blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1489740878' post='3259305'] I have to be realistic and make a few compromises where necessary. A decent singer is often the starting point. If you are looking at a working band rather than taking the charts by storm then star quality is a bonus. If they have any live experience then they should have an idea of fronting a band - whether they're any good at it is another thing! Sometimes it's better to go for a superior frontman over a better singer. I've found that plenty of flakes make it through to gigging but after a while the better players don't want to be in a band with them, no matter how good they are... [/quote] Having that really good front person will definitely help a band distinguish themselves from other similar local working bands. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1489706526' post='3259195'] Personally the thing that attracts me to join a band is the chance to play with quality musicians that I want to play with and who are capable of sustaining being in a working band. If they have a decent track record of being in working bands then the gigs will come in soon enough. I would say that Step 1 is finding a suitable vocalist, establishing a musical direction and type of music that they can sing convincingly and how you will market the band / what gigs will you be looking to play to what type of audience. Step 2 would be getting good musicians together who can convincing play the type of music you want the band to do and who can stand being in the same room as each other...! [/quote] Hi Pete. Agreed, I think finding the right front person / lead vocalist is crucial. However, I want to take it a step further, not all lead vocalist have "star" quality. I would want to recruit an experienced front with "star" appeal. Also, now your offering a band with gigs and a vocalist with star fronting capabilities. IMO that's an attractive offer. Just a side note, it's been my experience that actual gigs keep flakes and fakes away.Those types tend to be more into drama and nonsense than real paying hard work. Blue

I'm thinking step 2 will be how you recruit the best candidates for your band. I should say the best people for your band not to be confused with the best musicians. I know really good musicians that would be awful to be in a band with. Should the second step be writing up an ad or will you want to use a different recruiting method? Blue

Any other first steps before we open this up for step 2? Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1489697639' post='3259110'] An intriguing and attractive idea. I'd imagine many of us might find the notion a bit counter-intuitive, possibly because we are accustomed to doing it the other way round. So what might one say when a promoter / landlord asks 'Do you have a following?' or 'Where have you played recently?'. I suppose one just blags it. [/quote] It won't work for everyone, remember I don't think bar owners know a good band from a bad one. You probably have to be known in a particular community and be an outstanding sales person. Interesting when you think about it. Most bands that struggle for gigs don't have a good business or sales person. Again the reason many attempts at starting your own band fails is, you have nothing to offer except the possibility or chance you'll get paying gigs. That possible or chance is not enough for me and many others to sign on. But, if you have 12 initial gigs already booked, I'm interested, tell me more. Blue

I'm a big fan of Ibenez and Fender MIJ. Blue

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1489662198' post='3258700'] Every single band I've formed or joined has been done in a different way. I've been in bands that lasted over a year without ever getting out of the rehearsal room or even finishing a single song. [/quote] Bigredx, the scenario here is when success is based on forming a new band with 12 initial paying gigs in 6 months. A band lasting for a year without leaving the rehearsal room or finishing one song might be a success. However, it would not be a success in the scenario I have outlined. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1489666576' post='3258752'] STEP ONE Find someone who is will *and able* to go out and harangue publicans, pub entertainments secretaries, etc, relentlessly till they get enough gigs to be worth starting a band in the first place! This is without exception the main reason why most new band startups flounder, assuming at least a minimal level of musical competence by the players.. P.S. Much to my amazement, I got asked to join a band last night at a semi-jam session. They have gigs, too! Not bad at 73 in June, eh? [/quote] BINGO! Ivansc in my opinion this is the first step. Booking the gigs before you have put the band together. Folks, remember we're talking about a band with the goal of playing paid gigs. When you apply for a regular 9-5 job most of us are concerned with what the job pays When the ad reads; "We have the initial 12 paying gigs already booked starting the first weekend in September" you will have a lot more leverage on who you hire as well as attracting better people. Remember a lot of new band failure evolves around no gigs and guys quitting for that reason IMO, were now ready to discuss the second step. Other 1st step ideas are still welcome. Blue

