll is where my hearts at. Ideal situation would be practicing once or twice a week, gigging occasionally (good w/ traveling for worthwhile gigs) and making some great recordings. Smoking and drinking is cool with me but have your poopie together.

SOME STUFF I LIKE: Beach Slang, Rolling Stones, Guided By Voices, Replacements, The Faces, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, Clash, Ryan Adams, Bowie, Jason Isbell, Iggy and the Stooges, The Band, Supersuckers, Big Star, Ramones, Built to Spill, Cheap Trick, Neil Young, The Factory, Zeppelin, The Hives, The Hold Steady (early stuff), Motorhead, Nick Cave, Social D, NY Dolls, The Strypes, Ted Leo...

NOT INTERESTED IN: chasing trends, "jamming", people with obligations that make being in a band overly difficult (night jobs, extensive work travel, controlling spouses. . .).

If you've made it this far I am impressed. Drop me a note with a bit about yourself and let's get this going
Click to expand...
 
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#13
jthisdell said:
Here is today's CL ad in Roanoke. If I read it correctly the only piece of his "band" that he has is a tambourine, a set schedule for one hour of practice a week and an RV to get this "band" to "gigs" that are already booked.No instruments, songs, genre, vocals or PA yet but he does have very high expectations of everyone else.


Tambourine player here.
Looking for 2 guitar players rythem and lead. Must have at least 10 years experience. Vocals a must. Also, a bass player that is versital and can play 5 string maybe 6 string bass. Must be multi-taletent at bass and keyboards. Vocals a must. Looking for drummer that can play everything from country to speed metal. Must have double bass and all own equipment. No drugs or alcohol No weed no drama. Looking for also a singer that can sing but do good screams also and knows how to work a crowd. Must write all songs. Vocals a must. Singer must have own PA system, monitors and mic stands. Stage lights would help too if you have them. We play for an hour every week on Thrusdays. Must be on time and have own transportation. I have gigs lined up already and an RV.
Click to expand...

What does he bring to the table? Vision, my friend, vision. :laugh:
 
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