General Music Chat

Every since the Cruise Control band imploded. I have been diligently looking for a home. The problem is for one reason or another the groups I wind up with talk a good story. But (and yes there is always a but) when it comes down to it they either can't or don't want to deliver. I have been thru 2 coverbands in the last 2 months. I did my part. Learned 80 new songs. Although I don't consider That wasted time, that is some serious woodshedding for a lead guitar player. Especially if you are like me and want to learn your parts note for note on the signature parts anyway.
I went for another audition last night for an 80's coverband they seem to have it together. My only concern is two of them play in other bands and I am concerned that this will effect when and how often I get to play out. You see that was the final straw in the last band I was in and just quit this past Wed. morning I called and thru in the towel on.
Whats been going on with me lately. I find a band that seems like it is a good situation. But once I join with good intentions and do the woodshedding that it takes and I come back up for air. I show up for rehearsal with my parts nailed only to find out that the other members have either divided their time between the 2 bands they are in, or have wasted their time playing that stupid Rock Band Game and don't know the songs or they are just wannabe's.
I really feel like the last 2 bands have conned me into joining. They were not up front with me either about their ability's or their lack of commitment to their own bands. I have been getting on CL and all local sites trying to find a group that I fit.

Is the Classic rock scene dead in Houston or what? End Rant YAAWWWNNNN!
I refuse to beleive that there are not other like minded aging Rockers that have paid their dues in the music biz and are acomplished on their instruments and at their craft and want to put on some serious rockin shows that are done right and have fun doing it and makin some extra $$$ MORE YAAAAWWWWWNNNING!
I think I am going to the GC tonight and check the bulliten boards.

Yeah, it's a real booger when you waste time on time-wasters. I've wasteed 3 months on a guitar player who only really wants to play bluegrass, but wants the status of playing with us. He hasn't learned or isn't capable of doing the music. Hopefully, there's a guy in the wings who I KNOW can work, but I fear he may be a lil flighty, & not dependable in the long haul...too many variables...too many worries...I'm about to say flook it all & go back to solo work, cuz I KNOW I can depend on the members in that act!

Just about every aspect of our profession is "frustrating". In fact, I'm starting to think that if you did an analysis on the latin origins of the words, you would find that "frustration" is just another way of saying "musician".

Keep your chin up. Something good will happen - it just takes time.

Hi J-HAYLEY,

I can understand your frustration...

Now...you may not like the next thing I'm going to say but it is meant to help....

They are not entirely at fault. The problem is partly with you.

You talk, you listen, you buy in, you work hard, you deliver and then are dissapointed that your new band mates haven't come up to scratch.

I think you should remember that when you go for an audition, you are also auditioning the band and if they don't come up to your expectations/requirements then they don't get to join you. Having said that, if you haven't set out what your expectations of them are then maybe they didn't expect to have to do some work and get ready for rehearsal (this is a bit of a thorn in my side too..."practice at home boys 'cos I want to rehearse!!!").

If you can make your own audition notes for the minimum you need from a band and stick to it, you'll be less dissapointed.

For example:
1.) this band must rehearse at least twice a week
2.) find out if anyone has missed any of the last 10 rehearsals - if they have missed more than two or if they've cancelled a rehearsal then don't join.
3.) This band must commit to be available for at least two shows a week.
4.) If I commit to getting x amount of songs down for the first rehearsal, how many are they going to commit to?
5.) I make five suggestions of songs I love and I want to do. How do they react?
6.) There is one band. This band. Our band.

Of course, you'll have your own priorities but you can see where I'm going with this and this could be done over a phone call before you even agree to the audition. Call it the J-HAYLEY 10 Commandments...

For some people, the fun is in playing around, jamming and talking about it. For others (I guess you) the fun's in playing and playing well, doing a good job, getting out there and producing a quality performance and sound.

I don't think they conned you. I think they thought you were good and asked you to join. Then they went back to doing the same as they've always done.

80 songs...note perfect...damn. I'll be honest and say I would struggle with learning five a week so the other side of this is that maybe you're just good. Maybe you've got to give some of us time to catch up.

You never know...it may be worth the wait.

Haley- do what I did

Join a cover-band, no matter what their level of play is (but hopefully playing out) and then look for side projects. I looked for acoustic and indie stuff, ended up in a successful acoustic side show, which was a good $$ generator and my choice of sticking with the cover-band or the originals. I wen't through a few bands in the process, but I was NEVER without a band

I agree Mattki, but I have discussed my requirements with these people and they always find some kind of loop hole. I admit I am part of the problem I am and have always been to nice for my own good. The thing is that when I tell them I am leaving the band because I can't take the unproffesionalism anymore all of the sudden I am the asshole the devil himself. I try to take into consideration that everyone has issues and if I am going to play with human beings I am going to have to accept some level of issues. I guess what I am figuring out here is which issues do I have to accept or want to accept. I think the 10 commandments idea will help. Either that or I should record or buy some backing tracks and just play with myself LOL!

