These are really good points! But sometimes the problem lies on the Band side..... Can you do a rundown of red flaggs a band you apply for is a hot mess to stay out of? That'l be great!
Most of the points made work the other way too: if they show up late, are on the needle shit, don’t have drivers licenses and generally act like flakes -stay away.
I got thrown out of a band when I told the guitarists that they need to buy tuners and spare cables for practice because they kept forgetting their only cable or only tuner. So they threw me out rather than buy a $15 tuner and instrument patch cable.
Hehehe, I'm the bass player in my band I'm the most financially stable, I learn the material, write material, and I even mute and change my strings! And the only reason I've ever been late to practice is traffic I thank Glenn for teaching me how to play bass before I ever even touched one, and my dad, for making sure I was punctual, with a good work ethic
Glenn: musicians are everywhere and are easy to find! Also Glenn: Here's why 99% are completely useless! Love this. I've been saying this about the musicians in my area for YEARS.
It's really true. Most humans in general are kind of flaky and weird, and music obviously tends to attract "artistic" types (and a lot of people who just like the idea of being "artistic") who are even flakier and weirder than that.
I want to add one: RENT a practice space. Don’t hold band practice at a band members house. My band had a guitarist who canceled practice at the last minute and disappeared for about a week. He was holding about $1K worth of gear of mine and my bass player. Had to message his girlfriend and say “if we can’t make arrangements to get our stuff back, we’re just going to show up randomly to pick it up and we’re not ruling out police involvement either.” He ended up piling our stuff into his truck and delivering it to me. But he never made any apologies during that meeting. So yeah he’s gone.
OR….if you are going to practice at a band member’s house, take all your stuff with you. That’s what we do. We also are all adults who act our age rather than our shoe sizes and if anyone did leave anything behind, our drummer is cool enough that he wouldn’t steal it.
I was briefly in a band where two different groups practiced in the one bass player's garage. Suddenly one day every instrument in the place was gone. What a mess. SEVERAL thousands of dollars' worth of gear stolen. Thankfully the thieves were too lazy to carry amps or drums, and I had taken both my guitars home By the end of about ten days the bass player was beaming about the huge insurance check they got, and showing off some shiny new instruments, but everyone else was just screwed. A couple guitars turned up at local pawn shops and got returned but most were gone forever. Yes, it finally turned out later the bass player had set the whole burglary up with some friends of hers.
No kidding about having hiring a friend as a band member. After almost four decades in private business, fifteen of that in real estate, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the best way to make best friends into ex-best friends is to have them as a roommate or business partner.
No# 11 is so me. I played for about 2 years with a "friend" of mine who never bothered to rhythm-check his fantastic riff ideas or record them properly, so I always ended up having to make them somehow musically comprehensible for the band to play together. Needless to say, he still played them his way and I was basically the only person who knew our songs start to finish. Last year he ghosted me for 3 months and I only found out through screenshots from our mutual friend that he screwed me over, saying I was too "strict" about our music and "made weird changes to his ideas" and left to become a pick-up artist. I guess good for us both after all, but it's still unfair that you have to endure all this shit just because you care. As a wise man once said, "When you lie in a coma, it's not you who suffers, it's the people close to you. The same applies when you're stupid." Oh, did I mention he was a bassist?
I feel you. I've also had a "friend" like that, who really could write great music but was too damn lazy to practice to a metronome or a track, so his rhythm was like that of an elderly dog humping a pillow. Not only that, but he never finished his stuff EVER. And despite being unable to play on beat and to complete the songs, he really wanted to "tie his life with music" and kept on constantly reminding me of this. It sucks that I found out all of this after trying to make music with this dude for a considerable amount of time. And yes, this friendship ended in the same fashion, so my guess is that halfassers never make for good friends or people.
I once auditioned for a band years ago - I recorded it (by agreement - in case it was a "no", I wanted to know if I screwed up and didn't hear it), but I forgot to turn it off when I left the room so they could talk about me. On listening back to it...the first thing they said when they thought I was out of earshot was, "HE'S NOT A PRICK!". That one's stuck with me as bar #1 for auditionees to get past - the "not a prick" test. If they fail that one, much like the promptness and solvency tests, it's not worth asking any more questions.
Another goodie- during the Foo Fighters' audition for a guitar player, one of the first off the cuff comments about Chris was "And he didn't smell bad!"
@@pyroman6000 Chris is also a trooper live. I saw him, violently ill, with No Use For a Name in 1998 (maybe 97) with a bucket on stage, puking between songs.
Oh yeah, that seriously is a common very first question. If you have to travel, live, work, and perform with an asshole that none of you can stand, that band has problems.
@@petepeterson5639 I don't know much about Chris but I do know, puking can also be a sign of heroin use. I think it happens when they are trying to kick the habit. I don't know if he had that problem like so many at the time.
Two additional tips: 1, start then off on one of your harder songs. You need to know how well they handle your material, giving them something easy to start doesn’t give you the full picture. Our guitarist absolutely nailed his audition! 2, they actually show they want to be in the band! We had five people interested in singing for us, but most of them said they’d learn the songs then we never heard back from them! The guy we went with spent all his free time learning our songs!
My best friend, a former metal guitarist and a colleague of mine in my undergrad music degree told me that he prefers working with classical musicians over rock and metal musicians because of the difference in professionalism he has noticed.
Be clear up front what the goal of the band is. If you only plan on playing local (A couple hours drive) is different than planning on making it a professional career. The later means at some point you may have to choose to dump the job.
@@christopherconard2831 but in order to do so you need to have at least a reasonable chance of making a living by doing so. Me, I always chose low-level jobs that wouldn't collide with my music. Well, the result is, I'm 43, my CV is worth about as much as used toilet paper, I barely earn enough to stay alive and have been on a brink of homelessness more than once. Have I ever earned a living playing music? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA no. Some extra cash? Yeah, sure, but not enough to survive. When you take chances you have to calculate them well. I didn't and well, here I am.
It's always fun to watch small local bands try their first 5 day tour and break up after the 4th show on the road. Finding people you can actually share close quarters with for days on end is one of the toughest tasks out there.
I have tried to build several lineups over the years, and I feel like I can add two things to your advices: know that being in a band is kind of like being sentimentally engaged, hence you can foresee many of the members' behaviour with this kind of mindset, and the other one is knowing that there is ALWAYS a hierarchy in the group, so if you're not the type to be a leader you have to look for one that is good at it (usually, the leader in a band is the one writing songs and putting other meat on the barbecue). After, like, 10 years of trying to make my electro-alt-rock lineup I've sold all my instruments and quit music, because I've met most of the kinds of persons you have described, from the lazy one, to the high one, to the one with a delusion of omnipotence and got tired of trying. Another 10 years later I've come to terms that music is a part of me I can't get rid of and made my mistakes of the past my strongest point: you are welcome to embrace my cause, otherwise I'll do it myself, because I'M NOT DESPERATE TO NEED YOU. That's why I've started to learn singing, so I don't necessarily need a singer but I can sing my song myself instead of depending on others.
It's actually amazing, that in 2022 people can actually collect enough people who aren't complete (assholes, idiots, offended fuckwits, humourless morons, talentless twats, ideological bastards) to create actual music. Part of a recent meeting/audition was a 'question period' where my political opinion was scrutinized before I had even opened my guitar case. I didn't open it, picked it up, and promptly left. I won't play with people who are more concerned with what everyone else in the world is doing.
Reminds me "Hey Jude" lyrics You're waiting for someone to perform with And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do The movement you need is on your shoulder
Glen, As a gigging musician, I am 66, and I've been at it since I was 15. I really hope that you get through to some younger players with this VERY TRUTHFUL AND USEFUL information. I've seen every one of the situations you talked about happen over my decades of situations from street performing to professional tours and everything in between.
To build a band is to build a machine. You don’t add unnecessary things just cause they are available. You don’t add a boat motor to a bathtub just cause one shows up.
Keys to a successful audition: 1. Show up 20-30 minutes early to get set up and be ready to start at the time specified. 2. Show up with fresh batteries and strings (bass players, this means you!) 3. If given a list of songs, show up overprepared. If they give you a few songs off their album to learn, learn them all! 4. Be willing to INVEST some money into your rig if necessary (looking at you bass players) 5. Take the time to do your homework, learn the songs, not just a close approximation or your interpretation. If they are serious, so should you be! Don't waste their time or yours by going into it half-assed.
