Where Are All The Good Bands

[rockbassist]

In 2006, I decided to take a break from touring. While none of the tours were of any great length, I did get to travel quite a bit and meet some interesting people. I took some time off and did some recording. A couple of years ago, I decided to get back into a band situation. I have yet to find one. I check all the common websites, Harmony Central, Bandmix, Craig's list, etc. Here is a small sample of what I have run into. One band was doing older covers Bad Company, Van Halen, etc . They were very good and were auditioning 30 bass players. Then they wanted 15 of us to come back so they could get down to 10, then to 5 then 3, 2 and then a final audition to get the person they wanted. I told the guy running the band that there was no reason to keep bringing people back over and over. You can either play or you can't. I respect the fact that they were taking it seriously but I think they were taking things too far. A few months later, he called and asked me if I would consider playing with them. Apparently the bassist didn't work out. I said sure I'll play. He said they were auditioning about 10 players and then they were going to bring 5 back and so on. I said no thanks.  
Another band responded with a setlist and a comment that heavy drug and alcohol use is strongly encouraged. Needless to say, I passed. I hate to be critical but all of the other bands were so bad that when I listened to the mp3's it was difficult to determine what they were playing or the singer was terrible. I went to jam with a band and they decided to play Tom Petty's American Girl. The guitar player started the song and it was so bad that I didn't know what they were playing until the singer started singing. I am at the point where I am actually considering giving up and not playing anymore. So my questions is, Where have all the good bands gone?

[tmoney61092]

i would like to know also, i have been looking for a band/musicians in the Greesnboro area of North Carolina to play some gigs and get back in the business, so as Kevin asked, where have all the good bands gone and where can i find them???
 
~Taylor

[thumbsup]

Giving up and not playing anymore!  Now you know it's in your blood.  
I can relate though...when you've flown with the eagles it hard to walk with the ducks! (-:  
The right group of muscians is out there...just gotta hang til the magic happens.  
Kinda like when you met (or will meet) your signifigant other....it just feels right!
 
Steve

[slawie]

I know what you mean Kevin. I have also being trying to get back in on the band scene
 
I have come across in the past couple of months;
 
Bands that were not to my taste (nice way of saying boooooooooooooooring zzzzzzzzzzzzz)
Totally disorganised and fragmented directions.
Egos!
Delusions of Grandeur
Agism
People that just don't do the things they say like
sending out the set list. pffft
 
My wife suggested to start my own band and select
from the players I have known and played with over the years.
Might just try that.
 
Back to the thread...
You could have asked if the auditions
were being taped for a (un)reality TV show.
 
And to answer your question well, when you find out - post it here for us all to be enlightened,
 
slawie

[ajdover]

I have the same problem here in Fayetteville, NC.  Unless you like metal, blues, country or beach you're pretty much out of luck.  I don't much care for those genres personally, so there's not much here for me.  I've auditioned for some bands, and for the most part they're hacks.  Granted, I'm not the second coming of Jaco, but geez, when you can't play a Kiss tune correctly, you should probably seek another hobby or line of work.
 
I'm still looking for a band, bu I'm not hopeful.
 
Alan

[88persuader]

I took 2 years off after gigging with a very tight 3 piece band for too many year. I thought since I'm in my low 50s (53) perhaps it's time i retire. Well liong story short after two years of writing and recording I decided retirement wasn't for me. Well ... in the past it took one phone call and I'd be with a GOOD gigging band, no audition required. (A lot of people knew me) Well in the past few years the only people I know still gigging didn't need me so I started answering adds. It took me a good 6 months of doing sub work, answering adds and going to auditions to finally find and join a band with any potential of being tight. Granted if I were younger I would have had more options but it was very disheartening so i know exactly what you're talking about. Most of the bands i auditioned for (and subed for) were either total 80's metal, only needed a fill in or totally SUCKED! And the worse they were the more arrogant they seemed. (which is ironic to say the least)  
 
All I can say is keep looking. EVENTUALLY you'll find a good match. It's like dating, there IS someone out there for you if you keep looking! :-)
Good luck!

