Metal Band

[Dark Soul]

I've been playing guitar for over 25 years and I love metal. Not just the same old crap metal everyone plays but progressive stuff as well as the music of the old masters. I've been trying to find a band to join for several years now and nothing's happening. I'm too ugly to play with the younger bands no matter how well I play. So I'm thinking of trying to gather players to create a metal project.

What worries me is that there doesn't seem to be many places for metal bands to play around this area except Aldo's. Could you guys give me a run down of the places you think a skilled metal band would be able to play and go over well? Bear in mind I'm willing to play all kinds of metal, new and old, and it all doesn't have to "metal" in the strict sense. My musical taste is all over the place. But I'd like to perform an intense musical experience.

Suggestions? Thoughts?

[lynch1]

what are some songs you are looking to do? how often are you looking to play out? I've been playing guitar just as long and love metal too. Maybe we could get something going, but to be upfront with you, my work schedule is very limiting. pm me

[KeithReynolds]

Sad to say it, I think there wouldnt be anywhere to play. well, except house parties and maybe a benefit.

The only local place that has metal is Aldo's. It is a cool place, but you better start blowing someone now if you want to get in there!!

Skilled metal is another thing. From what I saw working at Aldo's was the GOOD bands really got no respect and the "been playing here forever drop D" bands got the shows and crowds. I saw a REALLY awesome band at Aldo's while working there. They were just so amazing. The people there (who were friends of the other sloppier bands) acted totally uninterested just based on they were friends with the other band. I was amazed that this awesome metal band was just destroying and wasnt even being payed attention to. its not right!

You are a badass gtr player Max, what I would suggest is get a metal band together and dont play any of the places around here...OR start a top 40 cover band and play any place around here. Nickelback and similar bands are what most people want to hear around here.
Just do songs about sex, drinking,strippers, partying and all that stupid shit.

It would be awesome to have a place around here that you could play where you dont have to worry about BS.
A place where it doesnt matter what music you play.
A place where bartenders dont dictate who plays. (its not the band's job to get you people more tips. sell your alcohol and shut up)
A place where every band is treated equal regardless of who their friends are.
A place where you can trust the owner. (not talking about Aldo's!
He doesnt rip people off, he mostly gives bands MORE. He is a rare bar owner and awesome.)

Wouldnt that be great?

[Dark Soul]

I'd like to do a mix of metal staples people are used to hearing mixing in some unusual stuff they may not have heard. I want to be a little self-indulgent here. I want the band to be able to play music that means something to them. I'm all for old Metallica, Megadeth, Sabbath, but also like to do some Dream Theater, Opeth, maybe even Avenged Sevenfold, Liquid Tension Experiement. Open to anything as long as it's good and doesn't sound like the same shit everyone else plays. Not opposed to a few classics but don't want to fill the whole night with songs people hear all the time from radio and other bands. I'd even play Rush, 2112 in its entirety just to mess with people.

The hard part will be finding good players who can play stuff like this, and finding venues to play in.

And, for the record, I don't give a rat's fat ass what you look like, whether you're male or female, how you dress...all that matters to me is how well you play and how reliable you are. I don't care if you show up in a fuckin' tutu...if you can rock, than that's fine with me.

~Max

[Dark Soul]

Well, I'm aware of the situation around here, so I'm definitely willing to travel. I'll go just about anywhere.

And thanks for the kind words, sir. =) Glad you like my playing.

~Max

[KeithReynolds]

I certainly agree with you about the image thing. Too many bands put image above music. They wanna look like male models with their little girly haircuts, their 'awesome' stageclothes, and sweet 'im a rockstar' moves. Thats not rock and roll at all!!!!!!!!!!

Most bands just wanna be liked by chicks, so they play what chicks want to hear. Chicks love Buckcherry and Nickelback.

Some people play music because its in their soul, and some play music to be adorned by stinky drunk girls.
It gives a "nobody" a chance to feel like "somebody".

In pop culture, image is everything. Thats why most chicks dress like sluts on a daily basis, and people worry more about what they look like instead of who they really are.

Max- Hell yeah I like your playing. Anyone who doesnt is either deaf or jealous. Youre better than just about anyone ive ever heard. Just about every gtr player should be shaking because you could have their job!

[orangekick]

Well, I'm aware of the situation around here, so I'm definitely willing to travel. I'll go just about anywhere.

And thanks for the kind words, sir. =) Glad you like my playing.

~Max

Come to Pittsburgh.

[skipisode]

I understand your frustration. I've been in both types of situations (played what I really liked, and played what the chicks/bar goers want). The problem is that when you play in bars/clubs if you play what youy want... typically you play to a small crowd. On the other side if you play all of the same overplayed old crap.....you will have a good crowd. Bars/clubs are businesses plain and simple, and their objective is to make money. They don't really care about the particular type/style of music you play, they look at how many people are there and how much they spend. Bar tenders want to make money as well, after all it is their livelihood. I like all styles of music, and metal is one of the styles I enjoy. I also like jazz, classical, "some" country, and other musical styles. Many of the songs I have heard and had to play made me want to scratch my eyes out, but I also looked out and saw the people in the crowd having fun and enjoying themselves. I often had to say to myself, suck it up it will be over soon. Do what you enjoy, but be prepared that you may not get the end result you desire. Private venues is probably the answer to getting the style of music you want to play out there. I'm afraid that the bar scene will remain as is because as before they want to make money and that's what drives the world unfortunately. There are places out there for metal, you just have to look really hard for them. Good luck with your project.