This is all great advice. One of the best bands I've ever been in (was a member for over 10 years before we split up), I got to tour, record 4 albums, and have the best friends I could ever ask for, was thanks to a well prepared audition. They gave me a demo about 2 weeks before my audition. It had 9 songs on it. When I showed up for my audition, they asked me what songs I knew from it, and I said "All of them. We can play whatever you guys want to play." They all kind of looked at each other. We ended up jamming for a couple hours. Two weeks later, we were playing shows. Later on, they told me that they auditioned a bunch of musicians, and the most anyone knew going in was 3 songs. However, most of them only knew 2. They would play through the few songs they knew, and then spend the rest of the audition trying to teach them another song. I had the whole 9 song demo down, so the next time I jammed with them, they just had to teach me the 2 songs they had that weren't on the demo, which I picked up in one night. Preparation and a commitment to the craft is everything. If you're not an arrogant asshole, that's the icing on the cake.
I remember a band I was in 20 years ago. Singer- Jobless and no car. Drummer- Jobless and essentially no car (it was always broke). Guitarist- Had a job and working van. Me (bass)- Had job, college, and car. Band was together for a couple years. We practiced at the guitarist’s house 30 miles from everyone in the middle of nowhere (no annoyed neighbors, but waaay out in the middle of nowhere). My car eventually broke (after 6 years) and the guitar player still wanted to practice 4-5 times a week. That meant he had to pick everyone up instead of them constantly riding with me. After 2-3 months, he was getting mad (despite me having done it prior for months) because the drummer and singer never had gas money and they were always running late (insert “I needed pot” or “I was getting laid” excuse here). Finally, I told him that I was gonna have to cut back on practices to 1-2 times a week so I had time to work to get funds to replace my car sooner. Said it was only gonna take a month or 2 and I’d have fresh wheels that take the burden off him… Suddenly, I was out of the band because I “wasn’t dedicated enough”… ignoring the countless miles I racked up and how much time I invested outside of practice for the band itself (promotion, booking gigs, selling tickets, etc). Sure enough, the band disintegrated within 2 weeks after booting me out.
Glen is over playing the problems. It's not all this bad. Our guitar player is able to get a ride to our practice sessions from his parole officer. Our drummer's grandmother wakes him up on time and walks him to the bus stop. I put up a large sign over the practice room that says, 'No girlfriends allowed'.
The money one is interesting. I was working a low-paying job a few years ago and tried out as a vocalist for some band about 30-40 miles away from me. They told me up front that I was going to have to contribute a decent amount of money immediately for merch and other things of that nature and I told them my financial situation and they were shocked because I guess the band leader was making a decent chunk of change. They didn’t want to play locally at either of the main towns in the area (there’s a decent amount of venues between the two) and instead wanted to play in the nearest large city roughly two hours away exclusively. My idea of starting a band was what my previous bands did starting out: - Play shows locally - If a demand begins to rise because we’d get booked enough, invest in merch then - Also make and spend money for studio time if we felt a song or songs were ready for an audience Meaning I just got some weird vibes about the whole thing. We had a conversation and agreed to not take it further than that first practice. They’ve gone through a ton of band members since, I’ve played solo since and I’m still on good terms with that band leader and we give each other leads for booking. It honestly worked out for the best that way.
IMO, both paths are legitimate ways of approaching things. Out of curiosity I started a band years ago where our first show was the first of an all state US tour. Printed up shirts, CD's and a few other random things. Made enough to do another US tour a couple months later and a European tour about 4 months later. The whole thing came out of my curiosity of what's more important, building following first or image with the right group of people first. If you can find people who can drop everything and want to go away for a while, printing up merchandise to cover gas, food and hotel expenses isn't the worst way to get some fun road trips and memories. A local/regional following doesn't always translate to a bigger following, so at some point you do need to take the plunge and go for it if you really want to expand out into a touring gig.
@@Lethargy01 How'd you book that many shows without a following? In my experience you have to book some real small venues that are just willing to have anyone first and then get noticed enough where other venues are willing to take a chance on that night. Exclusively playing two hours away and printing up merch when there was no following yet didn't make sense to me and still doesn't. More often than not, you just end up with tons of t-shirts you'll use as rags because you couldn't sell them. It didn't make sense to buy the 500 shirts and whatever else they wanted.
@@ryanshinermusic Lots of internet/social media searching to find bands in various areas, then reaching out to them directly and asking if they're willing to help out in exchange for helping them if they ever come to our area. For every 20-50 bands I reached out to, 1-2 replied and booked us a show with them. Made some great friends along the way, but for sure you have to be willing to dive in and put yourself out there.
I smoke pretty fuckin often, and I can’t imagine doing it before practice, an audition, or a gig. That sounds like the easiest way to embarrass the fuck out of myself.
One band I was in had a rule at rehearsals that until we'd been through the set list and anything that came out of that there was no spliff break. Work first -- mess about later and see what comes out of it.
Ha once I was at practice, they wanted to smoke another blunt, I was like can we make music instead? They looked at me like I was crazy. Didn’t stay long after that
I've played in about 30 local bands so far and if there's one thing I've learned is this: You can teach someone how to play better or sing better but you NEVER can teach someone a good work ethic. And this is where all the problems begin. The 2 rehearsal rule always works for me - If he did the same shit in the first 2 rehearsals (arrived late, came unprepared or drunk, forgot his gear) it's a huuuuuge red flag because it's not a mistake, it's a character.
All of these are just generally good rules for being auditioned as well, because the process goes both ways. You don't want to hire a shitty musician, about as much as you don't want to get hired by a shitty band.
I'm 20 and have been looking for bandmates for a couple years now and just hit gold on craigslist with two guys who are really good and both songwriters. Three of us are moving forward together
Lol, I've dealt with almost all these issues and more. From my experience can I also suggest: - telling people you will be rehearsing at a rehearsal studio and they will need to pay their share. You will get rid of 90% of time wasters as they never want to put their hand in their pocket - If possible start off rehearsing nights after work. No person ever cancels last minute because they're hung over or want to go to the beach at 7pm on a Wednesday - During the audition process, hire a rehearsal room and gear. Allocate a few people different time slots and let them know you are supplying drums/amps for the audition. Hire the people who show up on time and don't blame the gear - Select a drummer and bassist who play well together and can lock in to each other's playing. If a bassist/drummer is trying out for bands but can't lock in with the other rythem instruments your band is doomed before it begins
I played with a guy in an improv group who could sweep pick but had no idea how to palm mute. I was almost floored with astonishment. He picked it up quick enough. But I was still amazed.
In my experience, motivation goes a long way. Picking the musician with skills beyond yours, might not be as motivated to show up to practice every week, when they can learn your stuff in a day and show up once a month. Always make sure they're motivated! (Kinda goes to the commitment category though)
Love the poster: Looking for done armed drummer for "Def Leppard" cover band!!! How smart: by not picking which arm, they doubled their chances of finding one!
I had a guy call up, wanting to audition for the lead guitarist spot in the band. Told me he knew this song and that song. He showed up for the audition with tab books, and started to play them so slowly, then I found out he was just starting to learn guitar! He said that, as a band, we were going to "grow and learn together.". I had to, sadly, say to him that I think he needs to do some more work before joining a band. He then told everyone he was in the band! I ended up telling him that the band is no more, that we had moved on. Also had a nutter who collected guns want the spot, but tried telling me that my rig was too big and that I needed a Line 6 Spider amp instead, like what he had, despite me saying that I have played in bands before with my rig, but the last straw was his son trying to steal my Xbox controller. That just ended it for me.
Sounds like you are the issue, how does someone that collects guns, a rig being too big and line 6 spider amps correlate together? On top of that you throw in an x box controller being stolen, how is that part of a guitar rig? I have been playing for over 30 years and never had a game controller in my effects rack, never had anyone complain it was "too big." I have played in a couple death metal bands in the Noteheast, playedamy of the great venues in New York including L'Amour, CBGB'S, The Bowery, Irving Plaza etc.I would proof read this comment and hopefully edit it, you started strong but the second half is totally bizarre.
