As some of you might know, I have been looking for a drummer to replace my old one. I posted ads all over the Internet, networked people I knew, blah, blah, blah. When people talk to me about the position, I generally get one of three replies:
1) "Music sounds good. Nice and marketable. I can see why you're going on tour with this; you'll be signed in no time. So, like, here's what I want to be your drummer: I need $1,000 per week, plus a daily allowance, plus one-quarter of all gig money, one-quarter of all merchandise money, one-quarter of all CD sales, an extra stipend to cover my time spent recording, and you'll need to cover hotel rooms and food for me."
2) "Your music is too light for me."
3) "Sure! Let's do this thing!" This is followed by never hearing from that drummer again.
So, like, what makes these guys think they're so special? The first time someone mentions money to me, they automatically go down the list of prospects. I suppose that I shouldn't feel that way, but, darn it, I advertised that I was looking for a full-time band member, not some gun-for-hire that I can't count on! Being in a band is like being in a relationship: you gotta trust the people you're with. In the old days, they called asking for things like this being a mercenary. Sheesh. I really don't have a problem with answer number two: at least the person was being honest. Number three really bothers me, though. Why say that you're going to do something that you have no intention of doing?
At any rate, I am still looking for a drummer. It sucks.
