United States

I wasn't exactly sure where to put this so I hope this is the right place. If not, please just move it to the proper place, thanks.

Okay getting into it, I really want to start a band, but I can't do it for a few months. I thought it would be good to go ahead and find out everything I need to know right now so I won't be lost when time comes to actually get it together, and what better place to gain insight then right here. ^_^ I can't start it right off now because I am just getting back to work after some complications and I'm not getting many hours so not a huge check. I need to get a quality microphone and amp first. I don't know the first thing about starting a band and getting members that have the same views as me to join. So I really need some insight on how I should go about getting that together and all. Here is what I'll be looking for:

I will soon be looking to start a gospel visual kei rock band. If you don't know what visual kei is and would like to find out I suggest searching youtube for some of the best in visual kei rock bands which are Japanese rock bands such as: D, and The GazettE. I don't do death vocals,but would certainly love to have them incorporated into the mix. My lyrics will feature Japanese as well as English. I will put the type of musicians I am looking for and requirements below. Trust me this will be no ordinary gospel rock band. ^_~


* Lead Guitarist - Rock/Heavy Metal
* Rhythm Guitarist - Rock/Heavy Metal
* Drummer
* Bassist
* Backing Vocals - Death Vocals

* Must be between the ages of 18-27
* Must be committed
* Must be willing to wear VK/Goth/Rock attire

Is there any certain way I should actually word that? The VK attire is one of the main features of the band so it really is a must. I'm going to dress as a gothic lolita, or in VK regular or punk attire, or even just anything lolita period. But that is the look that I want to have for the band. Even though it's gospel rock it doesn't have to be boring or the usual. I'm not sure how I will find members like this willing to wear it or anything so I need help in advertising as well. Please help me out and give me pointers and tips on what to do.

Sounds like you You got all the Bowie-Champaign tastes and only the beer-budget right now.

My advice, for what it's worth.. focus on the content of the act/ (the art, if you will), first... Worry about your set designs LAST.
Even the demand for costume (VK) is a tall order at this stage. I'm saying, don't lose a really good player for simple lack of a certain type of shirt...

Note: Marilyn Manson did not start out the way we see him today. He started with the basics and grew into the rest.

Get your members together first. Make sure you share the right chem. When you get that established, then talk about the next thing, like the goth wear, and so on. (PS there are lots of young ladies out there dying to start their boutiques and they need a cutting edge project for their portfolios... Get them to design the wear..

All in all, let this unfold organically for you and let the universe do its part...

1) Get rid of the age limit. 2) Tell people up front about the "image" issue BUT GET THE MUSIC DOWN first. There's nothing more annoying (to me) of watching a glammed up band that can't play worth a sh*t 3) There's a good chance that by requiring people to get dressed up like you, you'll turn away some good musicians. Consider being the most dressed up person in the group. 4)Clearly define everybody's role. Establish your band vision first thing with everybody. 5) Define your goals IN WRITING with a marketing plan. 6) Start going to open mics, jam sessions. If you hear some good musicians TALK to them. 7). You always want to start a band with good players GOOD LUCK

I hear you Bob. One of the first " rules " we set was we would all wear ...

what we damn well please . ( as long as it's venue appropriate )

We have three generations and five distinct personalities in our band.

It would never work for us to attempt a uniform look.

I find this pretty fascinating. I hope you pull it off. Hint - lose the age limit. Not because I'm too old to do it.

But because the sort of thing you are doing will sort itself out age wise and you don't want to lose some sharp player is 28 or 17.

Good luck
Talbot

First of all, yay for help! ^^

Okay, let me try to answer to some of the tips and things you've all given me, thanks for those by the way.

Paper, I hear what you're saying. I will worry about the costumes later, though it's not something that I am willing to give up. I listen to mostly Japanese rock music, Visual Kei if you will, and I fell in love with the way they dress and portray the music as well as deliver it. This is something I really definitely want to incorporate into my band. Though I will definitely take your advice and worry about it later and try and let it fall into place because it's something that I won't lose sight of. I think you've given me pretty solid advice and I'm happy with it. I think I probably am trying to do too much right now and focusing on all the wrong aspects. I'm going to do my best to let it unfold organically, lol. Thank you so much for the great insight.


Bob, I will definitely let them know about the image up front, but I can't really get rid of the age limit too much. I can make it more loose, but to be honest I don't really want a band where everyone is much older than me. I'm usually always around people that are significantly way older than me so I was really hoping that in my band I could at least have members that are around or near my age limit. I'm kind of tired of having to hang out with old people, skill or no skill. I know there has to be great and amazing players in their 20's right? I'll make it more loosely though if that will help, do you think? Maybe I can just cap it at a certain age that I know I don't want and leave all of the rest of the age in between? Like say no one over 30? I need more insight on this, please.

