People That Like the Same Music

Why Find People Who Like The Same Music?

This may be a question in your mind when you’re looking for bandmates. Say you found a really cool guy, and he plays great, and you get along good, so why does it matter that you love Guns ‘N’ Roses and he likes Frank Zappa? Well because bands should have bandmates who all have similar idols that you want to try to emulate their style of music. It doesn’t mean you have to listen to the exact same music (although that would be better). You can easily have bandmates that listen to Green Day while you listen to more Foo Fighters. Those bands are similar enough that they won’t conflict. But if one of you listens to Acid Jazz, and the other one listens to Funk, and you listen to Metal, that just won’t work.

Try To Show Your Potential Bandmates New Music

Luckily, peoples interest in music can change very dramatically, sometimes they just need a little convincing. Sit them down, and see if they like some of the same music that you like, and maybe over time you’ll grow on the kind of music that your bandmates listen to. When I started my new band, my friend Nathan listened to a lot of The Strokes, and Cage The Elephant, and I listened to a lot more of Green Day, and Foo Fighters (when I first met him he listend to Iron Maiden). Luckily, over time these bands have grown on me, when I used to not like them, as Green Day and Foo Fighters have really grown on him. So don’t assume that the people you meet can’t change their views on the music you like to listen to.

Things to do before you count potential bandmates:

Try to introduce them to music you like
Be ready to try listening to the music they like
At least see if they like the music, they don’t have to be avid listeners
Try to expand the music you listen to, maybe there are bands out there like the bands they listen to that you like.
Try and find common ground!

Really the most important thing to do though, is to be open minded it to really listen to the bands the potential bandmate likes. At least try to understand what about it they like. But if it really just never hits you, and you don’t understand the long breaks, or high-pitch never ending solos, or the primal screaming, then accept that this person is not the right fit for your band. And this is a very real reason to say that it just isn’t the right fit, so don’t be afraid to say that it’s not going to work out based off your musical preferences.

In summary:

Find people who like the same music
If you like everything else about them, try to like their music, or get them to like yours
Be open minded when listening to their music
Don’t tell yourself that their music is good if it really isn’t. If it’s just not your style, then accept it, and tell them.