I dont get it

[Jase]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='242326' date='Jul 18 2008, 01:14 AM']Maybe I should write a thread about how to advertise yourself on musician dating sites. [/quote]

Perhaps that's the secret....you have to date these people

[dabootsy]

i went for an audition last week who have a deal with a large record company and got on great (i thought) with the guys in the band even did my home work on them, went to see them live and played the audition songs perfectly and with a lot of feel not just note for note.
At the end of the audition they said i was the best player they had seen in three days of auditions so i thought i would at least get through to the next round

Got an email saying not what we are looking for
What the F**k do you have to do

spent a lot of time working on the songs etc it would be nice to get a bit of feedback as to why i did not get in

never mind
try again and again and again and again

[Jase]

[quote name='dabootsy' post='242445' date='Jul 18 2008, 09:12 AM']i went for an audition last week who have a deal with a large record company and got on great (i thought) with the guys in the band even did my home work on them, went to see them live and played the audition songs perfectly and with a lot of feel not just note for note.
At the end of the audition they said i was the best player they had seen in three days of auditions so i thought i would at least get through to the next round

Got an email saying not what we are looking for
What the F**k do you have to do

spent a lot of time working on the songs etc it would be nice to get a bit of feedback as to why i did not get in

never mind
try again and again and again and again[/quote]

Weird that type of thing, all goes well and.......nah, not what we're looking for!
It doesn't take long before you start asking yourself WTF is going on, is it worth all the nonsense? Oddly though, we keep going back for more.

[Bilbo]

I had a mate who was TOLD he had the Jamaroqui gig (on guitar) - that was the last he heard from them.

He is now in a well known national act so it turned out ok but the problem with these pro-gigs now is that you aren't dealing with artists but huge anonymous corporations. Chances are the band like you but the money didn't (too tall, too short, too young, too old -s'all b******t)

[ARGH]

[quote name='Jase' post='242454' date='Jul 18 2008, 10:18 AM']Weird that type of thing, all goes well and.......nah, not what we're looking for!
It doesn't take long before you start asking yourself WTF is going on, is it worth all the nonsense? Oddly though, we keep going back for more.[/quote]
Which brings us back to my original point,Its just bastard rude,you are left high and dry,and you dont know what you are to do?

Ive learnt 8 songs in 5 days,nailed them,been told I was the "best they had had all week" and then recieve the email of rejection.

I have come to the conclusion,where I might just ask,"Are you really bothered..?"

[Jase]

[quote name='ARGH' post='242984' date='Jul 18 2008, 05:56 PM']Which brings us back to my original point,Its just bastard rude,you are left high and dry,and you dont know what you are to do?

Ive learnt 8 songs in 5 days,nailed them,been told I was the "best they had had all week" and then recieve the email of rejection.

I have come to the conclusion,where I might just ask,"Are you really bothered..?"[/quote]


Yep agree....RUDE!

[ARGH]

Ok,check this out,I got asked for a photo....(fingers crossed)

[Jase]

[quote name='ARGH' post='243150' date='Jul 18 2008, 11:07 PM']Ok,check this out,I got asked for a photo....(fingers crossed)[/quote]

A band showing interest?

[ARGH]

[quote name='Jase' post='243156' date='Jul 19 2008, 12:27 AM']A band showing interest?[/quote]
Nope,got my hopes up..all silent...oh well.

(Just put my 9 up for sale locally,£3k if anyones interested)

[Jase]

Selling...after all that waiting? You're fookin mad!

[ARGH]

[quote name='Jase' post='243428' date='Jul 19 2008, 05:40 PM']Selling...after all that waiting? You're fookin mad![/quote]
Jase,I cant be f***ed anymore,As Ive said,Ive had enough,there ISNT the musicians around to play it with,I dont want sympathy,or to come across all petulant,but I look at it and see 'New Kitchen' or 'Patio'. Ive offers on my 6,and Ive interest and offers on one of my fretless's.

I genuinely think that someones putting the word out about me,in a negative sense.

