I’ve been asked several times by fans what advice I would give to a new aspiring band. After reminding them I’m borderline insane when it comes to my outlook on the music industry, I usually do my best to answer the question.
This time I decided to start posting my responses for everyone to read so next time I get asked I can refer them here. The short version of the question:
I was wondering if there was any advice you were able to offer regarding the early stages of band stuff? I know that’s pretty broad, but any tidbits of information and/or links to reading material on the subject would be perfect.
The fan in question was under 18 so my advice will skew that way. Your mileage may vary.
Congrats on getting a band together. At this stage I would say the most important thing to do is improve your skills, musicianship, and songwriting. The reality is that bands come and go, and it takes a lot of experimentation and personal development to get things right.
The first band I was ever in I had never played drums and I sucked for years. It’s important to expose yourself to lots of different types of players, styles, and attractive women who will ruin you and inspire good songs.
That aside, when you think you’re pretty serious about starting a band here are some important considerations:
Find a good group of musicians
This would seem like common sense, but too often I see bands “settle” at one position or another. It will also depend on what genre of music you want to play, but in general if everyone can identify the weakest player in the band then they’re no good. Think of all the successful acts you want to emulate, and try to pick out who sucks. Usually you can’t and that’s an important observation. Even if the material isn’t always demanding, it starts with good musicianship.
Nearly equally important is attitude and chemistry. If you have an ace guitar player who acts like Jack Black’s character in the beginning of School of Rock (i.e., a royal jackass) then he or she will be a cancer upon your band. Don’t tolerate anyone who disrupts the natural balance between band members or is otherwise a pain in the ass. Every element of the band is important, and if it’s not, then why is it in there at all? It’s important to like each other and generally enjoy the same social activities. Otherwise, the long stretches of bored togetherness on the road will quickly turn hostile and unpleasant.
Establish a common set of goals
Again, this seems like more common sense but there are tons of bands where some members are half-hearted and it drags them down. Figure out exactly what you want to do and make sure every single person is on board. Is the band playing covers or originals? Is the band just for fun or is it a real calling? Generally everyone will have that bullshit sentiment of “oh yeah if the band blows up I’ll be a millionaire and it’ll be cool” so be cognizant of that.
If it’s really supposed to be a serious thing, everyone needs to be prepared to treat it like a full-time job and make sacrifices in every other area of their lives – that includes tough life decisions like forgoing school, not raising a family, and selecting a common beer everyone in the band will drink. If that commitment isn’t there, you’ll always run into strife within the band as the more serious members work hard and resent the lazy moochers.
Lay the ground rules
This is pretty simple really and applies mostly to serious bands. Laying ground rules sets a clear expectation for each member about what behavior is and isn’t acceptable. Anyone who has trouble following the ground rules at the outset will only be worse to deal with if the band experiences any measure of success. Some suggested ground rules:
1) No drugs.
It seems anti-rock-n-roll but it keeps people dependable and on the level. Do you really want a bass player with a coke habit running the merch table with a box full of cash? Some light recreational use of drugs during personal time may be acceptable, but keep it out of shows, practices, etc.
2) Establish standard recurring practices.
Make everyone commit to it. Don’t settle for “well I’m not busy on this day next week so let’s try for that.”
3) Keep girlfriends and boyfriends out of the process.
It always leads to trouble when they’re involved, especially creatively. If they want to come support at shows or help out in other ways (art, promotion, etc.) that’s especially cool of them. They can often be very helpful people. Talking to your own girlfriend and asking her opinion isn’t a big deal. They might even have rad ideas that you can pass along if you think they’re merited.
But when they’re directly involved in band meetings or creative decisions it quickly becomes a messy conflict of interest with lots of hurt feelings. In fact, I’m probably getting a nasty email from everyone’s girlfriend in the band as we speak just for writing this. It’s not personal, but where the band is concerned there are two groups of people – those in the band itself, and everyone else.
The same can be said of family or other friends but I find this situation to come up mostly with significant others. For a direct example, just watch Spinal Tap. The governing rule here is treat the band as a unit with all decision making power and don’t give a damn about what anyone else says unless the band – as a unit – chooses to.
Don’t announce anything prematurely
If you’re just getting together a band and won’t have recorded music for at least six months, don’t bother telling everyone now. Or at least not in anything other than a casual sense. You’ll have one initial wave of interest when you’re ready to announce your big plans.
Make sure you’re equipped to handle it.
Persevere
Again, this only really applies for more serious bands. You will not be good right off the bat. It takes tons of inglorious practice and introspection to be good.
In the ’90s any good looking guys who could play a few power chords were given a recording contract and put on MTV, where they became Justin’s favorite bands. That’s not good enough anymore because no one’s paying attention. You have to be better than you had to ten years ago. Be prepared to work for this. The other 99.9% of people who want the same thing will eventually give up.
You have to keep going AND be great.
Closing
Since you’re too young to drive or get into a lot of clubs yet and properly tour, the best thing you can do is experiment and find your identity as a musician and a songwriter.
Familiarize yourself with the recording process by actually doing it with a professional. Learn about production. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times.
Lastly, do what comes naturally and don’t take any of this as gospel. There are innumerable strategies and some work for brilliantly for part of the population but fail miserably for others. The best that I’m hoping to do is help you focus your time and attention while avoiding some of the common pitfalls.
Good luck!
