By T. Perry Bowers
I’m fifty-three, and I never really stopped being in a band. I’ve taken some hiatuses. I’ve stopped gigging and focused on recording. But I’ve always had band practice at least once a week since I was eighteen. That’s a lot of band practices for a hobbyist, but it’s nothing compared to a professional.
Often, touring bands come through my rehearsal facility, and we help them get set up for a few days to rehearse before they head out on the road. I’ve seen bands rehearse from ten in the morning to midnight for five days in a row. And they were tighter than any band in my studio when they walked in the door. By the time these guys leave, they’re a well-oiled machine. They aren’t thinking about the notes; they’re just performing and emoting.
It can be daunting to think of the vast difference between a professional band and a hobby band, especially if you’ve never had a band or you’ve caught the rock-and-roll bug once again in your forties, fifties, or even sixties. You may never be as tight as those pros, but you can still impress your friends and family—and potentially gain a local following—if you do a few key things.
How Do I Find Band Members?
More than likely, you’ve got a buddy or two who play instruments. You were probably sitting in the backyard, having a few beers, when one of you said, We should start a band! The next day, the excitement wore off for your buddy, but you woke up with a burning desire to make it a reality.
The first thing you’ve got to do is get your buddy back on board. Call him. Tell him you want to meet this week and work out a few ideas. Don’t get ahead of yourself here. He may not be your guy. That’s okay—this is just the first step, and you’ll learn a lot from it.
If he works out, great. You’ve got a partner. In a band, you’ll need a partner. He or she might not do much outside of showing up to practice and gigs, but if you’re lucky, they’ll be your advocate. They’ll encourage you and be there for you. That’s all you need—just one more person to get on board. If they flake out, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board.
I still recommend starting with someone from your circle. It can be good to begin with people you have history with, but if you’ve got no one in your contacts, you’re going to have to take the search online.
I’d start with Facebook. In the Twin Cities, we have tons of groups dedicated to finding like-minded creative souls. Groups like Minneapolis Music Scene, Minneapolis Live Music Scene, and Twin Cities Amateur Musicians exist. They’re out there, but you might have to vet a lot of folks.
The first step is writing an ad for your project. Here’s an example:
I’m an electric guitarist/singer. I have about five original songs and am looking to form a band around my music. I’m seeking a drummer, a bassist, and possibly a lead guitarist. My songs are hard rock with a tinge of grunge, though I enjoy a good acoustic ballad from time to time. I have my own quality gear; you should, too. Ideally, you can play and sing. My goal is to put a set together and start gigging within six months. Here’s a sampling of my songs.
Attach a short video with clips of your five songs, each about thirty seconds long. Make it look and sound as polished as possible. If you have recording or video gear, use it. Set up a nice background. Dress how you’d like to appear onstage. Sing and play your heart out. Add text to display the lyrics on the screen if you can. Put effort into this—it’s your first impression, and you only get one.
Post it, and see what comes back. You might feel discouraged at first—the music game attracts all sorts of characters. Your potential bandmates should have a calm confidence. They should look cool, play cool, and have just enough bravado to command attention onstage, but most of their appeal should come from their playing.
Let’s Talk About Image
If you’re good-looking, in good shape, and know how to dress, your band doesn’t necessarily need to be filled with supermodels—just decent players with a reasonable sense of style. One charismatic, attractive front person can carry a band. But let’s say you’re average, like most people. If that’s the case, you’ll need to develop an image or persona for the band. This takes time, but as you’re enlisting members, envision a cohesive look for the group.
Ask yourself: Can you create an interesting look with these folks without too much effort? Most people won’t appreciate being told they dress frumpy, but if style is lacking, you’ll need to address it—and it’s easier to have that conversation before they join the band rather than after.
Musicianship Matters
Musicianship is key. Prioritize natural, organic ability over shredding and flashy fills. If someone has both, that’s great, but smooth, solid playing beats busy, frenetic playing every time. Think of their playing as a reflection of their personality. Erratic playing often means erratic behavior. I’ll take smooth groove any day.
The Social Circle Challenge
Starting a band in your teens and twenties isn’t that different from starting one in your forties and beyond. The biggest difference is your social circle. After marriage, divorce, and kids, your social reach may be more limited. That’s okay—just be prepared to weed through a few yahoos to find the right fit.
Rehearsal Space
You’ll need a rehearsal space. If you’re lucky enough to have a house or barn in the sticks where noise isn’t an issue, great. If you live in the city, find a clean, safe lockout space. My facility, Taylor Sound in Minneapolis, MN, offers monthly, daily, and hourly options. Invest in a good space, and get to it as much as you can. Give your bandmates access, even if they’re not paying rent. The more they play, the better your band will be.
Financial Realities
Speaking of money: You’re paying for everything. Gone are the days of all for one and one for all. It’s not that you can’t ask your bandmates to chip in, but face the reality that you’re on the hook. You pay the landlord. You book the gigs. You make sure the band shows up on time. You cover the studio fees. And you smile while doing it. This is your band. Take responsibility and do it well. You’re over forty now. Grow up.
The upside? You get to pay yourself back first before anyone else makes a dime. Let’s be honest: Unless you’re a working cover band performing every weekend, you’re not making money. (By the way, this advice applies to cover bands too.)
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
Rehearse as a band as much as possible, but don’t let an absent member stop you. Practice as a duo or trio if necessary. Find ways to stay productive no matter who shows up. At this age, people have other lives. Work with it.
That said, you’re allowed to have expectations. If someone’s frequently absent or not contributing, have a conversation. If necessary, replace them—but weigh the cost of filling their spot. The grass isn’t always greener. Unless you’re paying everyone hourly, remember that they’re volunteering their time for your dream.
Conclusion
Starting a band isn’t rocket science, but starting one later in life has its nuances. The dream of becoming a huge rock star might be behind you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play music, entertain your friends and family, and build a local following. It’s doable.
Just do the work. Be consistent. Be confident. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Grow. Repeat.
