Guitar Player Red Flags - Don't Let Them Join Your Band

Baxter and Jonathan talk about the types of guitar players you don't want in your band!

[@mikegamby]

Anyone who keeps playing/noodling at full volume while the rest of the band is trying to talk to each other...

[@michaelweinman9051]

Amen.

[@csnide6702]

at full volume - that is so true.

[@garrysimmons111]

That happens in both of my bands, but one is especially bad as he is always too loud, even when he is supposed to be playing. I think he's mostly deaf by now and is oblivious to the fact we're trying to talk (through the practice PA). We sometimes have to literally scream at him to get his attention to stop.

[@fredhughes4115]

That's our bass player. Can't get him to stop. Ever. Whether we're playing a lead guitar intro that want NO bass, or having a discussion between songs, or whatever.

[@rigorhead01]

One band I was in had a keyboard player that would do exactly that. He would noodle around on his keyboard at full volume. Every time the band stopped playing. It was the most annoying thing ever.

[@mileswatkinson8135]

I once jammed with a bass player who sounded great playing on his own. Then I told him "I'm going to play some riffs in Am, just see if you can catch a groove and jam along". He replied "I don't know anything about keys, just let me play something and you fall in". I gave it a try, just to be nice, since he had dragged his rig out to the car and driven over to play. When trying to play against his lines, I realized he was never in the same key for two measures in a row. He'd practiced all his techniques, without having any idea what to do with them. I politely told him he wasn't there yet, and needed to spend some time on basic theory. He got unpleasant and had to be ushered out of our jam space, telling us "a true artist just plays what comes to him, you guys are just a----le wannabes".

[@xaviergough9359]

Kind of a dick move on your part.

[@JohnColucci88]

That made me laugh out loud in real life. That was deeply funny. I imaged that being done by Bobby Hill.

[@mileswatkinson8135]

@@xaviergough9359 How was a i dick in that situation ?

[@martinthompson2425]

I love being a working wannabe! Maybe one day I’ll be a “true artist”. But for now, I think I’ll keep the lights on and put food on the table!

[@vinq8621]

@@xaviergough9359at no point was he a dick what are you talking about? He had his time wasted by a wannabe diva who thought they were hot shit but actually couldn’t play worth a damn. Sounds like you’re one of these guys and you’re upset that people don’t just let you play nonsense while they have to compensate overtop to make you sound decent.

[@jasonbone7033]

“Be decent enough to feel bad about it.” Words of wisdom and grace. Thank you gentlemen!

[@m0j0b0ne]

Sorry. I may not make such a big deal of it, but I won't apologize for sportin' a '65 blackface Super Reverb NOT the reissue.

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

I was in a professional touring band and had made several records, and did some studio work; I've met so many guitarists who only want to start a working group but only want to jam - then 4 months later you're still jamming and haven't written a single song (I've met so many lead guitarists who think they're Jerry Garcia). I've also met those ,musicians who want to be in a touring group, and will say, "but I'm only available Monday during the day, Thursday early mornings, and Sunday early evening". I've played with musicians who have told me they've done a thousand "HUGE!" shows - yet when we get onstage playing in front of an audience of 200 they get stage fright so bad they're unable to complete the set (in one instance the drummer got so angry at the guitarist who had gotten horrible stage fright and was just butchering every song that he threw his drumsticks at him, and the two wrestled while still on stage, landing on the drum kit and destroying it, the amp fell over, the mic stand fell over and the mic was under them, etc - I was the bassist, and just kept playing and told the vocalist to sing and finish the song - this happened only 20 minutes into our set, and the night was over. We were auditioning a drummer whom I thought was really good - until the end of the audition, when he completely destroyed all his drums, saying he was a huge fan of Keith Moon, and that by trashing his drums it showed us how Rock and Roll he was. I was involved in auditioning a guitarist who's amp was really beat to hell - aaand it caught on fire right then and there. Another time a Metal band I was in was auditioning a rhythm guitarist; the candidate said he had played Metal, and loved it blah blah blah. He was an Evangelical Christian who had come there to save our souls from Satan, and didn't even know how to play guitar.

[@wherehouseedm]

All those stories are crazy. The burning amp would have been exciting to see. The person who lied their way into the audition just to proselytize is disgusting. That makes me feel bad as a guitarist and as a Christian.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

@@wherehouseedm kind of thinking, at that stage, I probably would have looked him in the eye and said _”You lied to us. This requires a blood sacrifice to appease us”_ Just for the lols.

[@tormentridden]

Best read ever

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

@@engineeringartist4801 took a Rare Bird to write that :-)

[@ChrisOttoSTL]

You missed my favorite: "We'll have to practice at my place, I don't have a car."

[@lemonzest8909]

What do you call a guitarist without a girlfriend?.... Homeless!

[@doknox]

@@lemonzest8909 😂😂😂

[@doknox]

Yea I'm not bringing my drums to your girlfriends house!

[@happyads9439]

haha good one 😆😆

[@davedecker1725]

How do you get a guitar player off your porch? Give him 20 bucks for the pizza. What's the difference between a large pizza and a guitar player? A large pizza can feed a family of 4.😎

[@rkoblues24]

I really built a Strat style guitar from Warmoth parts. I lived near their place in Puyallup, WA and the late Ken Warmoth himself helped me select the body, neck, hardware and pickups. This was in 1987, when they were still working from their home. I still use that guitar to this day. Thanks for the video.

