DANGER: Starting a Rock Band Can Be HAZARDOUS to Your Health!

But If You Feel You MUST Rock, Here's How to Start a Band.

I feel it is my duty to warn you fledging musicians that starting a band can be hazardous to your health and welfare. If you play in a band, there are many venereal diseases waiting for you, you'll probably go deaf, there are many shady characters that will try to make you do all sorts of drugs, and you'll probably die naked in a flop house...

If that doesn't stop you from wanting into the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of bandom, then here's my advice for starting a band...

To start off... it is actually easier to JOIN a band than it is to start one. If you are a drummer or a bass player you will be in high demand (especially if you are good). Starting a band from scratch is never easy - you've gotta find people that can play, have equipment, and most importantly - that SHARE YOUR VISION of what this new band will be all about. A band is like a 5-way marriage (or 4 or 3), and these days it's hard enough for a 2-way marriage to last, just imagine what it's like when you've got 4 or 5 egos/personalities involved... Anyways, the best way to find other musicians to play with (if you don't already know any) is...

Look in the local music rags - Most local music magazines have a classified ad section for musicians and bands. Sometimes, they even let you post an ad for FREE if you are a musician looking for a band. This is how I got my start in bands, I placed an ad in the local rag saying something like "Bass player looking for cool punk band into Motorhead, blah blah blah" or something like that. (I started out as a bass player just cause they are in high demand). I got plenty of calls from bands, and finally (after checking out 5-6 bands) I found one that I liked... and of course there are tons of internet classifieds like Craig's List where placing a musician ad is always free.

When placing an ad, be sure to include what kind of music you want to play, and some bands you like. Or you can see what bands are looking for new members. After I joined my first band, I met scores of fine musicians from playing shows - some of them I formed bands with years later. I never had to place an ad again!