Always trade up. never down. I was in a band where the weakest member drifted away, we lucked out and found a guy who was both more talented and had his shit together. It was a significant upgrade. Tragically he died and we made the bad, path of least resistance , decision to bring back the guy he had replaced. A regrettable choice!
I was happy you mentioned the "boyfriend/girlfriend" thing. "Romantic" relationships between band members are a time bomb to the band and it rolls into the 'priorities" and "friends" concept but with a lot more weight. My philosophy is that a band should be a primary relationship in it's own context and not have to compete with other primary relationships within the band. When the friends in the band come in already squishing body parts that's usually a bad sign. Certainly, juggling band members' ideocracies is hard enough without that kind of complication within the group. It was always a rule with me and every time that I'd make and exception (for myself and others) for the sake of a great band by any other measure -- I always regretted it.
We just lost our bassist again, and that makes 3 over the past 4-5 months. Each had an issue you described. One didn’t have the skill/know the material, one was talented but didn’t show up/show up on time, and the most recent had financial issues. We are trying to start playing live so it’s sooooo frustrating. I finally just said “fuck it” and made backing tracks (it forces everyone to practice to a metronome so win/win) but I do hope to get someone to fill the spot.
OMG, the whole "Friend vs Professional" thing really hits the nail on the head a lot of the time in my humble experience. Now, in all honesty - my guitarist is also my best friend, but we've had YEARS of highs and lows in our friendship before we started playing together and about as many years after - we learned to quarrel and to step back and to make compromises with "our vision" because experience and time and failure taught us that no matter how much of our own ideas we sacrifice in the process, the end result of us working together and cutting, reworking and editing each other's parts is almost always better than what we can compose separately. However, this is a level of trust and understanding which takes time to build when you have clear "buddy "expectations and, heaven forbid, feelings of "owing" something to someone. Gods only know how many times I've heard the line "I know it's bad, but I can't tell him that - he's a friend and he's put so much effort into it and he helped me move after my break up and he's the dude who showed me how to hold a guitar and..." ... and it is not uncommon to outgrow people, but it is common too not own up to it, which is a problem in a band setting. With the exception of said guitarist, I personally have a better relationship with musicians I've worked with, who stated as "colleagues"/"band-mates" and ended up being friends, as opposed to friends who also play an instrument and want to try joining. There is a certain level of "detachment" you have with colleagues which helps you concentrate on the job at hand, which you don't always have when there is the emotional response between friends and the "power dynamic" which comes with friendships. Basically, you're more willing to accept ideas from people whom you judge based on their musicianship, instead of based on their horrible, HORRIBLE choices in terms of partners and booze. Also important to note - "professional" in this case is not meant to mean actually "paid professional", however given the amount of time, funds and effort music requires, even as just a hobby, it is impossible to not look for and require a bit of professionalism and job-like approach from a musician looking to jam with you, as opposed to, say, a random person you end up regularly drinking and hanging out with at the local watering hole.
If the significant other just drops them off and drives away, or makes clear they aren't in a band, just a chaffeur.. That is just a semi red flag for not having their own transportation but it is excusable. There have been plenty of those in the bands i've been but never ever take a musicians that insist their partner is part of the deal.
I once tried out a guy who was pussy whipped by this evil bitch of a wife who’s first words yelled in our presence was “THIS IS FUCKING BULLSHIT!” He didn’t last long. Ever since, I’ve had a complex about band members’ girlfriends; I know I shouldn’t judge someone who I don’t know but if I’m at a show and a musician is talking with me and their girlfriend chimes in I’m screaming in my head “NO ONE FUCKING ASKED YOU!”.
I've been trying to start a metal band in birmingham alabama for the past 5 years. Sometimes you really do just have to either take what you can get, or have nothing.
@@Tarpull That works pretty well if you want to write all the material, and then hire a backing band to record and tour. But not so well if you just want to play out. Personally I never intended to become a big star, I just really enjoyed rehearsing twice a week and playing live a couple times a month.
Seeing that video with the guy in a Mushroomhead shirt triggered me... let me tell you after years of opening up for Mushroomhead, that dude is the typical guy in the crowd you have to deal with. Pro tip for aspiring musicians: DON'T OPEN FOR MUSHROOMHEAD lol.
Man, this has helped tremendously! I'm trying my best to recruit band members (2 guitarists, a bassist and drummer) and it has not been easy. But I shall not give up! Cheers!
I think a lot of these issues are due to people that like the IDEA of being in a band more than the actual effort involved. I’ve been in several bands and never had any of the issues discussed in this video. However, the common thread was that everyone in those bands was serious about their craft and worked hard at it. Also, in my experience, most good musicians underrate themselves, not the other way round.
I could go into a full-on rant about every point you've made. This is why I love your channel, Glenn... You're the personification of my rage towards every fuckhead I've ever been in a band with.
That's why i made my band solo. If you want to do something good - do it yourself. Better spend that time learning new instruments and skills than dealing with shitheads sabotaging your work. In 6 years of my musicianship only 2 (!!) people out of dozens were pleasure to work with. That's why vst drums are a thing.
I also want to say that I've learned a lot from your videos about home recording and where and where not to spend money to get good results. Thank you for all you do!
Man, the timing on this for me. I joined my first band last year, and we just lost our other guitar player about a month ago. He just wasn't cutting it and there were a lot of conflicts, many of which are described here. We're looking for a guy now, while also trying to get our bass player up to speed as we're pushing to get more serious and are writing more difficult material. Finding the right guy is going to be tough, but we're optimistic. Also, to tie into the bit about prospective bandmates showing up prepared, one of the things we're doing on our end is putting together resources for them to learn. Figuring out songs by ear can be hard, so I'm transcribing all of our songs. I think that also demonstrates our professionalism as a band and will hopefully help attract the right player.
well maybe write it down or tab it out. . . . rather than expecting a newb to memorize 7 songs from one practice? Learning covers is possible off-line but hard to work on original work written by others on your own.
I once had a drummer that sang backing vocals, in standard tuning he was struggling to hit a high "E", only just. I suggested we all down tune a semitone to give his voice a bit more room , drummer boy blew a fuse because, wait for it, We didn't have enough time to relearn all of the songs !, no matter how well I explained it to the goose he continued on his mindless rant. He got the shits and went outside for a smoke, while he was out we drop tuned, he returned, we said nothing and completed practice, I then told him what we'd done and he refused to believe we could have relearned all the songs in a "different tuning", I think some semblance of intelligence also helps when recruiting band members.....
@@ChristianF15cher True. And I have been very good mates with many of my band mates. But in the same token, lost friendships due to clashes in bands. But they're the minority thankfully.
Man, I wish Glenn would've put this together about a couple years ago. It would've saved my band a biiiig year-long headache with our last guitarist (to cut us some slack, we weren't all that stupid, this dude was quite adept at emotional manipulation). Seriously, though: as long as it prevents anyone else from going through the same shit we did, this is a great PSA. It even applies regardless of music genre. Cheers from Spain, and THANK YOU, GLENN!
Well fucking said. I hope this really does help the young folks coming up in the world. This info is so golden. Unfortunately I had to learn some of those thi gs the hard way through trail and error. GREAT VIDEO!!!!
"Don't sound well" isn't a theory thing. It's a "Can you hear it?" thing. When writing music, here's the mindset you have to be in: "You hear this on the radio. How quickly do you switch the channel, and what would it take for you not to do that?"
I remember the last band I was in I had to leave because of my mental health (apparently not easy to be in a band when you don’t want to be alive anymore.) when I left one of them told me I need to stop doing drugs since that ruined my life and clearly I couldn’t handle it… I would only occasionally smoke with them and the same member was “let go of the band” after he permanently fucked up his hand after a night mixing of meth and alcohol about 6 months after I left. Now I’ve been sober for 3 years and they are still stuck with one single that no one has listened to because they don’t know how to advertise a show properly without it being the day before, let alone a single.
Can you imagine how many 80s bands we wouldn’t have if these good and concise rules had just been laid out as clearly back then? After being in bands for 35 years, all true points. Great vid.
I think that was too much information for some of our brothers and sisters to handle on a Saturday morning .😂😂😂😂frigging Awesome and all so true advice. 👍
This is a very professional approach! These tips are gold! The stories I have about playing in bands can complement each one of these topics. And not all stories have happy endings that justify these exact points.
