I just want my own band!!!!!!

RFR said:
I understand your frustration.

However, whining is not the answer. Networking and working hard to make sure you have something to offer Is.

You can ether start a band or join a band.

In the first case you really had better have something to offer. Songs, chops, rehearsal space, mktg skills, connections, charisma, etc.

In the second case you still have to have something to offer but it's not as demanding as being a band founder.

You say you want your own band?

Well if you join an existing band, once you are past the probationary period and are accepted, it is your band. Its not the guitar player down the street's band.

Trouble finding musicians? Get off the damn internet. Hit the streets, hit the clubs, avoid coffee shops, get to know musicans in the real world.
None of us here matter.

Still cant find musicians?? If you are serious, move to a place with a larger musical population.

Bottom line, you want a band, you gotta put in the work, and have something to offer.
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You got my dander up! ;)

No, I'm not just hanging out on the internet. I do actually have a life. (Though since this is the only aspect of it you guys can see, I can hardly blame you for thinking anything else.) :D

But yeah, I try to avoid the clubs, especially late at night. Not my kinda scene. The coffee shop I frequent the most sees alotta heavy traffic when it comes to artists. Probably doing between three and six shows a week, often multiple bands sharing the stage. I've been showing up for only a week and a half. I'm scheduled to play there this coming Wednesday. My first solo performance other than playing occasionally for my church. There's another place that sees just as many bands about a half hour drive from me.

I suppose it just takes time. And lots of effort. I've been putting lots of that in too.

And I apologize for the whining. I was feeling really cranky when I wrote the first post. (and I love that cursing emoticon. lol)

notCardio, I actually live near the fair sized city of Mt. Pleasant, MI. I'll look into fb pages and the like. Pages like Bandmix are a joke, though. Nothing can beat face to face. Whether you're trying to build a fan base, or just looking to jam. I figured that out real fast.
 
Not trying to get your dander up. :D

I was pointing out some harsh realities however. :D

If that's what you want, the people you need to know ARE out there. You just gotta find them. And fiding them requires active doing.

I get the impression that you are active in a church. What about a P&W gig?

Seems like every major church has a band nowadays. I know lots of people that do that and other nusic as well.

(Ps. I'm not discussing religion. Just a genre of music)
 
It's not even much work. All you gotta do is get in with that first band, or do that first gig, and the wheels start turning. You do have to unfortunately meet people, and people generally suck, especially musicians, but once you're in your scene it's easy to stay there. It's easy to meet and talk with other musicians because we all have one thing in common - gear. Ask some dude about his pedals or guitar and he'll be your friend for life. Just try to pretend that you're paying attention or care. Once you're in and start to know other bands you become part of this incestuous network of players. You can easily bounce around until you find that perfect fit. Or at least find a fit that isn't frustrating. If you can record, that's a plus because all sucky hack bands want to record as soon as possible because they think it makes them legit. If it comes down to you and some guy that doesn't record, you'll get the nod.

Are you really only 19 years old? I think you need to get out to bars and clubs. Unless you're a total dork with the social skills of a serial killer, that's where you're gonna make the most of your situation. Forget churches and coffee house gigs. Save those for when you've totally given up.

IMO, YMMV.
 
Coffee shops? I thought that was how it worked when Joni Mitchell was starting out... ;) I'll have to try busking outside the local Starbucks... :guitar::D
 
Greg_L said:
It's not even much work. All you gotta do is get in with that first band, or do that first gig, and the wheels start turning. You do have to unfortunately meet people, and people generally suck, especially musicians, but once you're in your scene it's easy to stay there. It's easy to meet and talk with other musicians because we all have one thing in common - gear. Ask some dude about his pedals or guitar and he'll be your friend for life. Just try to pretend that you're paying attention or care. Once you're in and start to know other bands you become part of this incestuous network of players. You can easily bounce around until you find that perfect fit. Or at least find a fit that isn't frustrating. If you can record, that's a plus because all sucky hack bands want to record as soon as possible because they think it makes them legit. If it comes down to you and some guy that doesn't record, you'll get the nod.

Are you really only 19 years old? I think you need to get out to bars and clubs. Unless you're a total dork with the social skills of a serial killer, that's where you're gonna make the most of your situation. Forget churches and coffee house gigs. Save those for when you've totally given up.

