So I was offered an audition with a modern rock cover band...

[khabibissell]

Currently, I play in an original rock/"light" metal band, but nothing is really happening for us, and I'm not too keen on the direction things are going in with the new songs we are writing. Not that I'm all that great, but the other guitar player cannot keep up with me, forcing me to "dumb" down some of the riff ideas, and doesn't really practice to improve (I play an couple of hours a day, regardless of was comes up... I feel it is my responsibility to the band), and though talented, the drummer is way too uptight and doesn't do much more than keep the tempo of the song... very few fills which is weird because he claims he is heavily influenced by prog stuff (Rush, ELP, King Crimson, etc...). Also, our bass player quit and we have only auditioned one guy in the past three months. Because of all this I have been contemplation quitting, and focusing my attention to the "family" band with my brother and my nephews. We do a mix of early 80's metal stuff (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Ozzy, Sabbath, etc...) it is a riot!

Anyway...

My brother's neighbor is a bass player in a modern rock cover band, and since his guitar player might be relocating because of work and may not be able to make the gigs, he asked if I was available to try out. The idea was to have a guitar player ready in case he couldn't make it to the gigs, or possibly add a second guitar to the band if he did. Their material consists of the usual stuff... Pearl Jam, Godsmack, Buckcherry, STP, etc... That is not the type of music I normally listen to, but I accepted because they have a ton of gigs lined up, and actually get paid I figured it would be a good move since the bass player and drummer are VERY good players, and moving forward I could get them to add some of the original ideas I've been working on into the set. Anyway last Sunday, I got a setlist and a couple of CD's, and set to work on learning the songs. Fast forward to last night. I grabbed my two Charvels and Les Paul, and cruised over there for the audition. I played the stuff well (I had to learn ten songs in a week). Fortunately that stuff is pretty easy, but didn't stay true to form with the solos... I mean, how could any self respecting guitar player play the solo to "Crackerman" true to form? In each case, I learned the changes that I'd be playing over, and made up my own stuff. Of course, my soloing is influenced by 80's style guitar players... I don't think they liked that. After the audition, they were like "you are obviosly talented, but your influences are different than what we do". I was like WTF?! I didn't over play and tried to be respectful to the material, but I did add a bit more technique than what they are used to (their current guitar player is pretty basic). Hell, I work on my playing, so why no use it right? To make a long story short, the singer was seemed to be against having me join the band... they said they would let me know. Another issue could have been the fact that I didn't drink while practicing. This is something I don't do... practice is supposed to be serious, not party time. I save my partying for after gigs. The issue of chemistry came up as well, and it could have been due to the fact I stayed sober while those guys didn't.

I'm really getting fed up with the whole band thing. It seems that you always find good musicians that have too many issues and are flaky, dedicated guys that aren't as proficient as you and have crappy gear, etc... Ego maniacs, or playing with a group of guys that aren't on the same page musically. It is really frustrating!

[guitarsjb]

That sucks bro, but was probably for the best with the whole chemistry thing you mentioned. If the chemistry isn't there, it makes it very hard to be a band. Our last bass player and I did NOT get along at all, he was a lying S.O.B..I mean stupid huge lies...and I call bullshit when I see it. But that made it very hard for us to be a band, because of the tension, and yes, I caused a lot of it because I wanted him out. I couldn't (and wouldn't) look the other way when the other guys could. He's finally gone, I'm happy, but we are stuck w/o a bass player right now. I still feel it's best for the band. And he didn't drink AT ALL. We do have 2 or 3 beers during practice, after the gig, we have a great time and party. No, he didn't fit with that either. Now the other guitarist rarely drinks, but he doesn't condemn the rest of us for doing it. We do have a rule only up to 2 beers before walking on stage. If you are drunk and make an ass of yourself, you are OUT. Anyway, what I'm saying is there were several points made in your post that make it sound like it wouldn't have worked for the long run....
It's frustrating as hell being in a band, but when it works, it's amazing LOL...
Good luck, the right people and gig will come along!!

