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I dont know what makes a original band work cause I never could seem to keep one together. But a cover band takes 2-3 yrs to really get off the ground.

I think you need people willing to committ a couple of years to a project to get it off the ground.

That but more so it's all about who you know.

I must be luckly because most bands I play in last 4 to 5 yrs and have never had any problem with ego's. I'm still play in one band that been going for 13 yrs but has gone some changes, went from a 9 pc R&B / Blues horn band to a Funk / Blue / Fusion Jazz 4pc band and the only personal change is a different bass player that been with us for 4 yrs.

When I audition for a band ... the way I look at it .... it's a 2 way audition. I looking hard at the band for their / musician ship / work ethic, is everyone prepared / now fast they can break down and learn a song, do they go on & on with some convoluted discussion about how the part should be play wasting practice time / band dynamics (personal) / sound dynamics (are they making noise or are they making music) / where the band is going (future) and how they are going to achieve it (marketing).

If I don't get a 90% positive read on it ... I decline. There are just to many band out there looking for good players

I play in 3 different bands at the moment and we rarely practice, only to learn new material or just to free jam. So that is what I look for, is players that have chops and memoir for minimal practice and max gig time with no baggage.

Also if we're not gigging in 2 month after start up ... I'm gone ... there's something the matter if it take you 2 YRS to learn 30 cover song ... by that time I'd be so tired of the material that it would be time to start over

I do agree that you need strong leadership that also listens to what the rest of the members want or need, not that you have to act on it if it's not in sync with over all plan of the band.

Ron

fisherman bob's keys to success:

1) Hard work
2) Hard work
3) Hard work
4) Hard work
5) Hard work
6) and MORE hard work
7) and even MORE hard work

You forgot HARDER WORK.. lol

Man'uel Labor is a friend of mine.

In my case it would be getting the other members to do the "hard work" thing that fisherman bob mentioned. My bass player always says that I scare everyone away with my playing, but I'm used to playing with people "on the level" unlike around the area where I'm at now. Seems to me that most of these people got into music for the wrong reasons like to be cool or something. I'm into it because it's what & who I am and I've been doing it since I was 3. Hard work and harder work and having some natural skill to start with really helps. I just think that alot of people (even if they have natural talent) let the "lifestyle" get in their way especially where metal is concerned. Well I guess I'll stop bitchin now...

Singers that think their microphone is the only equipment that needs to be hauled to a gig....

Band members who don't haul equipment don't get paid unless they have a physical handicap. Also "natural talent" usually is a byproduct of hard work. I knew a guitar player once who couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time, but he WORKED on his guitar HARDER than anyone I've ever met. Now he's known as a "talented" guitarist. I've never seen a band get tight by accident, it only comes AFTER a period of work. All the good bands I've been in or seen live became good after countless hours of rehearsal and work. Later...

It's "Wise Man Bob" and that's no joke.

For some reason singers usually get a pass on moving stuff. Back in the day we had female vocals and they didn't do squat. Most male singers pretend to be ignorant of where anything goes so they go talk to the ladies while the grunts move everything.

YEAH GRUNTS

[Also if we're not gigging in 2 month after start up ... I'm gone ... there's something the matter if it take you 2 YRS to learn 30 cover song ... by that time I'd be so tired of the material that it would be time to start over



I guess Prevost that was aimed at me, What I meant by 2-3 yrs to get a band going was thats how long it ussually takes to get a name established in an area for a band. Im not the greatest player in the world but give me a solid song list and Im ready to go in a couple of monthes. For me fortunately my old rock band has decided to get back together and do some gigs. We used to do it all for fun, but this time we are going to pay attention to the business side first. I hadnt played with these guys for 8 yrs and last Oct we did a gig with one practice, we practiced once more and did a big New Years show. This band started back in 1988 so I guess the guts of it are 20 yrs old.

Generally I break down the stuff and haul it to the venue. The guys haul it in under my direction and I set it up. Then we test and sound check together. Works so far.

I always haul, as if I break it during moving, I can't complain or freak out.
(I really do freak the f**k out if people break my sh*t)
Plus, it soothes the nerves to sweat a little while you move the junk about. Kinda like a little hard work is actually soothing when you have other stuff on yer mind. lol

BINGO ! Could not have said it better Cap'n.