Employers need to be consistently sure that they’re checking every box to ensure the field’s best professionals are not only drawn to their businesses, but fulfilled and content once they’ve signed on. This is truer now than at any other time in recent memory, as the Great Resignation of 2021 showed us that employee attrition can happen at any time, and at a much greater scale than previously thought possible.
These same principals can be applied to your nascent Godsmack tribute band. You’ve compiled an eager group of backing musicians who have collectively perfected the Drop D-tuned riffage and soulpatch-infused attitude needed to excel in today’s climate of semi-ironic nu-metal nostalgia. The only thing missing is the perfect Layne Staley-imitating lead singer. Here are 5 tips to make sure you’re able to snag and hold on to the best your area has to offer!
1. Strengthen your brand
You need to be aware of the target audience here. Sure, “Demigodsmack” is actually a pretty good pun for a band name, but do you really think an aspiring Godsmack tribute band singer appreciates such wittiness? Try something simpler, with a bit of an edge to it. “Godfuckinsmack” or “God Bitchslap” should serve as eye-catching band names that any prospective frontman would be happy to join, provided doing so doesn’t violate the conditions of his parole. Remember, you’re not looking for a Pulitzer Prize-winning wordsmith here, so don’t waste too much time coming up with something clever when it’s just going to go over the head of your prospective new member.
2. Incentivize with appropriate on-site job perks
This will work wonders in enticing the perfect singer, and contrary to what you may be dreading, it won’t break the bank! A simple line added to your Craiglist ad mentioning that the rehearsal space is perpetually stocked with Busch Lite and Slim Jims will effectively triple the responses you get in the first week. Also, now’s the time for you and your bandmates to take up smoking Camel No Filters, as knowing he’ll always have someone to bum a smoke from will definitely increase the likelihood that a top-tier Godsmack-emulating singer will want to join. If any current members take umbrage with the new smoking requirement, kindly inform them they’re no longer needed and expand your search accordingly.
3. Develop an effective onboarding process
Any new member is going to be a little timid in his first days, so it’s necessary to have a system in place to make sure he’s gradually incorporated into the band while given the tools and information he’ll need to be at the top of his game come showtime. Consider enacting a mentorship program with a more senior band member acting as a guiding force both in and out of the band, whether the issue is difficulty remembering song lyrics or apprehension over the possibility of getting caught with that dirtbike he stole from the Boston Market parking lot. Remembering that his problems are your problems is paramount to your band performing at its full potential.
4. Prioritize member engagement
Do your members look forward to weekly practice, or do they anticipate it with dread, boredom, or some combination thereof? Make sure the experience is fun for everyone by scheduling team-building activities centered around shared behavior, such as petty theft from the local 7-11 or the irresponsible mishandling of fireworks. Having a fun group activity to look forward to will motivate your new member to come to practice, particularly in the early days when your bassist keeps fucking up the intro licks to “Voodoo.”
5. Emphasize career progression
Your first show might be at an empty firehall, but you might end up opening for a Mudvayne tribute band someday. A shared goal between all members is important in taking the band to where you want it to be, so make sure the new singer is aware of this from his first day of practice onward. Don’t be afraid to aim high, either! Having your music played in a Navy commercial like the band you’re emulating may seem like a lofty goal, but you’re sure to land among the stars even if you miss the moon!
There you have it. By following these simple, common-sense tips, you can make sure your Godsmack tribute band dominates your local nu-metal scene for as long as you’re able to stay out of jail. Good luck!