This is why I play all the parts myself nowadays.... All real instruments. I'm a drummer for over 30 years (primarily, I've also played guitar for most of that time) that got tired of unreliable, unprepared bandmates. I no longer have any problems😁
I'm not that old fashioned but taking a guitar for a drink in the afternoon at a local rock music bar will have unattached musicians chatting and offering to jam. Likewise facebook groups, show yourself playing something and a location attached and you'll get people.
Can we also include on that list some uptight, hot-headed, gate-keeping elite-wannabe musicians? Even though they can be HIGHLY intelligent and talented, they always either get into fights, constantly argue with other bandmates, refuse to listen to other people (including the sound guy and their own bandmates), talk smack about other musicians in the local scene, and complain about every single little thing. Oh yeah, and be sure to kick out the ones who screw you over business-wise. There's NO need for that negative BS! Love the video, Glenn!
Great points. I've dealt with band mates who were always late, didn't show up all the time, didn't put the work in, and, worst of all, couldn't stay sober for five minutes. I've even had to fire my best friend from a band.
I'm so glad you put this out. Really helps to put things into perspective, even for us older guys that have been around a while. Some of this stuff is easy to forget when something seems like a good idea at the moment.
I don't look for bandmates because I can do everything myself. I'm not a performing artist, I just make music because I think it's fun and it's a great de-stresser for me. If I was a performing artist, I would 100% search for people, but since I can record, produce, mix, master, have no intention of performing, and just do it for fun, this is what works for me. Thanks for the videos glenn. Have a good one.
You see, here is where there is a major advantage to having a Multiple Personality "Disorder", if that's what you want to call it. Solving problems like scheduling rehearsals, arguments over "Artistic" differences, or whatever goes along much quicker when it can be done any time of day or night just inside your own head and without even having to pick up a phone.
Perfect Timing!! I'm currently solo writing songs and working on solidifying my current material. I wish to recruit people later on and this helped alot. Thanks Glenn. Also I can't agree enough with #11. Been apart of it since high school and left the band due to an ego singer and no communication between bandmates. Soloing was the best way to pursue my musical interests and craft my intended arts.
I've got to call you out on that opening it is easy to find musicians now but it's still hard if none are in your area or if you play a style of music like let's say 80s rock I live in Tennessee and there is literally no one around for hours I've also lived in the same area network and I have traveled and lived hours around me and it's been a difficult task so it's not as easy as it seems. Especially when you're talking about bringing so many musicians in and not hiring the ones that are late because usually you have no choice LOL from your perspective you know so many musicians I think what you do how you do it and what you have built has really given you a great networking scenario
All great points!!! I might add that investing in an average player who ticks all the boxes is better than hanging onto a shred god who skips out on practices. Find band members who are in it for the long haul, and they will evolve over time. Thank you for all of your helpful content. Cheers from Las Vegas!
It's not really a thing. Merely holding a guitar on stage will not make you hot. It's not being a band that gets you laid, it's success and status. So, if you are in a succesful band - it will help.
That was a great video about integrity, loyalty, and character (or the lack of). You forgot one type of person who is the WORST of all. It's usually the "singer" who plays no instruments so does not KNOW the work and discipline involved. He has the talent and ability, sings just fine in high school chorus or madrigals but...IS NOT COMFORTABLE ON HIS OWN!!! By himself, making his own life moves he's not efficient. Around others he calms down and performs the task at hand. This is the "instinct boy." More specifically, the instinct over logic boy. He has a little voice inside and he hears and he obeys! Foresight is non-existent, self-confidence, yep...you guessed it...there is none...self reliance? 😂 The instinct boy has none, unless he's around others. Then his whole attitude changes. Someone like that is HIDING SOMETHING or several things. They "create" their own fantasy world for psychological reasons to compensate themselves for a deep fear or the lack of something else. They can MORPH into any of the aforementioned folks as well but is only shining people on that haven't yet done enough reading to learn somebody's "little game" which is to distract people from their musical work and prolong progress as long as possible (especially in the beginning). Go with the easy remedy. At some point the fool will make it clear he's not going to do his part, such as...taking on 8 things in the same 24. Make sure you spot the sign. Dealing with all of them is simple. The songs get done, or they don't get done. Whoever one way or another, makes the job more difficult than it has to be...identify the fool, bounce him, and keep working until you find a replacement. Join a union, ads, etc. and rock on!
![ง้อ (ALRIGHT) - FOURTH Prod. by URBOYTJ [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qs8ZeV6Dqj8/mqdefault.jpg)
These are really good points! But sometimes the problem lies on the Band side..... Can you do a rundown of red flaggs a band you apply for is a hot mess to stay out of? That'l be great!
Most of the points made work the other way too: if they show up late, are on the needle shit, don’t have drivers licenses and generally act like flakes -stay away.
That said: I think it’s a good idea too.
I got thrown out of a band when I told the guitarists that they need to buy tuners and spare cables for practice because they kept forgetting their only cable or only tuner. So they threw me out rather than buy a $15 tuner and instrument patch cable.
@@myopicautisticmetal9035 Seriously?! JFC - some people, man! I'm the kind of guy where if I could afford it I'd show up with spare guitars and amps!
Someone is running the band (album art, shows, gigs, ect.) without the whole band agreeing to the decisions. Cost money and destroys the music.
Unfortunately, this describes about 90% of musicians out there regardless of genre. Not even limited to music. Reliable people are hard to find.
I hear you...
Which is why....I refuse to work with any fellow musicians.
I only work with clones of myself. Unfortunately I hate myself and am going through all 11 warning signs
@@pjcb 😂😂😂
YUP.... Same problem here in Montreal....
'Sewers of Utah' that's a band name right there.
Hell yeah! 🤟😆
That's what I'm calling my next album.
😂😂 a punk rock band name to be exact, can't be more "underground" than that hey? 🤣🤣
How about *the sewers of Portland!?*
Or *the sewer that is Portland!?*
@@NPC-fl3gq You're not funny, interesting, or intelligent, go away cliche boy.
As Hemingway once said, “Write drunk. Edit sober.”
Hehehe, I'm the bass player in my band
I'm the most financially stable, I learn the material, write material, and I even mute and change my strings!
And the only reason I've ever been late to practice is traffic
I thank Glenn for teaching me how to play bass before I ever even touched one, and my dad, for making sure I was punctual, with a good work ethic
You and me both!
Youre a unicorn
Nerd
You're the only one.
Glenn: musicians are everywhere and are easy to find!
Also Glenn: Here's why 99% are completely useless!
Love this. I've been saying this about the musicians in my area for YEARS.
Yep! Easy to find guys who just want to jam. Only 1% of them can play a song all the way through with a decent level of musicianship.
JOIN DA CLUB😎... Here in Montreal it's a Catastrophe of Musicians...
Completely USELESS!!🙄
oh.....i'm afraid it "is" true...
I’ve been saying this about people for years…. Maybe would want to get really close to less than 5 out of 100 folks.
It's really true. Most humans in general are kind of flaky and weird, and music obviously tends to attract "artistic" types (and a lot of people who just like the idea of being "artistic") who are even flakier and weirder than that.
I want to add one: RENT a practice space. Don’t hold band practice at a band members house. My band had a guitarist who canceled practice at the last minute and disappeared for about a week. He was holding about $1K worth of gear of mine and my bass player. Had to message his girlfriend and say “if we can’t make arrangements to get our stuff back, we’re just going to show up randomly to pick it up and we’re not ruling out police involvement either.” He ended up piling our stuff into his truck and delivering it to me. But he never made any apologies during that meeting. So yeah he’s gone.
OR….if you are going to practice at a band member’s house, take all your stuff with you. That’s what we do. We also are all adults who act our age rather than our shoe sizes and if anyone did leave anything behind, our drummer is cool enough that he wouldn’t steal it.
I was briefly in a band where two different groups practiced in the one bass player's garage. Suddenly one day every instrument in the place was gone. What a mess. SEVERAL thousands of dollars' worth of gear stolen. Thankfully the thieves were too lazy to carry amps or drums, and I had taken both my guitars home
By the end of about ten days the bass player was beaming about the huge insurance check they got, and showing off some shiny new instruments, but everyone else was just screwed. A couple guitars turned up at local pawn shops and got returned but most were gone forever.
