Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardNo: "Lords of Thunder" now seeking applications for the position of bass, drums, keyboards, rhythm guitar, and lead vocalist. Must have excellent chops and even better gear...[/QUOTE]
This is soooo true. I've seen so many ads way back when that had this kinda deal.
In a way, these ads are like making a personal dating ad: You can say whatever you like but the best bet for after you've met your 'date' is too be honest first. Cuz after you meet, the jig is up anyway.Originally Posted by: KasperowDoes this mean I should specifically state that I'm looking for a guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer and pianist (most of my main influences have those instruments), or should I just say that I'm looking for some people to start a band to play music in the style of my favorite bands?[/QUOTE]
State what and who you are; an individual that is looking to form a band around this general theme of music.
It will take time to build the group of players so the key is to be patient and collaborate with who you can and build from that.
[QUOTE=Slipin Lizard]Many drummers love to pound. This can be unfortunate in that it then requires everyone else to be louder. I'd say this is probably the #1 flaw/mistake that new bands make.... the drummers says "ya bro, I like to play HARD!!"
I both agree and disagree....
Like any instrumentalist, every drummer needs to have a range of skills and that require finesse and playing dynamic.
However, one of the best drummers I played with was a hitter. Loud, he was. But his playing had feeling to it. I mean it was rock/metal playing so being a hitter was desired.
I remember when he and a friend went to record some stuff during some open studio time (I went with and 'co-engineered'...that drummer I speak of was also my roommate and I'd run sound for his/my friends bands)...Anyway, he was trying to be meticulous and play without error and the first four takes were just lifeless...D-E-A-D.
I turned to the (real) engineer and said, "Would you just tell him to hit the 'effing' things already!"
The track came bounding to life after that. Something to think about.
[QUOTE=Kasperow]what I meant was do I have to require they have a 150W Tube Amp or will it suffice with something similar to my own 40W Amp...
The best bet is to be sure that each guitar player has a separate cabinet (2x12 / 4x12). Cabs are cheap.
I thought my 2x12 combo amp (back then) had great tone for a fairly funky set up. I mean, I pulled together an inexpensive rig that sounded great at mid-level volumes when practicing. When I needed to match the sonics of a band practice...DOA.
The amp just lost the sweetness it had when I practiced. Most combo amps have open backs and as the volume increases, the tone thins out. What was nice and chunky/farty in my bedroom sounded like a broken buzzsaw when I blasted it with the rest of the/a band.
I borrowed a 4x12 from a friend and voila....awesomeness. I went out and bought one soon thereafter (a cheap one...I was poor).
....a final thought.....
Be patient. Not revolutionary advice but still. Once I walked in to nearly a fully formed band with good musicians and a great singer. Stuff that's hard enough to come by.
Took forever to find a bass player.
One time, we had a guy come in to try out and argue how to play The Immigrant Song. The rest of the band had never played it together but we'd all jammed it alone at one time or another in our bedrooms so we said ok....and started that very well known riff...Me and the other guitar player jumped in to the riff as if we played together for a lifetime...
Bass player? Played the wrong key...Wrong key???? Everyone knows that song....After crashing that train wreck...he was like 'You guys really don't know this song. Do you?'...then huffed 'I mean it's in 'E' and is the easiest thing to play'....I looked at the other guitar player (Eric) and I was like 'Eric, F#?'...He was all 'Yep, F#'.
I looked at the bass candidate and said. 'What makes you think it's in E?'...he said, 'That's how my teacher taught me'.
I shouldn't have said it but I did say 'Ask for a refund.'
....I was young and cocky but he was totally a jerk through the few minutes we jammed....After I said the 'refund' thing, he turned of his amp and packed up without a word...but with a nice little sneer as he hefted his amp out the door.
Point is....you will not get winners every time....Food for thought.