[@edwinwise6751]

And just like dating all the ones I married i divorced and I still don’t talk to them too this day … much like my x wife

[@martinthompson2425]

I’ve built 4 of my guitars from Warmoth parts between 2015 and 2019. Fortunately, I don’t think I’ve displayed any other red flag behavior 🤣 and have managed to stay in the same band from 2014 to the present! I try not to be snobby about building my own guitars. I just like to make my own decisions about materials, components, colors and wiring. And of course, the “satisfaction factor” is important too! I think I’m overdue for a build…🎸🧐🎸

[@shaunosby5093]

That’s a great story. Word of advice: Don’t ever sell that guitar.

[@davidestes9971]

I actually did play with Buddy Guy. It was at Bogarts in Cincinnati. I was in the front row and he reached down from the stage and had me strum his guitar while he fingered the frets for like 10 seconds. Highlight of my playing career.

[@Dirtbiketrike72]

Sounds like a Red Flag. 😆

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Or tech. Checking strings. 2 gigs. Rock on !!!!

[@michaelpayne8337]

1990ish?

[@bks252]

The thing about “I built my own guitar” might be a little deceiving. My old boss said that and we were a little apprehensive about him coming over to jam and he is by far, the best musician I have ever played with. He is also a top notch luthier and now lives near Nashville. Besides being a retired Senior Army Officer, he has his own business building guitars, pickup-up’s and repairing and general work on guitars. My point is it’s not always a red flag. Nothing is “always”.

[@wherehouseedm]

They said this in the video. That’s why they’re just flags and not deal breakers

[@ParallelNewsNetwork]

Why did you put always in quotes as if the video said always ever

[@jessepoole106]

I think they meant people that only ever use their own and consider everything else crap.

[@robertdeen8741]

Sounds like a silly reason to turn down Brian May.

[@jessepoole106]

@@robertdeen8741 They said specifically to exempt him from the rule.

[@willisjefferson5886]

Red Flag for me, Guy introduces himself as a Lead Guitar Player. Proceeds to play at volumes of a jet engine. If the first thing I have to do is tell a guy to turn down? get in the pocket with the rest of the band? He/She is gone

[@DenverStarkey]

eh' i can kinda feel ya on this one. but at the same time i've been on the receiving end of two or three a-hole guitarist , that believed every metal band should sound like metallica. They would always bitch that my bass was too loud. these two guitarist in particular seemed to not want to ever hear the bass at all. so it got to where when i jamed with them we'd set up volumes first get every one audible and blended nicely .. then these two fuckers after every one shoved ear plugs in , would again start bitching that my bass is too loud. both being too stupid to realize EAR PLUGS MUTE OUT HIGH FREQUENCIES NOT LOW, so of course the bass is going to sound too loud after you fucking jab ear plugs in. Just a couple of fucking Bozo's. so guitar players that say they want a "metallica sound" are a huge red flag to me.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

The red flag I am most familiar with is the Automatic Rock Star. It's the person who lives the Rock Star lifestyle every minute of their life as soon as they get in a band or think about starting a band. They are the ones that usually don't want to practice but party.

[@M5guitar1]

Exactly. Drunk ass singer taking tequila shots.

[@joelwilliam8517]

You guys made me feel good about having no personal responsibility. I actually have a section of my resume about being a musician to explain gaps in employment.

[@imoffendedthatyouareoffended]

If shit ever goes sideways I’m using this lmao

[@andybrown6981]

actually true.

[@andybown68]

I hope I can become a ‘sub-standard player’ like you guys one day.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

I’m a bass player who has been impersonating a guitarist recently. Now no one has ever accused me of playing bass like a frustrated guitarist, however I have been caught out playing guitar like a frustrated bass player. This makes me a below average guitarist…..but what separates me from all the other below average guitarists…..Being a bass player, I know when _not_ to play.

[@erockscott1184]

When trying to start a band here in Florida to no avail...I had so many singers call that obviously wanted to "take over" the band...I could hear it in the conversations and it was obvious they were trying to play nice in the beginning but the overshadowing tone of the conversation was obvious they had other plans. Watch out for those tones there are lots of singers in particular that wanna steal what you built and then change everything to what they do...not the original plan.

[@RicoMnc]

"..wanna steal what you built and then change everything to what they do..." - Not just singers or musicians.

[@younkinjames8571]

This is why singers start their own bands. No. I'm not a singer. Bands are better when the singer is in their comfort zone. The rest is just a game of notes that are on every guitar...

[@erockscott1184]

@@younkinjames8571 if the singer can't do the plan the others make than they shouldn't apply. Famous bands don't hire singers to sing their comfort zone...they hire singers to sing what the band decided to do

[@deaddoll1361]

@@erockscott1184 The band revolves around the singer, like it or not, and expecting a singer to sing "out of their comfort zone" shows a fundamental lack of knowledge about singing. A singer isn't going to be able to change their range, tone or style to whatever the non-singing band has plucked out of their backside.

[@erockscott1184]

@deaddoll1361 you missed my point...Dont apply if you can't sing what is asked. I got replies from singers wanting to do 50's and 60's shit when I clearly wanted a 70's and 80's ROCK singer...dont apply if you want to doo wop in a rock band.

[@msspi764]

Yeah! The single genre thing is one that gets me most. There are so many similarities between genres it’s hard to imagine. It’s more fun if you can sit in with whoever’s at the jam even if you need to learn the language.

