im a drummer and interested in starting a band. ive been in a band before but it was with friends that i already knew. however, i joined the military and left my ny home for utah. what’s the best way to go about recruiting members? i want to start a band where everybody has equal creative input. i also want to make a few bucks at it too without having to quit my dayjob. any advice?
Well first off being drummer makes things alot easier. Their are alot more guitar and bassists out there than there are drummers, so I don’t think that you’ll have any problem finding talent if you know where to look.
I would see if your local music stores allow you to post flyers and things. I know Casio music up by us does. You might want to try joining another band, if you don’t want to start from scratch. I’ve seen tons of Drummer wanted signs.
If you can’t find a music store that does go, to any university around you and hang fliers everywhere. I promise you’ll get lots of calls.
A tip for posting the signs is to say exactly what you want. Like, Not looking to make it big, just for fun and money on the side, and also everyone having creative input. Putting what kind of music you intend to play, or the bands you want your “sound” to be like will help to weed out anyone you might not want/need.
Good luck. And if worse comes to worse and you need a decent bassist give me a call. 
I second what otto3883 said.
Joining an existing band would be a good way to see what’s out there, and a good way to meet musicians that you might want to eventually play with.
If you’re going to start a band you need at least a rudimentary PA system for vocals. Someone may already have this, but probably not. If your band is truly a collective endeavor, each member will chip in an equal amount. More likely one person in the band is going to have to foot the majority of the bill and as the leader or starter of the band, that person will be you. This will create a pattern of the rest of the members looking to you for financing unless you nip it in the bud.
You’re also going to need a place to practice. The best place is a dedicated rehearsal space that won’t annoy neighbors, wake the children, bring the cops over, and so on. The locals would be a good source for this. Small industrial parks may have space you can rent or maybe a band member has a place in the middle of nowhere. Security should be a concern as well as insurance, if possible, because I can’t think of anybody who hasn’t had at least some of their stuff ripped off at one time or another.
Another thing is, I don’t know if you want to do ‘originals’ or cover tunes, but you should have a tape or CD ready with songs you want to play, or at least songs in the vein of songs you want to play. That way you can send it to whoever and they’ll know if this is something they want to be part of or not. Also, when you get together you’ll have something to play instead of awkwardly riffling through tunes trying to find something you have in common.
All you need are 3 chords and the truth…
Seriously, otto3883 is on the right track. Throw a cymbal out your van window and you’ll hit 2 or 3 guitar players (I’m an axeman myself). Check the local weekly rag (if there is such a thing in Utah) for ads. Put the word out that you’re looking for some collaborators, and list influences. Put up a flyer at the local music store… I GUARANTEE a drummer will get a couple of calls to audition/brainstorm. You mutants are hard to find, and keep.
Most importanly: Hang out with other musicians. Go to clubs, meet bands. You’ll find yourself in your own band in no-time-flat. It’s a very incestuous business.
… you DO have a van, don’t you? If not, ignore everything above and go buy a van (or a piccolo).