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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Permalink Advice on forming a band?

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hey i have lurked here for a couple years and found a ton of useful information. Im getting to the point where I would like to start a band, but dont know where to start. I know exactly 0 musicians in my area that are into surf music. Im 30, I've played bluegrass and metal most of my life. What steps did you take in order to get a band going?

First off, where are you?

Jeff(bigtikidude)

If your vision of the band is clear, record and release a single by yourself to start the brand. Hire a drummer from fiver if you can’t find a local. Live drums are a cornerstone of surf unless you are consciously doing a purposefully electronic vibe. Build it. Promote it by getting the website/IG/CDbaby/Bandcamp/YouTube/FBpage going. Rinse repeat. They will come. Each position will be filled magically in a circuitous fashion.

If you are seeking a true equal band of like minds from the start and want to develop a group sound over time based on the chemistry of playing together, you will need to spend time networking. This is an imprecise science. It can take years....or a day.

Having done it both ways, I’d say it all depends on how much you are willing to be and/or have the disposition to be the leader.

Squid From Madrid - New Single on Bandcamp
MB Website

Last edited: Jun 25, 2020 14:36:10

Do you know any musicians at all? that is a big plus ..the other guys in my band were players in various bands over the years that I knew and liked already ..they had never really thought about playing surf but were willing to give it a try .
It may be easier to convert the right person than to search for 'the perfect bandmate' . IMO the perfect bandmate is one with no drama , who is reliable and willing to give it a shot .
Be ready to lead because musicians need some clues and feedback ..some one to say 'OK we are gonna play song X and work on the middle 8 until we get it right then do the whole thing from the top ' .
If there are bands that appeal to you locally go see them and ask around to see if anyone else wants to form a band . Look on craigslist or whatever online method you want for musicians wanted /trying to form band listings .
When I was younger I moved cross country to find a bigger pool of musicians in hope of starting or joining a band ..didnt know anyone in CA but I figured it out and had a band going within a year and a half . you have to open and talk to people at shows or where ever .
It is good to record some demos if possible ..something you can play for someone to show them what you want to do .

Jazzmasterdude wrote:

hey i have lurked here for a couple years and found a ton of useful information. Im getting to the point where I would like to start a band, but dont know where to start. I know exactly 0 musicians in my area that are into surf music. Im 30, I've played bluegrass and metal most of my life. What steps did you take in order to get a band going?

get them into surf) that how they got me playing surf after thrash metal)

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

New Single is out!

https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single

Waikiki Makaki

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

I met my drummer at a hookah bar and we started playing together. Then we put an ad on craig’s list for a bass player. Boom three piece. We may out an ad our for a sax player once we get tight

You know zero musicians, so go and meet some musicians. Go to some shows, talk to people, find a Facebook page for musicians in your area (or start a Facebook page for musicians in your area). Ads in music shops are traditional, ads in coffee shops, bars, street corners.

You really have to put yourself out there to find people.

A tip is to avoid people who want to jam. Stay focussed, and tell prospective musicians you're playing this type of music and this kind of sound. It's save a whole bunch of wasted time with people that just want to show off their gear and noodle over blues chords.

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

Be prepared to get with players that are ‘up for anything’. That will make your pool much larger than Solely searching for Surf guys. If you have a plan, motivation, and some leadership skills, that will help a ton, also. A lot of musicians are kind along for the ride. If they see someone is capable of pushing a project past the practice space, they will be more inclined to join.

Guitarist for Black Valley Moon & Down By Law

My current drums player is from punk band and bass player from folk rock)

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

New Single is out!

https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single

Waikiki Makaki

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

I've found that organising a band (any band, not just a surf band) is a delicate blend of the best and worst of the relationships of friends, family and work colleagues.

Like work colleagues you have to co-operate to make it work, and put differences aside. Like family these are the people you have and you have to get along somehow, and friends? Well you have to be friends on some kind of level. So its the best and the worst of that.

Reading it, it seems a bit negative - so celebrating with work colleagues about a good gig well done, the closeness of family and knowing someone very well indeed(!), and the best of time that comes with good friends.

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

1) Connect with someone who shares your vision, or at least buys in. Two people starting a band is much easier than one.
2) Get a drummer!!! Marry one, steal one, whatever it takes. Reverb Galaxy (my old band) went through four in five years... Big Grin

Surfcat

2023 SG101 Compilation - Tribute to Noel
The Journey Home - Agent Octopus (Our SG101 Comp download)

From Atlantis with Love - Released - July 2023
Agent Octopus-Spotify
Christmas on the Beach - NEW SINGLE Dec 2023!!
Reverb Galaxy - Angle of Attack CD - BANDCAMP

Surf, the most dangerous of all musical genres...

Last edited: Jul 03, 2020 13:58:07

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