Starting a band is much like parenthood, you know you want to be in one and dream of being an international superstar but how does one go from wanting to be in a band to writing and recording to hitting the stage? What if you have a bad show? What really happens behind closed doors? I am about to begin this process and thought I would document the Journey for all to see – with some luck it will end at international stardom and make this a more interesting read years from now – but even if it ends up simply playing local shows for friends and family it should be an interesting journey and people can benefit from both my infinite wisdom as well as mistakes that I am sure will be made.

Who am I? I am a musician/songwriter from NY who has relocated to Texas. I was an All-State drummer who also plays keyboards and Guitars. I have played in bands ranging from thrash metal (as a drummer and a guitarist) to traditional jazz (drums). I have been commissioned to write music for a few projects. For the past decade I was the principal music writer and guitarist for a female fronted hard rock band out of New York called Evil Kitty (www.myspace.com/evilkittytheband) . Evil Kitty was a great band that no one knows of due to bad luck (at one point I had business to attend to out of the country for a year) and laziness. We have recorded with producers of platinum selling artists in some of the nicest studios in New York. While I loved the music we made – it seems a little over processed and not as raw as a good rock album should be.

To catch you up to where I am now – my wife and I have moved to Texas and I am looking to start a similar project here. I have put together a home studio where I hope to produce and record an album. I have plans for a music video or two…I am getting way ahead of myself. When we first arrived here we rented an apartment in Dallas and the “cable guy” installing our cable happened to be a drummer who was not currently playing – after talking we were into similar music. He found a bass player who has had a career of playing for himself in his bedroom and wants a bigger audience. He (the cable guy) has a brother in law who is supposed to be a great keyboard player. The nucleus seems to be intact – of course I have yet to meet neither the bass player - aside from an e-mail or 2 - nor the keyboard player and have yet to play with them. The plan is to get together at the end of the month in my studio (which hopefully will be together this weekend) to start learning the material I have been working on, and maybe a song or 2 from my former group. As far as singers I placed some ads on some local music websites and Craig’s list   and have 6-7 candidates looking to audition. Some of these candidates have photos and/or audio samples that were available; some have not and remain total mysteries. Some are closet singers looking to be in a band ( let’s hope they are not like the freaks from American Idol brought it for comic value), some are experienced, one has already had a very successful career in a different genre and has always wanted to try her hand in rock. I have selected 3 pieces for them to sing – 1 song from my old group, a cover song for which I have rearranged to give it a modern feel, and a new song without lyrics. I am sending them out the music tracks for 2 songs and a lyric sheet for the cover – I want to see their reactions when they hear the arrangement I have done – it will give me insight as to if they are on the same page I am. Auditions will be held in March – I should be practicing with the nucleus by then and once the singer is chosen things should be well on their way.

Now that everybody is caught up – sort of – we can start going ahead together. Next post I will get into what I am looking for in a singer, how to find someone who meets these criteria and a look into the new album which I already started recording. I will take you through the 1^st practices and auditions, to naming the band, marketing, finding a show etc…etc… This could be a bumpy ride so strap yourself in.