[joltinjeff]

I certainly agree with you about the image thing. Too many bands put image above music. They wanna look like male models with their little girly haircuts, their 'awesome' stageclothes, and sweet 'im a rockstar' moves. Thats not rock and roll at all!!!!!!!!!!

Most bands just wanna be liked by chicks, so they play what chicks want to hear. Chicks love Buckcherry and Nickelback.

Some people play music because its in their soul, and some play music to be adorned by stinky drunk girls.
It gives a "nobody" a chance to feel like "somebody".

In pop culture, image is everything. Thats why most chicks dress like sluts on a daily basis, and people worry more about what they look like instead of who they really are.

Max- Hell yeah I like your playing. Anyone who doesnt is either deaf or jealous. Youre better than just about anyone ive ever heard. Just about every gtr player should be shaking because you could have their job!

It is in my opinion that is this is probably the biggest reason for the break up of MADDNESS. We were a good band, despite what some of the members were saying that I couldnt sing. I may not be Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickison or anyone else, but I am me and what I lack in talent I but into showmanship...

The guitar player wanted to play "chicky" shit so they would show their tits and whatever else. All that is well and good, but if you aint rockin and lettin them get drunk and having a good time, they aint showin tits or anything else....

Anyway, im a fat 46 yo vocalist who doesnt give a shit what i look like...i love doin what i do and thats it. ive been married for 20 yrs, i aint worried about trying to get laid by some chick in a bar.

Bar crowds are just that, I have seen very good bands play at the same venue and one band draws them in, the other a medium size crowd...it depends.....i know that sucks Max and I dont know you, but something will come along...dont let this thing bother you if it does, it will drive you away from the thing that you love

[RobTheDrummer]

Lets play man.

[whitedevilone]

Lets play man.

There ya go superstar.One of the best skinsmen in the area throws in his card.Quit bitchin and moanin and start a fuckin band.

[bassist_25]

Skilled metal is another thing. From what I saw working at Aldo's was the GOOD bands really got no respect and the "been playing here forever drop D" bands got the shows and crowds. I saw a REALLY awesome band at Aldo's while working there. They were just so amazing. The people there (who were friends of the other sloppier bands) acted totally uninterested just based on they were friends with the other band. I was amazed that this awesome metal band was just destroying and wasnt even being payed attention to. its not right!

I hate making sweeping generalizations, but in my experience, that scenario is unfortunately often the reality with "scene-oriented" music (e.g., metal, punk, hardcore, indie).

P.s. Hell up to The Embalmed getting JP's song and album of the year.

[Dark Soul]

Rob: Definitely willing to give it a shot. Sent you a pm.

Anyone else interested?

[Banned]

Man, finally a thread expressing how I feel! Some of my favorite albums of all time are Kill Em All, 2112, Peace Sells, Aqualung, Rust In Peace, Fly By Night, Ride the Lightning, A Farewell To Kings, etc. You can see the direction I wanna go in. Like a prog thrash deal. Except I'm 16 and nearly everyone else my age is into mainstream shit. It's quite a dilemma. I'll do anything to be able to play this music with like-minded people with a passion for music like I have. I just gotta find the people who wanna make this music and the people who want us to play it for them!!!

PS Check it out, Powerslave!!!

[Naga]

Max, I've seen what you can do to a guitar, and I know you've got it in you. So for all whatever between you and I, I say you should go out and get playin. It's been a long time obviously since you were in a band, and I know you're gettin antsy. Rob, for every bit I've seen, is a total decimator on drums, and I've seen maybe 2 or 3 in the area that can keep a beat on him, no matter what the age. There're more than a few really decent rhythm and semi-lead guitarists in the area. I know damn well there are decent bassists too. Vocalists? Hell, I've seen some killers around here! It's all about time and place. Keep trying to put em both together and I'm sure you'll go pretty far

And speaking of place,... I'd say check into Johnstown's metal bar Around The Corner. They're a little more open to the style of music you're into. Bands such as Twisted & Used, The Embalmed, etc. have come out of there. Neither of them are "mainstream" by any denominator. I know there're a couple other places open to more original music, but my mind is telling me it's bed time

[Dark Soul]

I know a band like this might not have big crowds and will most likely have trouble finding places to play...and I honestly do not care.

I won't lie. I'm fairly poor most of the time and I sure could use the money, but I'd rather play music that means something to me and whoever I'm playing with. Call it an experiment in creativity. I want to see how well a band that only, or at least mostly, plays music chosen for its own sake can do.

[Banned]

I sent you a PM. I'm only 16, so I don't know what your age range is, but I read this and your other thread, and thought to myself "Holy shit, this is exactly how I feel." Get back to me and maybe we can set something up and jam sometime. I got a bassist too so maybe we can all get together and see how things go.