OK I have been wanting to start a Metal band for 6 years now. I play guitar and do vocals. I was asked to try out for my friends' Thrash band as a bassist/back up vocalist. Well I did it. They said I was in. Then they kicked me out. They said "Dude we think you are going to turn it into a Death Metal thing and we don't want that." Of course that was never my intension. But I was kicked out and they found someone else. Then I saw them live and guess what they were playing...Death Metal. Of course since only two of their fans (myself being one of them) liked Death Metal they changed their style to a more friendly Metalcore style band.

Anyhow back to the topic. I am trying deperatly to find other musicians to be in a band but I have had no luck for the past three years. I am trying to start an Exhumed/Impaled/Engorged/Ghoul/Lord Gore/Frightmare/Blood Freak/Carcass/Impetigo sorta thing. Like Death Metal/Grind but with a thrashy influence with lots of catchiness to it. I had met a guitarist who liked those bands but could'nt play worth shit. His idea of making music was to play one sloppy riff each song and refused to have solos or anything above the 4th string and above the sixth fret. I met a drummer and whom could play and liked the same music. He was fast as hell and a great guy but he was going to university and working so he had virtually no time to play.

I don't want to just pick random friends and hand them the bass or guitar and teach them because I don't have time for that. I had put an add up two months ago about looking for some Death/Thrash/Grindcore musicians over the internet but go not a single reply.

It seems very odd to me because whenever there is a Death Metal/Grindcore/Thrash show in Toronto Canada (the place where I live) the place is packed..I mean I think there has to be at least two musicians in there.

So what should I do? I am buying all these guitars/basses and recording equiment but I have no one to play with...nor even jam with. It's sorta depressing since no one has even heard me play guitar and just automatically asumes "Oh he likes that Death stuff..I bet he can't play." I was thinking of posting adds in music stores as well.

So yeah is there any advice?

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move to minneapolis and we can start something

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put up an ad














































just not here.

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Where do you live?
First put up ads at your local guitar stores. Most bigger areas have a entertaintment type local paper that specializes in clubs and the music scene put a classified ad. do you have any rehearsal studios < hang out there put up yout ads.
Think about trying out for established bands which is sometimes easier sometimes not to get off the ground. dont get discouraged. Also put up flers at your school or on neighborhood lamposts. Hang out at the clubs , meet as many persons as you can . If you can and you live in smalltown move if practical
also if worse come to worse join an established band even if they dont do your type, get known you can always splinter away later. GET OUT THERE AND PLAY YOUNG MAN

Getting a band together is real hard work, keeping a band together is fucking hard work!
I've had real nightmares with keeping bands together, the stars have to aline in the sky and everything. If you find the right people it can be so easy, my friends band as a prime example, he found all the like minded musicians he wanted, they all got on, no one has stupid ego problems or nagging girlfriends and they all play their respective instruments really well! (Git! )

You could try advertising in local music and record shops.
Is there a local metal/rock bar or club you could put fliers up in or a web site you could post on?
Put an ad in a local news paper or music paper.
Any local bands looking for guitarists? You could always ask any local bands if they know of anyone looking to join a band.

Don't put your address on any ads, as you'll just be advertising where all your expensive gear is!
And be prepared to deal with hopeless freaks and talentless time wasters!

Good luck

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Too bad you aren't in Ottawa. I know a guy online up there that might have a connection or 2.

Go to whatever search engine you use and put in the town and what you're looking for and see if some free advertizers come up. I did that for a friend of mine and one site had a bunch of them.

Good luck! And by all means, get out there and play! Even if it's not quite what you want to do you'll get exposure.

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Get "How to find musicians for a band, for dummies!", DUH!!

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yeah thats about the size of your intellect DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHH always got to add a smart assed answer DUHHHHHHHHHH

Why thank you, thank you very much.

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I already put some adds up over the net like two months ago and not a single person even inquired about it like to see what it was all about.

I'll try hanging out in music stores more, ask around at shows and what not.

Oh I ment to ask is asking people at concerts a good idea?

My friend said I should just do a solo project to show people I can play and I am serious and if people like it and want to join let them.

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I would try asking people at concerts, why not? They will most likely have info on bands that may need you and they like the same music as you.

Now that I think about it, that's a great idea!

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If you're still in school ask some of the music teachers there.

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Hello fellow Canadian citizen..


Ok man, you live in the T Dot....there must be some local metal message boards or something of like where you can meet people to jam with...hell, even little N.S has a big local metal scene with site...MARITIME METAL!!!!

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I guess it could be taken as an advertisment, but i think its a really good question to ask, im sure every musician wanting a serious band has the same problem.

What about recording some solo work and trying to get that around your area?

If people can hear what you're made of its bound to capture attention.

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Damn...

I'd love to have a metal band as well. Where's there a big metal scene at? Cause that's where I'm moving to.

