• 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.

Red flags in ads

pklima

pklima

Commercial User
May 2, 2003
8,472
7,079
Kraków, Polska
Disclosures
Karoryfer Samples
#1
What words prevent you from responding to musician wanted ads, even if everything else seems perfect?

"Label interest"
Anyone who plays rock, metal, pop etc. and refers to himself as "composer" or "has many compositions"
Narrow specification of age range
Detailed descriptions of equipment the band owns
Any ad which I remember seeing more than twice in the past year
Any band which is looking for both a bassist and a drummer
"Absolutely no covers"
Any specification of what I "must listen to"
"Must have lots of free time"
"Must be able to tour" - this isn't necessarily a bad sign, but I can't
"Must have a serious approach" when the band is named Dark Hamsters

Any other phrases that scream "we have delusions of grandeur", "we're utterly incompetent", "we have horrible personalities" or just "this isn't worth the trouble" to you?
 
#7
Maybe it's just New York, but I will NEVER respond to an ad with the following:

Must have the look

*** does that mean? I'm sorry you are perfect in every aspect except your outfit. Good day, sir. I would imagine that if I'm remotely interested in the project and the influences listed that I would be probably be into the same "look."

PLUS ALL CAPS ADS TURN ME OFF TOO :scowl:
 
#8
"Willing to do whatever it takes and take it all the way to the top!"
"Band looking for bassist who doesn't suck, like our last one did"
"420 Friendly" - Hey, whatever my bandmates do in their free time is awesome, I really don't care. However, what exactly is the focus of the band? Playing music, or other activities?
Anything political
 
#9
OH! This is a fun topic! My "red flags":

Mentions of touring (simply because I can't, and it seems generally unrealistic unless the band is already somewhat established).
"Label internet", "industry connections," etc.
Detailed mentions of "influences", which usually seem to include Sigur Ros, Maroon 5, My Morning Jacket, and then a bunch of really even more obscure stuff.
"Must have vintage gear" or anything like that. Excuse me? What if I think YOU should have different gear of a certain brand, Mr. Guitard Player?
"Must be able to play any show on short notice...must be willing to practice three times a week", etc.
"We're looking for a rehearsal space right now."
"Looking for vocals, bass player, drummer, keyboard, guitar player...". OK, what do you actually HAVE in the band already?

Just a few I can think of right now.
 
#10
The "Practice three times a week or more" is the one that really floors me. In some situations, such as rehearsing for a tour or recording, extra sessions are necessary. But for writing purposes, it's always made more sense to me to email/FTP song files back and forth, so that you have something solid to work on in a weekly rehearsal. Especially with Garageband or Pro Tools, when you can just drag and drop new ideas really easily.
 
#11
I guess it's not a Red flag but when a ad for example says

"looking for bassist, we play ska, reggae, and some punkish type stuff and have gigs" . Alright cool.

so i go and jam out, and its straight up 200 beat per minute root-note punk.

doesn't know a thing about reggae or Real ska, just sraight up op-ivy meets sped up sublime with some metallica thrown in and they told me i was the perfect bassist --- and they wonder why i didnt return their calls.. :rolleyes: that and the

"try to practice once a week"

which actually means, maybe 1 practice every 2 weeks but we're going to play a couple gigs a week and sound like unprepared trash!
 
#12
OK...I can understand listing influences that no one has heard of. I do it too. That's because they are my influences and that's what kind of music I want to play. If you are into those bands you'll know it and respond. Plus it's way easier to write these band names than trying explain what you project is.

For instance:
I want to start a band that's as crazy as Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes, but able to break it down like The Shipping News.

This would take many paragraphs to explain this sound. But musicians familiar with these bands know what I'm talking about. And these bands are more well known than the usual Jazz/Funk/Classic Rock/Prog Rock musician know. I think that if you don't know the band's influences...you might not want to apply for the job. You could of course research the bands listed (and may even like the music) then apply.

Just another perspective on the unknown band thing.
 
#20
JehuJava said:
Maybe it's just New York, but I will NEVER respond to an ad with the following:

Must have the look

*** does that mean? I'm sorry you are perfect in every aspect except your outfit. Good day, sir. I would imagine that if I'm remotely interested in the project and the influences listed that I would be probably be into the same "look."

PLUS ALL CAPS ADS TURN ME OFF TOO :scowl:
Click to expand...

Maybe they just mean no fat people. In some genres, it doesn't matter, but fat players don't look good for a band that plays to a younger crowd.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back