Joining an established band....?

[bigsbybender]

Hey, I'm looking for thoughts, anecdotes and some opinions about joining an established band.

I've been offered a role in a band that has been around for 6 or 7 years, while they themselves aren't famous or hugely successful, they do gig regularly and have served as opening act for some top selling acts.

I've been in several bands but was always there when the band was started so I was part of establishing the dynamic. This would be me stepping in for a guy that helped found this band but health issues have forced him to quit....


The only similar situations I've had is where I filled in gigs for people here and there, but with no intent on replacing that person...
I have also been in bands that strangers were put together for a certain event (such as a rockabilly band for a 50's themed theatre show)...strictly professional and the parts were written for us, so there was no stepping on toes.

So would anyone care to share their experiences, positive or negative in this situation.


THanks,

j

[PRR]

> me stepping in for a guy that helped found this band but...

Does he know you? Does he think you can fill his shoes?

Does the band know you? Do they think you can fill his shoes?

Do you know the band, both from in-front and back-stage? Can you work with them?

Do you need this gig?

Do they need you because they need gigs they can't fill short-handed?

How is your ego? Headstrong? Fragile?

I'm sure you know the answers, but asking us without saying these things is just going to attract many off-point (but fun!) replies.

Obviously, if you are just some stranger who walked by when the vacancy opened, the future is very unclear; OTOH if you and he and they all know each other well and all honestly feel you could work out, the Consensus Of Experts is that it probably can.

If you DON'T need the job, that's perhaps "better". Working because "you must" always colors the relationship. Being able to say "shove it!" frees you from taking crap, and often seems to work-out better in terms of a healthy relationship.

If they don't -need- gigs, there is a good chance that the loss of a core member spirals into band break-up.

But working musicians rarely quit gigging. A break-up may re-form with some old and some new players; maybe you unless you annoy ALL the old members.

Obviously you will be the New Guy, the Fill-In, the Odd Man, for the next 7 years. You have not shared the history, the hard-times, the in-jokes. In new bands and in pickup bands, that don't matter. In a crew which has hung together 7 years, it does.

[G._Hoffman]

My only question is; do they want you to be the guy you are replacing, or do they want you to be you?

Answering that would be my first step.  If they want you to be the other guy, don't do it.  If they want you to be you, start thinking about other questions.


Gabriel

[rafe]

  Ronnie Woods did OK

[tubesornothing]

I am just going to do the same thing.  I have given up asking people anything except the rough idea.  What people say and what they do is often very different.  It's like dating.  Go for a jam or two, see how you feel - no commitments.  Let your role in the band grow organically with you and them.

Be very watchful of what people say, and watch their behaviors - this will give you clues to if big egos are involved or there are other motives other than the ones being stated.  Decide what you can live with.

You have the right to bail anytime.  Its your life.

[nastyoldtech]

I've done it a couple of times. My experiences have been less than spectacular. In both situations they wanted me to be the guy that left. Annoying singers that don't play instruments, "Stop, stop, stop... Something doesn't sound right???". "Here, listen to the CD. You hear how he pulled up that note right there?". Or your tone is not exactly like the guy who left. Either your too loud or too distorted or too much bass or too much treble, not enough delay, don't have the right haircut... etc. etc. etc..

I think if it's a band that's just started out and they lost a guy, or if it's a band that has a big following ($$$, Chicks) go for it. Maybe they are super hip and they want some new blood, new tones? That would work in my book too. But if it was an ad in the paper I would have already turned the page. Sorry I'll shut up.

[Dynaflow]

 I think the other guys covered it pretty well. If they'll let you do your thing and give you latitude to be who you are and play what you feel then its probably all good. Depends on the ego's in the band. I'm on the other side of that, I was the old guy who got sick and was replaced. Did the band carry on? Yeah, are they successful? No more than when we were together, but thats because they're content with playing biker runs and refuse to get management that might get them somewhere (that was always my biggest complaint and one I pushed for, but they didn't want to hear it). I have some hard feeling because of the way it was handled but I'm still friends with the lead singer, the other guitar player thought he was GOD and I got tired of his primedonna attitude, "What turn it down?" Ok I just won't play and I'll mope in the club all night and hide in the bathroom. No matter that he was drowning out the rest of the band who in turn turned it up to try and be heard etc etc etc.  I loved playing out, but I'll tell ya, its a pain in the ass when someone starts thinking they're a star and are trying to get to the 'NEXT level' whatever the hell that is for some weekend warriors. Good luck man.


Regards,

Dyna

[Ritchie200]

I was asked to join several established bands too.  I could tell if it would work out after the first practice or the first gig.  The first gig is especially telling.  See how they react to the unexpected stuff.  Also the pressure and sometimes less than ideal playing and house sound tends to bring out the WORST in the ego department.  The cover bands are usually better than the I'm-gonna-be-somebody-someday original bands.  If I was you, I'd check it out.  It might be great fun with some good guys/gals!  If not, you can walk.

The question I have is, why would they want someone with a make believe wang bar on his guitar?

Jim

[DummyLoad]

if you like to play, and they seem cool, what have you got to lose? other than a little time.   

[bigsbybender]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I've worked with everyone in this band on the Pro-Audio end of the business within the last few years except the current lead singer. So far everyone seems grounded...so this is looking positive. The other guitarist wants to handle the "lead" work, which is fine for me. People move to the groove, not the leads.
 Everyone has been at this for a while so I think most of the excessive egomania was tamped down a while ago. I'm giving it a go, we'll see what happens. 


Thanks again,

j.