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i have put shit loads of adds all over the place, internet and otherwise, and nobody has ever replied to any of them.



you may have to do this, very rarely do you get extreme virtuoso's who absolutely love Exhumed/Impaled/Engorged/Ghoul/Lord Gore/Frightmare/Blood Freak/Carcass/Impetigo who aren't in a band, and are willing to join yours, having never heard you play. youll be extroadinarily lucky if you even find one, let alone convince him to try out, just so that you can make a fool of yourself and have him say "thanks, but no thanks"

choosing amatuer musicians who dont know their arse from their elbow is better than nothing, and you can have fun with that. even if its a racket, youll start getting something together. then you can slowly start upgrading your members. you have to be ruthless and mean to your friends for that, but you have to anyway.



there is your first mistake. you can pretty much guarante that there is a local groups who listen to metal, and that some of them play instrements. if you can play, play for as many people as you can. get the word around that your a good guitarist. that way, when you ask somebody "do you wanna join a band" they are more likely to say yes.



yes. i have just found a singer, but for a whole year i spent going around accosting people. anybody in the local metal night club. anybody sat at anyone of the tables in my local (metal pub, or as good as), anyone browsing through the metal section in HMV, anybody watching a band play. actually always ask any local band, because theyr'e bound to know people. bands always know other musicians, and they might even want to start a side project with you. i was also asking anybody who had long hair and or a beard.


your conversation should go like this
"hi! sorry, you have a beard, can you ______?" (drum/playbass/put gerbils in small places)
"no"---> "oh well do you know anybody who can?"
"yes"----> "do you wanna join a band?"

sorted. law of averages states that sooner or later somebody will say yes twice in a row.

or you could go the other way and hire session musicians

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Like I said before its sometimes easier to get into an established band than form one from scratch
The pros are the band has a song list . maybe gigs lined up ,their own following , etc
Cons you will have virtually no say in what songs you are going to play , so you have to be willing to play stuff that may not float your boat. But after you get established as a hot shot player you will have like minded cats seeking you out and trying to steal you away into their outfits.
So dont close off the idea of trying out for established bands. You will have to bring your A game to the tryout , Pro Chops , Equipment and "the Look"
But after a few bad experiences which if you think about it is learning to pay your dues.You will "get the Gig" and then your ready to metal up

Yeah I'll try and ask people at stores and shows and stuff. In fact Exhumed is coming here in two months...perhaps something will pick up.

Also on a good note. My friend said he knows this Death Thrash Grind drummer and he wants me to meet him. So perhaps we could hit it off.

I also might try to do a solo project just to show people I can play.

It's really hard for me to get people at school since there is this hot shot punk kid at school and he is known throughout the whole school as "The Best Guitarst." I went to a local music store and he was playing and showing off to his friends (of course he was only playing a few punk riffs and trying to amaz everyone at tapping) So I decided to plug in and play..Necrophagist Stabwound. Well after the first few sweeps the guy leaves the store with his friends and tells everyone at school how bad I am at guitar. So yeah now most people who have not heard me play just think "Eww he can't play. If "THE BEST GUITARST" says he can't play..it's gotta be true."


Whatever I keep looking. Hopfully I'll get something started. And if I do you guys will be the first to know. Thanks.

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haha casket, i've longed to have someone to jam with as well, very rare to hear of someone liking those bands in my area, just keep searching, eventaully you'll find a band

thats pretty fucking gay

You gotta keep on keepin on , In other words dont give up , screw that punk bastard , any guitarist that aint like transient , J/K seeing if your paying attention , hears another player will acknowledge the others skill and even want to jam with the other cat unless he is a dick bag.Fuck that weasel , you probably destroyed his ass.But seriously I will jam with any player any where no matter how good or bad what style. Of course its not always a great musical marriage but if you learn a riff from a blues player lets say that you can incorporate , what the heck rite.

As does Alberta with ALBERTA METAL!!!!

So Casket, you're still at school?
Im sure your school has those gay 'assembly' things where all the school goes into the gym once a week or something?
If so, maybe you could ask to have a shred on stage in front of the school? (i wouldnt really want to do it by myself)
Are there many musicians at your school, apart from the punk-cunt? Coz even if you get a drummer who can play really simple slow shit, you probably dont even need a bassist, but it would be better.
If you put on a show in front of your school you would get their respect, which would spread your name widely. Im sure that punk-cunt is talked about a lot from the musicians.
If you can just find a 3-piece, and shred something (maybe not metal) over a slow drum beat, it will still sound good. Something that really shows talent, and has sweeps, coz sweeps are fuckin impressive
That way you will have others on stage, so it wont be as nerve-racking. You can out-shred that faggot, and steal the label of 'best guitarist in school'.

I hope you're writing all this fuckin ipifiny down cunt!

Nah but seriously, just throwing you some ideas. And i hope it all works out for ya

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You should challenge this punk kid to a shred off in front of the whole school! Put his sorry ass in it's place!

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You'd think that the $400 cheques everyone's getting would make you strive to be more creative!

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what school do you go to casketcrusher?

Just go to metal gigs and meet people. This and other forums are also good ways to find people.. if you dont live in the desert.

Wexford C.I.

