Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Had to share, that we had a KICK ASS gig last night, in a battle of the bands. Our "it was old 20 years ago" music, got eaten up hook, line and sinker!

Even though it was a battle of the bands, the club owner himself announced us, and said "Since I first heard these guys, they reminded me of Skynyrd, but with a harder, more modern edge. They have become my favorite band. They're like alot of the greats all rolled into one! Welcome to the stage - SOUTHERN MISCHIEF!!!!"

Woah. Woooahhh. What???

You're not supposed to set us up with an intro like that. Especially in a battle of the bands! (I hope the judges were listening though. LOL)

We owned the crowd. The drummer playing with us last night, had only been playing with us one week, so I knew there would be screw ups. So I decided to let it all hang out, with my "has-been" and "20 year old music" playing self! LOL - Luv ya brother Anthony!

So, I decided to just let it all out, and since I have been losing weight, I have alot more energy it seems, to really get into everything more strongly and still have my voice intact. The band feeds off me, so doing that, brought them up a level.

We kicked ass, and the whole friggin crowd were on their feet at times with lighters and arms waving on that sorry-ass old "Freebird" song as well as many of our originals.

The club owner told the crowd we would be opening for some national acts at his place soon, Mother's Finest, or some others. That's the first we heard about that. LOL. He hadn't told us about it yet, but he told the crowd that is what would be happening. LOL

We closed with "Fly" and told the crowd "We dedicate this song to you guys! It is about following your dreams and not giving up. Our hope is that each of you follow your dreams and never give up!"

Suddenly, I heard a voice through a microphone, it was the DJ that runs dance music in-between sets, and he screamed "No! No, YOU GUYS don't ever give up on YOUR DREAMS!!!" and the whole crowd erupted! It was magical, really magical. It was amazing. After all the trials our band has been through, this... THIS, was NICE!!!

When I got off stage, I went over to our booking agent, and he literally had two guys, one on each side of him, trying to talk to him simultaneously, about booking us for upcoming gigs, at $900.00 a pop. Nice for us, since we have been slaving away at $500 to $600 a gig, and have been wanting to raise our rates closer to a grand a show.

He also had another offer later. So, we got three booking opportunities from that one show.

There was also someone else in the audience. A drummer I had contacted a week ago, but another drummer (that we played with last night) got back to me first, so we have done a few shows with him. But this other drummer, wanted to see us live.

Well, he did.

He came up to me after the show and said...

"Craig, that other drummer is in my seat brother! I'm your drummer! You listen to some of my samples on MySpace and tell me I'm not your drummer. Ask this band that's coming on after you, whether I'm your drummer or not! They know me. Ask them whether I'm your drummer or not. I've been looking for a band like yours for 8 years, and you have been looking for a drummer like me!"

Hmmm...

I had a bass player seem pretty cocky like that, and he turned out to be gold. Wants nothing more that to go on tour full time with this band, and he has worked out really well so far.

Maybe this guy is the same.

He is a tight pocket drummer. He seems pretty badass from what I saw and heard on videos and music samples.

We're gonna give him a "live audition" like we did with this last drummer, and then make a decision between the two.

For those that have been so encouraging and supportive of our music, THANK YOU!!! It has helped me personally, to get through some huge bumps on the path. I really believe, we are about to have all the elements in place now, and we'll see, we'll just see, if the world is ready for some of the tired-ass 20 year old music we write and play!

We've had rap dominating the scene for over 20 years now, and various other genres which are too often soul-less or just a bunch of gloss and production. I think... I BELIEVE... the world is ready for music that gets in the soul again, that means something, that speaks a better message than "F*ck you b*tch!" or , "I'm gonna take what's mine, and f*ck everything and everyone else!"

I think the world is ready to "feel" again. An entire generation is coming up, which has learned just the opposite. They have become desensitized to violence and hate and are comfortable with things like music that expresses nothing but anger.

That CANNOT satisfy the soul God imparted them with.

I think they are ready for what we have to offer.

I think they NEED what we have to offer.

I've begun to see some light in the tunnel.

And light is a beautiful thing.

There's no life without it.

ASSHOLE!

No, really I'm thrilled for you Craig.
Might even check my S&W at the door to hear you guys play.
ROCK ON BRO!!!!!

That was long. Wow. Glad you had a good.. great time.
Keep on owning.

Craig Maxim wrote:I think... I BELIEVE...

Nicely done Craig!

And a big fat congrats to you! Feels awesome doesn't it?! Workin the crowd like that is a musician's high Best of luck to you in whatever this brings your way

Congrats my friend! You guys deserve it Craig and you know I'm a big fan already.

Sounds great Craig, its great when people start pushing your price up for you and also helps to keep a band going forward.

Now you can maybe afford to go to the gym more, just dont go retro wearing no spandex.

jw123 wrote:
Now you can maybe afford to go to the gym more, just dont go retro wearing no spandex.

I'm working on the weight.

My band deserves a decent looking lead vocalist.

I'm kinda late to the party, but I just wanted to say congrats, man! That DOES sound awesome...and you have earned every bit of it.

joseph6 wrote:
I'm kinda late to the party, but I just wanted to say congrats, man! That DOES sound awesome...and you have earned every bit of it.

Thanks Joseph...very much.

Just finished practice with the new drummer prospect a little while ago. He's really good. I found out he toured for awhile with a nationally known country star "Mark Wills" about 8 years ago or so. This explains his comment "I've been waiting for a band like yours for 8 years!"

Here's one of Mark Wills songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAcivRgHU2M


Meanwhile, the guy who ran and supplied the sound system at the club we did our last gig at, also wants to be our drummer now. He's got decades of experience but made more money at supplying sound systems for venues and concerts, so he stopped playing. That would have been interesting, cause hell, I didn't realize it at first, but we actually played through one of his sound systems at a huge outdoor festival a few weeks back. Derek St. Homes of Ted Nugent fame, was the headline act, and he played through that same system too. He told me that he owns it.

Damn, with that guy, we would have the gear to play pretty much anything and anywhere, but I told him we had our hands full with two drummers already vying for the position. He still said "Hold on a second..." and I swear, he started playing drums over the phone. I never had a drummer audition over the phone before. LOL

I hope this means we have graduated a level or two, cause I have never had this many drummers of this caliber all vying for the job at the same time.

This guy is good enough, that if we go with him, it raises us a level in a big way. The band would be complete and every one of them a talented artist.

Be carefull Craig. It would suck if he decided to take his football and go home. I feel you are smart enough not to rely too heavly on any one player. Its got to be the BAND first.