• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Joined a band

Sorry this is going to be long and I'm sure nobody really cares I just had to get this out.  So about a couple of weeks ago I was told by a friend to start practicing songs in his band because one of the guitarist quit.  I didn't get a call that following night to play out so I brushed it off as I wasn't need.  Last monday I got a call from my buddy saying I was in if I wanted it.  I was given a set list of 40 songs.  Some of which I knew how to play but the bulk of it was all new.  So tonight was my first practice.  We did 12 or 13 songs and the first 3 were songs I didn't get around to working on much.  So in frustration I got nervous.  After about 2 more songs I found a resonable happy place and the rest of the night stuck out in my head as a great night. 

I had some big issues though.  One of the other guitarist had no idea I was being brought on, but why they were bringing me on was the suspected that he would quit when his buddy quit.  So when he showed up he was mad, and he maked it clear in the middle of the night he wasn't happy I was there.  After 3 hours of constant jamming everybody had to go.  I was tickled to death but still very shy and nervous.  I had a great time.  About 30 minutes later the guy that was mad about me being there texted everyone that he quit.  Whats funny is the plan was I was supposed to come to their gig this Saturday and play the stuff I was comfortable with, and the rest of the time turn my volume off and go with the motions.  Now my buddy is going to be playing all the guitar parts along with me and I'm going to have to man up and get the rest of these songs nailed for the gig saturday.  We've got another practice Thursday night so maybe I'll have my ducks in a row by then.  I hate that I was the wedge that split him from the group, I was just wanting in on the fun.  But he was in it for money and one more body was going to cut into his cut.  What can you say... Its a band!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Joined a band

Its understandable people get attitudes in bands..its like a marriage with 4 or 5 people involved. Can be very tough. You've seen what they're capable of so hopefully they wont do the same to you should things not seem to be going well in a few months. As far as being the ONLY guitarist its kind of a mixed blessing. On one hand You get to be the man, which is cool. But on the other hand, you can't hide behind anyone else. Honestly, I like being the only guitarist myself. I have a bass player who may play a bit too much for some peoples taste but it really helps out filling in during leads. You mentioned it was a country type band so I'm guessing it isn't as loose as blues/rock. So yeah, I'd try your best to be on top of your game and accentuate your strengths in your playing. Just remember people don't really pay THAT much attention to any mistakes at all. They just wanna have a good time, so be cool and enjoy it. Playing live is great. Usually takes a few songs to loosen up and then you'll get into a groove. I say make a name for yourself, own what you do and play! If your timid it will show.. I wouldn't recommend pulling any "I'm Yngwie Malmsteen and you wish you were too" moves, but stay confident. If you are, that will show too. -Seth

  • Bill
  • Bill
  • Titanium
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  • From: New Jersey
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 958

Re: Joined a band

Sounds like some good old band drama, which I have seen in some bands locally. Don't let it get the best of you. Notice what you said, the other member was in it for the money. When someone is in a band for the money, it does not give off the same vibe as a band full of people who love to play. The energy is missing. Good luck with practice on Thursday and don't sweat it! Just my two cents.. wink

Bill

Official Joe Bonamassa Fan Website | Facebook | Twitter
bill@bonamassalive.com

Bill's Website

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Joined a band

A familiar story - but a fun one - and can't wait to hear how the gig goes.

Meanwhile... get off the keyboard and out to the woodshed - you got work to do! smile

kestrou

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

Well the funny thing about that was I had just got off of a 3 hour practice with these guys when I posted this and after that did 2 more hours of practice.  I could fall asleep right now if I wanted to.  I do get the benifit of practicing at work for an hour as well.  So I'm clocking anywhere from 4 to 6 hours a day for the last week.  Where I was only playing about an hour or 2 a night if I did anything at all.   BTW it is a country band so we've got a few guys in the band.  So I'm not the lone ranger on guitar.  My buddy plays guitar as well, but I'm going to be doing fill ins and solos.  Not that bad really.  Its a 6 piece band now.  We all have kids and nobody is in it for the money.  We all want to have a life outside of playing music.  I've just got to catch back up with the rest of the guys.   Most of the time when I'm on here I'm at work on breaks so no worries I get my playing time in.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Joined a band

Be yourself and you'll do fine. Remember it's not work.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

Andy your right its not work.  The rest of these guys I've only met 2 times and they act like were all family.  Were all family men and we're all about having fun.  The focus on this band is the core group of guys that consists of the Drummer, the lead singer, and the Bassist.  The rest of us are supporting them.  These guys all sing and have done this professionally before, but now that everybody has kids they wanted to settle down and just do it for fun.  I have 3 kids of my own and no gig take away from their daddy time.  I am really proud of myself though.  This is our set list for Saturday and I can play them all now.  Thursday will be my last practice before game day with the band so I'm ready to show them what I'm made of.

1. Country girl
2. Fever
3. Barefoot bluejean night
4. Shes country
5. I dont want to be
6. Stand by me
7. Drift away
8. The dance
9. Mr fantasy
10. Tush
11. Soul shine
12. Country wide
13. Guitar slinger
14. Some kind of wonderful
15. Trouble
16. Jesses girl
17. Mr breeze
18. Rock and roll all night
19. Homesick
20. Kick it in the sticks
21. 8 second ride
22. Something bout a truck
23. Long train running
24. Brown eyed girl
25. To love somebody
26. Medley

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

Oh one more thing I'm getting to play through a huge PA system because the drummers dad owns and rents PA's.  Whats funny is I'm going to play on a tiny stage where theres not a lot of space so I'm bringing my Line 6 practice amp and going direct out.  Clean, Classic rock, and metal are my only sounds and the short board with a wah wah/volume control.  I'm bringing a backup guitar (not sure which one yet) and my old SG Standard.  Playing standard tuning for everything except stuff that has drop D tuning on it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Joined a band

What?  No Joe tune?!

OK, it's a little early in your tenure - but you should *definitely* start laying the groundwork for putting in a tune - I bet John Henry would go over well! wink

kestrou

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Joined a band

I've got a blues deville 212 and also a 410. They're not reissues, USA made. Both are in excellent condition and if you need one let me know. I'll make it very affordable.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

I just joinned a week ago, give me time.  I've got a Blues Jr I've been using but no direct out and didn't think it was loud enough to go without a mic.  But on second thought if I'm doing direct out I could use a mic on the jr.  Andy I'm broke at the moment but if you PM a price I could find some money if its in a decent price range... Might take a while but I would consider it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

LOL my idea for using the Line 6 is dead.  The sound guy came to our practice tonight and said he will mic us and I said well I would rather direct out if I'm using this amp because this amps tone sucks unless it goes into a board.  To which he said "Son I've ran shows for 30 years or better and came across every type of guitar player you can imagine.  A lot of people have asked me to go Direct and they all find out their tone will suck.  You are going to be no different."  So as the youngest guy and maybe the greenest as well I took his advice to heart and decided I'm going to try to take my Blues Jr. this weekend.  Sure am going to miss having all those effects to play with though. sad

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

No worries about the tech stuff thats just a bunch of geek talk anyway.  The real factor comes in when you consider how much effort goes into trying to make stuff work.  I'm so happy to be in a band right now, and I had to kill myself on guitar this week to get here but I think I've got enough chops up to give it a decent running.  My hope is one of the guys will have this filmed and I can post a link to some Youtube videos so you can make fun of us hillbillies!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= … amp;type=3 Not sure if this will work like this but here is a link to my picture folder from the gig.  I'm on the far right of the stage.  Considering the fact that we had 5 hours practice time together before this gig, I thought it went fantastic!  There were a few screw ups and we had power issues that were causing the PA system to drop out ever now and then when we were playing the heavy stuff, but all in all I got a sun burn and a few new friends from the gig.  All I had was my Blues Jr (which we mic'd) and an SG Standard.  I would turn down for clean and ran the amp fairly clean considering I usually turn the gain on the amp wide open.  I have no video or audio from the gig sadly.  I think its amazing how when 2 guys leave the band and 1 guy comes in to replace them that it messes with the dynamics of the band.  The core group was messing up because they were used to hearing things that the other 2 guys used to play that I must not be playing exactly the same.  It wasn't tight on everything and on Drift Away I screwed up the intro big time.  Can you tell I'm on cloud nine???

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

Well the link isn't working I'll put it on photo bucket later.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Joined a band

AD3THREE wrote:

Well the link isn't working I'll put it on photo bucket later.

Hey man - any gig you can walk away from at the end is a success. Or is that "landing"? smile

At any rate, you're airborne and can trim out the wings as go now - congrats again!

kestrou

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

I'm really happy it went as well as it did.  I was really doing 5 hours a night most nights for about 12 days.  Which blows my mind how Joe can do 8 hours a day like I've heard him say he does.  I'll be honest with you now that its done I'm a bit burned out on guitar!!! if that was possible.  I had no life last week.  Joe Bonamassa deserves everything he's got for the dedication he puts into his career choice, and I can honestly say it without regret that that life is not for me.  Good thing about his gig is it opened a lot of doors for us.  We are already getting booked for more things and having to turn down a lot of stuff because we don't wanna do more then 1 or 2 gigs a month.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joined a band

http://s321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … ull%20Cir/

AD3THREE's Website