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LOL Yeah I really just want to shut that kid up.
Well my school is really gay and won't even let some kid play Billy Talent cause it sounds too violent. LOL So I think as soon as they hear me that would be like...."BEGONE!!!" LOL

Well there are musicians in the school but no one wants to play with me because of that stupid ass kid who told them all I suck. However some know that I am good but hate my music. Like they think it's impressive but that's about it. In fact the only metal musicians in the school are the band that I was kicked out of. LOL And they have not even heard me play guitar and never want to jam.

Perhaps one day when he has his guitar out and is goofing off I'll be like "Can I see that please." And play some insane Dying Fetus sweeps and what not. Then I'd give him back the guitar and be like "Nice guitar. I would never buy it though." LOL

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LOL

Even better with that metal band learn their shit try out for them and when they beg you to join them say nah you guys are fags

Ha Ha. Well they are actually really good. Their singer sucks though.

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If the singer sucks then the band sucks
we had that as a topic of a E war before.
Fuck them if they are dicks . You wouldnt want to play with them anyway ,and if the singer sucks the bands going nowhere fast anyway.

Yep, and they sound pretty much like they think their feces smells like roses. I doubt that. It's just a window to something better for you. No need to stoop to their level, but you can outshine them. It's going to take some work on your part to find others to play with, but you might find your niche with others from another school that's not too far away. Just concentrate on doing the best you can and if you have the opportunity to play somewhere do it. Your reputation will spread and sometime someone like-minded will grab you up or you'll grab them.

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i say put an ad in the paper, that usually works, or flyers around the city/town where you live, or ask around other bands for their friends who are musiciens

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thats pretty much what everyone said lol

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Actually they are really good. It's weird the vocalist can do a pretty good job live but when it comes to record he can't get the same feeling out.
Actually it's funny they play like Metalcore crap on record but play their songs in a more Death fasion live.


Whatever. Yeah I'll try and put some flyers around and meet new people.

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Just dont give up.Theres got to be a few dudes want to hook up and jam ,jam with as many cats as you can. dont lock yourself into just one thing. If you can jam with dudes that play different type of stuff , blues , classic rock , metal etc.

Just put up an mp3 and I will rock it. Seriously. What... don't have a way to record and make an mp3? www.fasoft.com. N-track studio.. that's what I use. No shit, if you make some tracks I'll jump in. It's worth a try anyway, if you tried everything else. I'd love to get involved. Here's my email -- butch2k5@hotmail.com -- Hopefully spammers don't run with it. Deliver something to me and I promise I will deliver something back.

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What is important has already been mentioned here: get involved.
Another thing you might want to do is just ask musicians if they want to jam sometime. It's a no commitment two musicians getting together to play stuff. If either person is turned off, then there is no need to jam again. It's good to do that because that way they remember you and if ever they remember or meet another musician that wants to start a band or likes your kind of music, they might refer you.
For instance, my preferred form of music certainly is not death, but if I live close to you, I would be thrilled to jam with you.

One thing that wasn't mentioned here is that you might also want to talk to the staff at music stores. I remember I was once in a music store talking to my friend about Liquid Tension Experiment (which is a progressive side-project of some Dream Theater members which is very talented, to say the least) and the two workers that were close by joined into the conversation because they liked them too. I would NEVER have guessed that they would like Liquid Tension if I would just have judged by looks, they just looked like normal people. In fact alot of metalheads look like regular people so pretty much ask any musician you can speak to.
Being able to jam with someone else often allows you to learn something. When I was in high school I went to a concert where a band played that my brother's friend sort of knew (just a small local band). I got to meet them and such, and about a year later the drummer called me up and told me they were looking for a bass player. I thought that was funny because I was some high school kid and they had all been playing their instruments for twice as long as me. Well even though I sucked compared to the other members, I got the spot because I was the most dedicated bassist they could find (lol). They are currently inactive unfortunately but having that connection was way worth it because I learned alot from them and the drummer eventually offered to drum for my other band.
Now you seem to be pretty confident in your skill so you're in a much better spot than I was then. I'm sure you'll find something ... don't be worried about asking older people either.

And it sounds like you blew the shit out of that poor kid in the guitar shop.

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You just need to get people to see you play at school. Learn some non-metal shit, but it still needs to be awesome. If you can play songs people know and love, it will grab their attention as much as 6 string sweeps - especially if they arent guitarists.
Thats what i find when i play for people, i can shred and they will be like wow.
But if i play a song that they know i get an even more positive response from that.

You still need to have impressive tricks tho Im sure that you can learn a whole lot of awesome shit from what songs you have listed you can play.
Maybe to get your name out there you just have to join a band, even if its not metal. If you get to perform people will know you as that metalhead who is versitile with his playing.

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u just need to jam with people. give them sheet music the first day and see how well they sight read. do jazz, blues, metal,rock... thats what i do whenever i look for musicans. i see what their skill level is. even though ur playing metal theirs other genres that u should always mess around with, and form a nother genre of music

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I'm in a similar position as the topic creator...wanting to start a metal band, but in my entire highschool there are exactly 0 other metalheads...so of course it's hard to find people to play with...but what I did is just find people who play instruments but aren't into metal and try to get them into metal. Or in your case, try to find metalheads and see if they'd be interested in learning drums or bass or whatever to form a band.