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1489659580' post='3258676'] Covers band: Contact anyone you know, musically speaking, on a personal level first to see if they would in principle be interested and to what ends are they prepared commit. Anything positive keep on file. Explain you are also advertising and if they know anyone who may be interested, send them your way/ get contact details. Put an ad up in your local join my band ect website. State at least half the tunes for a proposed set list in the ad. State what type of band it is. "Funk soul/ Blues/ general covers / Rock ect." To play "pubs , clubs with the view to go on to private functions." Add the statement : "are you currently in a gigging band but not happy with your lot? maybe you are happy but would like to be doing more gigs as well as your current band". ( If this new band is a winner they may turn their backs on their current band. Its the music biz and the music biz is fickle.) Ask all applicants if possible to send you a youtube or simular link of them performing in a band/gig ect. Be honest about what you intend to do to start with, ie: put a set together, learn set and gig locally for cheap to get things up and running with a view to up the ante if all is going well. If you go blasting straight in with " we're gonna get £500.00 a gig " its unrealistic. Experienced players will know better and the not so experienced will be expecting it to happen. Most good experienced players will want to rock up, play and get some lolly, which is ok so keep these on file if you get any " I'm interested but just wanna rock up and play" answers. Some of these guys and girls in reality may only gig once every other month due to delusions or grandeur and feel this is all beneath them having not let go of past triumphs. They may end up joining your ranks once things get going. When auditioning its worth bearing in mind: Someone with great enthusiasm could, with a bit of practice turn out really good and not ever let you down. So don't be a musical snob. Ok if they are enthusiastic bit really really sh*t dont bother but if there are signs of hope try going with it. To be up and gigging from scratch within six months for most people with day jobs/kids/ect either everyone is already an experienced player with a history of regular gigging or you are going to need to rehearse as much as possible.[/quote] Bassjim, Recruiting members would not be my first step, I'll explain why soon. Blue

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1489654695' post='3258626'] I would probably draw from people I know as much as poss.[/quote] Les, Agreed, if you can draw from musicians you know and trust, well, I think that's a good way to bypass flakes mitigating early turnover. You bring up another really good part of the early process if forming your own gigging band. Having the resources to acquire your own PA and lights Blue

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1489654293' post='3258621'] Personally, I wouldn't "check the local market" to see what punters like because I want to play what I want to play; if other folks like it that's a bonus![/quote] Leonard. Usually owners don't hire based on what music punters like, they hire based on what keeps cash flowing into the till. Also the goal in this scenario is to gig. If there is anything that are polar opposites it's gigs and playing what you want. Playing what you want usually means "no gigs" IMO. Blue

Skankdelvar, Agreed, I think finding out if there is even a market for what you want to do is the first step. A step many forget to take. So, if we can get a few more in agreement, we have the first step in "Starting Your Own Band" Blue

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1489612394' post='3258429'] Are we looking at Originals or Cover band? One very much an easier proposition that the other for a 6 month regular paid gig turnaround! [/quote] It doesn't matter whether or not the band is originals or covers. It does have to be a band with the goal of having paid gigs within 6 months. Blue

Why don't you start your own band? This has been proposed as a solution to those frustrated by not being able to find the right existing band. However little has be discussed on how you go about starting a band. Let's hear your ideas and processes for starting a band. Let's say it's a four piece rock band with the goal of doing paid gigs 3 times a month within a 6 month time span. Let's start with determining whether or not you even have the ability, skills and resources to start your own band. Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1489507091' post='3257521'] Indeed. Even a song as apparently simple as [url="https://youtu.be/6siGKxcKol0"]Rockaway Beach[/url] has some interesting little twists and turns. A particular pitfall for the unwary is the odd little bit after the choruses. Likewise, [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlMhDfHsfDI"]Bonzo goes to Bitburg[/url] is distinguished by an almost Wagnerian reluctance to resolve the vocal part. The listener briefly experiences relief after the key change when bells pick out a sparse pattern around the chords. Then it's back to the grind. Perhaps the Ramones' interest in dislocated chord passages and twisty arrangements was driven by Johnny's refusal to play solos (or minor chords ) [color=#faebd7].[/color] [/quote] Rockaway Beach was a cool place to hang. Blue

