I just had a strange audition yesterday. A music publisher on Music Row here in Nashville called me to come in and audition. They are wanting to form a 'staff demo studio band' to track 8 tunes a day, 3 days a week. They said they've been going through drummers and have yet to find the one they want.
To accommodate them, I went down to audition an hour after the phone call; only needed my stickbag.
The audition: they had me play a "rock groove" and "something in 6/8". Then they had me play to two different "radio" tunes I've never heard. No charts, no listening to the tune before I started playing. I nailed the tunes, anticipated the form, etc. Even played the exact same grooves (immediately) as the recordings. My parts felt and sounded (to me) tightand covered up the original drum parts in the mix. Only thing I missed was a 2/4 bar on the first tune ... which no one would have known unless they heard the tune beforehand or had a chart. After that the producer asked me to "solo", commenting that he knew that I probably hadn't been asked to that very often. So I blew through some chops, focusing more on groove solo than over-the-top pyrotechnics.
They asked me a few basic questions; asked if I had a day-job to which I obviously said 'no'.
That was it. I was in and out of there in 15 minutes.
For someone not being able to "find a drummer" they sure didn't ask much from me in the audition. I have a feeling that they really don't know what they want ... or ... they have something specific that they want but have no intention in communicating that to the drummer.
Tis a shame actually. Taking direction and being able to deliver is a major criteria for a studio musician. It could be that they want to crank these songs out giving no direction at all ... which makes sense when handling demos ... and tracking 8 tunes a day.
One of the strangest auditions I've ever experienced. If they call me, I'll be totally surprised; shocked and amazed.