Yes, it finally turned out later the bass player had set the whole burglary up with some friends of hers.
@@dogslobbergardens6606 Wow, ripped off by your own band member? That's really low and also really stupid.
No kidding about having hiring a friend as a band member. After almost four decades in private business, fifteen of that in real estate, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the best way to make best friends into ex-best friends is to have them as a roommate or business partner.
Isnt the point of being in a band playing music with people you dont hate?
@@Cooldudehero123 Give it some time.....
Business is definitely risky. But roommates?? Nah.
Yep
I can’t explain how hilariously well-timed this video is.
The pic of Jon Schaffer...oh man I lost it
No# 11 is so me. I played for about 2 years with a "friend" of mine who never bothered to rhythm-check his fantastic riff ideas or record them properly, so I always ended up having to make them somehow musically comprehensible for the band to play together. Needless to say, he still played them his way and I was basically the only person who knew our songs start to finish.
Last year he ghosted me for 3 months and I only found out through screenshots from our mutual friend that he screwed me over, saying I was too "strict" about our music and "made weird changes to his ideas" and left to become a pick-up artist. I guess good for us both after all, but it's still unfair that you have to endure all this shit just because you care.
As a wise man once said, "When you lie in a coma, it's not you who suffers, it's the people close to you. The same applies when you're stupid."
Oh, did I mention he was a bassist?
I feel you. I've also had a "friend" like that, who really could write great music but was too damn lazy to practice to a metronome or a track, so his rhythm was like that of an elderly dog humping a pillow. Not only that, but he never finished his stuff EVER. And despite being unable to play on beat and to complete the songs, he really wanted to "tie his life with music" and kept on constantly reminding me of this. It sucks that I found out all of this after trying to make music with this dude for a considerable amount of time. And yes, this friendship ended in the same fashion, so my guess is that halfassers never make for good friends or people.
If he decides to become a pickup artist at any point, you dodge a bullet regardless of the situation my friend.
@@rinnimalfy3453 it's just as if I read about my experience
Proof Dave Mustaine is a genius
Haha. Becoming a pickup-artist requires precisely this delusion of grandeur and lack of self-reflection.
I once auditioned for a band years ago - I recorded it (by agreement - in case it was a "no", I wanted to know if I screwed up and didn't hear it), but I forgot to turn it off when I left the room so they could talk about me. On listening back to it...the first thing they said when they thought I was out of earshot was, "HE'S NOT A PRICK!".
That one's stuck with me as bar #1 for auditionees to get past - the "not a prick" test. If they fail that one, much like the promptness and solvency tests, it's not worth asking any more questions.
I'll play with a minimally competent friend over a talented asshole EVERY time.
Another goodie- during the Foo Fighters' audition for a guitar player, one of the first off the cuff comments about Chris was "And he didn't smell bad!"
@@pyroman6000 Chris is also a trooper live. I saw him, violently ill, with No Use For a Name in 1998 (maybe 97) with a bucket on stage, puking between songs.
Oh yeah, that seriously is a common very first question. If you have to travel, live, work, and perform with an asshole that none of you can stand, that band has problems.
@@petepeterson5639 I don't know much about Chris but I do know, puking can also be a sign of heroin use. I think it happens when they are trying to kick the habit. I don't know if he had that problem like so many at the time.
Man, I love Glen's angry logic. His disdain for lazy/dumb musicians never gets old.
so easy to complain
Two additional tips:
1, start then off on one of your harder songs. You need to know how well they handle your material, giving them something easy to start doesn’t give you the full picture. Our guitarist absolutely nailed his audition!
2, they actually show they want to be in the band! We had five people interested in singing for us, but most of them said they’d learn the songs then we never heard back from them! The guy we went with spent all his free time learning our songs!
My best friend, a former metal guitarist and a colleague of mine in my undergrad music degree told me that he prefers working with classical musicians over rock and metal musicians because of the difference in professionalism he has noticed.
All very good points but there's a caveat: heaving a steady job and being able to go on tour can be (and usually is) mutually exclusive.
Be clear up front what the goal of the band is. If you only plan on playing local (A couple hours drive) is different than planning on making it a professional career. The later means at some point you may have to choose to dump the job.
@@christopherconard2831 but in order to do so you need to have at least a reasonable chance of making a living by doing so. Me, I always chose low-level jobs that wouldn't collide with my music. Well, the result is, I'm 43, my CV is worth about as much as used toilet paper, I barely earn enough to stay alive and have been on a brink of homelessness more than once. Have I ever earned a living playing music? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA no. Some extra cash? Yeah, sure, but not enough to survive. When you take chances you have to calculate them well. I didn't and well, here I am.
The best case scenario is having a job that provides vacation days.
A real skill, even being a cook, you can find work anywhere any time.
It's always fun to watch small local bands try their first 5 day tour and break up after the 4th show on the road. Finding people you can actually share close quarters with for days on end is one of the toughest tasks out there.
I have tried to build several lineups over the years, and I feel like I can add two things to your advices: know that being in a band is kind of like being sentimentally engaged, hence you can foresee many of the members' behaviour with this kind of mindset, and the other one is knowing that there is ALWAYS a hierarchy in the group, so if you're not the type to be a leader you have to look for one that is good at it (usually, the leader in a band is the one writing songs and putting other meat on the barbecue).
After, like, 10 years of trying to make my electro-alt-rock lineup I've sold all my instruments and quit music, because I've met most of the kinds of persons you have described, from the lazy one, to the high one, to the one with a delusion of omnipotence and got tired of trying.
Another 10 years later I've come to terms that music is a part of me I can't get rid of and made my mistakes of the past my strongest point: you are welcome to embrace my cause, otherwise I'll do it myself, because I'M NOT DESPERATE TO NEED YOU. That's why I've started to learn singing, so I don't necessarily need a singer but I can sing my song myself instead of depending on others.
I always said, being in a band was like having 4 girlfriends !!!
@@MickH60 with none of the same benefits.
It's actually amazing, that in 2022 people can actually collect enough people who aren't complete (assholes, idiots, offended fuckwits, humourless morons, talentless twats, ideological bastards) to create actual music. Part of a recent meeting/audition was a 'question period' where my political opinion was scrutinized before I had even opened my guitar case. I didn't open it, picked it up, and promptly left. I won't play with people who are more concerned with what everyone else in the world is doing.
Reminds me "Hey Jude" lyrics
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
The movement you need is on your shoulder
Glen,
As a gigging musician, I am 66, and I've been at it since I was 15. I really hope that you get through to some younger players with this VERY TRUTHFUL AND USEFUL information. I've seen every one of the situations you talked about happen over my decades of situations from street performing to professional tours and everything in between.
To build a band is to build a machine. You don’t add unnecessary things just cause they are available. You don’t add a boat motor to a bathtub just cause one shows up.
I think in your example you should definitely do that. Every bathtub needs a boat motor...
@@SyntheticFuture 😄😄😄😄😂😂😂😂
Not everyone can operate a sail bathtub
Keys to a successful audition:
1. Show up 20-30 minutes early to get set up and be ready to start at the time specified.
2. Show up with fresh batteries and strings (bass players, this means you!)
3. If given a list of songs, show up overprepared. If they give you a few songs off their album to learn, learn them all!
4. Be willing to INVEST some money into your rig if necessary (looking at you bass players)
5. Take the time to do your homework, learn the songs, not just a close approximation or your interpretation.
If they are serious, so should you be! Don't waste their time or yours by going into it half-assed.
This is all great advice. One of the best bands I've ever been in (was a member for over 10 years before we split up), I got to tour, record 4 albums, and have the best friends I could ever ask for, was thanks to a well prepared audition. They gave me a demo about 2 weeks before my audition. It had 9 songs on it. When I showed up for my audition, they asked me what songs I knew from it, and I said "All of them. We can play whatever you guys want to play." They all kind of looked at each other. We ended up jamming for a couple hours. Two weeks later, we were playing shows. Later on, they told me that they auditioned a bunch of musicians, and the most anyone knew going in was 3 songs. However, most of them only knew 2. They would play through the few songs they knew, and then spend the rest of the audition trying to teach them another song. I had the whole 9 song demo down, so the next time I jammed with them, they just had to teach me the 2 songs they had that weren't on the demo, which I picked up in one night. Preparation and a commitment to the craft is everything. If you're not an arrogant asshole, that's the icing on the cake.
