How To Join A Band Or Get Hired

Key to not getting fired from the band.... own the van.... and the PA equipment... and rent the garage/room where practice happens. And make cookies/brownies from time to time. If you can do that and semi-reliably hit SOME note on the 2/4, you'll stay in the band forever :)

I’m a lead guitarist and I also play drums bass and keyboards but my main instrument is guitar. In 2017 I audition for a band that plays all classic hard rock tunes. I went to the audition and we jammed on wasted by Def Leppard, armed and ready by Michael Schenker and Lights out by UFO. The guys are all around my age, in our 50s but the drummer was a little younger. I thought I nailed the audition and then we sat down and started talking and then I asked if I got the gig Lol... and they replied... we have a few more guys to audition but will let you know. A few days later the bass player called me and said I got the gig, I was so happy because these guys are really cool, no drama and super easy to get along with. I thought this was gonna be an awesome band. Fast forward to 2021...I’m still in the band and we’re doing better than ever. The band is called Arminius. it’s a blast to play music with great musicians and great guys that you get along with and we’re playing all the songs we love 🤘🏻😎. We’ve opened for Pat Travers 3 times, The Iron Maiden’s, The bulletboys, Dios Deciples, Hookers and Blow and many more great touring bands. You’re never too old... 😉

I think that being like minded and a good “ hang” trumps virtuosity every time.

I'm waiting for Baxter to ask me to play bass in his Cure tribute band.

I'm moving home in a couple of months after almost 15 years away..... and getting the old band back together. And the biggest thing is that we just simply enjoy hanging and playing tunes together.

You guys, Rick Beato, and JHS Pedals motivated me to start playing again. Always love the content and your positive, carefree attitudes. I’m 50 and quit playing about 15 years but your content really has motivated me as I’m sure it has others. Thanks again.

We are a 3 pc ...blues/rock group. 56,63, and 66 yrs of age. The most fun of our lives.

Been in the same band now for 20 years. As you guys know that's amazing. 3 core members for the entire time. This is also actually the 50th Anniversary of being in local bands. I absolutely love finding the right people to make music with.

I play in six bands right now. (I play keyboards guitar and I sing.) I have a three leg rule for playing with others in a group. Two of the three things need to be there. Money, good music, good people. If only one of those things exist in the group, I'm not there. But if two of them are there I'll do it.

I got invited to jam with a group. They also invited another guy. He was really good but spent most of the jam fidgeting with his sputtering pedal board. I had a simple rig — Tele into a Carman Ghia with a TS808 and a Traynor 12” closed back cab. The leader liked my sound and ask me to switch to bass so he could play my rig. I killed it on the bass. Next thing I know I’m getting an email with a song list and simple chord charts and the date and time of their next practice.

Keeping A Band Together may well be a much longer episode.

Keep throwing around words like "summation" and people are going to start thinking you're a lawyer... A blues lawyer.

I've auditioned a lot of players. Looking for a drummer is literally the worst hell imaginable.

Baxter, I literally play those instruments you listed for a utility player. Let's do some work! Great episode guys. Always looking for more gigs and opportunities and you have some great advice.

I play in a Bluegrass band and wer'e all over 60 (I'm the youngest at 64), but we all can relate to things from growing up around the same time. That helps with getting along together👍 PS...I play jazz trumpet along with guitar, bass and mandolin😆

Fired from a band in 1983 for being too pop for a punk band and then fired in 2003 for being too punk in appearance for a Beatles cover band. So I started my own punk blues Beatles jam band and lived happily ever after.

Another great episode gentlemen as always

I think one of the main things of starting a band is having a rehearsal space...that can be tricky depending on money, living situations, available places to rent. If you have the space that makes it much easier to lead a band.

After 40 years in the biz I believe the salient question is "why"🤣🤣🎸

I was really blessed hooking up with some pretty cool cats to form a band for a bit. We were able to run an open mic at a local tavern - paid live practice twice a month and even better, we met some unbelievable musicians!! One dude went on to come in first place at the Nation Finger Picking Championship a few years later....thanks Craigslist!!! Anyway, to your point, I was probably the least experienced guy on stage in many occasions, but playing with musicians way beyond my capabilities at the time was beyond valuable. And the fact they were all so cool to be around made it an incredible experience. Thanks Jim, Craig, Roberto, Roger, Marty, Jack, Bill, Sean, Frank...the list goes on, and most importantly the owners of the establishment - Paul and Robyn!!!