Edited July 19, 2008 by ARGH

[Huge Hands]

ARGH, I expect I'm going to get flamed for this, but I am geniunely interested in the answer to this question:

Do you think it could be your attitude?

I'm just wondering that if you've had so many problems with bands in the last few months, you may have become so upset about it all that you are struggling to see the wood from the trees and when you show up to auditions this rubs off and comes across as being difficult to other band members?

It is just kind of reminding me of that other Off Topic thread about people applying for jobs that they are too qualified for.

Do you think that perhaps you are giving off an air of arrogance to these bands that you are too good to be playing their original stuff? I know you've disagreed about this but turning up with a 9, 7 or whatever string can give them the impression you are a widdler and will overplay on their stuff. I've had grief about having a 5 string before. I've said this many times, but I once got kicked out of a blues band and one of the reasons was because I refused to do what they wanted and use my 4 string JV Jazz instead of my 5 string which they reckoned was too modern looking for their image. This was not a signed band by any means and they played a mix of covers and originals (if you can call a 12 bar blues with different lyrics an original (oops - another flame heading my way!!!)). I love blues music by the way.

Perhaps they assume you are going to want to quit after 3 months and join a band with better musos?

I don't know you, so please understand I'm not accusing you of anything. However, from your posts, you do seem a bit depressed and almost paranoid about what your other band members are saying about you. Perhaps they think you are always moaning, and a bit of a volatile angry man. I am speaking from experience here, I have been accused of this myself.

In my experience, the band can only be as big as the bloke or blokes (or women!) who started it want it to be. If you turn up and start trampling over their ideas, they think they are starting to lose control and the problems start.

Oh, and another point to mention, I am under no illusions that as a 6'3 fat ginger bloke with glasses, I have missed out on the opportunity of joining several bands, even though they thought I was a good bass player. No matter how wide the stereotypical trilby hat and long jacket, it's not easy to look cool.

I guess I'm just lucky I have found a few mates in various bands over the years who have become a core group that we can form, with the addition or replacement of the odd member, into something different. We play covers and the odd original, and I love playing both! It's also good that they know me so well they will put up with my occasional rants and outbursts. I am not excusing that behaviour by the way!

Edited July 19, 2008 by Huge Hands

[Jase]

[quote name='ARGH' post='243444' date='Jul 19 2008, 05:09 PM']Jase,I cant be f***ed anymore,As Ive said,Ive had enough,there ISNT the musicians around to play it with,I dont want sympathy,or to come across all petulant,but I look at it and see 'New Kitchen' or 'Patio'. Ive offers on my 6,and Ive interest and offers on one of my fretless's.

I genuinely think that someones putting the word out about me,in a negative sense.[/quote]

I see.....I think all of us at times just want to knock it on the head, been like it myself particularly this week....to do with partysounds and joinmyband...and I'm just looking for a regular working covers band to earn some money, there are just two of us left in my original project...it's all crap at the moment! BUT don't sell the ERB's because the situation will come around sooner or later and you'll need them.

I don't know what else to suggest that might be helpful......have you thought of creating your own opportunities? For example: you read, sing and I suspect play very well, there is a certain amount of arrogance or should I say confidence in your ability, why not see if you can sit in on some sessions...I dunno, Fusion, Jazz or live Improv stuff...OR just get a set of just bass and vocals together. Just a thought.

It's very difficult these days to get something together with serious musicians, I will agree with you on that.

[thepurpleblob]

You're not just coming over as "desperate" are you?

I'm sure being successful in bands is as much to do with temperament as it is to do with skill. I think you know when you turn up at an audition and it "clicks" and everything goes well. I've done disastrous auditions and great ones and I honestly couldn't tell you the difference - wish I could.

[ARGH]

Ok for the record,I have NEVER gone to an audition with the 9 string.I have a 9,I try to play the 9,and yes it is a talking point on ads,and Ive pics of me with the 9,and Ive played it onstage...BUT IVE NEVER GONE TO AN AUDITION WITH MY 9 STRING...EVER!!...ok....NIL...NADA...Fretless twice,P-Bass the rest...ok...that clear....