Bass players who sing and Drummer do all the work every one else enjoy the ride !
Please do the reverse video too, aka "11 mistakes to avoid when joining a band".
I remember a band I was in 20 years ago. Singer- Jobless and no car. Drummer- Jobless and essentially no car (it was always broke). Guitarist- Had a job and working van. Me (bass)- Had job, college, and car. Band was together for a couple years.
We practiced at the guitarist’s house 30 miles from everyone in the middle of nowhere (no annoyed neighbors, but waaay out in the middle of nowhere). My car eventually broke (after 6 years) and the guitar player still wanted to practice 4-5 times a week. That meant he had to pick everyone up instead of them constantly riding with me. After 2-3 months, he was getting mad (despite me having done it prior for months) because the drummer and singer never had gas money and they were always running late (insert “I needed pot” or “I was getting laid” excuse here).
Finally, I told him that I was gonna have to cut back on practices to 1-2 times a week so I had time to work to get funds to replace my car sooner. Said it was only gonna take a month or 2 and I’d have fresh wheels that take the burden off him…
Suddenly, I was out of the band because I “wasn’t dedicated enough”… ignoring the countless miles I racked up and how much time I invested outside of practice for the band itself (promotion, booking gigs, selling tickets, etc). Sure enough, the band disintegrated within 2 weeks after booting me out.
Guitarists, ego over empathy.
@@sirhandelno3 I promise not all of us are like this
Because you play the Bass, I'm sure Glen won't believe a word of this.
I’m only halfway through this video and I’m convinced you based this whole thing around my band’s former guitarist
Glen is over playing the problems. It's not all this bad. Our guitar player is able to get a ride to our practice sessions from his parole officer. Our drummer's grandmother wakes him up on time and walks him to the bus stop. I put up a large sign over the practice room that says, 'No girlfriends allowed'.
The money one is interesting.
I was working a low-paying job a few years ago and tried out as a vocalist for some band about 30-40 miles away from me.
They told me up front that I was going to have to contribute a decent amount of money immediately for merch and other things of that nature and I told them my financial situation and they were shocked because I guess the band leader was making a decent chunk of change.
They didn’t want to play locally at either of the main towns in the area (there’s a decent amount of venues between the two) and instead wanted to play in the nearest large city roughly two hours away exclusively.
My idea of starting a band was what my previous bands did starting out:
- Play shows locally
- If a demand begins to rise because we’d get booked enough, invest in merch then
- Also make and spend money for studio time if we felt a song or songs were ready for an audience
Meaning I just got some weird vibes about the whole thing. We had a conversation and agreed to not take it further than that first practice. They’ve gone through a ton of band members since, I’ve played solo since and I’m still on good terms with that band leader and we give each other leads for booking. It honestly worked out for the best that way.
IMO, both paths are legitimate ways of approaching things. Out of curiosity I started a band years ago where our first show was the first of an all state US tour. Printed up shirts, CD's and a few other random things. Made enough to do another US tour a couple months later and a European tour about 4 months later. The whole thing came out of my curiosity of what's more important, building following first or image with the right group of people first. If you can find people who can drop everything and want to go away for a while, printing up merchandise to cover gas, food and hotel expenses isn't the worst way to get some fun road trips and memories. A local/regional following doesn't always translate to a bigger following, so at some point you do need to take the plunge and go for it if you really want to expand out into a touring gig.
@@Lethargy01 How'd you book that many shows without a following? In my experience you have to book some real small venues that are just willing to have anyone first and then get noticed enough where other venues are willing to take a chance on that night.
Exclusively playing two hours away and printing up merch when there was no following yet didn't make sense to me and still doesn't. More often than not, you just end up with tons of t-shirts you'll use as rags because you couldn't sell them. It didn't make sense to buy the 500 shirts and whatever else they wanted.
@@ryanshinermusic Lots of internet/social media searching to find bands in various areas, then reaching out to them directly and asking if they're willing to help out in exchange for helping them if they ever come to our area. For every 20-50 bands I reached out to, 1-2 replied and booked us a show with them. Made some great friends along the way, but for sure you have to be willing to dive in and put yourself out there.
The substance thing is super important. Whenever I worked with potheads, it was indeed a total nightmare.
I smoke pretty fuckin often, and I can’t imagine doing it before practice, an audition, or a gig. That sounds like the easiest way to embarrass the fuck out of myself.
One band I was in had a rule at rehearsals that until we'd been through the set list and anything that came out of that there was no spliff break.
Work first -- mess about later and see what comes out of it.
Ha once I was at practice, they wanted to smoke another blunt, I was like can we make music instead? They looked at me like I was crazy. Didn’t stay long after that
I've played in about 30 local bands so far and if there's one thing I've learned is this:
You can teach someone how to play better or sing better but you NEVER can teach someone a good work ethic. And this is where all the problems begin.
The 2 rehearsal rule always works for me - If he did the same shit in the first 2 rehearsals (arrived late, came unprepared or drunk, forgot his gear) it's a huuuuuge red flag because it's not a mistake, it's a character.
All of these are just generally good rules for being auditioned as well, because the process goes both ways. You don't want to hire a shitty musician, about as much as you don't want to get hired by a shitty band.
I'm 20 and have been looking for bandmates for a couple years now and just hit gold on craigslist with two guys who are really good and both songwriters. Three of us are moving forward together
Beautiful.
Awesome. Best of luck to you guys!
Lol, I've dealt with almost all these issues and more. From my experience can I also suggest:
- telling people you will be rehearsing at a rehearsal studio and they will need to pay their share. You will get rid of 90% of time wasters as they never want to put their hand in their pocket
- If possible start off rehearsing nights after work. No person ever cancels last minute because they're hung over or want to go to the beach at 7pm on a Wednesday
- During the audition process, hire a rehearsal room and gear. Allocate a few people different time slots and let them know you are supplying drums/amps for the audition. Hire the people who show up on time and don't blame the gear
- Select a drummer and bassist who play well together and can lock in to each other's playing. If a bassist/drummer is trying out for bands but can't lock in with the other rythem instruments your band is doomed before it begins
They might be a sex offender?
How the hell do I find a guitarist for my pop punk band now?
I played with a guy in an improv group who could sweep pick but had no idea how to palm mute. I was almost floored with astonishment. He picked it up quick enough. But I was still amazed.
That last tip felt like it was coming from a place of personal experience, either first or third person. Would love to hear how that went down.
Yeah, that seemed curiously specific 😹
In my experience, motivation goes a long way. Picking the musician with skills beyond yours, might not be as motivated to show up to practice every week, when they can learn your stuff in a day and show up once a month.
Always make sure they're motivated!
(Kinda goes to the commitment category though)
Love the poster: Looking for done armed drummer for "Def Leppard" cover band!!! How smart: by not picking which arm, they doubled their chances of finding one!
The thing about 11 is that once you realize one person is the professional and one person is the friend, the friendship is never the same after.
100% this!
REALLT NEEDED THIS THANKS GLENNN
I had a guy call up, wanting to audition for the lead guitarist spot in the band. Told me he knew this song and that song. He showed up for the audition with tab books, and started to play them so slowly, then I found out he was just starting to learn guitar! He said that, as a band, we were going to "grow and learn together.". I had to, sadly, say to him that I think he needs to do some more work before joining a band. He then told everyone he was in the band! I ended up telling him that the band is no more, that we had moved on. Also had a nutter who collected guns want the spot, but tried telling me that my rig was too big and that I needed a Line 6 Spider amp instead, like what he had, despite me saying that I have played in bands before with my rig, but the last straw was his son trying to steal my Xbox controller. That just ended it for me.
Damn. I hope everything turned out okay. I've been trying to put together a band for a year now, and it's not easy.
@@chasesvocalrange2540 I ended up playing bass in another band, but am slowly getting back to this project. Just got to find a rehearsal space!
@@Vindicator18 Ah. Well, I haven't played guitar in years. I wanna get back into it. I'm just trying to find the right motivation to do so.
Sounds like you are the issue, how does someone that collects guns, a rig being too big and line 6 spider amps correlate together? On top of that you throw in an x box controller being stolen, how is that part of a guitar rig? I have been playing for over 30 years and never had a game controller in my effects rack, never had anyone complain it was "too big." I have played in a couple death metal bands in the Noteheast, playedamy of the great venues in New York including L'Amour, CBGB'S, The Bowery, Irving Plaza etc.I would proof read this comment and hopefully edit it, you started strong but the second half is totally bizarre.
