| Author | Message | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 546 Registered: 11-2004 |
Well you know there are some right tin gods out there and even they get it wrong! I went for an audition with a band that does 50's/60 covers, easy stuff(not exactly Weather Report or RTW!) It went well and I played all the songs they asked me to but when I get an e mail telling me I am 'too keen' and there was a 'personality clash' between one or two members of the band and then asked me to wait as they were auditioning other bass players and I get a second e mail saying I didn't get the job because of the two points, well you can say it riled me a bit. This is the scene when I got to the audition(please remember the 'too keen' statement) I got there early to set up, you always go early for a job interview The drummer forgets his sticks! Maybe I should have turned up with no strings on my bass!!! The female singer is late and forgets to bring lyrics for two songs to which I supplied her with one song sheet from my comprehensive file which I lug around in my gig bag The asked me to learn 6 songs from a list so I learn as per the record, they have a different arrangement which they didn't tell me about The drop 'River deep, Mountian High' on me which wasn't in the list but I play it anyway(and in a different key) the keyboard player cannot get the intro phrasing and they don't know the middle part(which I put them right on that..remember 'personality clash' on that one. The singer gets 'pissed off' because 'River' is not right, mind you she doesn't have the lyrics! We rehearsed in some small club, not exactly a professional rehearsal room but what the hell. They tell me they won some competition as the best 'club band' After that I take with a pinch of salt. So in conclusion..to be 'too keen' or well prepared is not their remit Their idea of preparation is not to prepare. needless to say they have had to re advertise and won't be on the road for another month, unless they can get a bass player who has NO opinion | ||
| dtrice
Intermediate Member Username: dtrice Post Number: 155 Registered: 10-2006 |
Don't you hate when you are too good for a band? That is why I have stopped practicing, having an opionion, or generally caring when dealing with musicians like this. You seem to get a lot more gigs that way. | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1451 Registered: 12-2002 |
i had similar a experience..........drove an hour & a half for an audition and these guys had top notch gear, BUT those mother f@$&Kers couldnt even play!!! | ||
| neyman
Member Username: neyman Post Number: 69 Registered: 7-2002 |
Drummer forgets his sticks Singer doesn't have lyrics Throw in nobody knew the 6 songs they asked you to learn and you'd have my last band! | ||
| dtrice
Intermediate Member Username: dtrice Post Number: 158 Registered: 10-2006 |
Wow have we all played with the same people? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3188 Registered: 7-2004 |
I think I know those guys. Was the lead guitarist way too loud? lol Bill, tgo | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2019 Registered: 4-2004 |
i cant top bills line. i jammed a week ago with "experienced" dead musicians. drummer didnt know dead. lead g man couldnt sing, rythym g man spent 46 minutes setting up his toys and knew soome of the tunes and less of the words me? i smoked... you figure it out! i struggling for a good jam/gig......... oh i did get a set list from another band... it had cant get enough of your love on it- NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hey bill you got a gig i can fly out for and play? ;-) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3189 Registered: 7-2004 |
Flax: NORML is having its national conference in Berkeley Oct. 17-19. We'll be having a party on Sat. night, the 18th. If it works out, both Stonetrout and August Wolf (formerly Rough Around The Edges, my Dead band) will play. Come on out and I'm sure you could sit in. Anyone else wanna come out? Bill, tgo | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 959 Registered: 11-2004 |
It's frustrating wasting your time and getting your hopes up. However, if that's how it went at the audition what's the chance that it would be considerably better later on? You are better off ending the whole thing at the very beginning. Rich | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 547 Registered: 11-2004 |
Do you think it is us, I mean we could all get a complex about these people being against us or is it just they are absolute crap and unprofessional and have no idea about musicianship, band ergonomics and attitude. My current band are just so easy to get on with but there has been a lull in gigs but it seems to be picking up..I think I shall stay firmly where I am. | ||
| briant
Advanced Member Username: briant Post Number: 211 Registered: 12-2004 |