IMO, YMMV.
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the last group that played at our church took up close to 3 grand in the offering.
 
If you want your own band you need to have connections to clubowners, casinos, booking agencies, so on and so on....
If you offer musicians money in their pocket they will play music with you. The guy that books the gigs and handles the money pretty much leads the band. However, with that being said most decisions involving a band are usually put to a vote. (at least in the band's I've been in ). I usually lined up gigs and handled the money while everyone else in the band gave none of that a second thought. Being the leader of a band sucks....it's more fun to just play, flirt with the women, and let someone tell you when and where the next gig is.
 
Armistice said:
Coffee shops? I thought that was how it worked when Joni Mitchell was starting out... ;) I'll have to try busking outside the local Starbucks... :guitar::D
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Not coffee shops, coffee houses - whole different scene! ;)

Yeah, it's tough, specially if you're looking to keep things acoustic (like I am). I'm contacted at least once a month by bands looking for an electric player. I've given up on establishing a (new) duo act because finding someone who is on the same skill level and same level of commitment is impossible - most anyone who would qualify is already doing solo work, and why would they want to cut their pay in half by going to a 2-person act?
 
jimistone said:
the last group that played at our church took up close to 3 grand in the offering.
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You must have a big church! Last time I played a gig at a church, they bought me a guitar. (Because a 1/2 size acoustic looks kinda silly up on stage. lol)

Yep, I am really 19. Not even legal to drink. Though, I consider that a small loss, because I can't stand the flavour of alcohol.

As far as the band at my church... We have a worship "team". I play electric guitar for them. But we only play songs that rhyme "Hallelujah" with "Allelujah" 5 or 6 times and call it a chorus. Not really anything artistic, or even really worshipful. I never get to play power chords.:( We never play anywhere other than the morning service on Sundays. Which is a good thing. We sound pretty lame.

Our drummer has a band he plays in, but I already inquired, and that's pretty much a dead end.
 
Greg_L said:
Cool story bro.
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we have a somewhat large church that usually has 250 to 300 in attendance. Our members are very generous with an offering for guest speakers and musicians....many members with pitch a 20 dollar bill, or 2, in the plate.
 
Greg_L said:
I'm not biting on that troll bait.
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It's not troll bait at all.
We just have a large membership and they are generous givers that's all.
Only reason I even mentioned the large offering is because it was insinuated that it was a last resort type of gig. It's hard to make 3 grand as a group in nightclubs....well, in Mississippi it is. I've done it but those gigs are few and far between around here. Texas may be more lucrative I dunno.

But the bottom line is I wasn't trying to troll, I was giving what I believed to be a genuine insight on what a large church gig can generate.
 
I believe, if one had a gig paying 3 grand, musicians would come out of the woodwork to join his band.
Of course, there are no guarantees on a love offering...but every musical group and guest speaker, who played or spoke at our church, has done pretty well with it.
 
I have a lot of Christian band clients. From what I know, a lot of those gigs are quite lucrative.
 
To the OP, to bring it back on track;

You're only 19?? Chill out dude, calm down.:D You got time. Just keep at it, get to know more people, get in the circles. It will happen.
 
jimistone said:
It's not troll bait at all.
We just have a large membership and they are generous givers that's all.
Only reason I even mentioned the large offering is because it was insinuated that it was a last resort type of gig. It's hard to make 3 grand as a group in nightclubs....well, in Mississippi it is. I've done it but those gigs are few and far between around here. Texas may be more lucrative I dunno.

But the bottom line is I wasn't trying to troll, I was giving what I believed to be a genuine insight on what a large church gig can generate.
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jimistone said:
I believe, if one had a gig paying 3 grand, musicians would come out of the woodwork to join his band.
Of course, there are no guarantees on a love offering...but every musical group and guest speaker, who played or spoke at our church, has done pretty well with it.
Click to expand...

If you can't see it, I aint gonna explain it.
 
RFR said:
To the OP, to bring it back on track;

You're only 19?? Chill out dude, calm down.:D You got time. Just keep at it, get to know more people, get in the circles. It will happen.
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Well, I've been trying to form a band since I was sixteen. 3 years of failures kinda makes an impatient teen feel.... Impatient? lol.
 
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