Bandmates Wanted

I posted a flyer looking for bandmates the other day, but it wasn’t an honest attempt to find people:

First of all, the flyer I posted is too hard to read and too self-centered. I mean, leading with “Marvelous Frontwoman” kinda makes it all about me. And while I AM a marvelous frontwoman, a flyer to find bandmates should be about the people I’m trying to find, not about how marvelous I am.

Also, there are zero specifics about what kind of music we will play. And what instruments we will need. And there are no details about how to get in touch beyond my Instagram handle.

Still, posting the flyer in public was a brave act, and I’m giving myself points for that.

Time to draft flyer #2: the honest attempt. So who am I trying to find? How often will we practice and perform? What music will we play? Let’s brainstorm:

The name of the band will be Madam Ant Band, and the concept is a glammy, cheeky, female-fronted 80’s influenced art-rock tribute band. I will be the lead singer and my stage persona will be my alter-ego, Madam Ant. She is a modern-day, female version of Adam Ant, the frontman for the 80’s British post-punk band, “Adam and the Ants.” Mr. Ant (….hmm, somehow “Captain Ant” sounds better and feels more appropriate) Cpt. Ant went on to a successful solo career as just Adam Ant.

(I have plenty more to say about Adam Ant, but for now, I’ll just say that his message is a timely one of personal liberation and the simple joys of being sexy and having fun. My Adam Ant repertoire is only 7 or 8 songs deep, but they’re all bangers.)

People/Instruments: I’m looking for musicians with professional chops. I think we’ll need 2 guitars, a bass, drums, keys, a trumpet or two, an occasional saxophonist (which could be me), and maybe some backup singers and ancillary percussion. Hm. That’s a lot of folks. Good to know.

Time Commitment: I’d like a group of musicians who can practice once/week and play a show maybe once/month. I imagine it’ll take us a few months to get up and running.

Practice Space: I don’t have one yet. In my experience, the practice space depends a lot on the drummer and where their kit is set up.

Repertoire: Here’s the fun part. I want to play covers of songs from the 80’s, 90’s and beyond. Maybe that’s how I’ll word it. Or maybe just “80’s Art Rock Band.” Hm. This should be at the beginning of the flyer. Bands we will cover would include: Adam Ant, Talking Heads, Pretenders, Erasure, and then I’d like to do some newer stuff too– The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, and a bunch of other stuff I can’t remember right now. (Also, I know that those two bands– The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand– are also kinda from a long time ago. Have I mentioned that I am 42 years old and stopped listening to new music once my kids were born?)

Anyway, I was thinking we could tie all of these covers together by saying that they’re all in the vein of “Post-Punk.” Hmm, maybe “Post-Punk Cover Band” is the right language. Or “Post-Punk Influenced.” Yeah, that’s probably better.

* * * * *

:brainstorm complete.

Well. I feel like this has been a VERY productive brainstorming session. I have a lot more info to go on for when I make my next flyer.

My biggest takeaway from tonight: What I’m looking for in a band is a BIG ASK.

Good to know.