Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Used to hear a lot more about gigs here. I see John (jw) had a busy weekend recently, and Jeff has been practicing with some new guys.

Anyone else?

I did 2 open mics last night, first one was at an upscale restaurant/bar, place I hadn't been before. Small, but crowded with eaters who were not paying attention to the music except for 2 ladies who danced and sang along to a couple of my tunes (that might have changed later, but after my 5 songs starting at 8 I didn't stick around). Only other person to sign up for the OM had chosen a 9:30 slot, so the host went back up after me.
Then I went to a regular OM about 10 miles away and did 5 songs there - at least at that place some of the people were listening.

Played a little bit here and there, attempting to spend my time wisely.

NYE at the mansion and a couple of private parties. Did a frat house thing at Rutgers and had a blast. DiD a local thing and the cops shut us down for noise violation. (but we were fing loud)

I just figured it's better to play out more than type on this "forum" which is really just a holding pattern for those doing very little.

Did an open mic in Souderton that turned into a weekend deal, the problem is that I don't like the digs and it's more of the radio station thing.

Got an offer to play keys with a Jazz quartet. I am interested but want to go through a bunch of their rehearsals before I make up my mind.
(I still don't think I can play keys well enough and definitely not well enough to cover good jazz.)

In short, it's better to use your time to play a little and mix with the locals so one has less time to waste on this forum that only produces bitter older people short on juice and long on mouth.

Probably be awhile before I bother with this shithole again for a while.

So many better things to do than to waste time here. "Play it, don't say it".

We have multiple shows either booked or in the process of being booked for the spring. As of right now we only have one pending for February.
Not at all unusual though, why I'm not exactly sure and suppositions seem futile in light of the facts that this time of year is an 'off season' for us.
We have learned however to take advantage of it in writing and studio time.
So in ways it's a blessing.

I believe it to be an off season for most bands. Even bands that are gigging have less gigs on the books right now. We are working this new band up. The drummer found a chick singer 27 years old and her demo sounds awesome. We are auditioning her next Saturday the 15th. I am excited about that also another band contacted me and I am auditioning for them on the 18th. They play all classic rock and heavier music. I hope both projects work out. If they do I'll have the best of both worlds.

Starfish Scott wrote:Played a little bit here and there, attempting to spend my time wisely.

NYE at the mansion and a couple of private parties. Did a frat house thing at Rutgers and had a blast. DiD a local thing and the cops shut us down for noise violation. (but we were fing loud)

I just figured it's better to play out more than type on this "forum" which is really just a holding pattern for those doing very little.

Did an open mic in Souderton that turned into a weekend deal, the problem is that I don't like the digs and it's more of the radio station thing.

Got an offer to play keys with a Jazz quartet. I am interested but want to go through a bunch of their rehearsals before I make up my mind.
(I still don't think I can play keys well enough and definitely not well enough to cover good jazz.)

In short, it's better to use your time to play a little and mix with the locals so one has less time to waste on this forum that only produces bitter older people short on juice and long on mouth.

Probably be awhile before I bother with this shithole again for a while.

So many better things to do than to waste time here. "Play it, don't say it".

I was wondering where you went starfish, happy for your success, but please don't leave the board for so long next time, nothing like talking to one's self and that's what it will eventually boil down to.. yes, I enjoy your creative writing style, I guess I'm jealous cause there is a knack to it..

I can't wait for warmer weather, you pay your 6 dollars to set up at Fair Play, Mo. flea market, maybe set out some Japanese war rifles and other assorted long guns with less than 100 dollar guitars for sale, break out the guitar when not helping customers and watch the money roll into the tip jar..

glad to see ya phonin' in, brudah scottman.

happy be i ta hear ya been enjoyin' da enjoyable gigage. like you, me and i we been spending less time here ourself.... but damn, dere be no reason for i ta be takin' a shot et anyone, mon!

Starfish Scott wrote:I just figured it's better to play out more than type on this "forum" which is really just a holding pattern for those doing very little.

In short, it's better to use your time to play a little and mix with the locals so one has less time to waste on this forum that only produces bitter older people short on juice and long on mouth.

Probably be awhile before I bother with this shithole again for a while.

So many better things to do than to waste time here. "Play it, don't say it".

ouch.

i dunno, my take is that most here CAN waste the amount of time we choose to on BM.... AND still be productive musically as best we can.

no reason for it to be only one OR the other.

aaaaand....here's to many MORE fun and enjoyable gigs to you, scott... and to everyone else here.....and most importantly...more to MEEEEEE too.

Dane Ellis Allen wrote:I can't wait for warmer weather, you pay your 6 dollars to set up at Fair Play, Mo. flea market, maybe set out some Japanese war rifles and other assorted long guns with less than 100 dollar guitars for sale, break out the guitar when not helping customers and watch the money roll into the tip jar..

hey dane, why don't you bloody sod off, mate!

i think we were already feeling pretty damn gloomy about winter BEFORE you laid out the nice picture!

Mark, this might be the worst winter I have ever seen here.. moved here in 1992..don't ever recall so many single digit lows we are having.. it's always in the back of my mind, is the heat lamp burnt out in the well house? LOL.. god, I hate replacing broken water lines, and had to replace a busted water line in the well house at the big ice storm a few years ago, cause the electricity was out for days, couldn't even find kerosene to use the kerosene heater.. l

I visit here during off-times at work. the only times I post from home is when checking out others' music, or posting links to things.