This is why I always approach auditions as "me auditioning the band" and not the other way around. I don't mean to sound big headed or anything but there are way too many bands that need a bass player out there and I don't have to put up with that kind of nonsense. You're better off having them not like you. With that trainwreck of an audition for you - lord only knows what horrible things were coming down the tracks. My most recent experience like this is for a one time only event that some guys at work are doing. They needed a bass player and I said "yes". They picked all the songs. At our first rehearsal I was the only one who actually knew how to play all the tunes. Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" sounds interesting when you get to the soli bit after the choruses and suddenly it's just bass playing that line. | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1373 Registered: 11-2003 |
Terry that sounds like the perfect job for me. I can't play worth a damn either. You still have their number? Bill I've always been keen to visit Berkeley. Not too keen but keen. I'll have to run that one by Senior Management. Sam | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 549 Registered: 11-2004 |
Briant & bracheen You are right along with everyone else I have told about this, the guy who runs the band is a tin god. I am not criticising there choice of songs but like I said we are not playing 'Birdland' or 'Vulcan Worlds' You know you sometimes I wish they would e mail me back offering the job because they cannot get anyone and would I love to tell them to stick their band in the place where the sun doesn't shine. hey but lets not get bitter about it!!!!!!(LOL) Briant - I will use your 'me auditioning the band' attitude in the future..a great attitude idea. | ||
| briant
Advanced Member Username: briant Post Number: 215 Registered: 12-2004 |
More along the "you're auditioning the band" bit: THEY are the ones looking for a bass player. If any of the following happen at the agreed upon audition day/time I am very likely to walk on them: 1. Showing up late. They should all be there already setup and good to go by the time you step in the room. If they are doing it at their normal rehearsal time they should tell you to show up 30 minutes later so they can all get there, setup, warm up, etc... People arriving 15+ minutes late when they are auditioning a new player is uncalled for. 2. Someone in the band doesn't know one of the audition songs. 3. The band is busy drinking/doing other mind altering substances before/during your audition. If they aren't interested in having a clear head while they audition a player they aren't a band that is worth joining. I personally don't like to have drinking/other stuff in rehearsals ever but - whatever. 4. Screwing around between songs. This inevitably happens during any band rehearsal but an audition should be crisp and professional. Done with one song, comments or questions, move onto the next song. When the guitar player is busy practicing "Smoke On The Water" while the singer is trying to call out the next song... yeah... not good. These aren't supposed to be hard set rules that absolutely cannot be broken; but they sure work as a good starting point when auditioning bands. :-) As I said previously there are WAY too many bands out there who need a good bass player. You don't need to put up with BS from anyone because there is always another gig out there waiting for you. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1998 Registered: 3-2004 |
Brian, I guess that depends upon the bass player's maturity level and what you're looking for from a band. This seems like a good guideline for the typical Alembic player in their 30s or 40s who wants to play some relatively serious music. Many of us have been there and done that and aren't looking for a repeat performance. On the other hand a 22 year old looking to gain some experience might not be put off by these sorts of antics. These sorts of things are certainly worth considering, but, like everything else in life, to each his own... -Bob | ||
| briant
Advanced Member Username: briant Post Number: 216 Registered: 12-2004 |
For what it's worth I've had this same attitude/band searching process since I was in my late teens. I'm 34 now. It has nothing to do with the bass I own - it is just my desire to play with people who are responsible, reliable, and respectful of my time. | ||
| mike1762
Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 95 Registered: 1-2008 |
I can't STAND to have my time wasted. Every band I was in... I ran the rehearsals. I kept a chalk board with all our songs split up into practice sets. Every night we would run one of the sets FIRST, then we would work on new material or do whatever. Occasionally a band members would complain about how "rigid" I was. Funny thing is: when I run into one of them now, they will often make a remark about how well rehearsed and professional our band was. If somebody is not assuming this role in your band... assign it to yourself. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 402 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ditto on the time wasting. I play with guys who like to party alot. A five hour rehearsel consists of two hours of playing and 3 hours of partying. Lots of time wasted, and they are not open to making more efficient use of time. I play with some other people also, and at times have had to wait up to 90 minutes for a drummer or KB player show up. There is nothing worse than someone who cant respect your time. As far as Terrys experience, Ive been through many of those. Leanred a bunch of tunes for an audition, only to get a call beforehand that they have found someone, or gone to an audition and everything went great and someone else got the job, etc... | ||