I agree Mattki, but I have discussed my requirements with these people and they always find some kind of loop hole. I admit I am part of the problem I am and have always been to nice for my own good. The thing is that when I tell them I am leaving the band because I can't take the unproffesionalism anymore all of the sudden I am the asshole the devil himself. I try to take into consideration that everyone has issues and if I am going to play with human beings I am going to have to accept some level of issues. I guess what I am figuring out here is which issues do I have to accept or want to accept. I think the 10 commandments idea will help. Either that or I should record or buy some backing tracks and just play with myself LOL!

I do watch for red flags, and will not return if invited into a band when any of the following happen:

1. If I show up for an audition and the band doesn't appear to even know any, some, or all of the pre-agreed upon songs for the audition - slackers!

2. The band wont agree to audition on specific songs, but insists on just getting together and "jamming" and seeing what happens. - I'd bet money this is the band that bullshits their way thru every single song.

3. A wife, GF, or SO, interrupts an audition/practice/rehearsal to bitch out a band-member for whatever reason(s). Or interferes in any other "yoko" kind of way. - Tell her to STFU and grow a pair.

4. One of the band members is excessively late and nobody cares, or it comes off as acceptable. - waste your own time, not mine.

5. Excessive wanking between songs - I can't stand it, do that at home eesh.

6. Signs that members don't come to rehearsals prepared and well practiced (not knowing parts to songs they've done together for a while) - seriously, don't you know that the original song plays a Dm there, not a D# /sigh.

7. Distinct differences in gigging philosophy (when I hear "we do it for fun", I run). Fun doesn't put gas in my car, and my car doesn't run on free beer either. Also applicable to gig frequency ratios and stuff. - If you only want to gig for free once every two months, I really don't want to be in a band with you...

8. Audition night keeps changing - I just can't tolerate a band that can't operate on a semi-regular schedule.

9. Baby momma drama - need I say more?

10. Excessive drinking, pot-smoking, etc.. at MY audition.. - yeah.. this band is going places.. NOT.

After my audition, I never returned to the bands that:

1) excessive wanking between songs, like Kramer - ugh!
2) don't have a clue how to find a tone - ugh!
3) can't gimme a set list of material that they KNOW - words, chords, et al
4) don't stay in tune - HUGE issue for me! I wanna hit 'em with my bass!
5) get too effed up - why bother?
6) argue over everything, or where one band member tries to play me against another - yeah, THAT's gonna work out just fine, right?
7) the wife or gf is always present & has a say, even though she isn't in the band - no frikken way!
8 ) play so loud I need earplugs - ugh!
9) talk more than work - yawn...
10) have no plan of action - places to play, an idea of when we'll gig, etc

I haven't had to audition all that often, as I usually get picked up at open mics or at gigs, but nearly every audition I've attended has had 4 or more of these issues, & I make excuses when they call back.

try putting an all original act together... you'll feel better about it after a few tries at that!

All Posers Must Die!

I know exactly what you guys mean, only in a different way.

I had been jamming with a guitarist for months, and long story short, he finally booted me out, mainly because of my crappy work schedule. My days off vary every single week, and he felt we weren't going anywhere. The funny thing is, I went into this with a 'just for fun' approach from day one, whereas he admits that he wants to be a 'rock star'.

I would love to play once a week, but I can't seem to find anybody. Either our tastes are radically different, they are too young ( I'm 39 ), or there's simply nobody to be found.

It is definitely aggrivating.

The bottom line is people in general do not do what they say they are going to do. That's it in a nutshell. Either sh*t or get off the damn pot. PERIOD. THE END. FINITO.

Whenever i'm bandless (which is very rare) I flood: local CL, my Facebook and myspace.... I get to weed out the ridiculous and pursue the possibles! I always put up a vid or 2 of my playing, clubs I've played and about 100+ cover tunes I know from classic to metal to grunge to thrash! I'm usually situated in a band within 2 weeks!

If you have 3 sets of anything, you can go out and play that material.

Combo of covers and an occasional original tune keeps em guessing.

Just make sure you put in the time because if you do not, the crowd will surely let you know.

Some nights they make my comments seem pleasant in comparison.

Thanks guys there is some usefull advise here. It seems I can almost play with everyone I audition for. They all want me to play in their band, but I want to play in a band that for one is on my level of experience, that are realistic about their goals. I am trying to keep an open mind and at least give things a chance when people contact me. There are a lot of wannabe's out there! While there is nothing wrong with that We Were all wannabe's at one time or another me at 10 years of age. It amazes me how many 40 and 50 year olds out there still have that mentallity.

Maybe instead of joining a band take the leadership role and have qualified people join you...