United States

You can call me an arrogant person with a "Rockstar" attitude. That's fine...But I define "Rockstar" attitude a little differently...

I am not the one who demands cash just to show up and meet someone even tho nobody outside of Nashville has ever heard of me. I am not the one that refuses to play for free just for the fun and exposure of it. I am not the one buying leather pants and "flaming" shirts to present some kind of "Rockstar image". And I am not the one paying a photographer to take me "By myself" out to some open field or to go stand on some abandoned railroad tracks to take cheesy "rockstar" pictures of myself with my guitar slung over my shoulder and a "far off" look in my eyes. I am not the one telling other people how they should act or be....

To me, these are the things that make up a "rockstar" attitude. Not simple confidence....We all should have confidence in ourselves and I cannot let people tell me I am wrong for being confident in myself.

All I ever said was that I was sick of meeting poor musicians (Because that is all I have met so far) and wanted to meet some better ones.

By the way, SOME of my music can be found @ soundcloud.com/mikofire

Like I said, the recordings are unmixed and unmastered. And my vocals are horrible because I am not a singer, just a guitarist. Also, I only have like 2 or 3 guitar tracks per song, so it's not like there is a bunch of layering (which would be there in a better, studio recording).....It's cheap, but can any of you see past that and just listen to the musicianship, songwriting, and dynamics? I'm not just playing a bunch of power chords here and dorky little leads lines!

And also, this is NOT my best, just some stuff I put together by myself. I did not get to write what I wanted to write because I had to use drum loops. So I had to fit the guitar parts into crappy, pre-recorded loops. Some of my guitar parts would be re-written with a real drummer. You know how it is, you have to strum to the kick drum, but when the kick is pre-recorded loop and you can't get the exact groove you want, you tend to have to sacrifice the guitar part to make it fit. So like I said, with REAL musicians, these songs would be slightly different (Better).

I've only visited Nashville for 1 day, but everything I've heard tells me there is a sh*tload of musicians there.
While its good to rant, it is not good to rant in a profile where you are seeking others! No matter your skill level, people WILL judge you by your recordings AND by how you present yourself publicly.
I'm at work so can't listen/watch your samples, but these days anyone with a minimum amount of equipment and a little time can get decent-sounding recordings to present to prospective bands/members. You don't need to spend hundreds of $$ at a studio, but you do need to spend the time to learn how to make a presentable recording for others to judge your abilities.
Think about it - if you were hiring a musician and had two choices: 1) a guy with a polished-sound recording sample, a professional appearance and resume or 2) a guy with a video recorded on an iphone, no resume, but a big attitude - which would you hire? Maybe guy #2 is a better player, but its the whole package that is important.

Good luck in your search, it isn't easy, no matter where you are!

Maybe you suck is why no one is interested.

I agree with Mike, it may not matter, but I wouldnt be putting rants like this in many places, cause it could turn folks off.

If your music doesnt mean enough to you to get some good recordings put together then maybe its just not worth fooling with. That had to be one of the lamest ass things Ive ever read on here.

I do wish you luck, when I lived in Nashville there were open mics all over town get out there and meet people playing and hook up with them. I never had any problem finding folks to play with 25 years ago, and Im sure there are still plenty of people looking. You just arent putting your self out there were people are actually playing.

Good Luck

Hello, Mat here, from Rhode Island. I'm kind of in the same snit as O.P., but MY problem is I can always find people to jam with, not a single one thus far has wanted to commit the time and effort to GET something going. Or, they wanna jam, and get stoned/drunk, and while I don't have a problem with that, there's a time and a place for that, and practice AIN'T it. I was in one particular situation where we had an outfit, we practiced until we got pretty tight, made a bunch of demos, I got gigs lined up, and everyone except the drummer, at the last minute mind you, backed out. And it wasn't like I had any kind of contingency plan for that...just didn't occur to me I'd HAVE to, I couldn't find replacements on such short notice. Needless to say I couldn't really show my face at these places for obvious reasons for quite some time. But that doesn't stop me from doing my own thing with the gear I have, just would be nice to do something besides open mics all the time. I've been recording my own stuff since 2004 with various equipment, my Zoom MRS 8 being in the mix the longest, all original music, there 2 covers that are "my take" on the song. Mostly instrumentals (I can't carry a tune in a bucket singing), is what I mainly do. Got a TON of influences that inspire me to "greater heights", and with my stuff at www.soundclick.com/TheFullSkinny, you can hear certain "undertones" in a lot of it. I dunno, maybe this is just a shameless plug, but once again, I feel the need to jam with others to explore possibilities. Anyway, that's my story, and I'm stickin' with it...

