Like the title says, a few of my buddies and I are talking about starting up a band. Any tips you guys want to throw out there would be greatly appreciated.

Learn your chemistry as musicians by playing some classic cover songs. Nothing too intricate, but like, some Maiden that you all know really well. Also, even if you want a certain style, jam around in different ones just for shits. Do some metal, some rock, some softer stuff, whatever. Don't really focus on writing your own songs just yet until you can really build a solid chemistry. Or at least that's how I approach it anyway.

I agree with Alex, do covers. Don't start it by "Hey let's make up a song". You need to know that you're all on the same page first.

Do any of you guys play more than one instrument? If so, switching instruments every now and then would be a good idea.

You need to know how other instruments work. It's helpful to have a basic understanding of guitar, drums, bass etc. A great musician is talented musically, not just skilled in one particular instrument.

There are a lot of egos in a band. And there's always this guy that never shows up for band practice. At that point, someone has to take up the leader position and tell him that he has to change if the band is gonna get serious.

Sounds gay but videotape or record your stuff. Even your first jams. It's fun listening to how horrible you are as a band.

Having a band name, logo or a gimmick should be the least of your concerns, lol.

Few band members > A lot of them

Please for God's sake tune your guitars before band practice and not during.

If your vocalist tries to do any of those metalcore screamo noises, stop everything immediately and seriously consider kicking him out. Vocalists tend to do that when they can't sing or do a real growl.

Buy a microphone, or make sure the vocalist has one. You can't hear him beneath all that music. In the words of Lemmy, "Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud".

Make sure it is loud.

I don't think a starter band should rent a rehearsal space. The best place to jam would be the drummer's place, if the neighbors don't mind. Which they will, because neighbors are assholes.

I disagree with the whole "play covers first" idea. You end up getting bogged down with learning the songs. Besides, if you weren't on the same page you wouldn't be starting a band together. And if you aren't on the same page, you'll soon know when you start doing your own stuff.

I agree with the need for a leader, someone has to take responsibility for the personal issues and keeping everyone in line. BUT (and it's a big but) you all need to be vocal about what you want or don't want, otherwise it'll never work and it'll end in arguments somewhere along the line. You've all got to learn to be brutally honest with eachother, like if someone wants to do backing vocals and they suck, they've got to be told they suck.

Don't pander to anything. Do everything the way you guys think it should be done, not how your elitist metalhead friends, your mum, your little sister or your girl/boyfriend think it should.

Don't stop learning your instrument - always strive to be better than you are.

Have fun - the minute it becomes a chore, it's the beginning of the end.

At the moment, we have 4 guys, myself included (as vocalist). Our guitarist and I were just talking about how fewer members = better last night, so I think we'll cap it at 4.

Each member has their own set of influences, which I think rules. Everyone brings something a little different to the table. I'm all about black, doom, thrash, and old-school heavy metal. My guitarist plays a lot of black, death, and thrash. Our drummer has a lot of brutal death and grind influences. Our bassist digs jam bands and the like, but he's also into thrash and black. I feel like we can find a way to combine at least some of those influences into a unified sound.

As of right now, we're waiting for our drummer's other band to clear out of their old practice space (within the next few days) so we can move in. Our guitarist just bought a $500 amp just for this, so I know at least the two of us are serious.