• Registered: 2006-08-24
  • Posts: 15

Topic: Finally got a band started

I finally got a band started, which is a dream a year-and-a-half in the making. We have not decided on a name yet, but we are close. It consists of a drummer (the youngest of the group, me (second oldest) on lead/rhythm/bass guitar, and a lead singer (the oldest) on rhtyhm/lead/bass guitar (we agreed to switch bass between us). The drummer and I originally had been playing for a little bit, but neither of us are very good at singing and playing at the same time. Well I had known the singer for about a year, when he finally moved into the local area. When I asked him if he was interested in singing for us, he said that would be awesome. Now we are all decent at what we do, but our singer is the real talent in the band, you know Claudius for Coheed and Cambria, well, his voice has that kind of quality (and is in the same octave) , and he plays some complicated lead/rhtyhm stuff while singing. Our drummer is good at writing lyrics, and I am good at writing music for them, and the singer can come up with some awesome melody lines for them, so we already have our own songs (not bad for a band that has been together less than a month eh?). I's just wondering if anyone has had experience in a band? Just want to know how to handle practice, what type of places we can play gigs at that don't require you to be 21 (we are all underage).

  • Registered: 2006-07-09
  • Posts: 47

Re: Finally got a band started

hey hey!

sounds like you are off to a great start! i've been in a bunch of bands off and on since the late 60's. some were pretty good, some were mediocre, a couple were god-awful, and a couple were top shelf. i'm now the bass player in a 3 piece top 40 country band, but we pride ourselves on trying to be able to cover any artist that people request. we may not do the song they want, but we try to do something by the artist, no matter who it is. the key is to play together as much as possible. we played 2 hour sessions, 3 days a week, for almost 2 years before we started looking for jobs. originality is great- we do several originals- but if you are looking for serious extra income you'll probably have to start out doing at least 80% covers. find out what's popular in your area- try to listen to other local bands as much as possible. when you feel you're ready to go to work, be professional at all times! looking nice, having a buisness card, a briefcase with a bio ( photos help) of the band, a complete song/artist list, and simple contracts will do wonders getting even underage bands a foot in the door at lots of clubs. decide in advance how far you are willing to travel, and what is the lowest amount you'll play for. always do buisness in person. use the phone only to find out who books the entertainment and when they are available for a meeting. be flexible with your rates. a tiny hole in the wall place that 40 people will pack won't likely be able to pay the same as a club that holds 500. one last thing to consider... we always play a new venue one time for free. club owners really dig this, and if you are good, they'll gladly pay you to come back. sorry i've rambled on, but i hope some of this helps. good luck!!


peace, slim.

  • upyerkilt
  • upyerkilt
  • Unofficial king of Scotland
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  • From: Balloch, Scotland, UK, Earth
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 3,290

Re: Finally got a band started

hi hendrix follower,


My first band I was in many years ago prcticed twice a week for 4 weeks before doing our first gig. We were supporting a local band in a pub.

We only done covers at the time. We chose 12 songs and practiced them many many times.

I know in scotland you can play in a pub before you are of legal age ( 18 here) but you just cannot buy or drink the good stuff.

Get to know local bands and get them to know you and your music. Look out for battle of the bands etc.

see if you can play in a local club that doesnt sell bevy.

Whatever you do, make sure you have fun doing what you want to do as a band.



Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending
  • From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Re: Finally got a band started

Congratulations on getting a band started!  Practice time together is precious - so get in a habit of using that time effectively.  Be clear in your minds what you need to accomplish each session.


Typically, somebody will need to assume the role of 'coach' and gently urge the session along.  It is easy to get bogged down or get off track and dither away your time together.


As anotheremptyhead has stated, be professional at all times - not only in dealing with persons 'outside' the group, but also internally with your fellow bandmates.  The internal dynamic will work best if each individual behaves in a respectful and prefessional manner toward each other.

