So I auditioned for a band today...

[g-dude]

One thing to consider: the people you surround yourself with will impact you in ways you don’t realize.

Do you want to be like them? If so, then continue. If you want something different for yourself, then find a different group of people.

 

[Thundertips]

and honestly...it was great! Jammed 3 original tunes, had less than 36 hrs prep time. Everyone had their head in the right mindset (goal oriented, focused, driven, ect.) Plus they were around my age group and had relatable conversation. However, there was pretty excessive alcohol use, Marijuana and one of the guys wasn't employed. I mean he could be down on his luck, he was a great dude, but the substance abuse...first impressions go both ways just the same as a job interview. Should I stick it out, or duck out now?

For context: the previous bass player was a childhood friend who is having a baby and won't be returning, so they've begun their search for a replacement.

Doesn't getting messed up and being in a Band go hand in hand? Haha. Just kidding. You shouldn't get messed up if it effects you performance. Some people can get messed up and still perform and some people can't. You just have to know how messed up you can get without letting it effect your performance. I've seen guys get fired from Bands cuz they can't play messed up while another guy in the Band is just as messed up, but it doesn't effect his performance, so he never gets fired. Example... Guns 'N Roses... Steven Adler gets fired cuz it's effecting his performance and no one else got fired cuz they could still perform and they were just as messed up as him. Slash would go behind a Marshall Stack and barf and them come back onstage and keep on going! Haha.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Call me old, but why do you need to get high (or even want to do so) to play music? Do you get buzzed before you go for a drive in your car with your children or SO? Do you get buzzed before you work with power tools? I would think you would want to be at your best.

Afterwards, do what you want.

 

[turcmic]

You meet a girl. On the first date, she gets drunk and high. Do you call her back or just enjoy the moment?

Cause you know it’s gonna get ugly eventually.

 

[g-dude]

Call me old, but why do you need to get high (or even want to do so) to play music? Do you get buzzed before you go for a drive in your car with your children or SO? Do you get buzzed before you work with power tools? I would think you would want to be at your best.

Afterwards, do what you want.

Can I start a betting pool as to how many posts before someone says that it “makes them more creative”?

Disclaimer: I think that’s a load of nonsense.

 

[g-dude]

You meet a girl. On the first date, she gets drunk and high. Do you call her back or just enjoy the moment?

Cause you know it’s gonna get ugly eventually.

Haven’t had that experience, but did have one where she casually mentioned she was violating one of the conditions of her parole.

 

[turcmic]

Haven’t had that experience, but did have one where she casually mentioned she was violating one of the conditions of her parole.

Sounds like love at first sight right there

 

[Clark W]

and honestly...it was great! Jammed 3 original tunes, had less than 36 hrs prep time. Everyone had their head in the right mindset (goal oriented, focused, driven, ect.) Plus they were around my age group and had relatable conversation. However, there was pretty excessive alcohol use, Marijuana and one of the guys wasn't employed. I mean he could be down on his luck, he was a great dude, but the substance abuse...first impressions go both ways just the same as a job interview. Should I stick it out, or duck out now?

For context: the previous bass player was a childhood friend who is having a baby and won't be returning, so they've begun their search for a replacement.

The unemployment thing wouldn't bother me. The substance intake would.

I take my time seriously and what one does in their own time is their business. But when it involves my time it better not affect it. And turn about is fair play, what I do in my own time shouldn't affect their time making music either.

It's a two way street and if everyone is on the same page, then you're good to go. But more times than not they won't be. I got asked recently to go jam with some guys who have a "pre jam" meeting and it has left me apprehensive.

I'm already involved in one project we're we all take things seriously. Matter of fact we tried out a vocalist recently who said we were way more serious about making music than he was prepared for. And I'm getting that same vibe from this second group and they're "pre jam" meetings. After seeing some of our videos the guitar player for this 2nd group even said to me that they may slack around more than I care for. Guess we'll see soon enough. They already cancelled one meeting with me and I'll find out today if tomorrow has been cancelled or not.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Haven’t had that experience, but did have one where she casually mentioned she was violating one of the conditions of her parole.

LOL

 

[Clark W]

Haven’t had that experience, but did have one where she casually mentioned she was violating one of the conditions of her parole.

 

[Brich]

I appreciate the responses generated from this so far. What I'm hoping for ultimately is to be in a loose, slow/heavy blues driven band, and this checks all those boxes. I also have a second group I play with as well which is a tighter, more professional cover act, so it's nice to have an outlet for original creativity on that front. So I'll stick it out, keep an eye on problematic situations and see what the normal is for them.

