Build Your Own Clone Message Board

I started practicing with some other guys who have been together for about 2 years. The bass player is an old high school friend of mine, and he formed the band with the drummer/singer and lead guitarist, who I just met. They do classic rock: Beatles, Zeppelin, Stray Cats, etc, with a couple of more modern songs thrown in. The only problem is that I don't really feel like playing this stuff. I'd rather be playing heavier and more modern music. And when it comes right down to it, I'd rather not be playing cover songs, I'd rather be writing and experimenting, playing original music.

The thing is, it has been great practice for me. It's forcing me to learn new chords, and practice those damn barre chords that I hate so much. It's also forcing me to learn entire songs from begining to end, as opposed to just noodling around in my bedroom. So there are positives to playing in this band.

I just took a look at cragslist (as I have many times over the last year or so) to see if any other musicians are looking to do something similar to me - jam, maybe do some covers, but ultimately write originals. I'm also hoping to find people with similar musical influences, but I've realized that I need to be very flexible in this department. Nothing, except for a guy who is 15 years younger than me - I might shoot him an email, not sure... Maybe I should post my own ad.

Another practice is coming up this Friday, and I am starting to dread it. I haven't prepared, I haven't practiced Stray Cat Strut or ZZ Top's Tush or Back in the USSR, etc, etc, because those songs bore the crap out of me. What should I do? Tell the guys to forget it? Or should I push myeslf forward, because it really does improve my playing? Should I look for other more like-minded musicians, or stick with the geezer rock for now?

Ive been there, more or less. The only thing I would say is to understand that this band has their own interests that might not align with yours, but that right now it is great experience. You wont change them, so dont try. I dont see why you cant either stick it out and learn some things or just tell the band that its not something you want to do. Meanwhile, keep looking for more like-minded musicians.

Well, to repeat what's already been said, I guess you have two choices with the current band - one being to talk to them and see if they might be willing to come around a bit to your side of the table, or the other being to wish them the best and move on. Hanging on might work out for you if you are willing to do it just for the practice, but it doesn't sound like that will last long if you are this dissatisfied with it already.

And always keep looking for like-minded musicians. They are hard to find, so start hunting now and don't expect quick results! Jam around with as many people as you can, talk to people, go to shows and introduce yourself, whatever. Craigslist can work, but it depends on your community and what elements of it use Craigslist. Here in Pittsburgh, for example, Craigslist is great if you want to hook up with a metal band, but otherwise you'll have to look elsewhere.

Yeah, I don't think I would try to change the guys I'm currently playing with - I'm the new guy in the band, and they appear to be having fun doing what they're doing.

And maybe it would be more fair to them if I just checked out now. Currently, they don't play out, just an occasional party now and then, but they would like to play out eventually. Probably better to cut out now, and let them start looking for someone else.

Thanks for the tip on bandmix.com, Jason! Looks interesting, much more promising than what I see on craigslist around here (yeah, rnagoda, mostly metal, lol..).

If you're not having fun then move on. Music should be about having fun anyway. It shouldn't be a stretch to find different musicians to work with unless you have really out there standards and interests.

Maybe even just write on your own?

I'm only interested in playing with a small handful of people and I write on my own when I'm not writing for the group.

Exactly - I'm not having fun.

I have written a couple of songs, and recorded them at a friends house. Lost touch with him (long story).. but I'd love to have the ability to record at home, just really low fi & simple, for writing purposes. How do you "write", kslight? Do you actually write stuff down on paper, or do you record your ideas during the writing process?

If you are not having fun, you are really just wasting your time, and theirs. I would urge you to talk to them about why it's not fun for you, and see where their heads are, in regards to what you are interested in playing. If thre isn't some common ground, wish them well, and DON'T burn any bridges, that never ends well for anyone. You never know, there might be some interest, though.

the kind of music you want to write, are there any cd stores that cater to that style? stick flyer up there, or little independent guitar stores. or even outside venues that put on bands that play your kind of music.

I find a DAW is a very useful writing tool, for structuring and arranging, as well as obviously recording. I pick up my instrument, find a sound, find a riff...record. It's easy enough to make a loop and cut and paste into an arrangement. Add other instruments. Write words.
I seriously went through a phase a few years ago where it was song a day, and I'd finish a song every day. Maybe not always the best song, or a really finalized songs, but a start to finish piece. I'm just going through some of that stuff now..I have 57 songs like that. I also went through a period with my drummer where we did the same thing, over email because he lives 200 miles away. He'd lay out beats and simple guitar loops and I'd play keys and or guitar over it, send it back. We have about 35 songs like that...

I guess it depends on how tech savvy you are and what works for you? Maybe a Portastudio would work for you if you don't want to use a computer to write?

i do that too, i have about a dozen partially completed songs...i allways get stuck, and while looking for the next riff, i stumble across a riff for a completely new song...

it annoys the hell out of me.

I have no input on playing with other musicians, as the only playing I ever did in any 'band' setting was always with friends, most of whom were learning as they went like i was. I just wanted to post to object to referring to ZZ Top and The Stray Cats as 'geezer rock'.

Sorry, tonedeaf.. I should have said "classic rock". Sounds less geezerly that way, doesn't it?

Anyway... I think my wife has convinced me to stick with the.. um.. classic rock cover band (lol).. She said "but it looked like you were having such fun!".. and like I said in my OP, it has been great practice. I'll try to talk to them, maybe we can do away with one or two of the songs I hate, and replace them with something slightly more modern. After all, they have been asking what songs I'd like to play, which is awfully nice of them. They really like having me, keep telling me how nice it is to have a decent rhythm player, etc.

I think I'll still persue a little home recording setup though. And maybe I'll still keep my eye out for other musicians, post on bandmix, etc.

Thanks for all the useful tips and advice guys!

hey, as cool as they are, zz top is now music for 55 year old CPA's with harleys and shiny new leathers...the 25 year old stoners had to grow up sometime...

I say quit. It will be better for you both in the long run. If you're that unhappy and they start to get serious, it'll eventually run toxic. Go build you own clone (sorry for the pun), or DAW it up, and start your own empire.

Great advice, crbmoa. I'm gonna try to look on the bright side, and use it all as a learning experience. I've already learned so much just by forcing myself to learn these songs. Without being in a band, I'd never have any reason to really progress. And by forcing myself, I've discovered that I don't really hate some of these songs as much as I thought I did. For example, I've been pushing myself to learn Back in the USSR, which is a song I've never really cared for. However, playing it is proving to be a lot more fun for me than just listening to it - which, let's face it, we've all done about 10,000 times. I don't really want to listen to the Beatles (except to learn the songs), but playing the Beatles can be fun!

Nothing wrong with being in two bands at the same time if you can manage
Thats what I do, One does classic rock and lots of gigging. The other does lots of originals and rarely gigs

Update: I've stuck with it, been practicing and learning lots, and I'm glad I did. It would have been too easy to quit, but instead, my playing is improving in leaps and bounds, and I'm getting some great experience. These guys aren't the best musicians in the world, but neither am I... and it's fun. We're playing a party this Saturday. My first "gig" of sorts, lol. Wish me luck.