| Author | Message | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1024 Registered: 4-2004 |
ok so flax is gonna vent,..... i play with a band based on long island that rehearses on sat afternoon.apparently they are aiming at playing private parties. this is a 1.5 hr trip for me after my 1 hr ride home the night before when i sit in with my buddies. so right off the bat... i am working on 5 hours sleep. then they throw stuff at me like- no- you need to play it exactly like the record. The song mix is 50;s- current- well almost..lol its hard for a jammer like me to get excited at the thought of playing- its in his kiss.... no dead tunes- leader of band says i cant sing lead but wants me to do backup vocals.... uhhh i cant sing? so why would i? i respect the music, BUT they wrote it, i interpret it. i sit in the pocket most of the day and get nailed for an occasional "roaming" they wanted to play a beatlefest in joisey in 2 weeks and demanded that i learn savoy truffle in 1 week exactly how paul plays it #1- thats a really hard tune(listen to his bass)...where is my satisfaction? feeling? bfd- i copied mccartney note for note? boys and girls........ i think its time for me to leave this behind.... as much as i want to play out!! and i do- i need to do this on my terms and this is unfulfilling,,, my take is they wrote the song... i want to interpret it and play it in my style.,,,,, i dont copy phil note for note- lord knows i cant anyway.. but i can sort of reinvent it to fit my ability/style.. to me this is what music is all about- taking the song and making it mine.. btw0 i think they call it jazz? my friday night buddies are more in tune with this- but i cant convince them that its time for us to play out...but it sure is a lot more fun these are the guys that bill tgo, sat in with bottom line- this isnt the music i want to play, its not how i want to play it and i guess its time for me to go... anyone need a pretty decent bass player? will relocate-lol oh and btw- when i asked that we revisit the song lists... got shot down.... | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3459 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jeff; sounds like the right choice. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1103 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jeff my man, it sounds like you've got it all figured out already. If you were doing this for a living and you had to play note for note to put a cheesburger on the table, well that's one thing. But you, like me, do this for fun, spiritual growth, therapy, any reason BUT for the cash. (Of course getting some cash for playing ain't too shabby, either). Under those circumstances, if it ain't fun, why do it? As for your Friday night crew, go play out! What have you got to lose? I've certainly seen bands many times in bars, at parties, festivals, benefits, etc. that I found far less interesting and enjoyable than youse guys. IMHO each hour of playing with others is equal to 10 hours of playing by yourself, and each hour of playing out is equal to 10 hours in the studio. Tell 'em I said "go for it". Of course if you ever want to relocate and start doing the dead improv thing (NOT note for note) c'mon out west. I'll buy the cheeseburgers (and maybe a little sushi, too). Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on March 13, 2006) | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 546 Registered: 6-2002 |
Indeed Jeff, you have to feel right to play "right". I share a similar philosophy and have left bands before when the vibe wasn't right. No hassles or recriminations, just "sorry guys - you'd be happier with someone other than me." Music is therapy for me, and playing is almost always among my happiest moments. Mike | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1026 Registered: 4-2004 |
thanks guys...... bill- bob the big guitarist doesnt want to play out...... but we'll beat him into doing an open mike night in bklyn as far as relocating? i work for citigroup... wouldnt be a problem.. the northern cal mgr likes me..... | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1027 Registered: 4-2004 |
i gotta laff bill- first time i played with this band... their bassplayer had double booked so i came in - rehearsed one time and gigged 5 days later.. was fun and after they handed me 75$ i was like... youre gonna pay me for this? damn i thought i was just helping out... btw- i should add that the female guitarist aka nazi leader... has basically suited the band to her style.. the lead guitar is dyin to play dead music and he is good and the drummer is my buddy from friday who invited me to play | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1106 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sounds like a revolution may be in order. Bill, tgo | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1029 Registered: 4-2004 |
extrication is a better word | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 547 Registered: 6-2002 |
Exorcism? ... | ||
| dibolosi
Junior Username: dibolosi Post Number: 33 Registered: 1-2004 |
I've been asked to play with some bands and two sessions in they like to tell me how the bass goes. I didn't $3,500.00 for a bass so someone could tell me how to work it. If The Who played Summertime Blues exactly like Eddie Cochran then it wouldn't have sounded like The Who playing Summertime Blues some people don't get this. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 567 Registered: 10-2002 |
Bill's pretty much said it all Jeff. We're doing this for fun and when it stops being fun it's time to stop doing it. I've been lucky that my covers band don't expect perfection, in fact, we prefer to put the Big Tuna stamp on everything we play. The only time I get told off is when I'm too loud for them ;-( Get your Friday night band out. Once the guitarist sees how much fun playing to an audience is, he'll be wanting to play out every night. Graeme p.s. thought this was going to be another 'leaving the forum' posts. phew! (Message edited by jacko on March 14, 2006) | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 995 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yeah Jeff, you scared me also with that heading. Venting is good, I think you have your answers so good luck with the new band. Maybe if you do move to California StoneTrout will let you sit in from time to time. Sounds like Bill won't let you starve anyway  Sam | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1785 Registered: 9-2003 |