[@t3hgir]

best lesson I ever got from my high school guitar teacher, he basically said " I want to be able to go to any jam and be able to sit in"

[@naturekev]

For example, black metal is basically surf rock with heavy distortion.

[@tacomadc]

Any musician that only wants to play one genre probably can't play anything else. Or if they only play "originals" that means they literally can't learn songs.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Great vid!!! Very funny. Lessons I learned in 25 yrs: Be humble, be in service of the band, learn the songs, focus on decent rythm playing and make sure that your sound complements the rest of the band. Musicians wants to be heard, don't.... know it's time not to play. And yes, you may have the best gear, but nobody really cares.

[@davedecker1725]

I've always said Nobody can hear the name on the headstock of the guitar you're playing. Either you can play the damned thing or you can't.

[@JohnSmith-ki2eq]

Had one guy turn up and he had an obvious drug problem, another guy turned up and insisted we hear him sing for us because, quote "I've never met anyone who can sing as well as I can", we declined to even let him play as we weren't looking to hire an egomaniac. Once had a drummer audition for us, he could play like nobody I've ever seen/heard before, I mean he was an absolute monster talent and set the room on fire..... but he had the worst personal hygiene problem I've ever smelt, the idea of getting into a car or van with this dude was nauseating. My lead singer and I were holding an audition for a bass player (ours had just landed a high paying job and left us) and while we waited for an applicant to show, we had a cup of tea and watched out the window as a guy stole a set of hubcaps off a car in a multi story car park across the street, to our horror he then pulled out an instrument case from the boot of his car and crossed the road and headed straight for the building we were in, he was a decent bass player but a lousy human being, we listened to him play then made sure to watch out the window as he left in case he tried to steal anything from our van. Caught a tech from another band trying to open our (clearly marked) gear case at a gig, he got a good kicking for that. Make sure to lock your shit up whenever you do a gig and square it away as soon as you're done playing, also mark your gear clearly, and secretly, I once had a pedal nicked and found it on another players board, he had managed to wipe off the magic marker I had used to mark it and swore it was his right up to the moment I pulled out the black light and showed everyone my name written on it in invisible ink on all sides of that pedal. A lot of gear theft goes on at gigs, also be really on guard when using rehearsal rooms/studios, but the number one place they steal your shit is out of your car/van.

[@jeffcarlson3269]

@John Smith.... wow.. I've had a lot of weird things happen as well... like smelly and unscrupulous musicians..my case was a smelly guitarist... but he wasn't an ace.. so not jamming with him was no big deal... but the most I ever had stolen was a guitar cord.. or pick.... never an instrument or pedal.. we never used guitar techs.. each of us.. set up the controls on all our own gear... we un packed.. and packed up every gig.. so.. the only time any of my stuff would go missing would be during this packing up process..

[@JohnSmith-ki2eq]

@@jeffcarlson3269 Yeah we were the same, the "tech" was part of another (bigger) band, we had played earlier and packed our gear into a big flight case on wheels and left it backstage while we got a drink at the bar. Myself and the drummer went to get something out of the case and found the shit bag tech trying to break the lock with a screwdriver, violence ensued.

[@jeffcarlson3269]

@John Smith once however when I was a fresh musician back around 1974 .. I used to jam with different people to "trade off" licks so to speak.. and I loaned someone my "fender blender".. and a week later when I went to pick it up... he had skipped out.... since then though I never loaned anything out again...

[@joethompson2910]

Dont forget the one where there's a guy on a video telling you not to brag about your equipment while he’s sitting in front of his entire guitar collection so it gives him more credibility, hahaha Just kiddin guys… I agree with what ya said and could probably add one or two….👍🏻👊🏻🎸

[@johnfromnj885]

One guy I played with, who was far better than me and that made me nervous, said to me... IT'S JUST MUSIC. Very calming words. Don't take it too seriously.

[@theautisticguitarist7560]

No matter how good they are, talented musicians just want to play with other people. Music alone isn't as fun!

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

Absolutely with you on the "only listens to this one thing" angle... as musicians and especially as creative musicians making our own music, we grow and ultimately put our own stamp on our music by incorporating our own favourite bits of the music we hear, and the more different sorts of music we allow ourselves to be exposed to the better we get at creating the things we want to make.

[@deadshot4245]

I fell into this with multiple bands only due to immense study of them. But I took the time playing together to focus on us not to just copy what I was working on alone .

[@ianturley502]

My worst red flag was when the new guy asked if i could tune his guitar for him because he didnt know how to do it propperly..

[@theautisticguitarist7560]

I once had my brothers guitar friend ask me to teach him how to sweep pick. I'd had to tune his guitar for him earlier that day.

[@gregriddle3042]

I kind of had the opposite thing happen to me. I was hired to play a gig in a band at a huge biker rally. Preshow as musicians talk I had mentioned that I got to meet Ed King at a guitar show, and that I’m friends with the drummer from Asleep at the Wheel, which I am. However when we hit the stage I was introduced as the guy who got to play with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Asleep at the Wheel!! I was like NO No but the crowd was all into that. Show was over I was bombarded with Skynyrd questions! It was a nightmare!

[@PooNinja]

If be nice is a theory that escapes them, you don’t want them in your band. Drama is good for theater, not so much real life.

[@AndyDion]

Yep for sure

[@patrickguyum]

As someone who works in theatrical management, drama also is not good in a theatre work-life lol. Turns out being an asshole creates bad environments everywhere

[@TheFeelButton]

I'm suspicious of any band who would have me as a member! Cheers Casino!!

