It's been 6 years now and I still haven't been in a real band, it's pissing me off and I'm on the verge of giving up and just going solo. I've been in bands as part of a music course, but whenever I've tried to do it in the real world I find working with others really frustrating. Also, everyone seems to want to be the Red Hot Chilli Peppers again, which is ghey. Any suggestions? I've just moved to a new town, but it doesn't seem to have made much difference.
I'm not in a band either... I mean, sometimes I'll sit in with a band on the occasion when I do get to do a gig... I only do maybe two or three a year though... mostly because I like playing with other people but I like working solo too... only the fact is that you get better playing with other people. I'm more of a blues/jazz/classic rock person. I do a lot of hendrixy stuff and it seems that a lot of people can't handle that... I'm trying to find a band.
I just find the usual way people form bands very frustrating: most of my mates aren't musicians, so getting together with mates to have a jam (which is hwta is usually suggested) is no good. Also, when I have tried jam sessions, all that happens is that the whole band gets dragged down by the least proficient member. Usually this will be the drummer, who is indispensible because there's about 4 in the world, or the 5th guitarist or something, who is mates with everyone and A Really Nice Guy, but plays too loud and has just discovered feedback. I don't actually WANT to play solo, I've jsut ended up in a position where I do it by default. I WANT to be in a band with people who have the same kind of musical goals as me, but they're all in bands with each other. It's ghey.
Sometimes I believe bands can be the victim of "too many cooks spoiling the broth." I have found that often when 5 people are just getting togther to jam. In the band I'm in now there is a fairly clear leader, who writes the basic songs, then we add our parts and make some suggestions here and there,. I believe this helps create some cohesion between the songs and gives our band its unique personality. I hear you about drummers, either you have one who isn't very proficient, but is content just keeping the beat, or you have a good drummer who plays too busy and gets bored playing straightforward beats. my advice would be to start making your own recordings and see if you can find some people who want to play on your songs.
I do that already... I just need a band... only problem is that my recordings website on soundclick hardly ever works though...
If you have problems with people not wanting to play what you want go solo for a bit and make a back-up band. Lots of artists do that because theyre in control of what they want. Ive been in about 6 bands. All of them were with friends(some with almost the same members)which really helped but only 2 bands really got going the others every practice seemed like everyone did there own thing which never lasted too long. Anyways even if you cant find a whole band right away just find 1 person at a time. Jam and see how it goes, get some stuff down, and eventually you may find more people who like it and wants to join. Anyways just trying to help, my band experince is that it may take a few trys at it and with different members before it even gets going ok. Right now im just enjoying the whole solo singer/songwriter bit.<----the freedoms nice.
I hate jamming. I think I'll just make some solo recordings and then torture some people into playing it for me. I wouldn't be a singer in a band though, which is never a good thing, I'm guessing no-one wants to see me do a solo show.
I've found myself in similar situations for the past 5 years as well. Most people are either light years beyond me in ability (or location!), suck ass, or spend most of the time talking about music instead of playing it...