Well I listened to both of your music. Nothing you guys have is anything that overly impressed me. I can easily play everything I heard on your songs...so no, I don't suck. In fact, I would say that everything I heard was pretty boring and typical (not to mention dated) and I would ask if you are capable of playing the guitar solos to Avenged Sevenfold "The Beast and the Harlot"....because I can... I can play everything I heard you play, but can you play everything I am capable of playing? Normally I wouldn't call people out like this, but you are the one that said maybe I suck. When I think I can do more than you can with half your experience and age...
But regardless, I assume you guys are playing somewhere and I am not, so what can I really say...

I do appreciate the advise about getting out to the open mics and places. That is one area I have been lacking in and will take your advise to heart. I will put more focus into networking in this way.

But how some old tool bag with a bleach blonde mullet and leather pants thinks I suck....that's pretty funny......but either way, you managed to spit out some good advice that I can't ignore. Thanks for it!

And to future readers of my rant. I was writing out of frustration. Let's not be children and put to much thought into something I said generally to no body specific. This was just general venting on my part....we have ALL been there before. If I made myself sound like an ass then I apologize, but don't pretend that you have never done something you wish you hadn't...We have all let our frustrations get the best of us at times and made ourselves look like jerks...it happens. My bad...

Nice story Mat (but it sucks to have to go through that) It's kinda funny. I have the exact opposite problem. I have many other musicians that play guitar, keys and vocals that want to be part of my project....but really (what this whole thing was about) is me not being able to find a drummer. I haven't had trouble finding other musicians. It's finding a drummer that is really getting to me. I should have been more specific in my original "rant".

Let me be clear, i'm not having a hard time finding bandmates (which is what I said, but not really what I meant) Guitars, vocals and keys have been easy (I get messages almost every day from people who want to audition) My problem is really just finding a drummer. The problem is, I can't just get random instruments together to play the music I want to play without a drummer. I mean, how the hell do you play (not that I want to....just a general reference) "The Beast and the Harlot" style of instrumentation without a drummer? ....You can't. It would just be a mess without a rhythm section.

So to be clear, let me "revamp" my post...

"Why is it so hard to find a drummer!"

That's what I really should have said in the first place. I didn't mean to imply that NOBODY wants to play with me. I understand now how that sounded kinda sad and pathetic. That's not the case tho...I was really just talking about drummers. I have plenty of other musician friends that want to play when I get a drummer lined up.

I'll bet overtly slamming other music really helps your search ?

I'd say good luck, but I do not believe in luck.

Your in Nashville . . . get off your ass and make it happen captain.

I suggest (if you haven't already) get some critiques on "your music".
I know writing is a very personal thing and we sometimes hold what we do in much higher esteem than others may think. Gawd forbid you're not all that you think you are. But it happens sometimes.
And yeah... you should be trying to present yourself as best you can in all aspects... I think that's what the other posters are saying.
Makes sense.
Good Luck to you...

Well I listened to both of your music. Nothing you guys have is anything that overly impressed me. I can easily play everything I heard on your songs...so no, I don't suck. In fact, I would say that everything I heard was pretty boring and typical (not to mention dated) and I would ask if you are capable of playing the guitar solos to Avenged Sevenfold "The Beast and the Harlot"....because I can... I can play everything I heard you play, but can you play everything I am capable of playing? Normally I wouldn't call people out like this, but you are the one that said maybe I suck. When I think I can do more than you can with half your experience and age...

I listened to your soundcloud stuff, and all 4 of your 'random guitar' videos. Honestly, with your attitude in these posts I wouldn't have bothered except you sent me a PM first.
On the SC demos - the first one, 'Way Out Here' - sounds to me like the guitar was a little out of tune. On the others, your vocals drown out what you may be trying to demo on guitar many times. Not really my kind of music, so hard for me to judge.
On the videos - if you want to impress people, don't noodle around, which is what it sounds like. Put one of the songs you say you know on your sound system/stereo/whatever and play along with it.

I'm guessing John was bustin' your nut with his comment, but its something those of us who have been playing for decades DO see - guys who think they are 'all that' but 'can't find anyone to play with them'. Maybe they CAN rip a lead guitar part sideways and make the guitar sing, but if they can't get along with bandmates, they'll soon be on the outside looking in, if they even get the chance. Learn some humility - no one, but no one wants to hear some guy brag about how he can play anything you can, blah blah blah.
You say above you really are just looking for a drummer, yet in your profile you are searching for a whole band worth of people. You brag about being able to play the drums well, etc - again, no one want to hear that from a prospective bandmate.

