Dude, like, how do I start a band?
Super fast metal guitarist Mike Schleibaum of Darkest Hour has a new advice blog: AsktheDude.net.
Sweet stuff if you want to become a metal guitar machine and have lots of questions about, like, anything dude. Just visit AskTheDude and email a question. Here’s the most recent question:
Dear Dude,
My band is currently circulating a four-song demo, but I haven’t sent it out to any record labels yet because it sounds like what it is: a demo recorded for a few hundred bucks. We want to show labels that we have our shit together as a group, and I think having awesome gear and a really nice-sounding demo would help prove that. We’re saving up money to buy better gear and make a crisper recording, but how much does production quality matter when shipping out demos? What do we need to show labels in order to prove that we do, in fact, have our shit together and are ready to make this band our careers?
Dude, good question.
Oh yes, if you have XM Radio or are willing to try a free demo, Mike “The Dude” Schleibaum will be taking questions live and spinning deathly metal tunes on XM Radio’s Liquid Metal Channel #42 today, Monday, May 12, at 4:30 PM EST.
IG dishes out inspiration and ideas to guitar players everywhere. 
Awesome! Gonna check out his blog right away.
So, dude? How do I start a band?
I kinda have a band. I know two guys I kinda jam with. Other guy would like to be in King Crimson or Dream Theater, I’d like to be in Uncle Tupelo or backing the Impressions, and the keyboard player is just happy to be there. How do we move forward?
Seriously, though, thanks for the link. Looks like there’s lots of good advice for musicians of all genres.
Sans, dude, check out what The Dude says about the band mate topic here: http://askthedude.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/bands-vs-friends/
Move forward? Work on a set list of tunes you’d like to play as a band (see if you’re still together at the end of the exercise). Then, start rehearsing the set list at least once a week and add new tunes every once in a while. Then, once you’ve got the set list down good, get out and find gigs wherever your music is welcomed. Start easy, do a party for your friends and family and build from there. All depends on what kind of music you end up playing.
IG
Dude, which non-dairy creamer should I use in my White Russians?
Oh, wrong Dude.
If you are really serious about your music and want to check out what labels are really looking for and what kind of music actually makes money…..Join Taxi (www.taxi.com) and go to the yearly road rally in LA. It’s really opened our eyes to what is truly possible and we’ve made some solid industry contacts and friends.
Beyond that….go to your local songwriter’s groups and learn about your local scene. Play acoustic gigs! They are much easier to come by (as are open mics), and will give you broader exposure than the once-in-a-blue-moon set at a dive bar that puts 4 original music bands on the bill and expects them to sell tickets or pay to play.