[khabibissell]

You are probably right, though I'm a bit dissappointed...

I'm not anti drinking at all, especially if you can keep your chops together while doing so.

I just prefer to be of sound mind when in a situation where I have to think... Of course there are those that think being a little buzzed opens you up to be more creative. Ah, who knows...

[horns666]

Steve, do whatever you think is right man. No pressure.. ya know..If the singer take offense to your choice of not drinking..fuggum. Who in the fuck is he??

You have to get along or at least be on the same page with your bandmates..the tension always seems to suck the energy and life right out of shit..and then nobody's into it.

My old singer is doing a "popular music" cover band to make money..covering everything you mentioned..it's falling apart..because nobody in the band is really into what they are covering..it's just a money gig..

You gotta be happy with the choices you make, at least the ones you CAN control ..if not you must re-direct and go from there..

Geri already mentioned alot of good points..

[skorb]

yeah I never drink when I'm playing with the cover band I recently joined. they don't either, so it's all good.

dude I know what you mean about auditioning and things not going as you want. or people being dicks or unhelpful, etc. I guess I was lucky, I only needed two auditions to get with the band I'm with. but I was also practicing with other people and considering putting my own band together, and I had to make a decision btwn those two bands within a couple practices with each one. that was fucked up, never expected to be having to choose btwn bands.

and this is my first organized band experience at 41.

[RacerX]

skorb, the Vetta is perfect for a cover band, eh?

What band are you in now? Got any gigs coming up? Eric & I will come over and heckle ya!

[St.James]

I tried out for this band a while back that was just a guitar player and drummer. The guitar player was ok, but a Pearl Jam freak and the drummer wasn't bad. Wasn't really my kind of music, but the potential was there and I just wanted to jam.

Anyway, I pack up my gear, go all the way out there, set up and as I'm setting up they jam out. I noticed the song they played seemed long as hell and when they finally stopped I said "damn, how long is that song?" Guitar player dude replied with a cocky attitude, "that was 3 songs dude."

There was a peice that stood out a little and I said well, play it again and I'm gonna jump in and add something. Dude said, ok as long as you don't mess us up... That struck a nerve. So as they started playing agian, I just packed up to leave. As I was about get in my van drummer dude walked out and gave this holier than thou speech of how they're auditioning several people and would let me know where I stand in a few days.

I laughed at him and asked him not to waste anymore of time. I asked how he could even think about making a decision without ever hearing me play... I never played the first note!!

So about 2 years later I'm playing with this band and we have to ditch our drummer... Dude was a dick! Anyway, we start looking for a new drummer and who shows up? None other than the very drummer that pissed me off.

I inform the rest of the guys of the situation and we agree to let him setup while we're jamming and when he's finished tell him we'd get back with him.

It was a dickhead thing to do, but I enjoyed it. Dude didn't stand a pearl jam fans chance in a Slayer pit of getting the spot anyway...

[khabibissell]

Band stuff is a pain... Musicians are a strange breed.

[lerxstcat]

If your Charvels are pointy headstocks, you were probably rejected before you played a note. And to a lot of people, those boring solos are still an integral part of the song. I'd probably feel the same way you did about them, but would've played the stuff as recorded if I was interested in the gig.

Playing anything different than the 2-or-3-note dumbass solo was probably seen as overplaying by them even if you didn't squeeze Trilogy Suite in there.

The good part is, if you couldn't bring yourself to play the stupid solos you changed, you probably would've been miserable anyway, and those good players you wanted to get in with are probably only focused on what's happening now.

Maybe get the family band that does 80s metal involved in some gigs, like biker parties and such. You'd be surprised how much stuff like that's going on in the summer, might make some $ and have fun! If you develop a good rep, you might even get some club gigs with it later as you get popular.

Finally, don't get bummed because lesser players turn you down. They usually don't like someone better hanging around, and that's their problem, not yours! Find people you like that play what you like and go with that!

[Fragle]

You have to get along or at least be on the same page with your bandmates..the tension always seems to suck the energy and life right out of shit..and then nobody's into it.
exactly my experience, too..
ah yeah, and be careful around players that are older than you but worse guitar players, especially if they have ego issues.....

