Seasoned drummer looking to start 4/5 piece band

Union St near Grand Ave, Oakland CA

Description

I am a 20 year plus drummer who has played semi-pro around the bay area. I now have another job that I love but I am ready to start a serious band, too. I expect to tour with this band, as I am self-employed and my schedule is up to me. I am also opera trained so when I perform harmonies or sometimes lead, I can get my voice working too. I am looking to get together 3 or 4 other musicians, preferably bass, guitar, keys, maybe some strings. I actually used to play violin when I was young but haven't picked it up since I was in elementary school. Optimal idea here is that a lead songwriter wants to join in on this idea and see where our musical explorations take us. I am the kind of musician who likes to dissect parts in music until I have the flow with my band. When I practice, when I was semi-pro, it was 7 hours at a time. Now, I do more like 3 hour uninterrupted blocks. I enjoy being really good at what I do and I want to play with people who also enjoy music for music's sake. I'm not interested in working with flakes and don't want people who just jam with no intention. As far as influences, I can say my 3 favorite bands are Phish, Tool and Radiohead. I do not want to play in a jam band at all, but I do want to explore where songs take us with the intention to make the music better. It will never be about filling space. But I want this band to be steeped in funk with elements of bluegrass and jazz and a little heavy metal for fun. I want to play with musicians who enjoy each others' companies and the expression of music from a deeply soulful, authentic and motivated place. If this sounds good, let's set up a jam time at my studio to play your songs or explore what music shows up when we get together. I am not the lead songwriter but when I get deep into playing with a band, I can bring in my own music and lyrics.