Getting into a functions band is a good paying job. Without experience or knowing someone it might be tough. It all depends on the market in your area. I'm out there playing 65 four hour bar shows a year, no functions band in my area would even give ma a chance to audition. Blue

Very sad. RIP Joni Blue

Nice one! Blue

Great sound. I really liked this video. Blue

IMO, all the successful early rock & roll stars matter in one way or the other. IMO, if you don't have some understanding of rock & roll history eventually your going to run into a wall. Blue

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489397539' post='3256502'] Things have taken an upturn here. One evening last week at 6 pm, I got a phone call from a keys player I used to play with: "Our bassist has left. We're rehearsing tonight, gig in 5 weeks. Can you help?" Quick meal, jump in the car and 90 minutes later I'm standing in their rehearsal room. I was OK with songs I knew, but hopeless with ones I didn't know, with the guitarist saying "I'll play barre chords so you can read my fingers" Errr, no, I can't do that on the hoof. Sorry. I was gobsmacked when they asked me to join! They're an established functions band playing to a good standard. The other people in the band have played together for ages, and I played with the keys player for 2 years, so maybe all the "singing off different hymn sheets" issues have been flushed out. I'm learning the setlist as fast as I can. Playing the songs I already know, plus the easy new ones, gives me 16. Only 15 more to go, but they're all new to me. YouTube's going to get some hammer over the next few weeks. So, onwards and upwards. First proper rehearsal tomorrow night.[/quote] What are you looking for in band? Does this opportunity offer what your looking for? Blue

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1489273080' post='3255724'] Nice band, great musos and good singers Like the Maple Road Demo [url="https://youtu.be/z-g0pYD9wqk"]https://youtu.be/z-g0pYD9wqk[/url] and your trans blue G&l asat [/quote] Thanks That's my G&L ASAT bass. Right now it's my primary gigging bass. I had put it away for a year, I forget why. It's really a cool bass. It looks great sounds great. I purchased it used about 10 years ago. I really got a good deal on it.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1489271597' post='3255705'] Funny really in retrospect I read this post and went off for our rehearsal last monday with the original band i have been involved with - singer/guitarist/song writer/ vocalist/main man, drums, bass (me), keys and pedal steel. Was the 5th rehearsal and one of those that started great but deteriorated Next day the main man messages me first to say the drummer has left, then later on to say the keys has left and the pedal steel would prefer if we could get someone nearer. OP - what were you saying? [/quote] Unfortunately this happens all to often with any new band or start up band. I really feel band for guys that have to go through this. I really think if a start up band had a leader that was networked and connected to the point where he/she could book a band in advance with at least 4 months or 12 good gigs before you even recruited members. My point, you could potentially attract better musicians. Chances are they would stick with the band because you would have definitive gigs to look forward to. Blue

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1425076604' post='2703815'] I'd say give up trying to start your own band. It's hard to find one person committed to gigging who isn't already gigging, to find four or five is nothing short of a miracle. I'm the organising type and I'm reluctant to take it on again. The trouble is that so many people dream of gigging but in reality only think of themselves and their playing in front of a live audience. Once they've lived their dreams a few times it's enough. Gigging most weekends is a whole extra level and takes huge commitment. No judgement on those people for whom six gigs a year is enough though, but if you want to gig more than that then find people who share that aim. The best way to do this is to join a band who are already gigging regularly, because for every band who has lost a less than committed singer there's another who has just lost their bassist. Start going to the local gigs and start networking, just talk to the bands, let them know you play, male a note of what they play and make sure you could make a stab at the stuff you hear most of them play. If the call comes you'll need half a dozen songs or more to jam at an audition but you will probably only get a fortnight to learn the rest of their set. The more bands you see the greater chance that you'll find one that needs you. Scan the ads use the internet but there's nothing like first hand knowledge. Bands get so desperate that even I get to be the bassist even though I have very little skill, just Mr Reliable with a good attitude. [/quote] That's a great post. Blue

[quote name='NoRhino' timestamp='1489270073' post='3255693'] The Scots have a word that sums you up Blue; Gallus. It's a compliment. [/quote] Thanks NoRhino, I'll remember that in case I ever find myself in Scotland. Blue