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So I'm looking for a 2nd band and...

#21
I say stick with it. Why not give it a shot, if you are not too busy and you know you can do the material then do it. I've been in a lot of similar situations and most times it all worked out. Heck one time when I was just barely a bass player an old dude asked me and my drummer friend to do a gig with him, he was an old school bluesman played a lot of stuff similar to Robert Johnson type blues and I learned 26 songs the night before the show and the drummer didn't even go over the material at all but the gig went extremely well. Sometimes the best experiences spring from chaos.
 
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#23
I think it's also a sign that they have not shared specific potential gig dates and locations with you. No, you're not officially "in" the band yet, but to your point, October arrives mañana. For all they know, you might not be available for the actual shows...should they actually be legit bookings. Maybe watch Forrest Gump (1994) tonight: "Run, QORC...run!"
 
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#24
It's a first impression thing and they are not making a good one. I makes me think they are not all that interested in getting their new bass player on board. That may be the way they approach everything which could make you crazy if you don't roll that way.

I'd stay with the audition, but be looking for other signs that they are not very serious or very organized.
 
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#25
garp said:
I think it's also a sign that they have not shared specific potential gig dates and locations with you. No, you're not officially "in" the band yet, but to your point, October arrives mañana. For all they know, you might not be available for the actual shows...should they actually be legit bookings. Maybe watch Forrest Gump (1994) tonight: "Run, QORC...run!"
Click to expand...

Bingo!! Give the man a cigar
 
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#26
I get that these are difficult times, that stuff happens, etc., so it's certainly worth waiting this out to see what happens. But whenever I see stories like this the first question that always comes to mind is: If it isn't possible to get the band together for an audition over a 3-week period, how are they possibly going to schedule gigs?
 
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#27
Lobster11 said:
I get that these are difficult times, that stuff happens, etc., so it's certainly worth waiting this out to see what happens. But whenever I see stories like this the first question that always comes to mind is: If it isn't possible to get the band together for an audition over a 3-week period, how are they possibly going to schedule gigs?
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I was just thinking the same exact thing so...Ditto
 
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#28
See if they will let you make the gig the tryout. What better way to show your stuff than at a gig? It is like trying gear: you never know if you will really like it until you roadtest it.

What is the worst that could happen?
 
#29
My current band has been meeting once a week for a year now. Currently, if any of us has any hint of sickness we play it safe and stay home. Have some patience imo, the world is in a weird state of existence this year. Thr worst that happens is you dont find them to be a fit or vice versa.. give yourself a chance to be surprised rather than trying to presume the outcome before you've had a chance to experience it.
 
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#30
Lobster11 said:
I get that these are difficult times, that stuff happens, etc., so it's certainly worth waiting this out to see what happens. But whenever I see stories like this the first question that always comes to mind is: If it isn't possible to get the band together for an audition over a 3-week period, how are they possibly going to schedule gigs?
Click to expand...

BINGO!! 'nother cigar
 
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#31
QORC said:
so far, I'm getting mixed signals on these things. it's not like they are in the top 10 most recognized bands around here, and assume any bassist can just show up and do a show.
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I dunno, I think most bands do assume any bassist can just show up and do a show, esp a low-recognition band. I've played pickup gigs with multiple groups at decent venues where I couldn't even get a set list from the band leader before the gig (got in a serious pinch when "Sussudio" got called one time). And none of them ever practiced.

I would prob feel the same way you do about this particular situation, but it doesn't mean it's not a legit gig. Could be just a matter of how you feel about the trade-off of this band's approach for your chance to play in front of people.
 
#33
The pandemic has really affected the work ethic and schedules for a lot of musicians, especially those who don't depend on gig money to pay the bills. But with gigs on the books, that shouldn't matter. Maybe they have that much confidence in you that one or two rehearsals and they know they've got it covered. Definitely should diplomatically and politely ask your contact and express your concerns. No reasonable person would give you static over that.
 
#34
People who can't or won't firmly set aside one night a week for band priorities are everywhere, and this is one of the biggest red flags for flakiness there is. Personally I don't let very much get in the way of rehearsal night and I want to know that the people I am playing with are also committed to a similar degree.

It's one thing to let a very special event play through, but I have been in bands with guys who would cancel to take their wives out on our rehearsal night because the band they've been following and seen six times already that year is again playing in town. That happened more than once.

And then the following week it was something else that could have happened on another night, but got scheduled on rehearsal night. Etc., etc. If music is at all a priority, you schedule things on other nights, not rehearsal night, unless it just can't be helped. Kids' weddings, bar mitzvahs, ya know.. those things you probably need to do. Most other things can wait.

So, I would be sort of expecting this to not go well at this point. They say they have jobs coming up, and they are not rehearsing for those, obviously. Are they really that good? You struck gold, if they are. Odds of striking that kind of gold are low, IME.

I would show up with a very non-committal attitude just to see how things go. If it's a trainwreck where you know the material better than they do, you're out one evening. If it's a goldmine of seasoned musicians who can get things together quickly, you may have found something special. But I would expect personal scheduling issues to continue to plague this bunch because that is an issue that, IME, never gets better.
 
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#35
As for using the pandemic as an excuse? People should have more free time right now, not less. I was in several bands before this thing hit and my schedule was crazy so every band had to adhere to their own weeknight or I couldn't rehearse. Right now I'm in one band that practices outdoors and I'm always available for those guys, no matter what day they want to get together.
 
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#37
QORC said:
Just sorta frustrated. How hard is it to organize a 6-7 song try-out when i live right in the same literal area where they practice without waiting 3 weeks? Unserious band? Flakes? and no, none of us are kids. We are all "mature."
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One of the first things I was asked on two different pre-audition phone interviews by two separate band members in my current band was "We practice from 2:00 - 9:00 PM every Sunday. Will this be a problem?"

Gulp. There goes football season.

I said "no problem".

And then I gulped again.

Nearly a year later and I'm very glad I'm in the band. It's a lotta work -- but worth it.

Point: First impressions carry a lot of weight for all interested parties involved in a serious venture.

You'll know soon enough how serious they are as well as how serious you are.
 
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#39
It's possible that, because they "only need 6-7 songs" and you suggested "10-15 songs" that they are making the assumption that you are good enough for one gig already, and are letting the rest fall into place as able.

Also possible that their "late October gigs" are around Halloween and they think there's enough time.

Or... they are also talking to somebody else and trying to arrange 2 tryouts on busy schedules. Or, maybe distracted with current events. Or, just............ distracted. ;)

I'd give it one more try.
 

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