How do i audition for a band?

[Houndog]

Hmm, my bar band made 2K + tips last night. The venue was non-smoking and they fed us and covered any bar tab we had. It all depends on location I guess.

Of course we worked our way out of a couple smokey bars, but we only booked one show then realized that it wasn't our scene.

Your band is certainly an exception to the rule …..

 

[RIDDIM]

Here's another similar take:

“It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note – it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.”
-- Miles Davis

I'm not sure about sending a video out to someone too early. Good way to get pigeon hold back the video to 2nd or 3rd contact.

To the original poster: Maybe start your own band? I've done that a few times. Trying to get in a band and dealing with musicians can be tricky.

For several years I've requested performance videos and offered to send something of mine in a similar context. Hopefully, this establishes a minimum competence level on both ends. If they don't have a current video, I ask for stuff from previous incarnations. If they don't have such things, it might indicate they talk a good game, but nothing else.

The one time I didn't follow this practice, I went to a rehearsal room packed with guys with nice gear who couldn't play. Shame on me.

 

[Houndog]

A bar band is better than staying at home... Until it's not better than staying at home. Doesn't take very long.

I emphasized “smoking “ bars didn’t I?
Looking back I did not ….ooops

Other than that 90% of the bar bands I’ve been in have been a royal pain in the butt …..

How bout that ???

 

[Tornado]

I emphasized “smoking “ bars didn’t I?
Looking back I did not ….ooops

Other than that 90% of the bar bands I’ve been in have been a royal pain in the butt …..

How bout that ???

Oh, I'm agreeing with you. Other than a really great bar band playing really great bars (wherever those are), it's way more work and less money than a job. Luckily there's no smoking in just about any bars now, but that seems to have correlated with lower bar attendance numbers. At least in my area.

However, there's some dues that get paid doing those 4 hour gigs. It's hard to replace time spent playing "for real" with a band, and four sets is a lot of playing time. I think people should do it until they aren't getting anything out of it.

 

[Houndog]

Oh, I'm agreeing with you. Other than a really great bar band playing really great bars (wherever those are), it's way more work and less money than a job. Luckily there's no smoking in just about any bars now, but that seems to have correlated with lower bar attendance numbers. At least in my area.

However, there's some dues that get paid doing those 4 hour gigs. It's hard to replace time spent playing "for real" with a band, and four sets is a lot of playing time. I think people should do it until they aren't getting anything out of it.

I agree , and after thinking about it .
I’ve sure had a lot of fun playing bars .

 

[Houndog]

The bars in OKC that are non smoking are usually packed .

 

[Lamontsdad]

I have had both great and horrible times playing in bars; sometimes both extremes were in the same venue LOL

 

[Pat A Flafla]

I have had both great and horrible times playing in bars; sometimes both extremes were in the same venue LOL

Yes, at my gig Friday night some certifiably crazy lady ran up a couple times while the guitarist was busy soloing to grab his mic and do death growls into it. Not surprising since that bar is very irresponsible about overserving. Most of the confrontations I've had with drunk patrons were at that one bar, including physically ejecting a hipster who jumped behind my kit and started bashing. The thing is if you're too picky about specific venues you become 2nd or 3rd call. Par for the hired gun course.

 

[Tony_H]

Yes, at my gig Friday night some certifiably crazy lady ran up a couple times while the guitarist was busy soloing to grab his mic and do death growls into it. Not surprising since that bar is very irresponsible about overserving. Most of the confrontations I've had with drunk patrons were at that one bar, including physically ejecting a hipster who jumped behind my kit and started bashing. The thing is if you're too picky about specific venues you become 2nd or 3rd call. Par for the hired gun course.

I think we have all been subjected to "those" bars. I can't speak for every situation, because we all have different paths. But I do believe from my experience that is the "paying dues" part to get to those better bars/shows....lol


My current band struggled in the, dare I say it, lower tier venues until we figured out the right formula of songs and band members to move up to the next level. This took close to 5 years and a pandemic to make that jump, but in hindsight, I don't think I would change any of the good OR bad stuff. We were very fortunate to just have the crazy people without any damage to our gear or bodies.

 

[Houndog]

I’m going to take back what I said about bar gigs ……

 

[Squirrel Man]

I’m going to take back what I said about bar gigs ……

What about strip club gigs?