 

[rashrader]

What do you have to lose? Just check yourself and enjoy playing the music. I’m old school straightedge, but I also know that just because someone drinks or smokes, it doesn’t mean they have an issue or are abusing anything.

Just avoid prejudice and get to know what’s what. You can always walk away later!!!

 

[Jaycat]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I've found it a lot harder to find players you really click with, than to find teetotalers.

 

[HardNHeavy]

a lil toke and a drink never hurt anyone, as long as things are getting done and you can constructively work together without said party favors getting in the way. Stick around a bit and see how it goes or bail out now, while you still have some "grey matter" intact..lol

 

[JRA]

there was pretty excessive alcohol use, Marijuana and one of the guys wasn't employed

To each his own, it's possible they were just a on a "good one" and keepin the vibe loose kinda thing. You said you had a great time, they were focused AND driven. Did you enjoy the jammin? How about the musical chemistry? ENJOY IT, see where it goes. I wouldn't see it as a problem. It doesn't sound like tweekersvile, just some weed/drinks, big woop! Excessive occasionally I personally could deal with, but sloppy, stupid drunk, gets old fast

per the OP: i've had the great honor of playing/jamming with some of the best cats: sometimes they were doing more than ethanol/marijuana. not once did any of them do anything but kick-a$$ and take names. it would have been different if they had not been capable of playing...but they were capable enough to humble everyone else on the stage!

- if you need to play with folks who do-as-you-do = probably a poor fit.
- if you can tolerate differences = might be the time of your life!
- if you don't know where you stand with these folks yet = practice and prepare for the next rehearsal.

good luck with your new/next band!

 

[Killing Floor]

 

[SLPimp]

If you enjoyed it...

I dont drink, but I partake in weed on occasion. I'm unemployed, but have a master's degree and am doing the dad thing, so some people have different circumstances.

I have chronic pain and bipolar, so I take more pills every day than any addict.

What I'm trying to say is don't be turned off by substance use, only if the music has no substance. Unless it's the album No Substance by Bad Religion and then it's intentional irony.

 

[P. Aaron]

I did some bass tracks for a youngster with a great voice, good guitars chops and pretty decent songwriting skills. He was a drama queen and was financially backed by his parents. He booked a tour with a lot of dates but could not hold the band together because of his dramatics and his reefin’. He’d get all sullen and sit in the back of the van burnin’ reefer and staying under covers (yes) for hours at a time. It wore on our time and eventually, we all bailed.

We did a Ft Lauderdale showcase in front of dozens of record co-A & R and producer types and I was the only one who worked that crowd. They all saw our set, and made kind remarks but Reefin’ Child just sat at the bar like he was awaiting an audition for that Twilight series from the books & movies. That kind of opportunity to hear from the yes & no people of industry I think he feared and his failure to try & make connections. Those record exec types like to see some initiative besides playing a guitar. They like networking acts.

I mean dudes can reef & be serious about their craft & business but, the more serious they are, the less reefin’ they do.

 

[SLPimp]

I did some bass tracks for a youngster with a great voice, good guitars chops and pretty decent songwriting skills. He was a drama queen and was financially backed by his parents. He booked a tour with a lot of dates but could not hold the band together because of his dramatics and his reefin’. He’d get all sullen and sit in the back of the van burnin’ reefer and staying under covers (yes) for hours at a time. It wore on our time and eventually, we all bailed.

We did a Ft Lauderdale showcase in front of dozens of record co-A & R and producer types and I was the only one who worked that crowd. They all saw our set, and made kind remarks but Reefin’ Child just sat at the bar like he was awaiting an audition for that Twilight series from the books & movies. That kind of opportunity to hear from the yes & no people of industry I think he feared and his failure to try & make connections. Those record exec types like to see some initiative besides playing a guitar. They like networking acts.

I mean dudes can reef & be serious about their craft & business but, the more serious they are, the less reefin’ they do.

I hope that dude got help. Not for the weed, but for the clear signs of depression or other mental illness. I still crawl under the covers to hide (it's a safe feeling). He didn't have a problem because he smoked weed, he smoked weed because he had a problem.

Mental illness has kept me from a lot of opportunities. I'm sorry his kept him from them too.

 

[NathOBX]

I prefer my drummer unemployed.