A New Band (need Tips On Looking For New Members) Options

[muntahunta]

my band just collapsed today and it seems im out looking for new musicians.

unfortunatly ive never started a band from scratch and I have no idea what to look for in musicians or how to find or audition them.

Im going to start a band with me as lead vocals and every now and again playing a little rythm guitar.

im going to try to make a band capable of playing the styles of bands such as Shinedown, Disturbed and Metallica... maybe a few cover songs to keep people happy

all of these bands have prominent bass lines, crunchy guitar riffs and different styles of vocals, i have no idea what style of drummer i'd be looking for.

my last drummer has said he would like to play drums for me, he's a very capable drummer but he tries to do things he cant do all of the time, sometimes putting the songs out of time and he has a hard time remembering beats for the songs so the songs always change their drum beat a little (not too much though)
I have however had a bassist before who has managed to "control" him, reminding him of the beats and helping him with the drums too.

i also need 2 guitarists but i have no idea what to look for.

any tips of auditioning or things to look out for when looking for new bandmates are more than welcome

also, has anyone got any ideas on how to start the band, such as, do we go right into writing material or learn some covers first?

cheers
chris

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[Slammer]

Hi,

I don't know much about starting a band.

But if you haven't already, you should check out bandmix.com

I saw in your profile that you're from Newcastle. Assuming thats in the UK. I searched Bandmix for you and it came up with 52 profiles in that city.

http://bandmix.co.uk/search/results.php

Other than that, try your local music shops, sometimes they have bulletin boards with people looking for bands, etc.

Sorry, if this wasn't much help.

Wish you the best on your new Band search!!

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[JeroenKole]

First and foremost! Look for fellow mucisians you can get along with well. Also make sure you have about the same musical ideas. (my first and only band collapsed because of those things.)

Look for well rounded musicians. If they are only capable of playing metal you have a very big chance of creating music that has a big lack of originality.

Always audition! For example: That vocalist you could get along with so well might turn out to be horrible, he/she would make a tonedeaf crow fill stadiums, yet you recruited him/her, and it is incredibly hard to get rid of him/her because you don't want to break his/her fragile emotional state.

Make sure they have their own equipment. Nothing is as embarrising as a drummer who doesn't have a drumkit. (at some venues you can probably borrow equipment, but in most cases this is not the case.)

Highly important: make sure the fellow musicians have a similar drive as you. Unmotivated players lead to tension, which is bad.

Make sure they are clean. Stoned or drunk band members can really ruin gigs and rehearsals. Also you might want to avoid people that are not honest about having a criminal record. (though the chance will be small that you encounter them)

If you cannot find the kind of musician you are looking for, then you should never abandon your search. There are very talented musicians that are either very shy or autistic. Just approach these people and start talking with them, you might be in a surprise for what they could add to your band.


Those things are just the tip of the iceberg. Don't forget: always use common sense and rely on your feelings.

Just my 2 cents,

J

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[Tryton]

Through my experience with this same issue I've made many mistakes in choosing people. What I've found works for me
is to look for potential instead of immediate virtuosity.

Potential musically and friendship wise has alway made for lasting bandmates & friends..

Good Luck - I feel your pain

Are you in Newcastle, California?

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This post has been edited by Tryton: Aug 2 2008, 09:11 PM