how lame would this be?

[Lost In A Name]

My band, Lost In A Name, has been looking for a second guitarist for at least 8 or 9 months. We finished recording and released our debut album in april/may. I recorded all the guitars in the studio. We have been un-able to book shows and play out (besides a couple acoustic shows) since our music is deeply rooted in guitar riffs and harmonies, and we need that second guitarist. We've been getting really antsy and frusturated since we spend so much time, effort, and money on the album and are really serious about music. We've been toying with the idea of playing to backing tracks. Part of me thinks it would be pretty lame to have the band be playing along to pre-recorded guitar parts, but another part of me just really wants to play out, and am tired of waiting. (The whole band is, for that matter) We could play the shows as a three piece, and not have backing tracks, but it would take away so much of the music, that it might be equally as lame to play without half of the music that's on the CD, as it would be to have backing tracks playing along. Our other option, of course, is to just keep waiting it out and trying to find someone. (milwaukee really sucks) But we're not growing any younger either... How lame would it be to see a band that has extra pre-recorded guitar parts playing?

-Danny

P.S. Check out the music www.myspace.com/lostinaname - It would be pretty hard to duplicate our music live with just one guitarist I think. What do you think?

[theguy77]

it literally would not bother me at all. im of the opinion that you do what you have to to put on a good show, no matter what. my buddy william doyle has performed by himself with nothing but a laptop; a lot of great bands do the same in fact, caribou and idiot pilot to name a couple. i think its important to get the album to satisfy every artistic desire you can possibly aim for no matter whether its practical for your personnel, and if you have to have a computer perform it live then so be it. its about creativity much more than it is about performance. and hell, maybe if you play shows and get your band's name more well-known locally word will spread taht you need a guitarist and you'll have a much easier time finding one.

[Lost In A Name]

"and hell, maybe if you play shows and get your band's name more well-known locally word will spread taht you need a guitarist and you'll have a much easier time finding one." - This was my thought too. Thanks for your input dude, I really appreciate it (:

-Danny

[patrickhowell]

That's what Say You Will did when Jordy quit.

[remoteCONTROL]

hazel and vine does it as well

[Lost In A Name]

Cool, well you know what I think we're going to do it then. I really want to play out and start growing. I'd rather have another guitarist then pre-recorded guitar parts, but like theguy77 said, maybe we'll find another guitarist quicker this way. Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it (: - If you any of you guys/girls want any of our songs for free, email me at lostinaname@hotmail.com and I'll send you the mp3's.

-Danny

[SD_John]

I say do it. There is a band I saw live about a year ago, and they don't even have a guitarist. They usually have a guitarist from another band that they're touring with play for them. I'd do that if I were you.

[Burn That Shit]

My band, Lost In A Name, has been looking for a second guitarist for at least 8 or 9 months. We finished recording and released our debut album in april/may. I recorded all the guitars in the studio. We have been un-able to book shows and play out (besides a couple acoustic shows) since our music is deeply rooted in guitar riffs and harmonies, and we need that second guitarist. We've been getting really antsy and frusturated since we spend so much time, effort, and money on the album and are really serious about music. We've been toying with the idea of playing to backing tracks. Part of me thinks it would be pretty lame to have the band be playing along to pre-recorded guitar parts, but another part of me just really wants to play out, and am tired of waiting. (The whole band is, for that matter) We could play the shows as a three piece, and not have backing tracks, but it would take away so much of the music, that it might be equally as lame to play without half of the music that's on the CD, as it would be to have backing tracks playing along. Our other option, of course, is to just keep waiting it out and trying to find someone. (milwaukee really sucks) But we're not growing any younger either... How lame would it be to see a band that has extra pre-recorded guitar parts playing?

-Danny

P.S. Check out the music www.myspace.com/lostinaname (http://www.myspace.com/lostinaname) - It would be pretty hard to duplicate our music live with just one guitarist I think. What do you think?

TOO FAR BRO.

I know a couple bands who just use a loop pedal for second guitar parts(namely Glassjaw) and that works fine for them, but being from Milwaukee, there's plenty of kids in the MATC/UWM area that would love being in a band. Put something up on craigslist or throw some flyers around some of local hangouts (Fuel Cafe, Riverwest area in general) and you'll find someone.

[AndrewIcex]

Sometimes you just gotta do what it takes, and once that is done... the guitarist will come, just play some shows, and have fun... and get the name out there in the mean time... its a win win for you.