[@somebodyelseuk]

"I love my cigar, but I take it out, occasionally." 🤣

[@benlogan430]

I once met a guy who handed out cards at an open mic that list him a Rock Legend! It was kinda funny, but then I went home and found out he had a number one hit in the 70’s and toured with Christopher Cross and heavy cats like that. I still have the card on my fridge. Oddly enough he was super mellow yellow.

[@dakistle]

I am going to get business cards that establish my status as an after-dinner raconteur.

[@Dirtbiketrike72]

I always liked the “I used to be awesome, but I haven’t played in years” But can’t remember basic chords now.

[@jeffjacobson59]

Happened to me for medical reasons.

[@68fmj51]

Many years ago (1991) my best friend and I were trying to start a band. Only one left to audition was a singer. Kid comes in and had the look, long hair, slim as a rail, etc. Super nice guy. Comes in with a music stand and lemon water, the whole deal. Poor guy was so off key it was painful. We just let him screech while we played for about an hour and said “We’ll let you know”. Of course we never called him back. Shitty, I know, but I didn’t have the guts to tell him he was horrible.

[@wherehouseedm]

That’s a pretty common way to say “no”. I don’t see anything wrong with it. If it’s a ‘yes’ there is normally some other good vibes or other clues. If you have to think about it, it’s probably a ‘no’. I was kind of expecting you to say, “years later, that guy is everywhere calling himself Jack White or Ben Weasel.”

[@travisrainey1171]

We would sometimes use the ever-reliable, "You're not what we're looking for." You don't have to explain that what you're looking for is someone who can sing in tune.

[@97CarlStang]

I clicked on this video randomly and was not expecting you guys to be so funny. You guys are out there lol subscribed

[@goeldner87]

You guys are literally describing the frontman of my previous band point by point! It was a shame cause we had some great songs and the band was starting to grow, we just couldn't put up with him anymore.

[@dan_kay]

So, no chemistry? Maybe you should have talked about it the first time you met ;)

[@jeffcarlson3269]

@@dan_kay chemistry?... well many times at the beginning.. when things are still gel-ling many people put on fronts... they do not act like themselves.. they are overly nice... but once they start feeling comfortable the fangs come out... hence the old adage "familiarity breeds contempt"... or maybe that one is before your time.... many bands start off with everything fine and everyone agreeable.. then little by little biases start creeping in.. this guy won't play this part in a song.. or does not want to do this song or that ..and egos start kicking in.. where the person feels like the band would not exist without them.. fortunately.. none of my previous bands got to the point where one of the members thought they deserved a higher share of the gig money.. but I can see that happening..

[@brianseneca3546]

I dont agree with the chemistry part. I am 52 and been playing "professionally" since 15. When my second band broke up, I went to audition for a new band, the minute I played with my friend Rich it just fit. That band stayed together for 22 years. We were very successful and only stopped because our drummer got a truck driving job and we didnt want to start over again. Since then it has been a little difficult to find another player to mesh with.

[@projekt1824]

You left out the dude who immediately starts checking out the name on your headstock… “My eyes are up here, buddy.”

[@t3hgir]

LMAO

[@michaelweinman9051]

ha aha ha

[@marlandoromo]

Some of the best Musicians I've ever played with had day jobs. Them having lives outside of the band meant more meaningful and quality practice sessions. We also preferred not to have full band practices. Sometimes it was just vocal harmonizing practices. The idea that practice has to be constant full band full gear full volume is not very productive

[@sonofaguppy6708]

I think this was tongue in cheek.

[@saikoteeki]

The initial meeting should just be contained to sitting on the floor playing with Panthor and Battle Cat. You judge them on which they choose to play with. If they go for Panthor, then you throw them on the Snake Mountain microphone and see if they can do backup vocals..

[@dakistle]

This guy is onto something

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

I don’t play with too many people anymore. I auditioned for these guys who were like 30 years younger than me a few years ago. They were heavy metal dudes and it was really a complete waste of time. When I took out my Strat and plugged into a Fender amp they just looked at me like I was from the nursing home. Oh well.

[@anthonypanneton923]

I'm with you there, pal. after reading some of these comments, I'm so glad I don't play in bands any more. although most of my bad experiences were with agents and club owners rather than other musicians.

[@clugokillscluco]

Did you not know what style of music they wanted to play? Or do you do metal with a strat and fender?

[@supafrogg258]

That's funny! Trying to feel out their tastes on the phone beforehand helps, but there's often a bit of unforeseen gamble with auditions. I showed up with my guitar at a band audition, only to find that the band had, unbeknownst to me, arranged for another guitarist to be auditioning at the same time. The other guitarist also didn't know that ours was going to be a "dueling audition". I told myself to relax, to play smoothly, and to concentrate on making the original band members sound good. The other guitarist was thrown by the situation, and decided he was going to "flash" a lot, to stand out. But it didn't sound good. I got the gig.

[@stewiegriffin4]

As a Norwegian dude i just got to say, Norwegian childrens music can be quite good! “Sjørøverne kommer” by kaptein sabeltann (Captain sabertooth) is a pirate song about collecting treasure (so you can be lazy for the next 100 years), and aside from the fact that it’s sung by a Norwegian theatre character, the song is filled with blues licks and accordion goodness. It’s one of those things where they put actual effort into it so that it’s interesting to listen to for the parents as well as the children I didn’t expect to write a short essay about Norwegian children’s pirate music when I clicked on this video, but here we are!