| garethnh
Junior Username: garethnh Post Number: 23 Registered: 5-2008 |
After being in many bands with two guitarists and a keyboard player and who say 'can you just hold the root down' (!?!?!), I can wholly recommend joining a three piece - I just solo all the way through to fill up the gaps...it's great!I've got lots of Who songs in there as well, so I am a happy chappy. As per advice above - keep looking and your perfect band will turn up - sod the timewasters, they don't understand bass! | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 550 Registered: 11-2004 |
I agree on the trio, I was in a short lived jazz power trio(guitar, bass drums). It was excellent, it didn't matter if the original tune had loads of instruments playing we broke it down and kept the theme. Pity the other two memebers moved out of the area because of their day jobs, along with being great musicians they were all great to get on with too..not like that a***hole I auditioned for. Glocke..it just pisses you off so much when you experience that. I wonder why their original bass player left or maybe that is why he left but they never tell you truth why | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 429 Registered: 11-2007 |
Terry, what a bunch of A**holes! Too keen?? Its called proffesionalism - something they evidently dont understand!! I think the problem is that they are too stuck up their own backsides ( touting themselves as best club band? Give me a break!! ) If I am ever lined up to play with someone and I notice any signs of "ego" I become very reluctant to get involved!! In my life experience the people who think they know everything are the ones who know the least! Bottom line? You were too good for them  John. | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1377 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think you just created a new buzzword. You got "Flaxed". | ||
| dtrice
Intermediate Member Username: dtrice Post Number: 166 Registered: 10-2006 |
Maybe you could use it like, 'I got flaxed over' of 'That's flaxed up'. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 552 Registered: 11-2004 |
Sounds like an great addition to the Dictionary, whether it be English or American. Is there anyone on the forum that can write the description as you would see it in a Lexicon/Thesaurus etc. Is it an adverb, verb, adjective, noun, pronoun, the pronounciation syntax and lastly the meaning?? White Cloud..yes he was, the guitarist seemed the best out of them all but the 'leader'(interpret that in anyway you want) was a right one! | ||
| dtrice
Intermediate Member Username: dtrice Post Number: 168 Registered: 10-2006 |
It could into the Alembic official dictionary\glossary. It would join words like Alembician. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1933 Registered: 6-2002 |
Flaxen hair? | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2020 Registered: 4-2004 |
HEY!!!!! i am truly honored.... i used "flaxinated" in the mortgage wholesale biz-when speaking to my boss its when the loan officer totally fs up- blames me for his problems and is in dire need of being told he is a moron...and i have to lower the hammer and flaxinate him tommy you got the hammer? always got the hammer mom..... <get smoochy-great movie btw- bill- thats sounds like it might be a plan.... | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 745 Registered: 4-2005 |
 | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2031 Registered: 4-2004 |
ok i cant read that> so another flax experience and another flaxination coming i sorta work for this company- 100% commision no mileage allowance and not even business cards not much to offer and i just kept up with product changes etc so after finding my email access turned off i sent an email to the sales manager advising this his response is below my interpretation is simple- by not granting me access to the system- essentially i am being fired.. so i can file for unemployment... and he gets flazinated in my reply Jeff Please advise as to why you wish to get into your e-mail account. 1. For the month of Aug - 2 email total in your e-mail account both from Corporate to you no response. 2. Previous last communication was on 6/19 3. U have 1 approved broker in your name 4. U have no submitted loans in the system If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me. Let's build our pipelines and close some loans. Regards, JC John Curran what a turd////i love the ebonics.... |
