Me and my cousin are planning on starting a Death Metal band in the Massachusetts area after high school. We're not sure on specific sub genre, but we know its either going to be Melodic Death Metal or Death Metal with Groove Metal influences. I've been playing guitar for about a year and a half, and my cousin has been playing the drums for about a year. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on starting a band like this, this is my first band and I'm not sure how to go about this. help?

You don't have to worry about subgenres, it comes naturally from your influences. Learn how to play well (if you can't), make a bunch of songs and don't worry how it is to be classified. You only need to write one genre on the gig posters.

Oh alright, thats good to know, so basically just jam and see what comes more naturally?

Yeah, but eventually you would make songs with song structures, unless you want to have some weird improvisational band. You could still improvise solos (perhaps partially) even when the songs have a structure.

Yeah, also be choosy about who you get into your band. It doesn't matter if the guy your considering is a guitar god, if he's an asshole, or has no committment, you will be fucked. Trust me, my band lost three years of work because of such a situation.

Hang out with your cousin, maybe with a few beers, and listen to all the stuff you are both into and that you would kind of like to sound like. Pick maybe 3 songs to cover, stuff you both really dig but wouldn't be too hard to play. Denial of Life maybe, or some Black Sabbath. Then when you have rehearsals or practices (whatever you want to call them) go through the songs and learn them, and also play whatever riffs you have made up and try and get some structure based around it. If you want to be even half-serious though, some music theory is very very usefull.

Hope this helps!

God, my band stopped giving a fuck about sub genres a while back. We have so many different sounds going that we are now calling ourselves an extreme metal band. Melodic progressive blackened death doom folk metal with jazz influences was too long.

I would suggest you first get together a full lineup, and then start jamming some covers. I would recommend each of the members pick out a song (or two, or three) they want to do so you guys can get a feel for each other's tastes. I wouldn't confine myself to playing a specific genre just yet. It would be better for you guys just to gain a feel for what you guys enjoy playing together. If you guys find out you all enjoy playing power metal with ridiculously cheesy lyrics about dragons or whatever, then go for it. Start writing power metal songs. xD

One thing I have to ask though, why wait until after high school? If you're talking about forming a professional band, I would suggest you get some experience right now. If you guys just want to play some music, maybe a show here and there, and just have fun, again, why wait 'till later?

Thanks for the help guys, i appreciate it

With a drummer and guitarist, you have two of the main parts of any death metal band already. Put up ads looking for bassists, guitarists, and vocalists. When one responds, have them audition. And by audition, I don't mean go have a beer with them and if they're cool they're in the band. I mean, have them bring all their shit out to your practice space and have them PROVE to you that they're good enough to be in the band. Have them learn a cover song or something. Remember that they are also auditioning you during this process, so you need to impress them as well.

I would require that any members looking to audition would have gig worthy gear ( IE halfstack for guitarists, bass stack for bassists, PA for vocalists ( the PA is necessary for practice, not for shows though ) ). Since you're just starting out, that should be the only real requirement, as long as they like what you want to do and aren't flaky people.

Remember, you've got the most essential parts of the band already, so don't compromise and make shitty music because of your new bassist.

very true, ill keep that in mind
hey does anyone know of some gigs in the northeast for a death metal band?

northeast is pretty vague. for all we know you could be up in Maine

massachusetts? in the area of like boston, cape cod, worcester?

just ask a lot of friends for help but before you let them in your band make sure they are skilled at whatever instrument they are playing.

for putting up ads, how do you get in touch with the people? shud i put my phone number on there or ask for them to sign up or make a place to meet? how shud that work?

I wouldn't put your phone number in your ad. Put you email address, or if you have a myspace, that may be better. That way, the people who see the add could see your myspace and see your influences and interests and such. Just a thought though. Email is probably the safest and best way.

Put ads in the "musicians" section on craigslist. Also, if you have a local record store that specializes in metal, make a little flyer with your info, and see if you can post it in the store. I remember growing up in San Antonio, this record store (Hogwild Records) would have a wall that was covered in flyers promoting shows, guitar lessons, guys wanting to start a band, equipment for sale, etc.

Best of luck to you.

I'd put phone number and email address. If you've already got songs up, include a myspace as well.