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Would you treat this as a red flag?

#21
winstonthecat said:
Three hours is way too long for an audition. I think the ideal length is about an hour. Play 5 songs or so, and then have a discussion about goals, time commitments, etc... to see if it is a good fit besides just playing.
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I agree. I'm taking it that these guys aren't real used to doing auditions. They have been around quite a while, and they have replaced a few people, and added a couple here and there, but still seems they are .... other than professional about it.

Oh well, can't hurt to cram as much as possible, and do what I can while there - but I do have a little bit of bias against going in.

*sigh*
 
#23
I just posted that I personally wouldn't do that - but then reread what they requested and realized the only thing that's absurd is the 3 hours. I think learning 2 or 3 originals along with a handful of covers is pretty much what most bands doing original and covers would ask for. Interesting situation. Are they familiar with your playing and already decided to use you without letting you know? Then it would make sense.

I think I'd be up front and ask what the deal is with 3 hours. They could easiliy decide if it's a fit in a half an hour, they could be pretty certain within an hour.

I haven't checked any of your links so I've no idea how you play, but I can say this - if you suck, they're going to learn one really good lesson. :) :D
 
#24
Typically I will lobby for a dozen songs in a cover band situation.

They pick six and I pick six....keeps everyone happy and they don't get to pull Shenannigans too badly.

Three hours is a little long. Unless they're really angling to try and bring you in and get you on stage with them in a live setting to see how you do BEFORE they make the commitment to say that you're in....

...might be good to see if they have some sort of "master plan" or are winging it as hard as they appear to be.
 
#25
This isn't at any sort of venue. It was explained to me as 'they want me to see how they do with material they know, and then see how I cope with their originals, sight unseen'..

Joe, they don't know anything about my playing. Interestingly, they found me through a 'Mediocre Bassist seeks Average Band' ad I was motivated to post on CL (because I was sick of seeing all the 'I'm a (bass/guitar/whatever) god' style ads..). I've never claimed to be a top tier player. I can carry a groove in a bucket, usually (though some may slop over on the sides). I wouldn't say I suck, but I've no doubts that after 20+ years of playing, I should likely be better than I am.

The only good thing is that, while most of this material is new to me, none of the new stuff is all that demanding technically (dead/WSP-ish).
 
#27
So, I went over on Saturday.

It was pretty laid back, as somewhat expected. Almost as much a get together as a rehearsal. The surprise came about 20 minutes in, when the drummer's wife (we were at his house/studio) came in and asked if anyone was allergic to onions, as she was cooking dinner.

Appears I got the gig, pretty easily. The comment that confirmed that was, "Wow, its nice to have a bass player that plays things right. You coming back next week?"

I felt pretty good for having spent about 4 days cramming the songs.

There are actually a few pretty good players in the group, and no absolute stinkers (its a 7 piece - drums, vox/rhythm, lead/rhythm, rhythm/lead, keys, percussion, and bass. Most of them sing, and decently. And a sound guy who occasionally doubles on drums or percussion, as needed). Keys player is a locally busy jazz player, who does this as a laid back side gig, to do more rock stuff, just for the fun of it. One of the guitarists is a bit of a wanker, but they seem to have him fairly well reigned in.

All in all, worth it, and looks like I'll keep playing with them for a bit. Of course, I have a couple more auditions over the next couple weeks, so we'll see how those pan out, but this is very laid back until they start gigging again (probably a couple of months - want to make sure things are tight prior to).
 
#29
hbarcat said:
That's probably more of a red flag than anything else. 9 times out of 10 having the wife/girlfriend of any of the band members within seeing or hearing distance of the rehearsal space is the kiss of death.
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Not when they're doing what they're supposed to and making the whole band dinner. :)

Congratulations khaspir. Sounds like a good gig, and I'm glad you didn't suck. For your sake, and theirs. :)
 
#30
hbarcat said:
That's probably more of a red flag than anything else. 9 times out of 10 having the wife/girlfriend of any of the band members within seeing or hearing distance of the rehearsal space is the kiss of death.
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I'd agree in some cases.

In this, though, she wasn't 'hanging out'. She came in to check on things, and then left right away. I'll also add that this band has been, in large part, stable for the past five years.

Wives/GFs who come in and watch/listen to the band while we're jamming I tend to agree on. It wasn't really along those lines, though.
 
#32
I had a girlfriend sit around while my band practiced once and at the end she critiqued everyone. That was the last time she ever came to one of my rehearsals. It ended pretty soon after that.

Live and learn! She didn't even bring any beer...

Congratulations on your gig.
 
#33
Khaspir-
Congrats on landing the gig.
I never hold musicians or a band up to the same 'communication expectation' that I have in the business world. If it happens that's fine, but when it doesn't that's OK too. I don't want that to interfere with having some fun playing music.
 
#36
LowDown Hal said:
Congrats on landing the gig!!!


How was dinner?
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Eh.

Dinner was alright. Was the thought that counted, in my book.
It was the first time I've been offered a dinner with my audition, though. And afterwards, found out that the audition was more to make sure I was compatible, personality wise. They didn't expect my playing to be much of anything special, so the fact that I didn't completely stink was almost bonus.

According to the bandleader, 'first time playing with someone new is always a bit hit and miss. we're far more interested in someone who fits personality wise, and can come up to speed musically, than anything else...'

Truthfully, that bit has been giving me pause more than anything, lately. It seems to have worked for them - but it seems an .... interesting ..... alternative to handling auditions in any sort of professional manner.
 
#37
khaspir said:
According to the bandleader, '...we're far more interested in someone who fits personality wise, and can come up to speed musically, than anything else...'

Truthfully, that bit has been giving me pause more than anything, lately. It seems to have worked for them - but it seems an .... interesting ..... alternative to handling auditions in any sort of professional manner.
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Sounds like you're dealing with artists. When dealing with artists, you're going to run into any number of novel approaches to putting a thing together. Often it's not about mainstream professionalism but what makes the people you're playing with at ease, so they're 'free' to get on with the vision they're focused on.

Probably a good thing they've got a stable thinker in you. They'll know it and it's part of why they want you in.
 
#38
Count Bassie said:
Sounds like you're dealing with artists. When dealing with artists, you're going to run into any number of novel approaches to putting a thing together. Often it's not about mainstream professionalism but what makes the people you're playing with at ease, so they're 'free' to get on with the vision they're focused on.

Probably a good thing they've got a stable thinker in you. They'll know it and it's part of why they want you in.
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The nice thing is that its a pretty low stress, low commitment gig. Rehearsals every other week, 1-2 gigs/mo. Leaves plenty of room to pursue other opportunities.
 
#39
+1 on the dinner.

Breaking bread with someone seems like more of a "family" type deal than a cut-throat pro situation, even though the players are still really good. Especially with the 5 year time frame of them playing together.

Sounds good to me. Good luck.
 

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