@@potatolew4495 "in the noteheast, playedamy"
lol, looks like you could do some proofreading, too. You missed a space after a period as well.
I think we're all guilty of being 'that guy' sometimes.
Always trade up. never down. I was in a band where the weakest member drifted away, we lucked out and found a guy who was both more talented and had his shit together. It was a significant upgrade. Tragically he died and we made the bad, path of least resistance , decision to bring back the guy he had replaced. A regrettable choice!
RIP your cool friend
If your drummer isnt fighting the baby eating shadow government, then he's probably one of them.
I was happy you mentioned the "boyfriend/girlfriend" thing. "Romantic" relationships between band members are a time bomb to the band and it rolls into the 'priorities" and "friends" concept but with a lot more weight. My philosophy is that a band should be a primary relationship in it's own context and not have to compete with other primary relationships within the band. When the friends in the band come in already squishing body parts that's usually a bad sign. Certainly, juggling band members' ideocracies is hard enough without that kind of complication within the group. It was always a rule with me and every time that I'd make and exception (for myself and others) for the sake of a great band by any other measure -- I always regretted it.
I’m SO glad that you mentioned substance abuse. I know it sounds totally square, but that issue is vitally important.
Very difficult to work when the singer brings 8 cans of beer for himself -- and runs out within an hour
@@keithsquawk Yeah it's a real bad sign if they can't even scrape together a full 12-pack.
I kid, I kid!
After that lecture I'm glad I'm a one-man looper band. Bahahaha, I suck.
We just lost our bassist again, and that makes 3 over the past 4-5 months. Each had an issue you described. One didn’t have the skill/know the material, one was talented but didn’t show up/show up on time, and the most recent had financial issues. We are trying to start playing live so it’s sooooo frustrating.
I finally just said “fuck it” and made backing tracks (it forces everyone to practice to a metronome so win/win) but I do hope to get someone to fill the spot.
OMG, the whole "Friend vs Professional" thing really hits the nail on the head a lot of the time in my humble experience.
Now, in all honesty - my guitarist is also my best friend, but we've had YEARS of highs and lows in our friendship before we started playing together and about as many years after - we learned to quarrel and to step back and to make compromises with "our vision" because experience and time and failure taught us that no matter how much of our own ideas we sacrifice in the process, the end result of us working together and cutting, reworking and editing each other's parts is almost always better than what we can compose separately.
However, this is a level of trust and understanding which takes time to build when you have clear "buddy "expectations and, heaven forbid, feelings of "owing" something to someone. Gods only know how many times I've heard the line "I know it's bad, but I can't tell him that - he's a friend and he's put so much effort into it and he helped me move after my break up and he's the dude who showed me how to hold a guitar and..." ... and it is not uncommon to outgrow people, but it is common too not own up to it, which is a problem in a band setting.
With the exception of said guitarist, I personally have a better relationship with musicians I've worked with, who stated as "colleagues"/"band-mates" and ended up being friends, as opposed to friends who also play an instrument and want to try joining. There is a certain level of "detachment" you have with colleagues which helps you concentrate on the job at hand, which you don't always have when there is the emotional response between friends and the "power dynamic" which comes with friendships. Basically, you're more willing to accept ideas from people whom you judge based on their musicianship, instead of based on their horrible, HORRIBLE choices in terms of partners and booze.
Also important to note - "professional" in this case is not meant to mean actually "paid professional", however given the amount of time, funds and effort music requires, even as just a hobby, it is impossible to not look for and require a bit of professionalism and job-like approach from a musician looking to jam with you, as opposed to, say, a random person you end up regularly drinking and hanging out with at the local watering hole.
Huge red flag to look for: Does the prospect walk into the audition with their significant other? If the answer is yes: Thanks for coming, BYE.
If the significant other just drops them off and drives away, or makes clear they aren't in a band, just a chaffeur.. That is just a semi red flag for not having their own transportation but it is excusable. There have been plenty of those in the bands i've been but never ever take a musicians that insist their partner is part of the deal.
Stupid comment, having a significant other come in and enjoy themselves is harmless. Really ignorant comment there
I once tried out a guy who was pussy whipped by this evil bitch of a wife who’s first words yelled in our presence was “THIS IS FUCKING BULLSHIT!” He didn’t last long. Ever since, I’ve had a complex about band members’ girlfriends; I know I shouldn’t judge someone who I don’t know but if I’m at a show and a musician is talking with me and their girlfriend chimes in I’m screaming in my head “NO ONE FUCKING ASKED YOU!”.
omg. ew :/
I've been trying to start a metal band in birmingham alabama for the past 5 years. Sometimes you really do just have to either take what you can get, or have nothing.
At that point I’d just work alone and get money to hire pros when the studio time comes
@@Tarpull That works pretty well if you want to write all the material, and then hire a backing band to record and tour. But not so well if you just want to play out.
Personally I never intended to become a big star, I just really enjoyed rehearsing twice a week and playing live a couple times a month.
Damn, I've experienced almost all of this shit in the 80's when I played the club scene.
Seeing that video with the guy in a Mushroomhead shirt triggered me...
let me tell you after years of opening up for Mushroomhead, that dude is the typical guy in the crowd you have to deal with. Pro tip for aspiring musicians: DON'T OPEN FOR MUSHROOMHEAD lol.
Man, this has helped tremendously! I'm trying my best to recruit band members (2 guitarists, a bassist and drummer) and it has not been easy. But I shall not give up! Cheers!
I think a lot of these issues are due to people that like the IDEA of being in a band more than the actual effort involved.
I’ve been in several bands and never had any of the issues discussed in this video. However, the common thread was that everyone in those bands was serious about their craft and worked hard at it. Also, in my experience, most good musicians underrate themselves, not the other way round.
"Quit playing with yourself and go put on some pants."
Suspiciously looks at room corners for hidden cameras...
I could go into a full-on rant about every point you've made. This is why I love your channel, Glenn... You're the personification of my rage towards every fuckhead I've ever been in a band with.
Oh watching this right now….
Good video Glenn!!! 👍🏼
That's why i made my band solo. If you want to do something good - do it yourself. Better spend that time learning new instruments and skills than dealing with shitheads sabotaging your work. In 6 years of my musicianship only 2 (!!) people out of dozens were pleasure to work with. That's why vst drums are a thing.
Amen.....same here, it's why I'm a one man project.
I have to agree unfortunately. It is ok of once in a while a bandmate shows up late or not at all, but from my experience this happens routinely.
@@thegodfather5842 In my experiences, I've found it impossible to work with fellow musicians....period. One-Man-Metal I remain.
LOl Glen. Always a pleasure hearing from you. Asante sana!
I also want to say that I've learned a lot from your videos about home recording and where and where not to spend money to get good results. Thank you for all you do!
Man, the timing on this for me. I joined my first band last year, and we just lost our other guitar player about a month ago. He just wasn't cutting it and there were a lot of conflicts, many of which are described here. We're looking for a guy now, while also trying to get our bass player up to speed as we're pushing to get more serious and are writing more difficult material. Finding the right guy is going to be tough, but we're optimistic.
Also, to tie into the bit about prospective bandmates showing up prepared, one of the things we're doing on our end is putting together resources for them to learn. Figuring out songs by ear can be hard, so I'm transcribing all of our songs. I think that also demonstrates our professionalism as a band and will hopefully help attract the right player.
Don't forget guys... practice is for homework. Rehearsal is applying your practice. Learn the material so our time isn't wasted when we get together!
well maybe write it down or tab it out. . . . rather than expecting a newb to memorize 7 songs from one practice? Learning covers is possible off-line but hard to work on original work written by others on your own.
I once had a drummer that sang backing vocals, in standard tuning he was struggling to hit a high "E", only just. I suggested we all down tune a semitone to give his voice a bit more room , drummer boy blew a fuse because, wait for it, We didn't have enough time to relearn all of the songs !, no matter how well I explained it to the goose he continued on his mindless rant. He got the shits and went outside for a smoke, while he was out we drop tuned, he returned, we said nothing and completed practice, I then told him what we'd done and he refused to believe we could have relearned all the songs in a "different tuning", I think some semblance of intelligence also helps when recruiting band members.....
