Where to find local musicians these days?

[_tom_]

Really fancy getting back into gigging, kinda given up on the original band idea for now as it's too hard to get everyone on the same page and committed, so kinda fancy a fun cover band so long as it's not the usual coverband shite (mustang sally, summer of 69, oasis songs etc)! Just having a hard time finding musicians. I've tried JoinMyBand but doesn't seem to be much luck on there. Thinking most people use facebook these days so I'll have a look for local groups but any other suggestions? The music scene is kinda dead round here now with another live venue closing so I'm struggling!

[38thBeatle]

Makes me realise how lucky I am to be in a band that has been going solidly for 11 years with a good following though we do occasionally play Summer of 69. I do have to put up with some stuff I dislike but the way I see it, it is preferable to not gigging. Good luck with the search Tom. Are there open mic nights  or jam nights where you live? I've known musos hook up after meeting at them and forming bands as a result. Of course if the local scene is poor then prospects are not good. Best of luck-I know that you can play well, I've heard your demos over the years.

[Nadz1lla]

See if there are any local Jam Nights in your area, also check advert boards at your local music shops. If you want to find something online, JoinMyBand is one I used like you, but also try BandMix and, like you say, have a gander on Facebook for local groups of musicians etc.

I started going to a new Jam Night last year and have met so many great and like-minded musicians, it's a brilliant way to meet people but also see what kind of musical ability they have in a live situation before proposing forming a band. :)

[CommonCourtesy]

NEVER EVER use Joinmyband! I tried it about 4 years ago when looking for members for a new lineup, and the majority if not all the users on there are timewasters! Cos its free anyone can use it including ones who aren't serious and most of the time 14 year old kids.

I'm also looking at forming a cover band so will be looking on places like Gumtree (can be hit and miss too with flaky/weirdo/timewaster types). Facebook is good if you can get on a local musicians page or something. Post what you're after and people will know people.

I was lucky as two of the guys in my originals band I met at an institute whilst studying guitar. The guitarist was in an old band with me and followed me into this new lineup. The other guys I found on gumtree. Bandmix is ok, if you're a paying member cos then they tend to be more serious. Jam nights are also a good idea as you get to see them play as well!

[_tom_]

Mr 38th, in my very old cover band I had that opinion to start with but it quickly became stale and I actually loathed the gigs after a while. Everyone else in the band felt like you (ie it's better to be gigging than not) so I guess I'm just weird in that respect. I want to gig but I need to enjoy playing the songs as well! I reckon there's enough cover bands playing the usual stuff out there, I think people of my age might enjoy more modern set lists with modern "classics" like the foos, RATM, blink, Arctic Monkeys etc but I could be wrong.

I think all the local jam nights have come to an end with the closure of the venues but I'll have another look. Yeah I've only actually met and jammed with one group of guys from joinmyband who were awesome but as with all original stuff it ended up fizzling out. Everyone else has been a time waster so far!

[Nadz1lla]

Most of the struggle is getting the initial momentum up very early on when you get into a room with new / potential bandmates. I feel your pain!

[bucketshred]

Yo! Jam nights in your area at the Ex-Servicemans in Corby (opposite Corby Kawasaki, near Asda) and the Zombie Hut isn't closing... it is re-opening as 'The Hut' but they're doing a shite job of marketing it (obvz! as you, a local, wasn't privy to this).

[_tom_]

Funnily enough since posting this I've actually managed to find a decent like minded band on join my band! Only had a few practices so very much in the early stages but it's going well so far. Everyone in the band has been in cover bands before and is also sick of all the same boring songs, it was pretty much established straight away that none of us wanted to play summer of 69 or anything resembling oasis so I think I could be onto a winner here if it keeps going :D

[Nadz1lla]

Congrats dude! Fingers crossed it all works out. :)

[AndyR]

Oh, nice one, Tom :)

Hope it works out - have fun anyway.

[38thBeatle]

Best of luck Tom.

[gwEm]

Great Tom! Have fun with the new band 

[Telerocker]

Keep them rocking Tom!

[JJretroTONEGOD]

good luck tom! I gave up playing guitar in bands because of the cr@p that goes with it, I know exactly how you feel, hope it works out for you.

[Dave Sloven]

Most cities have a local musicians page on Facebook.

Here in Adelaide finding a committed and competent drummer or vocalist can be a real pain.

Guitarists are a dime-a-dozen, because they are usually pretty serious about their instrument and have invested a lot in it.  Bassists are common too, although many of them are guitarists looking for a gig.

I'm at the point of getting rid of a second guitarist.  I decided that we are just butting heads too much and hence not getting any cohesive songwriting done.  This kind of thing often happens when you have two or more guitarists