Hello, Mat here, from Rhode Island. I'm kind of in the same snit as O.P., but MY problem is I can always find people to jam with, not a single one thus far has wanted to commit the time and effort to GET something going. Or, they wanna jam, and get stoned/drunk, and while I don't have a problem with that, there's a time and a place for that, and practice AIN'T it. I was in one particular situation where we had an outfit, we practiced until we got pretty tight, made a bunch of demos, I got gigs lined up, and everyone except the drummer, at the last minute mind you, backed out. And it wasn't like I had any kind of contingency plan for that...just didn't occur to me I'd HAVE to, I couldn't find replacements on such short notice. Needless to say I couldn't really show my face at these places for obvious reasons for quite some time. But that doesn't stop me from doing my own thing with the gear I have, just would be nice to do something besides open mics all the time. I've been recording my own stuff since 2004 with various equipment, my Zoom MRS 8 being in the mix the longest, all original music, there 2 covers that are "my take" on the song. Mostly instrumentals (I can't carry a tune in a bucket singing), is what I mainly do. Got a TON of influences that inspire me to "greater heights", and with my stuff at www.soundclick.com/TheFullSkinny, you can hear certain "undertones" in a lot of it. I dunno, maybe this is just a shameless plug, but once again, I feel the need to jam with others to explore possibilities. Anyway, that's my story, and I'm stickin' with it...

Mat - that sucks, and isn't far off from what happened to me - serious rehearsals for 8 months with a tribute band, just getting ready to book gigs and the lead singer quit. For 2 months we audtitioned singers (but only me and the bassist put any effort into finding people), then everyone else got discouraged and quit. At my age (50s) its hard to find others with commitment.
No one said it was going to be easy, and no one loves a quitter, so all you can do is keep trying.

There is a hard nasty fact in a town like Nashville - you may be good, but the other guys are good too. So if they 'moronically' put together a polished product, you didn't and you're equally talented. Guess what...

There are certainly other ways to put things together. But I'm starting to believe that decent recording skills need to be cultivated because the game is played that way now. I find it very annoying myself - don't like fiddlin' with it but there it is...

Good luck

Talbot

There is a hard nasty fact in a town like Nashville - you may be good, but the other guys are good too. So if they 'moronically' put together a polished product, you didn't and you're equally talented. Guess what...

There are certainly other ways to put things together. But I'm starting to believe that decent recording skills need to be cultivated because the game is played that way now. I find it very annoying myself - don't like fiddlin' with it but there it is...

Good luck

Talbot

I'm not slagging you, but drummers are all about timing. IDK if you have a flange or auto wah on the clean stuff on the vids, but take the fx off. Makes it to hard to tell if your even playing some of the notes. Its undefined on your vids.

On your vids, to me it just sounded like you were looking for something to play. No focused idea. What you put out there is what you're judged on, and if you don't really conceptualize and take that to heart, you have no idea what the music industry is about. Hit records with the BEST mixing, mastering, and songwriting. If its not competing on all levels, its trying to fly with a broke wing or run with a broke leg. Or, its loosing money and resources.

Drummers are hard to find and always in demand. Reasons for this are multiple. 1Look at the dexterity required. As guitarists, we only gotta worry bout 2 hands. most ppl give up on guitar after 2 days. 2 The cost of drums is shocking compared to 1-200 bucks for a guitar starting out. 3 no volume control and what parent is gonna get a kid an expensive kit, listen to them bash on it, and on top of that not knowing if they will stick with it.4 as guitarists, strings pics cords and batteries add up. Now look at the costs of heads, sticks, and symbols. 5 Then they are bulky, hard to move and take up alot of space.

Attitude will get you further or hold you back, so don't axl rose it. Have you even looked into the business side of things. We didn't become musicians to be out of musical work, or be broke, but the vast majority are. To my definition, a pro musician has reached a level of skill and abilities, and relationships that allow him a living from musical endeavors. Pro football players aren't off working for wal-mart or burger king are they?

More often than not, I turn away from players based on attitude. Mainly the idea that, " we just play, other ppl take care of contracts, publishing, cartage, promotion, distribution and pressing." Thats an arrogant attitude in an of itself. Its a business and if its not run like a business, a day job will be the answer like it or not.

Here is another reason the music and entertainment industry is hard, esp with a band situation. At the bottom are egotistical unproven nobodies who haven't done anything significant who think they have earned something they havent recieved, and at the top are mostly humble, albiet eccentric, dedicated, whatever it takes people.

I'm in the same situation as you right now, but I'd rather be by myself and get nowhere that deal with 3-4 other guys that cant show up prepaired, refuse or can't contribute financially on an equal level, haven't educated themselves to the point of being able to run a simple business like a construction company, let alone something in the entertainment industry.

Dude -
Judging from the vids you can barely play.
I thank you for joining as now I am not the worst guitarist on bandmix anymore.
I would lose that cocky attitude.