 

[Pat A Flafla]

I think we have all been subjected to "those" bars. I can't speak for every situation, because we all have different paths. But I do believe from my experience that is the "paying dues" part to get to those better bars/shows....lol


My current band struggled in the, dare I say it, lower tier venues until we figured out the right formula of songs and band members to move up to the next level. This took close to 5 years and a pandemic to make that jump, but in hindsight, I don't think I would change any of the good OR bad stuff. We were very fortunate to just have the crazy people without any damage to our gear or bodies.

So called "better bars" are still filled with drunks. A rich drunk is just as annoying/dangerous as a poor one. One place I used to play regularly was near the richest suburb in the area, and one out of three times I played there it at some oint in the evening devolved into a bunch of jerks in $300 jeans trying to kill each other with broken bottles. OTOH some of the "crappiest" bars I've played never had one violent situation at all. Just a bunch of less fortunate but content, older people who appreciated good entertainment and knew how to act. (I've founf AGE is a far greater factor than income in the behavior of the drunks. Also whether or not there's a "bottle service" area of the venue. Those are the worst.)

 

[Houndog]

I’ve had sone truly great times in some “ seedy “ bars …….
With some true salt of the earth people ….

Heck now I want a bar gig or 2 !!!

Yep Squirrel . I approve of your perverted strip gigs !!!

 

[Tony_H]

So called "better bars" are still filled with drunks. A rich drunk is just as annoying/dangerous as a poor one. One place I used to play regularly was near the richest suburb in the area, and one out of three times I played there it at some oint in the evening devolved into a bunch of jerks in $300 jeans trying to kill each other with broken bottles. OTOH some of the "crappiest" bars I've played never had one violent situation at all. Just a bunch of less fortunate but content, older people who appreciated good entertainment and knew how to act. (I've founf AGE is a far greater factor than income in the behavior of the drunks. Also whether or not there's a "bottle service" area of the venue. Those are the worst.)

I never once mentioned the socio-economic level of the patrons at any establishment and the relationship to how they act when they drink. What I did do was highlight the point that we all perform in different places and our experiences are or could be very different.

When a post emphasizes "my opinion", it really is just that. But I will gladly go down this rabbit hole with you, because I'm bored on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

There is a vast difference between "drunks" and people just out to "party". The "better bars/venues" seem to control what crowd is present by many different means. The primary one is a decent security staff or other creative ways to regulate disruptive customers. Does this mean that there is never an issue at better establishments? Of course not. It is just handled differently and keeps the environment a more enjoyable space for customers, staff and hired musicians.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

I never once mentioned the socio-economic level of the patrons at any establishment and the relationship to how they act when they drink. What I did do was highlight the point that we all perform in different places and our experiences are or could be very different.

When a post emphasizes "my opinion", it really is just that. But I will gladly go down this rabbit hole with you, because I'm bored on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

There is a vast difference between "drunks" and people just out to "party". The "better bars/venues" seem to control what crowd is present by many different means. The primary one is a decent security staff or other creative ways to regulate disruptive customers. Does this mean that there is never an issue at better establishments? Of course not. It is just handled differently and keeps the environment a more enjoyable space for customers, staff and hired musicians.

Apparently you viewed my comment as an argument. I'm not bored at all. In fact I'm way to busy this Sunday afternoon to contest an internet comment so you win by default. Congrazzles!

 

[bigbonzo]

Funny how this started as one person asking how to get started, and turned into an argument over non-related topics.

 

[Pat A Flafla]

Funny how this started as one person asking how to get started, and turned into an argument over non-related topics.

New derailing subtopic: drummers and Ritalin. Go.

 

[Tornado]

New derailing subtopic: drummers and Ritalin. Go.

It probably helps.

 

[Houndog]

I never once mentioned the socio-economic level of the patrons at any establishment and the relationship to how they act when they drink. What I did do was highlight the point that we all perform in different places and our experiences are or could be very different.

When a post emphasizes "my opinion", it really is just that. But I will gladly go down this rabbit hole with you, because I'm bored on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

There is a vast difference between "drunks" and people just out to "party". The "better bars/venues" seem to control what crowd is present by many different means. The primary one is a decent security staff or other creative ways to regulate disruptive customers. Does this mean that there is never an issue at better establishments? Of course not. It is just handled differently and keeps the environment a more enjoyable space for customers, staff and hired musicians.

The dive bars control crowds better in my experience. There are fellas in there you do not want to go far with …
One bar I used to play had a sign saying
“ this is not the place to find out you can’t hold your liquor in “

 

[AnnBehr]

Funny how this started as one person asking how to get started, and turned into an argument over non-related topics.

Yeah, this whole thing has turned into a very educational and entertaining read, lol