[Child Of Norther]

Here, what's this "No drinking" rule?


My band (Pirate metal with dueling shred solos, harmonized melodies and 200bpm plus tempos in places) always have a rake of drinks to get in the mood for gigs!

We play tightly and it increases the banter!


Dinnae drink if you's cannae handle it though!

If you can't play guitar after 2 beers... you cannae handle it.

[Adam]

I cannae play unless I have two beers in me at a show.

Seriously though, playing in a modern-rock cover band sounds like the most mind-numbingly boring thing you could possibly do. I can't imagine the kind of mental detachment from the music one must achieve in order to make it through a Godsmack cover without stabbing yourself in the sternum with your headstock. It's not something I'd ever care to try.

You're probably better off. Here's my suggestion, and you can take it or leave it (of course), but it worked beautifully for me after having moved to a to a new city and knowing NO ONE, and having that innate burning need to put a band together.

Start a new band by yourself. What I mean is, figure out your sound, get your band "concept" together, and write a set's worth of material before you even start auditioning people. I would get acquainted with some cheap, easy recording software like Garage Band or Adobe Audition and record a bunch of complete or near-complete songs, and put that stuff out there with the word that you're looking for members. If it rocks, they'll come to you ready to play. They'll be clear on the direction of the band and the expectation of them as players. Plus, it's your music, so you know it's exactly what you want to do.

Anyway, as I said - it's what I did, and my band has been together for a year now. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[MikeStrat]

I'm in a dance/classic rock band and I know what you mean about styles of playing. My infulence is 80's and sometimes it doesn't quite fit with the song we are doing but the other members get a kick out of it because their last guitar player was so boring. It's like being in a marriage without the sex. Oh yea, there's no sex in marriage either.

[Child Of Norther]

I cannae play unless I have two beers in me at a show.

Seriously though, playing in a modern-rock cover band sounds like the most mind-numbingly boring thing you could possibly do. I can't imagine the kind of mental detachment from the music one must achieve in order to make it through a Godsmack cover without stabbing yourself in the sternum with your headstock. It's not something I'd ever care to try.

You're probably better off. Here's my suggestion, and you can take it or leave it (of course), but it worked beautifully for me after having moved to a to a new city and knowing NO ONE, and having that innate burning need to put a band together.

Start a new band by yourself. What I mean is, figure out your sound, get your band "concept" together, and write a set's worth of material before you even start auditioning people. I would get acquainted with some cheap, easy recording software like Garage Band or Adobe Audition and record a bunch of complete or near-complete songs, and put that stuff out there with the word that you're looking for members. If it rocks, they'll come to you ready to play. They'll be clear on the direction of the band and the expectation of them as players. Plus, it's your music, so you know it's exactly what you want to do.

Anyway, as I said - it's what I did, and my band has been together for a year now. Good luck with whatever you decide!

You, my friend! Are just like me!


That's what i did!


My main abnd Battleheart started as a two piece, we ecorded as a 2 piece in april and we'd acheived more than 1.5k downloads in a month of it and now gig with crowds knowing all the words!

We couldn't find anyone so we did the demo the two of us and then got new members on the strength of the demo!

That is the best way to do it!


(Also stops new people coming in and trying to change your sound )

[skorb]

skorb, the Vetta is perfect for a cover band, eh?

What band are you in now? Got any gigs coming up? Eric & I will come over and heckle ya!

it is the perfect amp for what I'm doing, true. hell, its perfect for any application, it can do it all. I just dialed in the sickest Rectifier patch yesterday.

anyway, I'm in a classic/modern rock cover band which I'm sure you would not like at all. we don't play any metal. no gigs yet, they've played out in the past, but right now based on some bandmember changes we're still working on filling out our setlist with enough songs.

I wanted to get going playing in a band and I didn't want to be too picky about it having to be metal, plus I'm learning new stuff and becoming more well-rounded as a player, which I always like to do.