When is a band right or wrong?

[Tim Skaggs]

When do you know if a new band is right or not to join? Do you have any rules you live by?

I don’t see any way possible any group could give a single person an answer to the question you ask simply because knowing what is right or not about a band will be different for every individual. Same goes for any rules I live by. They probably wouldn’t be right for anyone else. My advice is to check your own intuition about a band to know what’s right for you. You could also make a list of rules that apply to you, and the task would be done.

 

[J Wilson]

Let me play with them for about 30 minutes and I'll know everything I need to know.

 

[Dbassmon]

First, let me say I am not crazy or high and not everybody may understand what I am posting, but some will.

If you play with a group of people that connect, really connect, I have had the experience of an out-of-body sensation where I actually float above the performance and become a viewer/observer of my own performance. I am not thinking about what notes I am playing, or where I am in the form, I am the music at that moment, in the moment, as conscious as I have ever been.

I happens very rarely, but when it does, you know you are playing in the right band, playing the right music.

Tell me if anyone else knows what hell I am talking about.

 

[ebo]

I’m probably in the last band I’ll ever be in. It’s got the hang, the money AND the music. But it’s mostly about the chicks.

 

[MegaSwing]

A band is right when everyone studies the music and brings their own feel to it as well. Being prepared and respectful of other people’s time matters hugely.

 

[bucephylus]

1) Do they play well and have great ears?

2) Do they have gigs?

3) Can I work with them? This one has a bunch of aspects - personalities etc.

4) Do they have fun playing together?

Any band checking all of these boxes is likely to be a great situation.

 

[Port]

Never know till you try.

This. I've had seemingly perfect situations fail. As long as a few pre-requisites are met (convenient rehearsal spot, enthusiasm, gigs on the radar, good drummer, appealing singer) I'll give it a try and see if it flies.

 

[CPplaysBASS]

I'm committed to my current band, probably for life, but when looking, my essential rules for a cover band were:

1) Definite plan and commitment to gig regularly. None of this "hope to gig once every month or so." In my area, the competition for gigs is tight. You're either committed and available when the bars ask or you're not. Casual commitment won't cut it.
2) Set list has to filled with well known radio hits. For me, a band thinking deep cuts or b-sides are going to be of interest to someone booking bands ... as stated in point one, it's a competitive market. You're not getting hired playing obscure covers.
3) It's my hobby, so "fun" has to be a given. However, all band members need to agree being in a really good band is fun, and being in a really good band requires work.
4) If the other band members have a thing for haiwaiin shirts, shorts, and sandals on stage, it's not my kind of band. I have a deep fear of open toe male footwear.

For an original act, the criteria is different. If I like the music, it's truly original, and my style fits, I'm in! I might even accept if someone wears open toe footwear!

 

[fdeck]

3) It's my hobby, so "fun" has to be a given. However, all band members need to agree being in a really good band is fun, and being in a really good band requires work.

This is a good way of putting it.

4) If the other band members have a thing for haiwaiin shirts, shorts, and sandals on stage, it's not my kind of band. I have a deep fear of open toe male footwear.

This is what socks are for.

 

[Topkat13]

Do we all like the same music. Can we get a long and most importantly have fun.

 

[Nek07]

Pat Metheny is reputed to have said that one should always try to play in a band where the other players are better than you are.

So, he didnt succeded at that, right?

 

[DJ Bebop]

Hang/Music/Money. In most cases at least 2 of those better fit the bill.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

When is a band right or wrong for me?
RIGHT;
Gotta be music I'm interested in. There has to be a scene for me to move into as opposed to "Making a Scene" from scratch. It's got to be local. Under 80km/50 miles from home is my limit.
Must be a relaxed, friendly and fun atmosphere.
Quality and Quantity of musicians.
Where my 1980/90s bass rig is perfectly acceptable and appreciated (and perhaps even adored).

WRONG;
When it becomes a chore.
When desire to put the effort in has been lost or devoured by energy vampires.
When the song choice leaves you feeling flat.
When the same people keep making the same mistakes over and over again and nothing ever changes.
When you wake up and dread going to play music....
When it stifles progress.
When it affects body and mind in a negative fashion.
When I'm forced to follow technological trends and gimmicks that I become dependent upon.
Where musical relationships begin to break down.

 

[pepj]

Do I like them.
Do they work for me musically.

I accept nothings perfect but can we live with compromises.
One recent band, band is great musically, interesting set list but one or two guys are on the hard work side. Not a deal breaker but I'd say they are grumpy old men..lol

 

[Nek07]

I once went to test run a band, music was really good, with a pro attitude, the guitarist seems weird but is a guitar teacher, he helped me get half their songs in in an evening even if approximated but with some room for expression.
Then the drama started, the singer, who was a great one (think skin, from skunk anansie), has two other touring bands working well and that one was her first serious one from well back, so there was some sentimentality involved from her but I felt she was saying quietly that she was quitting.
Then the drummer said that I was his last hope, and that if it didnt go well he will stop playing altogether.
Kind of a weird vibe there, but the music was actually on par with bands like skunk anansie or RATM, so I was tempted to give it a try anyway regardless of the red flags.
Well.
Second time? The singer lady didnt show up (left them to dry a few days later), the guitarist start to tell me that I have to play exactly what he want, the drummer start to argue that he like what I play and that the guitarist should actually try to make room for that. They start a word fight...I quietly packed up and left.

 

[smo]

No Wagon Wheel.

LOL I agree. I'll add "Under the Boardwalk" by the drifters.

 

[ScoobyDoober]

I'll only play music with my friends because I already know exactly what kind of ******** they are, plus my mama and Ronnie James Dio told me "don't talk to strangers"

 

[BassyBill]

Are the musicians good enough to not have to take themselves too seriously?

 

[Old Blastard]

First, let me say I am not crazy or high and not everybody may understand what I am posting, but some will.

If you play with a group of people that connect, really connect, I have had the experience of an out-of-body sensation where I actually float above the performance and become a viewer/observer of my own performance. I am not thinking about what notes I am playing, or where I am in the form, I am the music at that moment, in the moment, as conscious as I have ever been.

I happens very rarely, but when it does, you know you are playing in the right band, playing the right music.

Tell me if anyone else knows what hell I am talking about.

I get it.

When it's a gig and I can't stop grinning and I feel light and school-girl giddy and my hands and fingers are echoing every tom hit and cymbal strike and melody line and I feel 100 pounds lighter and the drummer is grinning like a storybook cat, I know it's the right band.

Before that happens, the question is are these guys jerks? Gonna get me arrested? Do I feel good hanging around them? Do they make me want to practice and rehearse to get better?

Sometimes there's a lotta no in those answers

 

[brianrost]

When do you know if a new band is right or not to join? Do you have any rules you live by?

These are major considerations for me:

1. I know some of the members already.

2. If not already working, there are gigs on the books in the near future.

3. The musicians are all better than I am so I can learn from them.

4. The band has reasonable goals…anywhere than just having fun to sensible regional road work.