Sorry to hear that, Flax. You're on the right track...find others that think like you do to play with. There's plenty of guys out there that share musical tastes, wanna play out and don't care about 100% duplicity of covers. The trick is finding them. Don't give up. With the Net, it's never been easier to find others with common interests. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 680 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jeff, I was in a band like that for a year and it sucked the life right out of my soul. Not worth it. Move out west and do the sushi thing with Bill! John | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 856 Registered: 7-2003 |
Man...this all sounds too familiar. Get out or stage a coup. I can appreciate how an oldies band can get difficult if you are being asked to duplicate the line played by the best URB studio guy Nashville had to offer in 1956 (Don't even talk to me about how to handle a Buddy Holly cover!). What really gets funny is when members argue about whose cover to cover. Do we want to do Chuck Berry's Around and Around, the Stones' or the Deads'?? I shouldn't bitch. The others in the oldies group I play with sometimes are seasoned enough to generally accept an "interpretation" or "adaptation" over a note-on cover. Kevin's right. There are others out there with similar enough tastes and philosophy to make it fun. I didn't always believe that, but I kept asking and eventually found - not one, but two groups of guys to have fun with and play out. Good luck. Bill | ||
| keith_h
Advanced Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 366 Registered: 2-2005 |
Flax, I was recently in a project that sounds similar to yours. The guitarist and singer were into exact copies. I tried to get them to understand that doing exact copies was doomed to failure and that it was better to interpret the songs. I decided to leave the project as it wasn't worth the frustration. I still sit in with them occasionally but it is with the understanding that I am not there to "learn" the songs but just play them for my own satisfaction. Keith | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1111 Registered: 7-2004 |
Covers and which version to cover. This reminds me of a funny incident last night. I'm sitting around having finished helping my 5th grader with his science project (DON'T buy Energizer batteries. Both the Duracell and Long's brand lasted longer in flashlights and running an electric motor). I pick up an acoustic and start messing around. For some reason I start playing Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles", a song I probably haven't played in at least 5 or 6 years. I start singing and my wife recognizes the song and tells me how she never liked that song. I told her she probably was familiar with the hit version and never heard it done by Jerry Jeff or David Bromberg who also did a great version. I figure she's familiar with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band version - a little sappy for my taste. She says that she's not familiar with the Dirt band's version either but that she remembers some guy singing it on TV, maybe a black singer. From the cobwebs of my mind I remember another cover and speak the words "Sammy Davis, Jr.?" She says yea, that's it. It seems she thought old one-eye wrote the song. She did admit my version was better. I've run into this phenomena many tomes, where people think the cover is the original. Like all those people who just love that Janis Joplin song "Me & Bobby McGee", or that Rolling Stones song "Love in Vain" (At least here there is some slack as the Stones claimed credit for this Robert Johnson song on Let It Bleed - shame on you Mick & Keith). Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on March 14, 2006) | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1030 Registered: 4-2004 |
survey says? kiss my bloomin arse! im outta here! thanks guys | ||
| george_wright
Member Username: george_wright Post Number: 80 Registered: 3-2005 |
Bill, speaking of confusing covers with originals, you'll appreciate this.... I almost drove off the road one time, listening to the radio. The DJ had just played some Hendrix. Then he aired a call from an irate listener complaining about people ripping off Stevie Ray Vaughn. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1114 Registered: 7-2004 |
Last year my then 10 year old was shocked and quite impressed that his mom and I knew "I'm a Believer". He thought it was by his favorite band: Smashmouth! He has since been educated about the Monkees. Bill, tgo | ||
| zuperdog
Junior Username: zuperdog Post Number: 24 Registered: 11-2005 |
Not to step on your toes Bill; but, with all due respect, "I'm a believer" was written by Neil Diamond. The Monkees were just a cover band doing catchy songs that someone else had written and not too many people had heard (and lip-synching most of the time, for that matter). Smashmouth was just a bit further down the line of cover artists! George- I heard someone say something similar about John Mayer playing Hendrix, or vise versa. I almost wet myself! | ||
| 2400wattman
Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 64 Registered: 11-2005 |
F**K John Mayonaise! My drummer went to the Crossroads concert at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas & saw Buddy Guy give ol' Mayer the "get the hell out of here" look as he tried to sit in with Buddy, B.B., & Clapton. He really had invited himself or maybe someone set it up w/out the knowledge of the others(or simply asking them) or hell maybe Buddy had no idea who this scrawny kid was. Oh well, no room for squares on that stage! HA Ha | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1115 Registered: 7-2004 |
