Author Topic: Avoiding the Flax Attack (Read 85 times)

hydrargyrum · « **on:** May 17, 2009, 07:32:47 AM »

Well, for the first time in years I am meeting with some folks today to see if we can't get something together so we can play out. I am pretty excited because I know the drummer is incredible. Unfortunately the Bass and other guitar player could use some experience. They're actually both friends of mine from college who I convinced to take up instruments. I can live with their lack of education as long as they put out a good effort, but the bass player has been more and more flakey lately. Anyway, I can walk away at anytime, but I hope things work out.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2009, 07:44:50 AM »

Good friends don't always make good bandmates. Keep your expectations reasonable - people only do what they find rewarding. If I were you, I'd leave the ends wide open (so to speak) for a while so your friends can discover what's really required to do the band thing. You may already be there, but not doing this represents a mistake I've made before.

Good luck. Finding the best drummer you can is often the most important task anyway. And welcome back to performing -- I was away from it for many years, got back into it a couple of years back and am starting to feel like an old hand again. If you like it, it's one of the most interesting and fun experiences around.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2009, 08:55:06 AM »

Yeah, I am definitely not pinning too many hopes on the whole affair. I just want to have some fun, and relive some of my wilder days from my youth (well, not too wild, I've got a family to think of now ).

flaxattack · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2009, 09:28:05 AM »

well hmmmm. i recently held a jam at a local studio. i didnt care for one of the guitar players as he jumped in on vocals on 2 different occasions while i and the drummer were doing our tunes, didnt listen when i gave direction and basically gave me the impression of trying to be take over. i get an email from him addressed to me and 2 other people i had planned on jamming with inviting us to join HIM at a session. my bad for not bcc'ing people, but i thought it was incredibly f'ing low to basically steal the people i had found.
so i flaxinated him

bassman10096 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2009, 09:31:21 AM »

You always have options, too -- I got a band going with some guys who were parents from my kids' school, enjoyed it for a while, got back up to speed (better than back in the day, actually) and then got frustrated with that band (differing goals and tastes). Much to my surprise, in a moment of frustration I searched local Craigs List for bands looking for a bass player, found a couple of opportunities that sounded good, picked the one that appealed the most, and voila --- I'm in a second band. More time and effort, yes - but each band saves me from getting frustrated with the other.

My point is not to bite off more than you can chew. It's just good to recognize there are lots of ways to find bands and musicians to fit your needs. One of my bands lost a guitarist and within 2 weeks, we had auditioned 4 likely candidates and recruited the one we wanted - off Craigs List in this case, but bandmix.com and musicianforest.com are other good online locations to find other players. I don't live in an extremely large metro area, either (Milwaukee). I've always been surprised how many players are available despite that.

Sorry for the hijack, but before I blundered my way back into finding other musicians, I'd have loved to know how easy it could be. Hope your adventure is fun and rewarding.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2009, 06:24:38 PM »

Good news everyone was surprisingly on time! (musically, and temporally). For now, I am optimistic.