Should I just join any band?

[rohi]

I’d go for it. You might find punk or metal to be your calling. Or not. Either way it’s a good learning experience. Just don’t leave anyone hanging

 

[SmokinJoe992]

should you just join any band?

no.

play with people you feel comfortable with who don't cause drama, people who show up on time. i recommend working with people who value their time and yours, who love playing enough that they learn their parts at home, who have functional gear, situations where there's no really weird stuff happening like stalker exes, constant rescheduling or band members with hair trigger tempers or who run roughshod over the other members. pass on those with stalkers, drug problems or who keep taking calls during rehearsal.

as far as genres you're not interested in? i've played genres i didn't care for, and actually to my surprise in one case came to like the music. and in the others? i find i sometimes learn more stuff by playing music outside my comfort zone. and keep in mind that there are many genres of metal, and no, they're not alike. consider judas priest and slayer. same applies to punk. you won't mistake green day for the sex pistols. so there may be some punk or metal bands whose music you like more than others.

and remember, a band you join now doesn't have to be your forever band. it doesn't even have to be the only band you play in - you could join two in different musical genres. it should fulfill your musical and personal goals, and you're good to go.

This response was better than mine.

 

[marqueemoon]

As someone who’d been on the other side of this one other thing I wanted to mention is once you’ve committed to joining something you should be willing stick with it.

I’d try to ask the other folks what their goals are and if you can picture yourself doing those things.

Having a revolving door of bass players can really set a band back, particularly with original music.

 

[51PRI]

I wouldn't say join just "any" band, but it's not bad to expand your musical catalog by playing with a band of good musicians who might be playing a genre that isn't your personal favorite. I learned a lot by playing with a country band back in the 80's.

 

[mrcbass]

For me? No. I don't go auditioning for bands that play music genres I don't like. I can be a little flexible if a little bit of the playlist is stuff I don't like (like 10%), but I know that eventually I won't stick around if the band is playing only stuff that I don't like.

As far as the gigging or not thing that has cropped up in this post, at your stage, playing with people, gigging or not, will be good for you. But you have to be careful not to trap yourself into getting into a "band" that doesn't gig - if you get too loyal and won't leave them for other opportunities when you're ready, a non gigging band can be a detriment. But I played with various terminal garage bands for a couple of years before I required gigging situations and was lucky enough to play with a few very solid drummers who mentored me a bit. That alone was worth the non-gigging.

 

[Shalto]

Hello! I really want to join a band in order to help me grow musically. A lot of metal and punk bands have contacted me but I don't really like either genre. Is it still worthwhile to get the experience?

Thank you in advance for your advise!
Jordy

You know, I could see value in joining a punk or metal band so you develop your speed and stamina. Depends how much you can handle playing a style you don't like though. Id consider giving it an audition and then decide.

 

[David Jayne]

The answer is Always no.

 

[Joebarnes]

I know If you live in Vancouver like I do, it seems there isnt anything BUT Punk and Metal, unless you want to join a Classic Rock cover band. I feel you will be more "marketable" to other bands with a band track record and some links to recordings to show.
Get some experience and move on to something more like what you want to play

 

[Kevorargh]

I think every musical endeavor can be helpful and rewarding, if you walk in with an open mind. I grew up hating the Grateful Dead, folk music, singer songwriter stuff. I saw Schooner Fare (a legendary folk band in the New England area) and was bored out of my skull. I wanted to play punk, metal, and Neil Young (none of the acoustic stuff, though).

Then I joined a Grateful Dead cover band, and began to understand the nuances of jam band music. After that I was in a cover band that played Allman Brothers, New Orleans funk, etc. I spent 7 years playing folk music with the son of a member of Schooner Fare playing the same music that bored me to tears 20 year earlier, and the 20 some odd years playing with people who play singer/songwriter, Americana, blues, and country. I have grown tremendously as a player and a singer because of this. I have earned the reputation of being a musical sl*t (I was told that once by a bandmate followed by "You'll play with anybody." Which was true).

So, get out there and learn what it takes to play metal and punk, and maybe it will grow on you a bit.