Thankfully I've never heard Neil Diamond do "I'm a Believer". Didn't the Monkees do the original recorded version? Lots of good people wrote for the TV near-beatles (like near beer), like John Stewart's "Daydream Believer". The former other guitar player in my band taught Neil to play guitar. He lived next door to the Diamonds when he was 11 and Neil was a 21 year old dental student. I've seen a great picture of my friend as an 11 year old freckle face redhead goofy kid standing next to a VERY young Neil Diamond. Bill, tgo | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1031 Registered: 4-2004 |
i can go one better bill neil diamond grew up in brighton beach NY. his parents owned a clothing store 1 block form where we lived and my parents shopped there often and yes we saw that little kid runnin around the store,. who knew>? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 796 Registered: 6-2002 |
I was watching a documentary on J.J. Cale and it had some Crossroads footage of Eric Clapton joining in on a song that wasn't announced - apparently that's the way Cale's band works. It took old Slowhand about two minutes before he realized he was playing the wrong licks to After Midnight - which he gracefully acknowledged in the interview. | ||
| zuperdog
Junior Username: zuperdog Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hah! I do believe you're correct, Bill. Just adding my .02 on the subject. I don't consider a lot of those Beatles' songs theirs, either. Just a different perspective- and it's so difficult to keep up. Especially in the Blues and Rock territory, everyone's covering everybody else. Admittedly, it was a while after I heard it before I found out BB King didn't write "When Love Comes to Town". It seemed so purely his. Go figure. Cheers! Rob | ||
| olieoliver
Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 81 Registered: 2-2006 |
In reference to John Mayer, while I am not a fan of his I do think he deserves some credit as a good guitarist. Just because he happens to be a pretty boy that appeals to young ladies such as my oldest (25) daughter, a die hard Mayer fan, and some of his music seems a little too “main stream” for my taste, doesn’t mean he can’t play. I’ve seen him in concert at the Harley-Davidson 100th anniversary tour, and was impressed at his skills. I think it’s good that he is exposing young ladies the world over to a different set of tunes than they would normally listen too. Just my opinion though. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 681 Registered: 10-2003 |
My wife and daughter *love* John Mayer. It's better than AC/DC in my opinion. No complaints from me.. ;) John | ||
| olieoliver
Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 85 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey Adam, I let my daughter read your post about John and laughed my tail at her response. She has her daddy's quick humor. Here is what she said, (remember now, you went after her Idol).. "You know what though – that wattman guy made the reference – “no ROOM FOR SQUARES on that stage.” That’s the title of John Mayer’s first album. Only someone that listens to John Mayer is gonna know that. That guy is just trying to act tough because John can WAIL." | ||
| 2400wattman
Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 66 Registered: 11-2005 |
Uh, If John can wail(on the guitar that is, when you get down to it his singing voice is just not that stellar & if any of you out there have heard this guy you KNOW what I'm talking about) I have not heard it. I thought Blues Traveler only wrote the cute little ditties that I heard on the radio,until I heard a few of their obscure songs on the juke box & those guys can burn down the house!I have SEEN his album Room For Squares & only heard a few songs on the radio,in clubs,etc. & no, not just somebody that listens to John Mayer is going to know this info. I am after all in the music business, I know about a lot of music/crap(the "c" is silent in the pronunciation) that I wish I did not, & not enough about music I would love to know. My disdain for John Mayer is that, to me he is another product of "boy band marketing" or his deal was struck out of pure gold nepotism. John did not find his place in the biz.,a place was made for him. He did not cut his teeth playing long sets, humping gear, getting ripped off etc.,etc.He does not have the foundation. I just think that it is a shame that the buying public actually believes that since a band/ artist has a record deal that they have musical validity. I have not made that judgement against John, yet I have'nt heard enough of his music. Then again I can't get past his voice. Olie, your daughter then might believe that I am jealous of John's success. No I am not, I took another route in the business & can only blame myself(but then again I'm not a song writer)for so much.So if you are wondering if I'm jaded by the biz. you bet your ass I am, but I still love playing music & doing it for a living while I can. I was setting up for a show one night, also the same night Mayer was playing in town, when I heard this frat boy scream "John Mayer rocks!". Look,I know good rock & roll & this guy can't rock,he is a Square, he is what is called by my band "Safe Guy Rock". Rock for the girls, not the world. Thanks to whomever read this. | ||
| olieoliver
Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 92 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey Adam whats up man? I wanted to let you know our response to you was TIC and was not an attempt to upset you. But if it did try this ... Place your hands together very lightly in a praying position with the fingers open slighty and say (in an almost humming voice) OOHHMMMMM.....OOOHHMMMMM.. OOOHHMMMM... this should calm you down some. P.S. SRV was by no means a vocal genius but I dare anyone to question his talent. And as for the nepotism or luck getting to the top, well I'm in the same boat you are. I worked my butt off playing every little and some big gigs there was and never made it to the top but loved every minute of it. BUT given the chance I could trade places with John...hmmmmmmmm....DUH YEA! Anyway...Peace out and I do enjoy your witt and humor keep it up! (Message edited by olieoliver on March 15, 2006) | ||