Also, about the dressing up, it doesn't really work if everyone is not dressed accordingly. I know a lot of VK music listeners, but they are all in different countries and or states. Though I know there are some in Georgia I just haven't found them yet. The look I am gunning for is like this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ibhVyCTXAAw/S9fkyS-HJEI/AAAAAAAABsE/aHMU00H2tIA/s1600/D+7th+Rose.jpg

Not exactly like that, but you get the idea of the dress code, I guess. I'll make sure I explain that part in-depth to those that may be considering joining so they will know upfront. Thanks for your tips, and thanks for the good luck wish.


Sans, Again the costume style I'm gunning for is something I definitely won't be losing sight of. It's a style I've wanted to do for years now, ever since I started listening to that style of music. It's etched in my heart now so I have to follow it. I just hope that I will find someone in Georgia with the same views as mine, and I think if I continue searching that I will find those members that agree with this. I'll just be sure to tell them up front that this is a style I really want to have incorporated in the band.

Mike, why thank you! Haha, I'll definitely work on removing the age limit. I won't cap it from this to that I'll just say no one over this. It's because I really want the chance to connect with someone near or close to my age with the same interests as me. Most of my life I've never been around people my age or had the chance to work or hang out with people my age with the same interests as me. In a band there is mostly no rules to this sort of thing so that's why I think I would love to have this in a band. I don't know if that makes much sense to everyone else though, lol. It's probably just me. Black Veil Brides is a band that I enjoy listening to and they all have a style they stick to as well, which is wearing matte black paint all over there body and faces. I'm sure there has to be someone out there with the same interests as me. You're right though, I don't want to set a minimum age now, but I will still set a maximum. I don't want to be the only 24 year old in the band and everyone else is in there 40's. o.O But thanks so much for your tips as well, I'm glad that someone thinks my ideas and world views on a band are pretty fascinating. I hope that I can pull it off as well, and thanks for the good luck wish! ^_^

Thanks again for all of your replies, help, and tips. I hope I can still gain more insight on everything and learn more from all of you as well.

I wish you luck with your efforts. I did look at this and yes like the others put off by the age thing -lol- As far as the backing vocals you seek there are few of them that roam this site (I do know I am one of them, hopefully others may reply to you). And most the ones that exist here seem to be fairly old school (not a bad thing, just a difference in a crowd). I do growls/screams but I am still in the stage of still practicing and feel I have a lot more practice to go. Even still just to share not for any other purpose my latest recording follows. It recorded in a way that 360p on YouTube sounds a bit off. Not like my voice is great but the closer to the actual recording would be when you set to 720p.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALmHAObole0

Was that the mines of mordor or the slave pits of the undercity ?

I thought I hear that guy singing people awake in Saudi Arabia.. lol

gg You Tuber..

What the guys said above, but if you want a dress code, go for it. If you're playing goth clubs, nobody wants to see dudes up there in jeans and t-shirts.

Sorry guys, but I have a band that puts on a show, we are have a Glam Rock/Steampunk Show, jeans and t-shirts won't cut it with what I have going on.

There's plenty of bands out there that don't care what people wear, so don't knock those of us who like to see people dressed up.

Good luck, sweets.

Chaeya

What the guys said above, but if you want a dress code, go for it. If you're playing goth clubs, nobody wants to see dudes up there in jeans and t-shirts.

Sorry guys, but I have a band that puts on a show, we are have a Glam Rock/Steampunk Show, jeans and t-shirts won't cut it with what I have going on.

There's plenty of bands out there that don't care what people wear, so don't knock those of us who like to see people dressed up.

Good luck, sweets.

Chaeya

+1

Harumi- For the band you are looking for, image is every bit as important as the music. No one over 30 is a plus. Don't change a thing and be true to your vision.

What the guys said above, but if you want a dress code, go for it. If you're playing goth clubs, nobody wants to see dudes up there in jeans and t-shirts.

Sorry guys, but I have a band that puts on a show, we are have a Glam Rock/Steampunk Show, jeans and t-shirts won't cut it with what I have going on.

There's plenty of bands out there that don't care what people wear, so don't knock those of us who like to see people dressed up.

Good luck, sweets.

Chaeya

+1

Harumi- For the band you are looking for, image is every bit as important as the music. No one over 30 is a plus. Don't change a thing and be true to your vision.

I would say Image and being a entertainer is about 60% of a gig. Just loaded up a video of a gig we did in the middle of the winter "Beach Party Blast at the Video Room" The owner had sand, palm trees and Harley's set up on stage for us. It was a total blast and the crowed had fun.

No jeans, no T shirt, NO MUSIC