Attitude.
Its something Ive wondered,am I coming across as to shy,quiet,loud,aggressive,chatty..ect etc. I cant answer that question,though Ive noticed atmos changes when I say "no thanks I dont drink",and that seems to lead to a problem...I dont drink or smoke,I dont take drugs,Ive done all that,and Im not interested anymore...some people do have a problem with that.I am a nervous ball of energy somedays,but in the last year Ive curtail'd that,Im expressive,as opinionated as the next person,and have my fair share of what works and what does not work,in situations.....I do get funny looks when asked "What effects do I use?",and the reply is "Cable",and Ive gone through the era when the word 'Fender' was a dirty word and Im still using one,and its ratty and modded to hell,but its faithfull....and its all Black.

I,actually,think its a problem that alot of these bands I audition for,dont actually know what a Bassist does,because,and this is by the admittance of several of the musicians/bands Ive auditioned for,they have never "Really had a Bassplayer" as in what they mean ,they've only had a guy/girl plod along root hugging,and thats it...They've never heard harmony,or a drone note under their riffs,or ever had somebody play with the kick rather than the guitars.Maybe thats all they want,and I can accept that,but it isnt Bassplaying in my book,its guitar hidden an octave down. Co-incidentally,a number of bands Ive auditioned for are still looking ....so good luck to them,I hope they find what they want,because to be honest I dont think they really know.

Now I know to some my confidence in my ability seems like arrogance,thats just not true.....I wont sell myself short,Im not a god either,but I CAN play,and I CAN sing,and I play Bass,and Im proud of that. Now image sells,and I accept that and cant change that,so if the face dont fit,thats beyond my control,but if all they want is a drinking buddy to go and buy dope for them,Im not their man. Sometimes you will get bands which is (Usually guitarist) "My way or the Highway"...as in "I write everything..and you play it...and thats final..." They've been goooooood,VERY good in some cases,but,usually,guess what,Im root hugging.....and I can hear in my head,what would make a better line,but its not my gig,and its not GOING to be my gig,because,I...well....I dont drink etc etc etc,so I let it pass. Having 4 strings and a succession of 4 string thickies (as in BassOWNING Guitarists,that have no ability to play let alone musicality to question what they are doing or affecting the sound and songs around them..plus they make better,flush?? drinking/smoking buddies) before me with 'hidden' lines,its a little restrictive,Im not gonna tapola,or slapathon,or widdle....Im going to play,but I would prefer an equal voice,and no that dosent mean Im going to steamroller in and changing stuff and slagging riffs,Hell I like the riffs,thats why Im in the f***ing room in the 1st place,but our instrument deserves to be played properly,and played well. I guess that 'different' thing they are looking for ,is the same as before,and Im not the same.

As for the Paranoia,You dont know the idiots Ive worked with in the past.

I think it goes well.....I try to fit in,I try to play well,play the lines they want,or what they have asked for ("Something like Black Sabbath..or Cliff Burton"??) And it still gets me nowhere.....4-5 years in,and still nowt,cut me some slack,You would get the 'fear' too....

[Deep Thought]

Some will be aghast at me for suggesting this, but if you really don't want to do it any more, don't do it. If it's pissing you off that much, and the urge to do it has gone, go and do something else.
I was a diver for 18 years. I was [i]heavily [/i] into it-I ate, breathed, pissed, sh*t and farted diving for years. Then for a number of reasons the urge to do it just went-I found myself 30M underwater, on a wreck, thinking 'what the bloody hell am I doing here? I don't want to do this any more.' I hung on for another year, trying to kid myself it was just a phase, throwing money at it in the hope that nice new kit would fire up my enthusiasm again, hoping for that fantastic dive that would get me back into it. It never came, and I finally admitted defeat and sold all my kit. First I bought a motorbike, then I started another band. Now the band is my all-consuming passion and I have not the slightest urge to go back underwater again. Other things take over. Glad I did it, don't want to do it any more. If that's how you really feel, go find something else to get your heart pounding again. Perhaps you'll come back to it one day, perhaps a new thing will take over-do what you feel, don't do it if it's making you miserable.