| 2400wattman
Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 67 Registered: 11-2005 |
No worries, I was'nt upset. Just felt a need to explain myself after my F. John Mayer statement was called on. I could have put it a little more intelligently. Hey, let's close this thread out,it is time to go! | ||
| olieoliver
Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 96 Registered: 2-2006 |
Done. | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 781 Registered: 12-2002 |
I know when its time to go when you've got 40 something year old musicians (still)listening to the tape to learn the their simple ass-parts to basic "TOP 40"/"Classic rock" songs when Most cats should already know that simple old-sh#t. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 683 Registered: 10-2003 |
I just got a string of emails from a bandmate with the changes to 12-bar blues tunes as played by Clapton. It's not very nice of me, but I play whatever substitutions work at the moment, and they work. It's 12-bar blues, for cryin' out loud! They fired me a while back because they found a bass holder who *sang* (I haven't been). Ironically, I play more with them now than I ever did before they fired me, and occasionally I remind them of that (their reactions are mildly entertaining). I do the gigs because I absolutely love playing with the drummer and the keyboard player is someone I've barely known for years but only recently have become good friends with. The three of us always have an excellent musical adventure, because we pretty much just take over whatever tune it is we're playing. I have made it abundantly clear that I will only play when my drummer-of-choice is on the gig, because life is too short to gig with bad drummers. The bandleader is malleable enough to accept what we do as art, even if it's "not like the record." I have to say, though, that the bandleader (guitarist and vocals) and the singer are terribly nice people, just very new to this business of playing music. John | ||
| gbarchus
Intermediate Member Username: gbarchus Post Number: 163 Registered: 6-2002 |
Has anyone caught John Mayer on Austin City Limits http://www.aclfestival.com/programs/program20031115.asp ? He did a few SRV songs with Double Trouble and Tommy Shannon remarked how familiar it was to play with him. When I was a professsional musician it seemed I went through cycles of playing in commercial (note-for-note) and original (not-so-successful) bands. Even when the original band achieved a certain degree of success (i.e. record contract), I made more money with the commercial bands. When you don't have to earn a living playing music, you have the luxury of being able to choose what music you want to do. Then there are those who choose what they want to do and also earn a living at it. I was lucky enough to talk with Rocco Prestia a couple weeks ago about how lucky he was! | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1033 Registered: 4-2004 |
well someone interevened- when i declined to play beatlefest- they got someone else and i have been banished... all for the good.... i hated the female guitarist as she treated me like one of her 5th grade students | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1131 Registered: 7-2004 |
Flax: I hope whoever they got for Beatlefest is willing to restring his bass and play left-handed ... that's how Paul did it on the records ... and we wouldn't want anything creative taking place. LOL Bill, tgo | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 571 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yeah. And on a beat up hofner violin bass with the setllist sellotaped to the back ;-) I reckon you've escaped by the skin of your teeth Jeff;-) Graeme | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2345 Registered: 9-2002 |
Huuhuhhhhuu... I DO wonder how they gonna get that female guitarplayer to turn into John or George??? Come and see next week on "Extreme Makeover"????? Paul TBO | ||
| olieoliver
Intermediate Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 127 Registered: 2-2006 |
They can use a roll of sock's. It's worked for Steve Perry for years. LOL | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1134 Registered: 7-2004 |
I once saw a Stones concert where, I swear, Mick had what looked like half a soccer ball down his pants! Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Advanced Member Username: byoung Post Number: 230 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just make sure she doesn't wrap it in aluminum foil and go through the metal detector. I think that's one of the funniest scenes in a movie ever. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 574 Registered: 10-2002 |
The outtakes in Spinal tap are almost better than the film itself. There's a takeout from just before the airport scene where derek smalls and his roadie are deciding what the best size courgette (zucchini?) would be. Pure class. Graeme | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1035 Registered: 4-2004 |
you guys are funny...... | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1799 Registered: 9-2003 |
Those guys have armadillos in their trousers! | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1036 Registered: 4-2004 |
one door closes been asked to audtion for 2 bands- both dead based jam bands, closer to home to boot.. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 686 Registered: 10-2003 |
You're livin' right... John | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1145 Registered: 7-2004 |
To paraphrase that great spiritual icon, St. Stephen: "One band gathers what another band spills" Good luck Flax. Bill, tgo P.S. Does this mean you're not moving out here? | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1042 Registered: 4-2004 |
sometimes i think i should bill...... |
