DRUMMER CAFE

Hi Everyone,

This post is just a rant from a drummer that has been looking for a band for what must be about 6 weeks now. I left my last band because it just wasn't the music I wanted to play (function band 50's stuff uh!) and I imagined it wouldn't be that hard to find a decent band, how wrong was I?

Very very very very wrong!

It just seems that every band I look at is either a bunch of timewasters or not the stuff that I'm looking to play I.e. I could pull better songs out of my... actually I wont finish that sentence. I was told by one band that they would sort out a jam a week and a half ago and I heard nothing, until today when they say that they've found a drummer, thanks a lot.

I went to an audition the other day that was for a pretty cool band and they said that they had about 15 drummers to look at, so I thought I'd give it a shot, someone has to get it right? Well to cut a long story short, I was the only drummer who got to play without a bass player present which although isn't a disaster is a little unfair if you ask me, but hey what can you do.

Well if you read this post bless you, I just needed to put something down in writing in the hopes that the drum god will hear my plea and stop cursing me with all these fools and timewasters!

Peace out!!

Choosing a band is a real crapshoot sometimes.  If you really have something very specific in mind you might be better off to form your own band.  Find musicians you like and try to get something started.

What you're more likely to find is that you'll almost always have to compromise on some of your desires.  I've played in a lot of bands, and none of them was "perfect."  If the music is good the players are jerks, or the players are great guys, but can't play as well as I'd like, or the players have talent and personality, but don't want to play my kind of music.

What I've found is that I just like to play.  I want to be in a working band, and don't mind compromising on musical choices to get to play for an audience.  A nice side effect of doing that is that you get lots more chances to demonstrate your ability, lots of exposure to new and different music, and the chance to meet and work with new musicians, some of whom may help you find your perfect band.

For example, a restaurant owning friend of mine gave my card to a friend of his who's forming a bluse band.  It's not my normal cup of tea, but when the guy called to ask me to audition I went along to see what was happening.  A month later I'm in a band that's had one rehearsal and went to a studio Saturday and recorded a demo that landed us two dates at a respected club starting in about a month.  Best of all, the other players in the band seem like really nice guys, and are mostly jazz players who listen well and fit together pretty quickly.  Do I love all the songs we're going to play?  No.  But I've already learned some new songs that I enjoy, and am sure there will be more of that ilk.  And I'm going to be playing with excellent musicians, which is always good.

I've already told them that my big band is my priority, which is ok so far, and I'll continue to look for opportunities to play with combos.  For me, the more the merrier.

Good luck in your search.  Maybe the perfect band is just around the corner.

Exactly , the bands auditioning are in the same position without a drummer (unless they employ a drum machine Ha Ha.) My very first band didn't like me and after heaving me could not get their sh#t together and eventually disbanded. The lead singer of that band liked my playing and unexpectedly came to me and we formed another band. I guess I'm saying sell yourself anyway, even if you do not cut it for the band you audition for and keep a note of the guys you played with as has been said.You may be able to diplomatically encourage them to join your band??

I've always done better forming my own band.  maybe you should give it a try.  then you can do whatever you want!