Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Below is the transcript of an idiot's reply to my CL ad for a bass player. I know some of you will get a chuckle out of it:

Ad: Bass guitarist needed for newly formed classic rock band. Veteran guitarist/vocalist and drummer/vocalist assembling players to play non-cliche classic rock; i.e. no "Wonderful Tonight", "Sweet Home Alabama" or "Brown Eyed Girl". Instead, we will be doing tunes by Bowie, Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Supertramp, Deep Purple and many more. Experienced musician with stage and studio experience preferred. Vocals desired but not required. The band will rehearse once a week and play out once a month. Once the bassist is acquired we will look at vocalists, guitarist and keyboardists. Fast learners with good attitudes, transportation, employment and desire only. We want to be out playing in a month or two.

Him: I am sorry to inform you of this, but I have already tried playing non traditional covers. It doesnt not work, people want to hear Wonderful Tonight. 80% of the couples out there want to slow dance to it cause it's thier song. Your going to bust ur ass learning a bunch of songs no one wants to hear. There is a formula to playing in the bar don't go against it. By the way good luck finding a bassist who has to learn all the non standard songs u have picked to play out once a month....lol
I mean think about what u just said..... Bass players pick and choose who they want to play with. Almost all of us used to be lead guitar players but went to bass cause no one else would do it.

I require the following things in a band I play with

1. Playing songs people want to hear.
2. I pick 75% of the set list
3. I get at least 2 weekends 4 paying gigs of at least $100 per night
4. I get to flirt with the band members girlfriends all I want
5. Any non standard cover will be a song I already know - you guys will have to spend all of your time learning my songs.... I am tired of learning other peoples songs and will not do it.
6. We learn at least 2 brand new just released main stream cover songs together each month.

Me: Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

Him: Eat Siht!!!

Holy Moley... lol


Number 2 is classic

craigslist is full of jokers.. not a good way to meet musicians in my humble opinion.. reminds me of Zoosk or something .. always let on they are better than they actually show on their profile..LOL! then when you meet in person a real let down most of the time, and you have gas money invested, and time taken away from business activities... I would rather post something at the music store, or better just hang out at the music store all day, listening to people trying out guitars, and when you hear somebody talented go introduce yourself..is this insane to do though?

I really thought the guy was joking around, I never thought he was serious. He sounds a bit jaded, maybe even burnt out. It takes all kinds to make a world.

Who wants a lead guitarist turned bass player, anyway?!

GuitarMikeB wrote:Who wants a lead guitarist turned bass player, anyway?!

No kidding ...

Hell Jimmy there was time when that could have been my response, LOL!

Not to be harsh but your post makes you sound like you havent played out that much, just from a 3rd person point of view, of course I know better than that.

I auditioned for a couple of groups just like what you advertise, the last I heard none of those have been able to get out and play, it just takes finding people with the same thought on this, that dont really need the extra money, just want to get thier yah yahs out.

Aint Yo Mama, we have kinda balanced between both sides, I think we played Long Haired COuntry Boy the last gig, of course we kinda punked it out some. Of course we probably followed it with Outshined or Suck My Kiss, so for me its all about having those crap songs in your ammunition bag so that you can play some of your favs also.

A few years ago, my whole band got out together playing pool and this group was playing Yes, Rush, Kansas, you know the stuff that no one plays they were really really good but the crowd in this place didnt even know they were playing, one of the guys knew me and asked us to get up there. I think we played Sweet Home Alabama, Gimme 3 Steps, and Rock N Roll All Nite, the crowd went nuts, the owner wanted us to finish the night, and hired us for some gigs and I lost a pretty good friend over the deal, after he asked us to play a couple! WTF go figure

Anyway, Good Luck with your new project!

Jimmy not that I was slamming you with my post, the reality is if this guy is a guitar player converted to bass, hes just frustrated cause he wasnt good enough on guitar to stay in a band, and now cant find anyone that will play down to his abilitys to play bass.

No not at all John, and in many ways I agree, most of the people in bars have little musical taste, especially when they get drunk and want to hear Kid Rock's version of "Sweet Home Alabama". We know we won't play a lot with this format, but we don't care, we don't do it to make money, it's just for kicks. But I know there are others out there who feel the same as us, it just takes some time to weed out the morons.

I have zero experience with Craig's List.

Apparently that is a good thing.

jw123 wrote:Hell Jimmy there was time when that could have been my response, LOL!

Not to be harsh but your post makes you sound like you havent played out that much, just from a 3rd person point of view, of course I know better than that.

I auditioned for a couple of groups just like what you advertise, the last I heard none of those have been able to get out and play, it just takes finding people with the same thought on this, that dont really need the extra money, just want to get thier yah yahs out.

Aint Yo Mama, we have kinda balanced between both sides, I think we played Long Haired COuntry Boy the last gig, of course we kinda punked it out some. Of course we probably followed it with Outshined or Suck My Kiss, so for me its all about having those crap songs in your ammunition bag so that you can play some of your favs also.

A few years ago, my whole band got out together playing pool and this group was playing Yes, Rush, Kansas, you know the stuff that no one plays they were really really good but the crowd in this place didnt even know they were playing, one of the guys knew me and asked us to get up there. I think we played Sweet Home Alabama, Gimme 3 Steps, and Rock N Roll All Nite, the crowd went nuts, the owner wanted us to finish the night, and hired us for some gigs and I lost a pretty good friend over the deal, after he asked us to play a couple! WTF go figure

Anyway, Good Luck with your new project!

Jimmy, your favrorite abrasive Texan Here! IMO you put out the requirements you need for a musician to fill said spot. Based on your words in the past (memory like an elephant) "I would rather play with inferior musicians as long as I HAVE CONTROL"

My question to you is "what makes you different from said MORON" LMFAO! Seriously all kidding aside! I know you are a GREAT guitar player even if I don't agree with your politics! Having said that my point is, just because you don't need the money what the heck makes you think other folks don't?

Someone on this site once said "musicians spend so much time telling other musicians what they will and will not do "no one will ever want to work with them"

My advise to any aspiring musicians out there is to keep an open mind. Having said that "don't let this advise cause you to except less than what you want"! Just be prepared if you are so focused on "what you want" you loose site of the big picture "don't be surprised if you don't gig"
Remember YOU PLAY FOR AN AUDIENCE! If THEY WANT to hear "Shake Your Booty" "Lets Groove Tonight" "September" "Wonderful Tonight" That is what you play. Other wise you can come here like a grouchy old bastard and make fun of other folks to proove your "Super Intelligence"
Just sayin!