[Huge Hands]

ARGH,

Don't get me wrong, I do sympathise, I was trying to see if you had considered attitude etc.

Our band once auditioned keyboard players. We got this one guy in who was amazing. Sounded like he was a regular at Nu-Soul and gospel style stuff. I wanted to turn him down because he was THAT good and he was quite frankly showing how s**t the rest of us were in comparison. He didn't take the gig because we weren't making any money and he was a pro, but if it had been up to me he wouldn't have been offered it in the first place.

You may think that's a weird attitude, and I'll admit, it is. I actually like to be the worst muso in a band because it gives me the challenge to better myself and keep the gig. However, this guy was SOO good he was making me uncomfortable that we were all looking like major amateurs so I chickened it. Of course, it didn't phase the guitarist who has eternal belief in all of us, and he did offer him it.

I just wonder if this is some of what you're experiencing?

When they offer you a drink, are you refusing to drink alcohol or refusing to go down the pub with them? As others have said, bands usually have to be built on friendships as well - if you won't even join them afterwards it can seem a snub?

I will apologise again, I'm not trying to assume anything about you, just trying to think of scenarios that may be causing the problem?

I used to use Gumtree and Partysounds. I noticed that most people didn't seem to notice the "Bass Players Available" ads, I always seemed to have to wait for bands to advertise themselves and reply to them.

I agree with the guitarists thing. I remember once meeting a guy at his house who wanted to do gigs playing his own stuff he'd recorded on Cubase. He would play me his tracks with his own recorded lines he'd done on his guitar. I'd then start doing my own thing and he'd be going "No, like this!" and start showing me his lines note for note.

Suffice to say it was like a poor man's Simply Red so I made my excuses and left.

Edited July 20, 2008 by Huge Hands

[thepurpleblob]

I must admit I don't drink, don't smoke and am an antisocial git. I never try to be something I'm not and I'm always up front about it. I try to make a bit of a joke about it, "don't expect me to buy you a drink, I'm too miserable" etc.. The only time I like being in a pub is when I'm playing in it. I still get to play though, so I don't think that's it. Just be yourself as they say :-)

[Jase]

I don't socialise with my covers band or my original band...what's left of it I'm not in it for that type of thing....I don't think it's a must that you have to go to the pub, or go to watch gigs etc with the musicians you work with....people have lives, we all have different interests, things we do, things we don't. Just my opinion on " if you don't drink and smoke, we're not sure we'll get on" nonsense

[ARGH]

Hugehands

When the question of booze comes up,Im polite,straight,and honest,I dont shove it down anyones throat,or play the martyr,its just in ...and this is sad as f***...Metal,bodiliy self abuse seems to be the norm,and if you dont drink or hang out taking drugs,you must be gay....or into sh*t wimpy metal...yep its that f***ing immature sometimes...

Ok to be serious,I went clean,as of new years,and have had massive problems with alchohol,and some drug usage in the past,Im not some born again self rightous soapbox guy,Im just a bod that dosent drink,I play in pubs,I dont want to go to them for any other reason,I dont want to drink..I dont feel the need to drink,or spark up a joint,I have never met anyone that played better in a rehearsal room whilst intoxicated,and neither have I seen the same on stage,so thats my call,but its an issue when I just ...politely...say "No"...body language changes....I sense it,I know its there...

If on the rare occasions I get abuse,as I have done for being 'straight',I just point at my gear...then my car...then my house...then...you get the picture,all the money goes there,and I dont want to feel I literally 'Pissed it against the wall' because in the past I have done,and paid for it.

Ive never been invited to the pub by a band,nor refused a drink in an aggressive fashion,but I have had aggressive reactions,for doing so.

As I said,you dont know the tossers Ive known...

Edited July 20, 2008 by ARGH

[ARGH]

Covers bands having a 'meeting'.....We dont have meetings.....oh dear