[@joncollins7129]

This is why we invented the internet

[@stewiegriffin4]

@@joncollins7129 high praise!

[@lilmoe4364]

It's the only thing I listen to.. 🤣

[@Larrymh07]

Dear Bass players; avoid guitar players (it's always guitar players) who say, 'you don't need to know whether the chord you're playing over is major or minor, etc.'...they don't know or understand music much less respect the bass instruments.

[@tacomadc]

I always kind of laugh when a guitarist tells me when chords are minor or major, I say "I'm a bass player" lol. But the fact is I usually know what they are already based on where they are in the chord progression. If I'm not sure what I should be doing, or think he may be playing a chord wrong (happens a lot and I'm usually right), then I'll ask "Is that major or minor?"

[@Larrymh07]

@@tacomadc If one is a bass player and not playing chords, they're not a bass player. Chords, arpeggios and scales are really all the same thing, separated only temporally. Any decent bassist must know chords!

[@kowalguitarlife9119]

happy thanksgiving boys love the show and all the crazy stuff aswell

[@dat_21]

A musician being a guitarist is a red flag in itself.

[@radosawpendziaek7503]

Haa!! Good point!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chuck6033]

Burn!!! But, so true. 😂

[@robinmabbott7334]

I built my own guitar and spent 25years playing in a successful rock & blues band in Australia Its the same as a telecaster which I cal my Shedcaster and Im in Scotland now and still using it

[@TheRosswise]

An obvious red flag: The guy shows up first practice either drunk or high. This is obviously not a professional-minded musician, probably got into music for the wrong reasons. A subtle red flag: Constantly bitching about how loud the other guitarist is, no matter how low the other guitarist turns down. Ive seen this red flag lots of times, this is almost always a narcissistic diva-type that just causes more drama than they are worth.

[@robertoriggio117]

I’ve found that when a great player doesn’t have the instrument they need to play, they’re probably going through a rough patch due to personal problems. Some players might be worth it, but it might be better to wait until they get out of that situation, whatever it is.

[@Mullewarp]

One of the Guitar players of Thin Lizzy (Scott Gorham) auditioned with a cheap LP copy, because he could'nt afford a better instrument at that time. They liked his playing, so he got the job. So, there might be circumstances in your life, that even great players can't afford the equipment they need.

[@lurklingX]

tru fanz wAtch 2 the EnD. 🤣 i just found your channel, and i just really like hearing you guys talk. it's laid back and natural (there's some others i tried that just..... ugh. subjective i guess but you shouldn't have to grit your teeth OR look at your watch), AND informative!! i even keep thinking about the airline/guitars one you did which i believe was the first one i watched and how i found your channel. anyway, keep up the fantastic work!! :D

[@vidallepe2073]

Love these guys! So true! But it could all still work. Follow your instincts. Let rock and roll happen 🎸✌🏼❤️

[@superbroadcaster]

I love talking with other guitar players about mods or builds they've done, a guitarist that understands their rig is way easier to work with than a guy that feels it's all magical. It's electrical components guys.

[@Solly68]

The player with a huge pedalboard who is messing with them constantly at the first jam. Immediate red flag.

[@juanxavierquintero661]

Great video, it feels like a cool conversation with cool friends

[@TFMB]

My whole band is red flags. 😅😅🤣

[@josiahbueno6958]

yes on the movie reviews 👍👍👍 Love the video! Keep it up!

[@luf.7648]

When they said "gear-dropping" my first throught was they mean literally someone accidentally dropping what they're holding on the floor, and my head immediately played a dramatic scene of myself dropping a capo and being banished from the world of music forever 😂

[@8068]

The band I was in (many years ago) needed a second guitarist that could also solo. Auditioned several and none seemed the right fit. Then comes along this guy one day and he brought his girlfriend. He was OK, but there wasn't any real magic. A week later this guy's now ex-girlfriend (who came to the audition with him) calls and wants to audition for the band. We said 'why not' got nothing to lose. Rachel shows up with a 1960's Marshall stack and a 100% original 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Lights up on the guitar and we knew in a second we had our guitarist. 12 years later me and Rachel and the rest of the band said goodbye. For some reason at this point in my life I find myself thinking about her more than ever....

[@TOBORtheMighty]

I'm seriously looking forward to movie reviews. Or books. Or games. Whatever. You two nerding out is just good vibes. Maybe you don't think about it, but this silly video meant 10k people went out into the world today a little happier than they would have otherwise. That matters.

[@ImNotOld_ImVintage]

I have a guitar, no job and haven't played with anyone. Unfortunately I also have no talent..

[@stevewills735]

Nailed it! I have auditioned all these "eclectic" guitarists and then some. cheers!

[@AwooPatrol]

If your homeboy isn't telling you how your jacket cuts your shoulders, you in the wrong crew

[@tacomadc]

I was in a band that was auditioning guitarists recently. One got in the band and seemed like a nice guy, then a few weeks in suddenly out of the blue demanded that we change our entire setlist and started bullying every body around - gone. Another guy came in with so many pedals and just stared at them and the ground while playing and you couldn't give him any visual cues at all - gone. And another came in and played very well but had this little tube amp of his so ridiculously loud nobody could hear themselves, then he threw a fit when we asked him to turn it down - gone. A lot of musicians can be childish but guitarists seem to make a special art of it sometimes.