[Lost In A Name]

TOO FAR BRO.

I know a couple bands who just use a loop pedal for second guitar parts(namely Glassjaw) and that works fine for them, but being from Milwaukee, there's plenty of kids in the MATC/UWM area that would love being in a band. Put something up on craigslist or throw some flyers around some of local hangouts (Fuel Cafe, Riverwest area in general) and you'll find someone.

haha you think we haven't put flyers up like crazy, posted on craigslist every couple of weeks, posted on milwaukeerocks.com every couple of weeks etc.? Trust me, we've been actively looking, like crazy, for the last 8 or 9 months. We've had a couple of responses, but either from someone who is too old, too young, not skilled enough, or not committed enough. Milwaukee can be cool, and there are a few really good bands from this area. But to put it in perspective, for the hell of it, we posted some ads in the Chicago craigslist once, and got 4 or 5 responses in a day or two. (none of them willing to drive to milwaukee for practice, understandably)

It sounds like the general consensus is that it wouldn't be too lame, in which case, I think we're going to go for the backing tracks idea and hope to attract a guitarist that way. I really appreciate everyone's input. Musicians helping musicians, this is what its all about (:

-Danny

[AbeLurkin]

have you guys practiced with a backing track? this can be fairly challenging but i do think you would be totally fine to do this. as others have said, tell people at shows you are looking.

[Lost In A Name]

Yeah we've practiced playing to a click and running backing tracks through the PA. Our drummer (luckily) is awesome and can play to a click no problem, as long as we play to him, we're fine. Its different, that's for sure... I'd definitely rather have a real guitarist, but for now, this will have to do.

[FromTheBalcony]

i used to think it was dumb when people did that, but over the years it really stopped bothering me, and i think alot of people are the same way. It definitely doesnt beat having a guitarist, but it would be a nice temporary fix. It sucks not playing shows

[guitarpickheart]

Wouldn't bother me. Especially, as you said, since you've been actively looking and don't have a guitarist available to you.
BTW, I've listened to you guys before and like your music.

[Lost In A Name]

Wouldn't bother me. Especially, as you said, since you've been actively looking and don't have a guitarist available to you.
BTW, I've listened to you guys before and like your music.

Awesome, thanks so much! I really appreciate everyone's feedback, I feel a little better about going for it. We've gotten it down pretty well, and I'm pretty excited to start playing out. Our sound since we added our backing tracks, and we are extremely tight since we are playing too the click track. I just hope everyone is as open to the idea as you guys are once we start playing out. Hopefully we'll just find a guitar player pretty quick and it won't be an issue for too long.

Thanks so much for the kind words about our music. I really appreciate it! Where did you hear our music before? How did you find out about us? Here?

-Danny

[Deadbolt23]

Get out there, and get noticed man. Let us know how it goes.

[Paulb-182]

I would personally find it really lame.. I'm always a bit put off when I hear sounds from things that aren't specifically being played by someone on stage.. I can not believe you don't know someone who can play rythm guitar really too. I know loads but I'm struggling with a drummer

[xmicxcorex]

Good luck man! I don;t think it'd bother me much, some of my good friends played with a...fake...drummer for the entirety of their bands life (3 years or so) excepting 2 shows when they had a real drummer. You have to do what you have to do to do what you love.

[guitarpickheart]

Awesome, thanks so much! I really appreciate everyone's feedback, I feel a little better about going for it. We've gotten it down pretty well, and I'm pretty excited to start playing out. Our sound since we added our backing tracks, and we are extremely tight since we are playing too the click track. I just hope everyone is as open to the idea as you guys are once we start playing out. Hopefully we'll just find a guitar player pretty quick and it won't be an issue for too long.

Thanks so much for the kind words about our music. I really appreciate it! Where did you hear our music before? How did you find out about us? Here?

-Danny

Actually, I'm not sure where I heard your music from, it may have been here though.

[Lost In A Name]

Cool, we are really starting to get the hang of playing to these backing tracks, and to be honest, we've never sounded better. Our sound is so full, especially since we added some keys to the tracks as well, and since we're playing to a click, we're extremely tight. I can't wait to start playing out, and I'll definitely let you guys know how it goes. Anyone from the Milwaukee/Madison/Chicago/Rockford area? We'll be playing theses areas in a month or two.