Why is it so hard to find a decent band?

[LiquidMidnight]

What's my point? If I were you, I'd play with whatever your best available options are, right now. There's no need to be married to a band. Play with whoever you can, and play with others too. Keep the door wide open for new opportunity and as they arise walk away from the gigs that aren't serving you. Like that you can gain experience and start building the solid kind of relationships with other musicians that it seems you're looking for. If you play in a band of jerks for 5 months and wind up forming a solid bond with a guitarist/drummer/singer that you can move forward with later on - well, that's how great things often begin. I played with my current guitarist in the nerve for about 10 years now. I threw HIM out of one of the earlier bands I was in because he was a jerk, he learned from that experience and somehow we never stopped playing with each other. We have a great team now.

Word.

A little musical philosophy that I always tell people is; who you play with is important, but who you don't play play with can be even more important. Playing with hacks is not going to make you a better player; playing with good players is going to make you a better player.

 

[twilightcall]

Joe, I agree with you. I have just had 6 years of bands that I haven't been thrilled with and it takes a toll on you. I guess my main reason for thinking this is how many different bands I have played in and how much work I put into each one just to be dissapointed by everyone elses performance. Plus, there were many empty promises it seems when you first get into a new band.
However, I do agree that I need to move on and get out of feeling jaded in this case. Also get a strong positive attitude. I do still have hope otherwise I wouldn't have posted this question, right? Thanks Again guys. Sometimes you just need someone else to point it out and give you a push back into it. I already have some auditions set up. Where I live there seems to be a real shortage of bass players and singers. So, it isn't unusual to have 2-3 auditions in one week. I am just glad you guys listened to my ranting and could help out in it. Thanks Again.

 

[tubajoe]

It's because all the decent bands have great musicians in them, maybe even "professional" musicians.. Great bands spend their time practicing and writing their own songs. Thus, what you get is bands like the Eagles... I just auditioned with a band that wanted me to quit my job i.e., (medical insurance, retirement fund, dental insurance, paid vacation) to start practicing full time. The band manager even offered me a $100 bill to call in sick from work so I could practice with the piano player when he showed up for practice. Imagine...... having a job where you'd get up and go to work practicing and creating your own music or co-writing original songs. Doing what you love to do best for a living.... How else can you spell S U C C E S S ? Did I join the band? NO! I chickened out. Medical insurance is a big issue!! Or, I could have taken the plunge and joined the group of 40,000,000 American people who have NO med. ins. So... the decent bands are out there. You're going to have to make hard decision and make some sacrifices just as you would have to do with anything else in life that you want to excel at. Has anyone here ever been to www.taxi.com?

 

[twilightcall]

Well, that isn't exactly what I was getting at.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Because most bands contain these things called musicians.





If it weren't for that, for the many different personalities, work ethics, goals, etc. it'd be a piece of cake.

 

[jgbass]

Hey, let us know how your auditions go.

 

[Nick man]

Speaking of which, I had a great one Saturday morning.

Gonna go to their show on Thursday. Hopefully they'll tell me Im on board. Ill give more details if something comes of this.

Peace
Nick

 

[tim99]

It's because all the decent bands have great musicians in them, maybe even "professional" musicians.. Great bands spend their time practicing and writing their own songs. Thus, what you get is bands like the Eagles...

First, I disagree. There are lots of great bands made up of average people with day jobs that practice two evenings per week.

I just auditioned with a band...

Second, you did not answer the original question. How did you get the opportunity to audition with that band? What have you learned that can help the original poster find a decent band?

Tim99.

 

[Nick man]

Oh, for what its worth I found the band I tried out for and several others through Gainesvillebands.com's message boards.

Peace
Nick