[@GuitarMeOfficial]

Great vid. The only thing I have to let you know is the frontman of muse isn't called Bill but Matt. Keep it up guys really enjoying these videos!

[@boblanzillo2144]

Love it, im going to audition this weekend for established local band. so, you're saying don't let them know i have a job and pay my bills?

[@erockscott1184]

Ha...I got fired from a band because I got a job...lmao

[@auralsonicwaves7170]

I played in a number of struggling bands back in the day and needless to way, we all had day jobs. There was no surviving on just the money from gigs. In many bands, everyone was either very accomplished or had formal musical training on their instrument. I auditioned guitar players several times and hated it. You make good points though.

[@benbush9]

“Bill Bellamy” made me laugh. I know you meant Matt Bellamy. I don’t think I’ve done any of these things on initial meetings, but I cringed for a few. Enjoy the adhd of these videos, keep up the good work.🤘🏼😂

[@bp7152]

I’ve got gigs I didn’t deserve just by following these rules. Also thumbs up to Casino movie reviews, good stuff looking forward to it

[@KennethWessel]

The guy who has great “ideas” to rearrange/rewrite or “make better” your well established song before even learning how to play it in the first place.

[@AJ-yi6hg]

Yes!! This happened with a band I was in a few years ago. We were auditioning a new drummer and within literally 15 min he was trying to restructure the arrangements but hadn't fully learned the actual arrangements! I couldn't believe his audacity. Needless to say, in the end it didn't work out.

[@ZmeyMusic]

@@AJ-yi6hg so did you release the song? did it go any big?

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

Rick Rubin? Lol

[@ampdrum1]

I’m a drummer and I buy Godin guitars and Garnet amps. No one thinks I’m cool. I save money and sound great.

[@JohnColucci88]

Just found you guys. Automatically dig. Greetings from Jersey.

[@johngonzales8224]

I was auditioning other guitarists and one guy who was older told me he lost his license and would need me to give him a ride to practice every week and loan him a guitar and amp. and on top of that he was calling me twice a day and every day and would not take the hint.

[@big_fortuna]

I’ve seen another type wayyyyy too many times. 11.- The very nice guy that secretly don’t want to be a part of the band, he just want a band to play his songs. So, nicely gain trust on the members over time and suddenly BAM! he starts to treat everyone in the band like they were he’s support band on his undercover solo project.

[@superbroadcaster]

I play in a for fun project that is more Alt/Grunge and my originals are way more R&B, the guy who organized the project is super nice and says I can play my stuff with the project, but I really don't like telling everyone exactly how I want an original to sound when it's outside the normal band music. They like it but I don't feel comfortable lol.

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Ugh, mind fvck.

[@danielgay4924]

Well guys... I have no idea how your video hit my thread but good grief you are enjoyable to listen to. Thank you for lighting up my early morning. Now I wanted to hear more. Subscribe and go, that's my motto. One vid and I'm hooked. Thanks, keep it up and I'll keep watchin'.

[@georgejasper8794]

You didn't mention the worst - the guy you are playing with for the first time in your 10x12 basement room and he has a Twin turned up to 6 and has no idea he's playing too loud.

[@James-hr4fu]

Your imitation of the Muse bass player had me fall off the bed! To freaking funny!

[@ScottSiegling]

Baxter on Grindr, you knew it had to happen😂🎉

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I've always let my playing do the talking.

[@edwardbelcher8612]

#7 stood out to me because the the first band I was in was started by our lead guitarist so it was "his" band lol (we were in high school and all were friends) but, every chick this guy went out with was supposedly a talented vocalist. Only problem was none of them could actually sing. I guess it would have been OK since none of us could really play that well either though lol.

[@slowerpicker]

The stories in the comments are as fun, painful, and hard won as the points explained in the video. Stay in the groove, friends. Peace and good vibes to all.

[@softlightsymphonyband]

You forgot the biggest red flag: dudes who have a KZbin channel.

[@chrisegg7936]

that thing from the end of the video? hell yeah

[@rickeybecker3495]

Love the talks. One you missed: guitar player that shows up with non-guitar stringed instrument(s) BUT no guitar. If you can find Neil Gladstones “Drummer of My Dreams” give it a listen. Thank you Casino Guitars!!

[@QBRX]

About the guy who has a job..."And Harry doesn't mind, if he doesn't, make the scene, He's got a daytime job, he's doing alright", and he's a sultan of swing.

[@tubewayarmy2]

I once joined a band where one guy had written all the music, but he couldn't read music. I found it hard to match my style to any of his songs, finding his songs seemed to change key mid song but I could never pin down exactly where. I wanted to play one or two cover numbers so that I could try and get more 'together' with the rest of the band, but he didn't want to do that. When I started playing with them we didn't have a drummer, and I said we seemed to be 'speeding up' but was told that was just the way it goes, then we got a drummer and the 'writer' said he seemed to be speeding up, but he was just trying to fit with the song. The 'writer' also wanted to do all the lead singing, but his voice wasn't great, and he wouldn't let anybody else do any of the lead singing. I was lead guitar, but his music was like exactly the same chord sequence for 20x, 'do lead break', then same chord sequence for 20x, making it hard to work out exactly where the lead break was supposed to be. All the lyrics to his songs were nicked from other songs. I tried to soggest 'we all learn how to read music' to try and iron out the difficulties working with his music, but that didn't go down well. So, sadly' it was a very abrasive experience which didn't last long.