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website

  • Registered: 2006-08-24
  • Posts: 15

Re: Finally got a band started

To anotheremptyhead: Wow, I am writing all of this stuff down...this is some pretty good stuff. Any points on what we should bring to a gig?(if you can't tell, I have had minimal live-playing experience, next to playing for the odd group of friends) Just about any music flies in our area, from country,heavy metal, goth/punk/pop rock, and hip hop, so the local area will be forgiving in that area. There aren't any local bands really, none that are good anyways. And local clubs prefer DJ's so we are gonna have to do a LOT of drving. I do know one local spot where we can get in for SURE, we just have to practice more.We aim more towards a blues/punk/metal style, kinda like a Hendrix/The Ramones/Coheed and Cambria/Avenged Sevenfold/Guns N Roses mix, so we kinda hope to please in all areas. Take a wild stab who brings the bluesy Hendrix to the band...... <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_lol.gif" border=0 alt="Laughing">

  • From: Murphysboro Il
  • Registered: 2007-02-10
  • Posts: 292

Re: Finally got a band started

I have been in a few and let me tell you, it's an experience like know other. A lot of hard times and heartache, but the highest high is worth all of the lows combined. We were and still are the closest friends ever. We called each other every name in the book, we came to blows but when we hit the stage all the bull shit went out the window and what you had was 4 guys who really loved making magick together. Good luck to you guys!!! <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm
  • Registered: 2006-07-09
  • Posts: 47

Re: Finally got a band started

hey hey!

be sure you get a good quality PA system and decent mics. get the best you can afford. a good sound system is an absolute must. a powered mix board with 6 or 8 channels is what i'd recommend. also the more power the better you'll sound. a 600 watt board is about the minimum for playing out. we use an 800 watt peavy board with sp 2's for the fronts and 12" danville monitors.

we run the guitar and bass amps thru the board also to get a good balanced sound. good luck!


peace, slim.

  • Registered: 2006-08-24
  • Posts: 15

Re: Finally got a band started

Thanks, I already have some good mics, just need to work on the PA system, my guitar teahcer has one for sale that he used when he was in a band. I have heard it a few times, it is one of the best ones I've heard. And the mics he gave me were the ones he used when he was playing gigs..... <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_surprised.gif" border=0 alt="Surprised">  so they have a little history behind 'em. And they are in AWESOME shape! Thanks for the tips guys, but DON'T STOP, just KEEP POSTING THEM.

  • Registered: 2007-04-11
  • Posts: 1

Re: Finally got a band started

First off, Congrats on the band. It's always nice to get something concrete going. I noticed that in your message, it says that you are all underage, how old are you? I too, am underage, and am in a band. If you'd like to hear some of our stuff, go to, www.unsigned.com/celticroad or www.myspace.com/celticroad

We are all still in high school, and have an after school job as well. So it's hard for us to practice, but we have practice on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and Saturdays. Mondays are usually spent reviewing what we worked on the week before. The rest of practices are used to introduce new material. I try to write a new song everyday, just to keep writing, and not fall behind. For me to tell you exactly how you should practice, is wrong, so just talk to the members of your band, and with your parents, and try to work out a good schedule. Even if you can only do two days a week, that's still practice. As for gigs, that is just something that you are going to have to be on the look out for. I mean since we are underage, we play house parties, school dances, talent showcases, and a few local clubs that don't serve alcohol when a underage band is good enough for a gig, and they need some good enterntainment. You should practice a lot at least a month or two, before even considering going up in front of people that aren't your relatives.


I hope that this might help you.


My band is always interested in hearing what people have to say about our music.

  • upyerkilt
  • upyerkilt
  • Unofficial king of Scotland
  • Offline
  • From: Balloch, Scotland, UK, Earth
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 3,290

Re: Finally got a band started

hi boothman,

welcome to chordie,


if you have any links to any of your band's songs put a link on the site, in the songriters circle section, or bands and artists section



Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending