General Music Chat

You're funny. I typed in "Phish Grateful Dead jam band" into Google and it came back with over 120,000 results. The first one - the wikipedia definition of Grateful Dead - defined the band as "the first jam band". Numerous other articles talk about Phish and GD as being jam bands. But I defer to your obviously superior knowledge.

Also, where was I bichin about being uninspired jam boy? I don't think you actually read the previous responses.

You're funny. I typed in "Phish Grateful Dead jam band" into Google and it came back with over 120,000 results. The first one - the wikipedia definition of Grateful Dead - defined the band as "the first jam band". Numerous other articles talk about Phish and GD as being jam bands. But I defer to your obviously superior knowledge.

Also, where was I bichin about being uninspired jam boy? I don't think you actually read the previous responses.

I don't give a sh*t what an article says.. Most of those articles are written by people whom neither understand music or understand either of the bands. A lot of those articles also try to compare both of those bands and you really can't.

Just because Rap is the most popular form of music today doesn't make it good nor would i lump every person who "Ryhmes" into that catagory. Just because Tribe Called Quests rhymes their lyrics I wouldn't call it rap.. It is still Hip Hop and that my friend is a HUGE difference.

and lol at wikipedia.

Ha ha, what a hoot! Over 120,000 articles versus your opinion. Which should I believe? What a dilemma!

In my experience people who are into jam bands are into psychedelic drugs, because it allows them to "go on a journey". That's nice, when you get back the rest of us will still be working on structured music.

Ha ha, what a hoot! Over 120,000 articles versus your opinion. Which should I believe? What a dilemma!

In my experience people who are into jam bands are into psychedelic drugs, because it allows them to "go on a journey". That's nice, when you get back the rest of us will still be working on structured music.

another awesome assumption by you.. good thing I don't even drink. and you're right music is about the journey not the destination.. maybe one day I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.. When I get back you'll probably still be bitching that no one likes metal.. not everyone is pissed off all the time.. Some people are happy and enjoy happy music.. Sorry that Everything in your life is Blah ... Go cut yourself and cry about it why don't you.

If you weren't so simple minded you'd find out that I find inspiration in many forms of music that have nothing to do with jam...

How about I share some?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V74f9eIi9c0

Let me show how you stupid assumptions are.. most metal bands are into meth, coke, and alcoholics.

Talking about making ass-umptions. Since you're obviously new around here let me clue you in on a few things junior. I've been playing music for over thirty years. I've produced over twenty recording projects, three of them with Scott Asheton (don't know who he is? not surprised). I live in the center of the rock & roll universe, I'm constantly attending concerts and local shows. I've met tons of rock & roll royalty, including Iggy Pop, White Stripes, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat and many others. Additionally, I'm well-educated and make good money, which allows me to buy the toys required for the rock & roll lifestyle. Blah? My life is so busy there's no time for people like you.

Talking about making ass-umptions. Since you're obviously new around here let me clue you in on a few things junior. I've been playing music for over thirty years. I've produced over twenty recording projects, three of them with Scott Asheton (don't know who he is? not surprised). I live in the center of the rock & roll universe, I'm constantly attending concerts and local shows. I've met tons of rock & roll royalty, including Iggy Pop, White Stripes, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat and many others. Additionally, I'm well-educated and make good money, which allows me to buy the toys required for the rock & roll lifestyle. Blah? My life is so busy there's no time for people like you.

wow. May I have your autograph Mr. Danger?

Talking about making ass-umptions. Since you're obviously new around here let me clue you in on a few things junior. I've been playing music for over thirty years. I've produced over twenty recording projects, three of them with Scott Asheton (don't know who he is? not surprised). I live in the center of the rock & roll universe, I'm constantly attending concerts and local shows. I've met tons of rock & roll royalty, including Iggy Pop, White Stripes, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat and many others. Additionally, I'm well-educated and make good money, which allows me to buy the toys required for the rock & roll lifestyle. Blah? My life is so busy there's no time for people like you.

Dude you live in Detroit. Interesting you say that.. Who did Cobo Arena get to play the VERY LAST EVENT EVER IN YOUR FAMED BUILDING? you probably don't know the answer.. Not surprised... not only that.. Detroit is a sh*t hole... If you were so great and so awesome you wouldn't be on bandmix talking about how awesome you are scrub.

I was making a joke about your music with the Your live is Blah comment.. that is the title of your song right?? Is that you in the picutre with a bra on? No wonder you're so pissed off.

Dude are you tripping? There's concerts there all the time. Here's one coming up:

http://www.last.fm/event/1402220+American+Carnage+Tour

Speaking of Cobo, the list of concerts I've seen there is long and includes Yes, Black Sabbath, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, Foghat, Ten Years After, 10CC etc. Ever heard of Detroit Rock City? This is it baby!

Dude are you tripping? There's concerts there all the time. Here's one coming up:

http://www.last.fm/event/1402220+American+Carnage+Tour

Speaking of Cobo, the list of concerts I've seen there is long and includes Yes, Black Sabbath, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, Foghat, Ten Years After, 10CC etc. Ever heard of Detroit Rock City? This is it baby!

I mean the old Cobo Hall.. not the new one.. OLD COBO.. the one thats getting torn down. Kiss wanted to play there last september.. f**k shame i know more about the music in your city then you do.. You should look up who the last band to play there was.. I think its f**k funny.. I was at the show..

Cobo Hall On September 25 & 26 2009 Kiss performed at the Cobo Arena wanting to play there one last time before it gets torn down to expand Cobo Center http://www.kissonline.com/stream/articl ... y/id/18375

WHO WAS THE LAST BAND TO EVER PLAY COBO! oh yea.. Phish

I don't even consider Phish to be a jam band. They write pieces of music that are complicated, & they play them basically the same way every time.

Look at "Stash," either live recordings or studio. They are virtually identical, in spite of the "jam feel" to the piece.

Personally, I think Trey is as close to a musical genius as you can get without actually receiving the title. His major scale riffs are so frikken happy-sounding that I can see why they're so popular. There arent' many acts out there that can produce such joyful sounds, yet still draw the crowds, even with thier complicated stuff.

Trey is no fan of Garcia, either. I quite agree that Garcia's playing was often substandard & sloppy as heck.

I think the "jam band" moniker is undeserved, & actually derisive, when it comes to Phish. Those guys are top-notch, real musicians, who can deliver the same piece the same way each & every time they play it. You won't get that with any jam band.

Imho, what made the Dead so successful was thier image, the drugs, & the shakedown street vendors that followed them.

I, too, have done one helluva lot of improv, & I've discovered that 20% of the time, it's great...30% of the time, it's passable or okay...leaving 50% of the time being a total cock-up on stage, with most musicians. There have been a few that I could really mesh with, but most musos out there either don't listen, or think they can lead the band in directions best left alone. It always amazes me how few ppl have real taste, when it comes to improv work.

I don't even consider Phish to be a jam band. They write pieces of music that are complicated, & they play them basically the same way every time.

Look at "Stash," either live recordings or studio. They are virtually identical, in spite of the "jam feel" to the piece.

Personally, I think Trey is as close to a musical genius as you can get without actually receiving the title. His major scale riffs are so frikken happy-sounding that I can see why they're so popular. There arent' many acts out there that can produce such joyful sounds, yet still draw the crowds, even with thier complicated stuff.

Trey is no fan of Garcia, either. I quite agree that Garcia's playing was often substandard & sloppy as heck.

I think the "jam band" moniker is undeserved, & actually derisive, when it comes to Phish. Those guys are top-notch, real musicians, who can deliver the same piece the same way each & every time they play it. You won't get that with any jam band.

Imho, what made the Dead so successful was thier image, the drugs, & the shakedown street vendors that followed them.

I, too, have done one helluva lot of improv, & I've discovered that 20% of the time, it's great...30% of the time, it's passable or okay...leaving 50% of the time being a total cock-up on stage, with most musicians. There have been a few that I could really mesh with, but most musos out there either don't listen, or think they can lead the band in directions best left alone. It always amazes me how few ppl have real taste, when it comes to improv work.

Even forgetting about Trey for a second.. John Fishman is one of the best drummers on the face of the planet... The guy is AMAZING. I'd kill to have a drummer 1/2 as good as him

THe point I've been trying to make was made for me.. Regardless of what you think about Phish.. If you want some inspiration find a copy of every song in their catalog(300+) and listen to it.. and then listen to a different version of it.. Same song, Different feel. Learn from that and help it inspire your music..

Detesting 4 of the greatest musicians to walk the earth is a pretty stupid thing to do.

While I may not like Tool.. What those guys do IS inspiring and I've learned a lot from listening to them. Primus is another example of a band I don't really care for.. But I listen to them because Les Claypool is amazing and i learn something new about my bass everytime I do.

Listen just one time to they way Trey times his Major and Chromatics and interlaces it with the groove.. The kind of chemistry those 4 dudes have together is what every band should strive for. They play with no setlist.. THey speak to each other through the music.. They have actually created an entire language that they use on stage just with their instruments.. They are genious in every sense of the word.

They also played 219 different songs on their 2009 tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMlS3Wf56Fo Phish w/ Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings..

Stash, Reba, You Enjoy Myself, etc, etc I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said if you have to ask you won't understand.

Dude... I'm sorry.. but Iggy Pop aint got sh*t on Trey... Can Iggy Pop do this?

Trey w/ New York Philharmonic Orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx4F8MSO-gI

and then go to the arena at night and do this.. Don't see how you can't like this.. It is amazing rock & roll in its most pure sense. Music played for the pure love of music.. and not for a buck.(FACT: phish has thrown mega festivals where its just them and have been known to take losses on these festivals FOR THEIR FANS..) Yes 100k people is MEGA.

Phish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoETt3ZDBG8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csT2jaCN_yo

Okay, my pc is smarter than I am. I tried to get on here to respond hours ago, and eventually had to go in and change my password and all that junk.

Improv, the one thing I wanted to respond to is this: You said you wouldn't play with a set list. Essentially, you stated that you play for you, rather than playing all the same tired sh!t...

That's exactly the point that I was making...

*Your audience is the reason for your playing. You are there to entertain them. The fact that you get to perform in front of an audience (and maybe even get paid to do so) should be enough satisfaction. Unfortunately, it seems that musicians nowadays have to eat their cake and have it, too. The idea that your happiness comes BEFORE your audience is exactly what I'm talking about. That's why we are losing venues.
*Structure is paramount to performance...I don't care who you are. These days, mega-acts have EVERYTHING choreographed. THey leave nothing to chance. That's why they are successful. Again, it seems like putting that kind of work into a performance is, well, too much like work for the average musician...and it shows. I don't about you, but when I see a band on stage, discussing which song to do next, I head for the door. That band is there to entertain ME, not humor themselves.
The mentality of "make yourself happy, slop it together" is what is killing music scenes across the country.

Hey improgrooves,, as much as as you just walked into a bear trap, Please just post some music so we all know you can play.

It's tough, but I tend to straddle the line on this.

On the one hand, I love a well-rehearsed performance. Ain't nothing like it. Doing the show exactly right makes me nimples hard, cuz when it's right, it's pure gold, if you set it up properly.

On the other hand, having worked with a few ppl for awhile, it's way cool to just go off the cuff, knowing where someone is taking the band just from a lick or a cpl chords, or taking the reins myself, & having them follow my improvised bass lick into new territory. You gotta have a history with your mates to pull this off, except in a very few exceptional experiences.

I've worked both ways, &, truth be told, I don't really have a preference. With the rehearsed set, you have the advantage of being able to add in some cool effects, band movements, whatever, & you don't hafta worry about an off night, cuz everyone knows what to expect. With the improvs, there's a certain immediate energy that's quite contagious if you mesh, & every night is different. You can also build on past jams, once you've established a few patterns.

In neither case does one need to worry about dead space on stage, with the right ppl. (You can always count on me to fill it up with something, if you're in a dead zone for a moment, but I'll follow your lead if you wanna take it somewhere else.)