[@csnide6702]

I've never seen a guy that built GREAT guitars that could play all that well...... I've kicked around with jam band situations and playing with just anyone that has a guitar in our small area... But when the bunch of us who grew up together get together and play - damn .. ! the room just seems to explode. Even if there are just two or three of us at a time.

[@bobrich1950]

you should check out Bill Comins at Comins Guitars. Builds great guitars and the guy is a real musician

[@csnide6702]

@@bobrich1950 i will do that... ! thanks for the tip

[@tessjuel]

I've played with an excellent guitarist who also made great guitars and another one who built some fantastic effect pedals. But there never flaunted it. And those are of course expections to the rule. Building good instruments and playing them take two completely different skill sets and very few people have the talent for both.

[@csnide6702]

@@tessjuel Your last sentence was spot on... that's pretty much what i was saying/meaning to say.... 👍

[@kevinkeener]

Interesting observation; not sure one skill has anything at all to do with the other, building and playing. I built the bass I wanted 20 years ago. It's the best instrument I've ever owned, looks incredible, plays great, sounds great, and I still have it.

[@randaldavis8976]

I am going to bring my cheap squire strat with chinese humbuckers and my crate amp. also a pedal board beyond my ability to use it. I waved at Eddie Van Halen at a concert. I am a terrible guitarist, but am practicing occasionally when no one can hear it. :)

[@lawrencefeldman7744]

Perfect! Candor and honesty! I'll bet you sound good or at least competent. Look,anyone with a sense of humor about themselves has some clue. I'd listen to you play. Keep at it, it'll be good!

[@mcfats7652]

That reminds me of me! I never waved at EVH though, so you're probably better than me.

[@zyzyx4157]

Damn I always compliment people’s playing cuz I want them to keep trying to get better I didn’t realize it was a “red flag”

[@scoggers1628]

I look forward to your movie reviews which will no doubt include frequent, lengthy tangents on guitar gear. Lol.

[@michaelweinman9051]

ha ha aha

[@beardedrancher]

I build my own guitars because nobody else builds what I want. I'm sure I could get fender custom shop to do it and it would be better than mine, but I also could afford a new truck or a bathroom remodel for how much that costs. Sucks being poor 🤣

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

I once auditioned a drummer who turned up already drinking, it was early afternoon. He asked whether we wanted him to play fast or "Sunday afternoon", we said "fast" and he decided to ignore this request and went for "Sunday afternoon". We didn't call him back. There was another drummer who just decided to one day just stop answering our messages and stopped coming to rehearsals. We bumped into him about two years later and he just said "hi" like he'd not just blanked us.

[@happyads9439]

😂😂

[@castleanthrax1833]

Yeah, well you know the joke "whaddya call a guy who hangs round musicians?"

[@martinthompson2425]

Had a very talented singer who showed up drunk for rehearsal. I guess she was in “Sunday afternoon” mode. She just couldn’t keep up to save her life. This was about 35 years ago, and I’ll never forget her slurred words to me after rehearsal: “Marty!……Marty! How come y’all played my song so damn fast?!?!” 😲 Powerful singer. I hope she got control of her consumption…

[@jeffcarlson3269]

@Teresa Ravenshaw... hmmm that sounds like some of the musicians I've gotten with... some are just NO GOOD.. we had a bass player... years ago..back in the late 70's who actually went to music school to be a Drummer... but we already had a drummer in our band... so this guy.. was learning bass.. as an alternative instrument.. but every practice he came to with his bass..., he was drunk, belligerent... and constantly critiquing the drummer.. on things that were Not quite right ..this finally culminated in a fist fight one night between this "bass player".. and the other guitar player.....the band broke up after that..

[@martinthompson2425]

@@jeffcarlson3269. What a poor, frustrated soul he must’ve been. Really wanting to be the drummer…stuck playing bass (badly?). Throw in a drinking problem and a belligerent attitude…it’s the perfect storm. ⛈️😱⛈️

[@richardpierce7819]

I have to say that on my strat the neck was to chunky very hard for my small hands, and yes I put a different neck on it ( a 52 tele neck ) it had a smaller radius and believe it or not a rose wood fret board. I also put some velvet hammer pups in it ( yes the rare Red Rhodes velvet hammer.) The reason is that they have a creamier tone. So sometimes its not such a red flag. ( unless your just butchering your ax.)

[@jeffcarlson3269]

back in the 70's I answered an ad for a guitarist wanted.. and when I got to this couple's apartment.. I found myself auditioning in their.. bedroom... and the guy said by the way.. "my wife sings... we want to do Fleetwood Mac".. so we spent an hour jamming on Rhiannon... which I think was popular at the time..I had to learn the song in that bedroom cuz I never played any Mac songs before...

[@Kipperbob]

Damn, I built quite a few guitars, the only reason I ever started playing guitar is because I was fixing guitars for broke musician friends and figured I should be able to tune the thing, then I read about intonation and figured that out, then learned a few chords, ya know, just to be better at fixing them, then fixed a couple of broken headstocks, then made a guitar body for a dude who's girl found out he was a dog and threw his guitar down the stairs at him, Before I knew it I was playing drums in a band, and all the time I was getting hooked on guitar, it sorta creept up on me till I was a guitarist. And I'd still build a Telecaster if the wife wouldn't kill me, because apparently I have enough guitars. 😂

[@bb_lz9790]

Similar to the "no gear" player was a guitarist who always showed up at rehearsal (my home), but hadn't had dinner yet. My wife always fed him. Granted his personal life was in shambles, so we wanted to show him some kindness. But still...

