thinking of starting a band.

[Tynan]

ive been thinking about starting a band. i just dont know what type.
i want to do something that is original. well atleast where not alot of people do it. and want it to be experimental. i just dont know what style i want it to be.

anyone have advice that have started bands that could help me with this problem.
like how did you decide what style to do?

[Union Of V]

From experience I can tell you that unless you have a Monthy Python personality its very hard to make experimental music.

First find some people who want to be in a band with you. It doesn't really matter what their tastes are. Have a few jamming sessions and see if you can somehow reconcile all their tastes. It can lead to interesting combinations like...

Rap + Metal + Funk = Rage Against The Machine
Rock + Dance = The Prodigy, Pendulum (Live), The Crystal Method
Hardcore Dance + Hardcore Punk = Atari Teenage Riot
Industrial + Metal = Nine Inch Nails

What makes a band unique is really not trying to be anything, especially unique. Do what you feel like doing, it makes a change from doing what you're meant to do.

[Tynan]

the thing is that i do have a few possible members and we did jam. but we all came to the same problem of choosing a style to play. but thanks for the advice

[Double X]

Play what you enjoy, figure out what you enjoy by listening to various genres.

I think punk is a great starting point for many bands because they are inexperienced and you can rely on pure energy, and then move on to other things. Reggae too. Ethically, I urge you not to play anything post-grunge, pop-punk, nu-metal, or christian worship rock. For genres on the upswing, mathrock/hardcore is making a come back so maybe try jump back on that, especially if you are in the Northeast or the West Coast? Be careful though, not talking about Hawthorne Height yuck hardcore, I am talking about "The Evens" and "Daughters" type of hardcore.

But yeah, play what you like, because nobody truly loves all genres.

[Union Of V]

Originally Posted by Double X

I think punk is a great starting point for many bands because they are inexperienced and you can rely on pure energy, and then move on to other things.

However I find that a lot of young bands use the mantle of Punk as an excuse not to try to write good music. Good punk is hard to write now that the novelty has long worn off.

[Tegan]

I'm not massively experienced in this field... But having sat through the long hours of my cousin's band being born, I'd advise you to play something you enjoy.
Work out the kind of music you all like to listen to and play things like that, at least then you'll love what you're doing.

[TheWhiteTornado]

Maybe try having each person play the genre of music that they favor. This could either be disastrous or revolutionary, lol.

[Tynan]

lol the sad thing is i dont have a fav style of music. i like all kinds of music.

[Double X]

Originally Posted by Union Of V

However I find that a lot of young bands use the mantle of Punk as an excuse not to try to write good music. Good punk is hard to write now that the novelty has long worn off.

The thing is, I assume Dante's band isn't made up of all virtuosos, so if they played progressive metal it would be a disaster. And the good punk bands move onto other things anyways. It stops being cool once you hit a certain age, unless you are Ian Mackaye.

Originally Posted by dante79

lol the sad thing is i dont have a fav style of music. i like all kinds of music.

Originally Posted by Double X

But yeah, play what you like, because nobody truly loves all genres.

!!!

Play the genre that you have the most emotional connection to.

[mr_null]

Just sit down with your instrument and play whatever flows through you. Play what you think sounds good and don't listen to any naysayers. Also you need to read "The Music Lesson" by Victor L. Wooten.

[Tynan]

Originally Posted by mr_null

Just sit down with your instrument and play whatever flows through you. Play what you think sounds good and don't listen to any naysayers..

that just sounds like jazz music in a nutshell.
but for me. i do vocal percussion. so i do fit into almost any style of music.
and when i sit down and just play music it just sounds like no style or influence i can get into. i mix alot of different stuff.

[ThrashAttack]

I suggest Hardcore punk/Crossover thrash in the D.R.I, Cryptic slaughter, Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion of Conformity (old stuff), R.K.L, S.O.D

[Union Of V]

Originally Posted by soulkiller7

I suggest Hardcore punk/Crossover thrash in the D.R.I, Cryptic slaughter, Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion of Conformity (old stuff), R.K.L, S.O.D

Dude, she says her band members have wildly different tastes and you propose one of the most narrow types of music possible!

[ThrashAttack]

Dude, she says her band members have wildly different tastes and you propose one of the most narrow types of music possible!

how can you say punk is narrow?. It has a message to it and there is a truth to its lyrics.

[Union Of V]

Originally Posted by soulkiller7

how can you say punk is narrow?. It has a message to it and there is a truth to its lyrics.

The hardcore/trash/screamo side of rock doesn't appeal to many people outside it's own fanbase. You can start an acoustic outfit and you'll get most non-musical people to listen to you, you can play any mainstream type of metal and you'll get anyone into metal to listen to you, and you can play the most strung-out experimental music possible and people will treat it as background noise while they rush to the bar, but stray too far to the hardcore end and you'll have the non-musical people complaining it's noise and the metal fans complaining it's screaming. Considering this I don't think you're going to get a band together if half of them don't like the stuff in the first place.

[somerandomkidmike]

Originally Posted by soulkiller7

how can you say punk is narrow?. It has a message to it and there is a truth to its lyrics.

Musically punk is kind of narrow. Also more modern punk has the same lyrical themes, and they don't vary at all. It will begin to sound the same. It has its place in music history, and it helped to lay down the foundation for other types of music. Punk usually is made of very simple power-chord progressions, and the minamalist solos are predictable. Still, some punk is good.

Also if you're going to start a band, continue with the jam sessions. I'd start by playing covers of other bands music, then you can get into writing. You don't even have to consider what the genre is. Just play the music you make, and don't worry about the style- it will come together.