Last night's double OM was to make up for not doing one for a few weeks as I'd been away for a week in Florida.
Enrolled in Berklee Songwriter Class - 6 week online program, got the monthly meeting of the Songwriters of Southern New Hampshire Group on Sunday (Tammy's been going to that too, if you remember her from these forums before you macho types chased all the women away )

Dane Ellis Allen wrote:Mark, this might be the worst winter I have ever seen here.. moved here in 1992..don't ever recall so many single digit lows we are having.. it's always in the back of my mind, is the heat lamp burnt out in the well house? LOL.. god, I hate replacing broken water lines, and had to replace a busted water line in the well house at the big ice storm a few years ago, cause the electricity was out for days, couldn't even find kerosene to use the kerosene heater.. l

sounds like you've spent days having more fun.

well, i beat you, neighbor. me and the mrs. have been here in Mid-MO since '84 and it's damn well the worst winter we've seen here. actually...make that ANYWHERE.

oh, yeah....gigs.

ya know, i don't talk as much about my gigs because i don't want to sound like i'm tooting my horn and bragging.

i'm not getting rich...i do ok in that dept...but the good news is i stay about as busy as i like. and i LIKE staying busy and playing out!

i also know there are many folks around who aren't getting out there gigging as much as they'd like and deserve to....and many more still who play gigs that aren't the most rewarding (guitarmike...you come to mind. you deserve to be playing more fun gigs besides open mic gigs such as you described above where people aren't playing all that much attention. and at your level, w your time in, dues paid, $ invested in equipment... you deserve a better wage. Like many others here no doubt.)

i play some gigs like that too ...like tonight for instance. PLANET JAZZ is playing a restaurant in Columbia MO (one of our regular gigs) and let's just say it this way...it AIN'T a "listening room". we are usually lucky because there's always a few that do listen and are very generous w their praise.....and there's usually some appreciative musicians there as well.

but that's the beauty of playing gigs w P-Jazz....we have so much fun going on one musical adventure after another. the level of communication and interaction between us as we "converse" makes even the worst of crowds bearable.

so, i'm pumped about tonight's gig because we're doing it in the trio lineup where i get to play bass (home for me) w Doc on horns, clarinet and monte at the little kit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiYEFNijKto

i'm the luckiest guy in the band cos i get that lineup....then i get to play w bill roe on bass and me on gtr/vibes.....that's a completely different "vibe" and i'm using totally different skill sets and interacting differently. there, i have to represent the song. and THAT's a blast!

and then....we do the four piece thing where i get to comp and dance around in the holes while the sax "reps" the melody. and that's a blast cos i love coming up w creative horn like chord stabs that get underneath whatever outfront thing is happening.

i'm still playing very regularly doing a truckstop that continues to be fun. some very talented players and great folks there too.

i'm playing BG gigs w Mere Mortals getting to stretch on mando and dobro (and my dobro playing NEEDS some streeeeeeetching!). and then sometimes the bassist can't make a gig and i get to play my '38 KAY C-1.

not gigging much w my buddy Val as she's wanted to take some time off to recharge.

there's never a moment that goes by that i don't realize just how lucky i am to be playing w these folks and getting opportunities to get out in front of folks doing so.

life's good. very good.

ok, i'm done "bragging" now.

everyone who's gigging this weekend, have a great one. those who ain't...have a good weekend all the same.

Planetguy wrote:glad to see ya phonin' in, brudah scottman.

happy be i ta hear ya been enjoyin' da enjoyable gigage. like you, me and i we been spending less time here ourself.... but damn, dere be no reason for i ta be takin' a shot et anyone, mon!

Starfish Scott wrote:I just figured it's better to play out more than type on this "forum" which is really just a holding pattern for those doing very little.

In short, it's better to use your time to play a little and mix with the locals so one has less time to waste on this forum that only produces bitter older people short on juice and long on mouth.

Probably be awhile before I bother with this shithole again for a while.

So many better things to do than to waste time here. "Play it, don't say it".

ouch.

i dunno, my take is that most here CAN waste the amount of time we choose to on BM.... AND still be productive musically as best we can.

no reason for it to be only one OR the other.

aaaaand....here's to many MORE fun and enjoyable gigs to you, scott... and to everyone else here.....and most importantly...more to MEEEEEE too.

Mark, you know I have my couple few pet bitches here.
You aren't one of them as you get out and do what you have to do..play where you can and enjoy it all.

It's a select few of dullards and dingdongs.

I don't know if I mentioned that I am playing some Jazz keys off and on for now. I am getting ready to leave NJ, so that's going to end.

But I have to say from listening to your stuff, if I was closer I'd enjoy learning to play some of that which you guys are playing.

I think I am starting to appreciate more music and especially (GASP) jazz.

Unless I put the gunsight on your head, Mark, you are ok in my book.
(that and a nickel gets you a dixie cup of filtered water.) lol

I'm sure hopin' the dingdongs are slightly higher on the food chain then the dullards..

lol They are Dane, they are...

PS: Where's Vinny?

I owe him something for all the extra music he introduced to me...and a lot of others as well.

Don't tell me you guys ran him off, did ya?