by Curiosity Valentine

Created on: February 17, 2007   Last Updated: February 25, 2007

You'll often hear musician-types say that finding band members is easy, it's keeping them that's the tricky part. Finding the right band member for your particular project, who has a modicum of talent and the appropriate level of motivation, can be quite a headache.

"Band members," in this case meaning "those who wish to join a band," are as common as a faded black Metallica t-shirt. Case in point: go on Craigslist and observe how many bands are searching for singers, and how many singers are searching for bands. You'd figure that in this supply and demand scenario, the two would cancel each other out. They don't, usually for several reasons. Observe the following examples:

1. Band X is an established band replacing their previous singer, and would like someone who has also been in an established band. Band X places an ad which says something like "no jobbers," "must be willing to tour," and the like. They have all of the practice space and gear that a band will ever need. Singer X has previous band, and stage, experience. Singer X also owns a microphone and doesn't have to ask you how to plug it in. Band X will always be searching for Singer X, because the professionalism and dedication will generally be the same. (Note: Band X and Singer X do not have to be talented, or even listenable.

2. Band Y is not established and "just wants to jam." Band Y has no aspirations concerning fame and fortune, they just want to play club shows around town, or rock out in the garage to Eagles covers. Their ads contain phrases like "any age, any gender." (Note: That isn't to say that Band Y is worse than Band X, they might be complete musical virtuosos, but might also have families or jobs or lives, and their main goal in life has nothing to do with showing up on MTV Cribs.) Band Y contacts Singer X and describes the project, and Singer X usually decides that Band Y is a complete waste of time.
Sometimes Band Y does end up with Singer X, but Singer X will move on to bigger and better things, leaving them behind in the dusty garage. Then one of two things will probably happen. One of the members of Band Y (who might not be the greatest of vocalists and would rather get back to focusing on his ukelele solo during "Hotel California") will take over on lead vocals. Or Steve's brother-in-law's neighbor's cousin will assume vocal duties, because hey, it's Steve's garage.

3. Singer Y has a family, life, or paper route which limits him/her from wanting to hit the big time. It is a rare

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