[glocke]

Glad Im not the only one...Im a little over an hour north of philly, and cant find anything going on.  
 
Over the past year or two I had a couple of projects that were promising, but they basically imploded for a variety of reasons.  
 
I've been looking for another project but have not really found anything that would be challenging and satisfying.  
 
I have found alot of guys that want to jam, but no one that really wants to practice on a regular basis and play out....All of this has pretty much made me want to take a break from the whole thing and spend my time on other stuff.  I havent even really picked up a bass for any length of time for a few months.
 
The kicker for me is that there IS a music scene in my area that is fairly happening, and hookups to other bands do happen that way, but in order for that to happen you cant be on the fringe like I am, you have to party, hang out, and be a known and liked member of that music scene.  
 
Since Ive turned into a recluse/hermit the past couple of years (on a side note can you be a recluse AND a hermit??) I am really not into the partying and hanging out side of things these days so I miss out on alot of connections.

[jazzyvee]

Iv'e been trying to find musicians to start a band for years but in my environment here, musicians here don't want to be in a band, they want a phone call when you have a gig that they can do as a session. Not really what I want if I propose to do album tracks from artistes I admire and original tracks. They just want a list of real book pages and counting in.
 
Jazzyvee

[terryc]

You lot should come to the North East of England.
There are funk, soul, classic rock, metal, punk, pop, reggae, latin, C&W, just about every style here.
I have been in a few no go bands, one which was cheesy 70's pop which I didn't like at all but the money was great, I stayed for 6 months, it paid the motorcycle insurance, the tyres for the bike plus a holiday.
Was asked to join a Paul Rodgers tribute band but I declined as I have done all that stuff in the past SO no I am in a girl fronted band who do classic pop to the most very modern stuff..a very refreshing change. In between I have stood in for some bands as well.
There always seems to be work for someone in my neck of the woods
 
(Message edited by TerryC on September 09, 2010)

[serialnumber12]

All the good players are playing gospel these days when i listen to gospel on weekends im totally blown away by the talent im hearing ......however im not encouraging going to church if you wanna gig i dont go to church.

[toma_hawk01]

Excellent point #12, and you are right.
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

[mario_farufyno]

Don't think anyone here could choose to give up Music, this is a serious addiction. You will find your mates sooner or later...

[bigredbass]

I'm totally through gigging.
 
Mind you, Nashville is a very difficult place for me for way too many reasons to go into here.
If THIS is 'Music City USA', I'm ready to be a plumber.
 
My problem is I've lived long enough for a generation to pass.  All of my reference points are gone, music has changed, and now I often find myself grumping along like some old curmudgeon.  I often think of selling everything and finding something else to do.  I am not moved by what's out there now to learn new music to stay current, and I feel very old playing the things I've played for years.
 
I would not look at it as giving up music.  I'd look at it as moving on.  I'm tired of feeling like some old clarinet player in a Woody Allen flick, sitting there in my double-knit leisure suit complaining about this stuff the kids play, 'it's not real music like in my day'.  I'm REALLY worn out feeling this way.
 
J o e y

[terryc]

bigredbass.. at 53 I am playing some very modern stuff(Lilly Allen,Alisha Keys, Lady Gaga, Beyonce), I wouldn't even listen to this stuff but playing it is a different ball game.
I couldn't imagine giving it up unless I have a really serious health problem.
That is why I politely refuse to play worn out classic rock from the 70's, I enjoyed it when I did it but I ain't playing 'Alright Now' again if I can help it.
Older people CAN learn from the young in this respect.
I find it disheartening that you feel like that and I hope you find your path

[lbpesq]

Or, to put it another way, we ain't in our 20's anymore!  I recently saw a cartoon of an old man.  The caption said: inside every old person is a young person thinking 'what the f*** happened?. I like to think we are the wheat that has survived the chaff.  Just have to find some other wheat to play with.
 
Bill, tgo