So spot on, being in a band with a friend or family member can bring extra underlying issues.
Friends are friends and business is business.
@@ChristianF15cher True. And I have been very good mates with many of my band mates. But in the same token, lost friendships due to clashes in bands. But they're the minority thankfully.
Man, I wish Glenn would've put this together about a couple years ago. It would've saved my band a biiiig year-long headache with our last guitarist (to cut us some slack, we weren't all that stupid, this dude was quite adept at emotional manipulation).
Seriously, though: as long as it prevents anyone else from going through the same shit we did, this is a great PSA. It even applies regardless of music genre.
Cheers from Spain, and THANK YOU, GLENN!
Well fucking said. I hope this really does help the young folks coming up in the world. This info is so golden. Unfortunately I had to learn some of those thi gs the hard way through trail and error. GREAT VIDEO!!!!
Such a good video and a reality check- I definitely failed some of the items here a few years back.
Pretty good advice for almost any professional recruitment situation.
Avoid people who "play by feel": you will spend a lot of rehearsal time explaining rhythm, melody and why certain ideas just don't sound well.
Have them feel they’re way to the door.
"Don't sound well" isn't a theory thing. It's a "Can you hear it?" thing.
When writing music, here's the mindset you have to be in: "You hear this on the radio. How quickly do you switch the channel, and what would it take for you not to do that?"
@@pauliusmscichauskas558 Dude, millions of people enjoy Nicki Minaj and mumble rap.
@@Sphereal and?
I remember the last band I was in I had to leave because of my mental health (apparently not easy to be in a band when you don’t want to be alive anymore.) when I left one of them told me I need to stop doing drugs since that ruined my life and clearly I couldn’t handle it… I would only occasionally smoke with them and the same member was “let go of the band” after he permanently fucked up his hand after a night mixing of meth and alcohol about 6 months after I left. Now I’ve been sober for 3 years and they are still stuck with one single that no one has listened to because they don’t know how to advertise a show properly without it being the day before, let alone a single.
Can you imagine how many 80s bands we wouldn’t have if these good and concise rules had just been laid out as clearly back then? After being in bands for 35 years, all true points. Great vid.
I think that was too much information for some of our brothers and sisters to handle on a Saturday morning .😂😂😂😂frigging Awesome and all so true advice. 👍
Reel Big Fish said it best; "Don't Start a Band."
Add: are they in other bands already? & if so: which band takes precedence?
Who ever has the show date booked first.
@@xxcelr8rsideally, but that’s not usually how people prioritise things
“We’ll maybe good musicians can still be a bit difficult to come across”- And the truth comes out…
Good MUSICIANS are easier to find than good PEOPLE who are musicians.
Local music store? Lol… who is forgetting it’s 2022? 🤣
Love your channel.
Oh boy,do I have some stories! 😂😂😂
This is a very professional approach! These tips are gold! The stories I have about playing in bands can complement each one of these topics. And not all stories have happy endings that justify these exact points.
This is why I play all the parts myself nowadays.... All real instruments. I'm a drummer for over 30 years (primarily, I've also played guitar for most of that time) that got tired of unreliable, unprepared bandmates. I no longer have any problems😁
Thanks for the belch montage at the end. They're a critical ingredient!
Yeap. It's spring time again, time for a new band... Thanks!
We're looking for a new bass player now and this video was very helpful.
I'm not that old fashioned but taking a guitar for a drink in the afternoon at a local rock music bar will have unattached musicians chatting and offering to jam.
Likewise facebook groups, show yourself playing something and a location attached and you'll get people.
Can we also include on that list some uptight, hot-headed, gate-keeping elite-wannabe musicians? Even though they can be HIGHLY intelligent and talented, they always either get into fights, constantly argue with other bandmates, refuse to listen to other people (including the sound guy and their own bandmates), talk smack about other musicians in the local scene, and complain about every single little thing. Oh yeah, and be sure to kick out the ones who screw you over business-wise. There's NO need for that negative BS! Love the video, Glenn!
Great points. I've dealt with band mates who were always late, didn't show up all the time, didn't put the work in, and, worst of all, couldn't stay sober for five minutes. I've even had to fire my best friend from a band.
Oh man that FAME studios recording slip used for an insert made my day.
I'm so glad you put this out. Really helps to put things into perspective, even for us older guys that have been around a while. Some of this stuff is easy to forget when something seems like a good idea at the moment.
Glenns videos always feel like sports coach yell at you
I love it
Just wait until you hit your 40's and the people you're looking to start a band with say "sorry, you're too old." lol
I don't look for bandmates because I can do everything myself. I'm not a performing artist, I just make music because I think it's fun and it's a great de-stresser for me. If I was a performing artist, I would 100% search for people, but since I can record, produce, mix, master, have no intention of performing, and just do it for fun, this is what works for me. Thanks for the videos glenn. Have a good one.
Value? Right fuckin' here! Awesome video Spectre Sound Studios...
You see, here is where there is a major advantage to having a Multiple Personality "Disorder", if that's what you want to call it. Solving problems like scheduling rehearsals, arguments over "Artistic" differences, or whatever goes along much quicker when it can be done any time of day or night just inside your own head and without even having to pick up a phone.
Spot fucking on, Glen!
Gleeeeeenn! Nothing to add to the video, just wanted to say that whatever you did to your hair it looks GORGEOUS!
Perfect Timing!! I'm currently solo writing songs and working on solidifying my current material. I wish to recruit people later on and this helped alot. Thanks Glenn. Also I can't agree enough with #11. Been apart of it since high school and left the band due to an ego singer and no communication between bandmates. Soloing was the best way to pursue my musical interests and craft my intended arts.
Have to say this too I'm bass player and drummer, Still loving you jokes. They are best.
thank you for making my life fun
I've got to call you out on that opening it is easy to find musicians now but it's still hard if none are in your area or if you play a style of music like let's say 80s rock I live in Tennessee and there is literally no one around for hours I've also lived in the same area network and I have traveled and lived hours around me and it's been a difficult task so it's not as easy as it seems. Especially when you're talking about bringing so many musicians in and not hiring the ones that are late because usually you have no choice LOL from your perspective you know so many musicians I think what you do how you do it and what you have built has really given you a great networking scenario
All great points!!!
I might add that investing in an average player who ticks all the boxes is better than hanging onto a shred god who skips out on practices.
Find band members who are in it for the long haul, and they will evolve over time.
Thank you for all of your helpful content. Cheers from Las Vegas!
I'd like to hear more about this 'joining a band will get you laid' thing.
With the music I played, it prevented me getting laid.
It's not really a thing. Merely holding a guitar on stage will not make you hot.
It's not being a band that gets you laid, it's success and status.
So, if you are in a succesful band - it will help.
That was a great video about integrity, loyalty, and character (or the lack of). You forgot one type of person who is the WORST of all. It's usually the "singer" who plays no instruments so does not KNOW the work and discipline involved. He has the talent and ability, sings just fine in high school chorus or madrigals but...IS NOT COMFORTABLE ON HIS OWN!!!
By himself, making his own life moves he's not efficient. Around others he calms down and performs the task at hand.
This is the "instinct boy." More specifically, the instinct over logic boy. He has a little voice inside and he hears and he obeys!
Foresight is non-existent, self-confidence, yep...you guessed it...there is none...self reliance? 😂 The instinct boy has none, unless he's around others. Then his whole attitude changes. Someone like that is HIDING SOMETHING or several things. They "create" their own fantasy world for psychological reasons to compensate themselves for a deep fear or the lack of something else.
They can MORPH into any of the aforementioned folks as well but is only shining people on that haven't yet done enough reading to learn somebody's "little game" which is to distract people from their musical work and prolong progress as long as possible (especially in the beginning).
Go with the easy remedy. At some point the fool will make it clear he's not going to do his part, such as...taking on 8 things in the same 24. Make sure you spot the sign.
Dealing with all of them is simple. The songs get done, or they don't get done. Whoever one way or another, makes the job more difficult than it has to be...identify the fool, bounce him, and keep working until you find a replacement. Join a union, ads, etc. and rock on!
GREAT VIDEO YOU HAVE REALLY HELPED ME