[@kkzooi]

i wouldn't be the least bit surprized that if video rental stores were still a thing that Baxter would split the shop in two. Half of the shop for guitars the other half for video rental.

[@markpell8979]

Oh, Bax HAS videos. They're just not in the front of the shop. If you get my drift...

[@IAM_Reedy]

Had a drummer show up with just sticks. 😂Literally said, “I can prove my skills by playing on this table”. Proceeded to play the worst air drums ever. I was amazed, never had that happen before and I couldn’t believe I was actually listening to him dent my coffee table. I asked him what was up and he said his wife sold his drums to buy airline tickets to a funeral, he was saving to get a new set soon. 😳 No call back on that guy.

[@Banzo_]

😂 I swear you made that up. Too ridiculous to be true 😂

[@IAM_Reedy]

@@Banzo_ sadly it actually happened 😂

[@ThatIrishCowboy]

Can confirm all of these I let one of my band mates borrow my PRS SE that I had just put new McCarty pickups in you can't even buy them anymore and I never saw that guitar again I miss it so much. I'll even add one when the guitar players girlfriend or wife talks for him and says something like "I just want to make sure you guys are a good fit and you're not going to let him down I don't want to see him get hurt again"

[@blakeanderson7906]

Man that sucks, I love those pickups, sorry about your PRS!

[@apeks74]

Standing by for the Movie Reviews!

[@TVoltG]

I play lead ukulele in a ska, funk, death metal band that jents. And that's all I play. 🥴

[@michaelweinman9051]

Ha hA AHA ha!! rolling laughter over here

[@TVoltG]

@@michaelweinman9051 we're huge in Malta

[@lamppostwillie]

On Cinema at the Casino. Sounds like a winner.

[@chrisgeo1642]

I do build my guitars but I never open a conversation with “yeah, so I build my guitars and they sweet AF” I actually don’t mention it at all and if someone compliments I say thank you and that’s about it. Occasionally someone will ask where I got it and I will tell them I build them but beyond that I don’t mention anything. If I am playing someone else’s guitar or a studio guitar I still sound like me (for better or worse) so I don’t really go into it. I am also a shitty person to be in a band with and when asked I tell people flat out that I’m flattered but you really don’t want me in your band. I am just not that committed to the band thing, I love working in the studio I will lay down tracks for just about anyone if I feel my style fits their project and if not I’ll still give it a shot but I don’t want them to feel like they have to use my tracks if I really don’t like them so I’ll leave it up to them no hard feeling on my part. I just turned down a gig with a couple of great musicians much better than me because in that instance I feel like they would be dumbing down the music a bit to accommodate me, nothing I can’t play but I don’t feel that I would really be able to add anything to what they already do exceptionally well. Some people just aren’t meant to be in bands and I’m one of them, been in a bunch and never really got the same joy from it as the other people did particularly in performing live. I can do it, I have done it, I just don’t get the thrill that a lot of people do. I would rather toil for hours to get a voicing exact or work for days fine tuning my tone for a 30 second interlude. I don’t really have any of your red flags but I’m still a shitty guy to be in your band.

[@frankgerace5997]

Here’s a drummer red flag-never let a drummer in your band who says “I can’t play in that key.”

[@QBRX]

ha ha

[@frankgerace5997]

@@QBRX 🥁🥁

[@got2kittys]

I played with a drummer who needed us to mike a metronome to stay in time.

[@QBRX]

@@got2kittys Sounds like he picked the wrong instrument.

[@frankgerace5997]

@@got2kittys like using a click track in a studio..hope it wasn’t audible to the audience!!

[@eti313]

0:12 3,2,1, we're at it. 0:23 we're getting into it right now 0:39 We're gonna get into red flag--a quick like, subscribe, hit the bell 0:42 Let's jump into it OK, that;s a red flag right there, when they say they are starting 4 times LOL

[@MildredStain]

Seems like a list of damn near every person I’ve ever played with. I think the word that sums it all up is “humble”. Show up prepared and ready make music together. I’ve wasted too much of my life going along with people described in your list just to have people to play with.

[@jimkalfakis9893]

For me, when I see the eddie van halen guitar? Boom, red flag!

[@jeffcarlson3269]

I did jam with these 2 clowns around 1974... and they were into Skynyrd one asked to borrow my Fender Blender... I used to use it on Foghat tunes.. a week later I went by to see them.. and they had cleared out of their apartment... never seen them since... LESSON LEARNED... have never loaned anything since then..!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thanks!

[@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

My red flag is when a guitarist takes their guitar out of the case, and they haven't trimmed their strings. This tells me either they do everything last minute, they are so disorganized that they can't keep up with something as simple as wire cutters, or they will be a moocher that wants everyone in the band to provide everything for them all the time. Beware of guitarists that don't trim their strings.

[@ViviSectia]

I thought that was people trying to imitate famous guitarists that left their strings uncut.

[@minorcek]

Orrrr they change strings often and just whipped some on before practice so they'd have quality tone. I change my strings once a week at least and prefer to cut the extra but it doesn't always happen, for whateve reason If you're that petty, that's reason enough to not call YOU back. Lord knows what irrelevant things you'd have a problem with

[@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

@@minorcek Good point. Like they always say, don't point at someone because there's four fingers pointing back at you. I just don't like crazy strings waving all over the place. That could put an eye out. Lol!